A reminder to consider others Please: Turn off your cell phone or set to vibrate only Turn off sound to all electronic devices Use the nursery or cry room if your child is fussy Get up during the preaching only if absolutely necessary (please sit in back if you must leave early)

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

A reminder - Please: Turn off your cell phone or set to vibrate only Turn off sound to all electronic devices Use the nursery or cry room if your child is fussy Get up during the preaching only if absolutely necessary (please sit in back if you must leave early)

Compassion for People Matthew 15:29-39; Mark 7:31-8:9 The Canaanite woman was repentant, respectful, persistent and humble - and she received God’s mercy Jesus travels to another Gentile area in which God’s mercy spills over to them

A Continuing Ministry Matthew 15:29-31; Mark 7:31-37 Jesus travels from Tyre by the Sea of Galilee to a mountain in Decapolis

Jesus travels from Tyre by the Sea of Galilee to a mountain in Decapolis

A mountain in Decapolis by the Sea of Galilee

A Continuing Ministry Matthew 15:29-31; Mark 7:31-37 The multitude of Gentiles glorified the God of Israel Mark 7:32-37 - a specific healing of a deaf man who spoke with difficulty Jesus is the Son of Man, but no ordinary man has such powers

A Continuing Ministry Matthew 15:29-31; Mark 7:31-37 The Gentiles of the region turned to Jesus and recognized that He was from God Jesus did not require from them what He prodded the Canaanite woman to do - He healed them as they came 10

A Continuing Ministry Matthew 15:29-31; Mark 7:31-37 Jesus (and the apostles) healed instantly and fully including the lame / maimed and crippled / mutilated Beware! Deceivers abound who claim to do what Jesus did - but they cannot These Gentiles recognized Jesus was from God - while the Pharisees & religious Jews rejected Jesus’ claim 11

A Continuing Compassion Matthew 15:32-39; Mark 8:1-9 Jesus has compassion on the multitude to feed them, but they are in a desolate place without adequate food This miracle is carried out in the same manner as the previous one in feeding the five thousand

A Continuing Compassion Matthew 15:32-39; Mark 8:1-9 It is reasonable to think the food multiplied as it did for Elijah (1 Kings 17:10) and Elisha (2 Kings 4) Jesus can do whatever He wants when He wants to whom He wants in keeping with His own character 13

A Continuing Compassion Matthew 15:32-39; Mark 8:1-9 Some “scholars” claim this is a retelling of the same miracle as the feeding the five thousand 14

General Similarities between 2 Events Matthew 14:14-21 vs 15:32-39 A) A mountain in a remote place, B) A small amount of bread and fish, C) Many people, D) Sitting down, E) Giving thanks, F) Distribution by disciples, G) Everyone satisfied, H) Baskets full of leftovers

Specific Differences between 2 Events Matthew 14:14-21 vs 15:32-39 A) Decapolis vs. Bethsaida; B) Gentile vs Jewish crowd; C) Three days vs an afternoon; D) 7 loaves / a few fish vs. 5 loaves / 2 fish; E) 4,000+ vs 5,000+; F) 7 large baskets vs 12 regular baskets; G) Jesus gets in boat vs goes up mountain 16

A Continuing Compassion Matthew 15:32-39; Mark 8:1-9 These are two distinct different miracles Be careful what you read / hear Be a Berean Jesus is powerful and able to repeat miracles according to His own desire

A Continuing Compassion Matthew 15:32-39; Mark 8:1-9 Jesus’ compassion extends to Gentiles - a correction of Jewish thought and an encouragement to Gentiles There are many possible applications, but a key one is following Jesus’ example of compassion 18

A Continuing Charge Romans 8:29; Ephesians 2:10 - Christians are to become like Jesus & do the good works God has prepared Some falsely profess to be a Christian, while some Christians are hindered by ignorance and complacency

A Continuing Charge Jesus’ example includes compassion on people who were unholy, unlovely and uncultured James 1:22, 27; 2:15-16 - professed faith without corresponding action is a worthless delusion 20

Be Involved, but Be Careful A) Many well meaning groups actually cause harm in the long term B) Many groups oppose and restrict the gospel - man’s only true hope C) Some Christian groups have lost their gospel priority

Personally Respond with Compassion to the Needs Around You Be careful to meet needs in a way that you have opportunity to talk about Jesus This could also mean involvement with a social service organization or starting a ministry

Jesus’ example of compassion demands the willingness to sacrifice Do not let selfishness block you from being compassionate toward others You cannot out give God - He will meet your needs even as you give to meet the needs of others

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ