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Proverbs 22v1-2,8-9.           

James 2v1-10, 14-17      Faith, not accompanied by action is dead.

Mark 7v24-37               The Faith of a Syrophoenician Woman.

Faith expressed through action!

Jesus is enjoying some time out with His disciples in Tyre.

But a Gentile woman found him and begged him to heal her daughter.

Jesus was reluctant to break away from his time teaching his disciples.

But the woman was insistent.

Jesus responded to her persistent request and her daughter was healed.

Let me deal firstly with the statement Jesus makes in v27. It is broadly agreed that Jesus is saying that the gospel is for the Jews first.

“First let the children eat all they want, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the little dogs.” (‘dogs’ refereeing to the house pet in Greek).

The persistent faith of the Gentile woman that caused her to press Jesus on behalf of her daughter.

The Gentile woman seems to have read what Jesus was saying, she understood the implications, and argued that even the house pet eats the scraps from the table.

At this Jesus understood the implications of what she was asking, and impressed by her persistent faith, especially from a Gentile woman, he responded.

Our faith also needs to lead into action!  Otherwise it is dead faith.  James 2v17

I am impressed by the faith of the Hinemo house project here in Levin.

They felt a Godly concern for children and families in the most difficult area of our community and wanted to reach out with the love of Jesus to that area.

What a challenge!

Their faith to see Jesus in their community led them to action against the odds.

I wonder what we as a church have faith to believe for and act?

What concern has God put on your heart for what is going on in this community?

·        Could it be a Godly concern for the young teenage mums in our community?

·        Could it be the alcohol related violence and abuse in families?

Do you want to put action to that Godly concern you have and do something about it, through your faith and love?

Let me know what concern God is laying on your heart. Talk to others to see if God is laying it on their heart as well.

Our faith and Godly concern needs to be expressed through action!