Great Faith - Mark 7:24-30, Matthew 15:21-28

Jesus first came to the Jewish people... Feed the children (Jews) first, then the puppies/dogs (gentiles). 

This gentile woman from the region that gave us Jezebel was the first person outside the apostles to hear and understand a parable... and this is the only time in the gospels that Jesus concedes another person's point! And he heals her daughter. God is opening the eyes of the gentiles.

This woman was a model of great faith. The markers of her faith:

Authority - She calls him Lord, son of David. She seems to know who God is, and has a reverence for him. Great Faith begins with who we have faith in. Changing the Gospel to say God is different from what the Word says, is sin. Fear of the Lord is reverential awe for the one who has dominion over your soul! The darkness hates the light - Jesus is the light, opposed to Satan's kingdom. We are to say no to the darkness.

Identity - Though Jesus calls her a puppy/dog, she doesn't snap back; she agrees! She accepts the identity God attributes to her. He calls us sheep, an animal with barely any offense or defense, prone to wander. A sheep in the wild is lunch! But a sheep in a flock is protected by the Shepherd. We must be in church. We walk humbly before God and accept his designations, accept what he says about us. 

Faith alone - She seems to understand God's grace extends beyond the boundaries of the Jewish people. Faith is the gift of God, through grace alone, not by our works! We are saved because of the object of our faith.

Persistence - she won't let things go. Three times her request is shot down. Luke 15:5, 18:1... He answers the prayers of the persistent. Bring it to him, and keep bringing it to him. He owes us nothing, and we can't manipulate him. But he does reward persistence. The paralytic on the roof is a great example of persistence! When he saw the faith of the man and his friends, he healed the man.

When God returns, he wants to see us at work for his kingdom, to his glory. Persistence in faith!

To be of great faith, you must be all in! And stay in. Satan loves to feast on shooting stars who don't endure to the end. So we must be persistent in the things of God, faithful to the end!