{"id":164,"date":"2018-11-07T11:00:56","date_gmt":"2018-11-07T19:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/migrate.bettersermons.org\/?p=164"},"modified":"2020-06-01T11:40:42","modified_gmt":"2020-06-01T18:40:42","slug":"jesus-does-everything-well","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/jesus-does-everything-well\/","title":{"rendered":"Jesus Does Everything Well"},"content":{"rendered":"
Jesus Does Everything Well<\/span><\/div>\n

\".\"
\nScripture:<\/strong>\u00a0Mark 7:24-37<\/p>\n

Main Idea:<\/strong>\u00a0 Through two miracles Jesus declares his love for people and the professs of his Father’s kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Introduction<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nTwo stories<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nStories of healing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nStories of faith & grace<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nIn our passage, we meet two people who, out of their desperate circumstances, are irresistibly drawn to Jesus to be healed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nIt’s the kind of thing that still happens today, if we have eyes to see and ears to hear.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nThese are truly fascinating stories.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nIn some ways the meaning is so obvious.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nIn other ways these stories of Jesus, like so many things about Jesus, confuse us.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc.<\/td>\nSo, let’s just start by reading them.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mark 7:24-35<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Time for Jesus to get our ot town (24)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\n\"\"By this time in Mark’s story, Jesus is getting very favous.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nWherever he goes he is accosted by large crowds who want to be healed, or hear him teach, or just see what was going to happen next.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nThese stories in our text remind us that Jesus was fully human.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nHe was tired<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nExhausted<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc.<\/td>\nHe needed rest<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nd.<\/td>\nAnd when he needed rest he did what many of us do – He got out of town.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nJesus goes to the area of Tyre.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nOne of the few times Jesus travels outside of Israel.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nThe reality is that Jesus really doesn’t go very far in all his ministry.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc.<\/td>\nUnlike Paul, Jesus works exclusively in Israel.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nd.<\/td>\nSo, this is a bit of an unusual excursion for Jesus.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n5.<\/td>\nOur text says that he entered a house there and didn\u2019t want anyone to know he was in town.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nJesus, it seems, is trying to go on a personal retreat \u2013 to get some rest, both physically and spiritually.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nPerhaps he thought the only way to get some rest was to get out of his home area, where people knew him really well.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n6.<\/td>\nBut immediately his cover is blown and the secret is out.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nA woman somehow hears that Jesus is in town and realizes this is her chance.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nShe comes to Jesus in desperation.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Syrophoenician Woman<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nShe comes to Jesus, prostrates herself at his feet in a show of humility and respect (maybe even worship, but probably not)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nHer daughter was seriously sick.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nPossessed by an evil spirit, Mark says.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nThis is not unusual in Mark.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc.<\/td>\nFor Mark, Jesus is always battling evil spirits and here is another.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nThis woman (a Syrophoenician woman) is deeply distressed, as any mother would be.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nShe has heard stories of Jesus\u2019 healing power and realizes this is her chance.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n5.<\/td>\nShe is a Gentile, not a Jew, but she boldly comes to Jesus anyway in confidence, but tempered with humility.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n6.<\/td>\nAnd Jesus, well\u2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nThere\u2019s really no other way to say it.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nJesus blows her off.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n7.<\/td>\nShe is an outsider and Jesus\u2019 mission is to the Jews.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nHe is the Messiah sent to the Jewish people.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nOf course Jesus knew that God\u2019s mission was larger than just the Jews, but he also knew the plan.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc.<\/td>\nJews first, then the Gentiles.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nd.<\/td>\nHe says as much to the woman at the well, in John 4:22.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\nYou Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\ne.<\/td>\nAnd Paul says the same thing later in Romans 1:16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\nI am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n8.<\/td>\nMatthew\u2019s version of this same story of the Syrophoenician Woman says that Jesus replied,<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\n\u201cI was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n9.<\/td>\nOf course, Matthew\u2019s gospel is written to a Jewish audience and so that comment makes particular sense, whereas Mark is written for a predominantly Gentile audience.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n10.<\/td>\nEither way, Jesus blows her off and uses some strong language to get her to leave him alone.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nJesus uses a parable \u2013 a metaphor \u2013 from something that was very common to his listeners and in some homes, is still common today.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nYou don\u2019t throw the good food to the pet dog while the children sit hungry at the table.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\nIt is a metaphor about the priority of Jesus to minister first to the Israelites (children) and not to the Gentiles (dog).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2)<\/td>\nIt\u2019s tempting to try to apologize for Jesus or somehow soften the impact of what he is saying.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3)<\/td>\nIt\u2019s difficult for our modern sensibilities to understand the priority of the Jews in the ministry of Jesus.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4)<\/td>\nOur liberal democratic society has made our ears extremely sensitive to such discrimination.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n5)<\/td>\nBut whereas we are shocked by the parable Jesus employs, the woman with the sick daughter is unfazed!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc.<\/td>\nShe has a quick comeback that still impresses us today.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\nShe takes his story of the children eating first before the dog and says,<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\na)<\/td>\nYes, but even the dog can sit under the table and wait for the crumbs that fall.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2)<\/td>\nYou can almost hear the people standing around saying,<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\na)<\/td>\nOoooo\u2026.SNAP!<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb)<\/td>\nYeah, Jesus, take that!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3)<\/td>\nEither that or they\u2019re waiting for the lightening bolt or something –\u00a0 I mean, is it okay to talk back to Jesus in that way? \u2013 that\u2019s pretty risky \u2013 pretty bold.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nd.<\/td>\nBut her illustration is as effective as Jesus\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\ne.<\/td>\nAnd Jesus is impressed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nf.<\/td>\nYou can almost see a smile creep across his face as he pictures the household pet dog, lurking around the dinner table, waiting for the inevitable crumbs to fall from the table.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\nYou should see under our kitchen table if we haven\u2019t vacuumed at least once a day.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2)<\/td>\nAnd if we don\u2019t vacuum for two or three days, I swear things are growing under there.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3)<\/td>\nAny pet dog at my house would have plenty to eat under the table.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\ng.<\/td>\nAnd as the picture sinks in, I can imagine Jesus turning to those around him, eyebrows raises, and saying,<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\nYou know, she\u2019s right.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2)<\/td>\nAnd for that response \u2013 a response of great courage and conviction and, yes\u2026GREAT FAITH, guess what?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3)<\/td>\nYour request is granted!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n11.<\/td>\nThis woman\u2019s faith outshines the unbelief of the Pharisees and the slowness of the disciples.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nAnd in the telling of this story of the healing of an outsider,\u00a0Mark\u2019s community<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 struggling under the heel of the Romans \u2013 is again challenged to welcome the stranger \u2013 the outsider.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nThey are reminded that the\u00a0Pharisees<\/strong>, who had all the right answers, Jesus rebuffs as\u00a0\u201chypocrites\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0(7:6)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc.<\/td>\nThe\u00a0disciples<\/strong>, who had the advantage of extended time with Jesus, he calls\u00a0dull and faithless<\/strong>\u00a0(7:18).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nd.<\/td>\nBut this woman\u2026though she is an outsider who\u2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\nHas the wrong theology, or none at all<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2)<\/td>\nIs not \u201cof the faith\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3)<\/td>\nDoesn\u2019t \u201chave the truth\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4)<\/td>\nIsn\u2019t in the club<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n5)<\/td>\nAnd is just the wrong kind of person<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\ne.<\/td>\nYet Jesus says, \u201cWoman, you have great faith!\u201d (Matt 15:28)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Deaf and Mute Man<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nFrom this attempted retreat in the region of Tyre, Jesus now makes his way to the region of the Decapolis.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nTyre is north of Galilee and on the Mediterranean coast.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nThe city of Tyre is still there in modern Lebanon, about 50 miles south of Beirut.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc.<\/td>\nThe Decapolis \u2013 or a region of 10 cities \u2013 is southeast of Galilee.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nThe Decapolis is also a Gentile area, but with a large Jewish community.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nHere a man is brought to Jesus who is both deaf and nearly mute, asking that he be healed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nAfter a seemingly elaborate sequence of very physical acts (spitting, fingers in his ears, touching in tongue) Jesus utters the Aramaic expression, \u201cBe opened!\u201d and the man is completely healed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The Kingdom is Near<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nIn these stories we see several things happening, but there are\u00a0two concluding statements<\/strong>\u00a0in our passage this morning that seem to summarize them all.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nAnd these statements spring effortlessly from the people (maybe the disciples or just others who were there to witness these remarkable works of Jesus).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nHe has done everything well.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nSpecifically related to this last miracle but Mark uses this as a concluding statement to this whole section that reaches back to the feeding of the 5,000 in Mark 6.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\nJesus does all things well!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nAn allusion to Genesis 1:31<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\n\u201cGod saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.\u201d<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2)<\/td>\nFrom these healings the people immediately deduced, God\u2019s creation is good.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\na)<\/td>\nAnd not only that, but the creation continues in Jesus.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3)<\/td>\nThe healings of Jesus demonstrate the continued truth of this original statement in Genesis 1.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4)<\/td>\nThe creation is a good place<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n5)<\/td>\nJesus demonstrates his own deep love for creation and that of His Father.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n6)<\/td>\nSo great is his love that His mission can be summarized as a healing mission.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n7)<\/td>\nJesus came to heal God\u2019s creation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n8)<\/td>\nSometimes we see that healing taking place in intimate, one-on-one encounters.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n9)<\/td>\nEspecially at the cross, we see God\u2019s healing going down deep \u2013 to the root \u2013 of the disease.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nHe even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nAt one level this is an expression of the crowd\u2019s overwhelming amazement at the works of Jesus.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nReminds us the disciples incredulous statement a few chapters before, \u201cEven the wind and the wave obey him!\u201d (Mark 4:41).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc.<\/td>\nBut at a deeper level Mark is interpreting these miraculous signs for us.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\nFor that is what they are \u2013 signs.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2)<\/td>\nBut signs of what?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\na)<\/td>\nThat God loves the world and his creation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb)<\/td>\nThat God desires people to be healthy and whole<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nc)<\/td>\nThat his grace is abundant for all who need it.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nd)<\/td>\nThat he wants them to know that he is divine by flexing his divine muscle.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\ne)<\/td>\nCertainly all of those things.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3)<\/td>\nBut even more than this, Mark is saying, these miracles are evidence that the kingdom of God is near.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4)<\/td>\nThat God has begun to reign.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n5)<\/td>\nHow might we know that?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n6)<\/td>\nOr, how would Mark come to that conclusion?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nIsaiah 35 (selected verses)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n3)<\/td>\nEmphasis on verse 5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n4)<\/td>\nCulminating in verse 9-10.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n5)<\/td>\nThis is a picture of Israel\u2019s glorious future that God has in mind for them.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n6)<\/td>\nThis is a picture of the creation completely healed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n7)<\/td>\nAnd God is working out this plan of total redemption and restoration of creation.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nMark understands that the works of Jesus \u2013 these miraculous signs \u2013 are unmistakable evidence that God has begun to do for Israel what He always promised to do\u2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1)<\/td>\nForgive her sins, restore her hope<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2)<\/td>\nGod has begun to reign and Jesus is Messiah!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Conclusion<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n1.<\/td>\nToday we see all around us, evidence that the world is still under a curse, even though we know that the decisive battle was won.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nIn spite of the victory of God on the cross, we see evidence of sin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nb.<\/td>\nSo much so that we are sometime tempted to give up hope.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n2.<\/td>\nBut what gives us hope is Jesus.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\n\u2026the practical movements of his life.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n3.<\/td>\nAnd Jesus\u2019 life should shape our own.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n4.<\/td>\nThe fact that a Gentile woman would approach Jesus in infantile but profound faith, is cause for hope.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n5.<\/td>\nThe fact that this man was completely healed is evidence that God does, in fact, reign.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n6.<\/td>\nToday, desperate and broken people are still drawn to Jesus.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nSadly, they\u2019re not always drawn to the church (which is supposed to be Jesus\u2019 body. But when rightly understood, people are still drawn to Jesus)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n7.<\/td>\nToday, those who are out of luck and cast aside by the world are still in search of healing.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n8.<\/td>\nThey\u2019ve tried a bunch of thing and nothing does the trick.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n9.<\/td>\nBut many of them have yet to meet Jesus<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\na.<\/td>\nAnd not just any Jesus, but the real Jesus \u2013 the Jesus we see in this story today, who crosses the boundaries of ethnicity, race, religion and geography to apply the healing touch of God to those on the outside.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n10.<\/td>\nAnd when the church acts in Christ stead, doing the deeds of Christ \u2013 healing the sick, freeing captives, giving hope to the hopeless and comfort to the desperate and distraught \u2013 we declare that the Kingdom of God is near.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n11.<\/td>\nWe are giving tangible witness that God reigns and that very soon, God\u2019s glory will break into our world in fullness.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n12.<\/td>\nOne day\u00a0we and<\/strong>\u2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nThey<\/strong>\u00a0will enter Zion with singing;
\nEverlasting joy will crown [our] heads.
\nGladness and joy will overtake [us]\nAnd sorrow and signing will flee away.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Submitted by Ryan J.\u00a0Bell. Better Sermons \u00a9 2005-2007. Click here for\u00a0usage guidelines<\/a>. Thumbnail image by Agata Urbaniak<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jesus Does Everything Well Scripture:\u00a0Mark 7:24-37 Main Idea:\u00a0 Through two miracles Jesus declares his love for people and the professs of his Father’s kingdom. Introduction 1. Two stories a. Stories …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/164"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=164"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/164\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":165,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/164\/revisions\/165"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}