1. Mark 7:24-37 24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret.

2. Mark 7:24-37 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet.

3. Mark 7:24-37 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. 27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. 27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

4. Mark 7:24-37 28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” 28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”

5. Mark 7:24-37 30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. 31 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. 30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. 31 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis.

6. Mark 7:24-37 32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.

7. Mark 7:24-37 33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”).

8. Mark 7:24-37 35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.

9. Mark 7:24-37 36 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. 37 People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

10. Larry Cline - Hardin Valley Church Of Christ - 2/22/2015

11. I. What they needed to know: The width of God’s love for people

12. Racial bias was one of the greatest problems of the early church… that’s why this text is so relevant.  Two stories – one common thread.  Not like Him…  nationality  language  customs

13. Why did He go there? Relief from “truth squads”

15.  Relief from “truth squads”.  Maybe to symbolize that the bread being rejected by the Israelites was becoming opportunity for the gentiles.  Maybe to get rest from ministry pressures & to spend time with His disciples.  For sure it seems He went for this woman!

16. Remember what just happened…  By His words He taught there is no distinction between a clean or unclean pot. By His life He teaches there is no such thing as clean or unclean people.

17. II. What do they need to show: The depth of their faith

18. A.The woman – has anybody ever approached Jesus with more strikes against them?  Her sex was against her.  Satan is against her.  The disciples are against her.  Even Jesus seems against her.

20. Remember two things: 1.We don’t know the tone of voice used. 2.Word for dog here is not the savage animal but the little house dog… a pet.

21. He seems to be saying that during His brief ministry He has to lay the foundation for the Kingdom among the people God has prepared.

22. Not a question of callousness but of calling.  “I was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” (Matt. 15:25 ).  “…salvation is from the Jews,” (John 4:22 b ).  … “to the Jew first, and also to the Greek,” (Romans 1:16 ).

25. Faith extrapolates! Even dogs belong to the Master!  She is doing what faith always does. Faith sees a promise, claims it and personally appropriates it.

26. B.The man – Jesus perhaps uses a crude form of sign language… touches ears, touches His tongue, looks to heaven, sighs and then speaks.  Anytime God tells creation to do something the verdict is the same:  Creation obeys  The result is “good”

27. “He has done everything well!”

28. What we need to go: 1.Eyes that are open to all kinds of people.

29. We get caught up on the outside but Mark shouts to us that the only thing that qualifies us for a relationship with God is the state of our heart.

31. “He sighed” Sometimes it seems we can be spiritually deaf to the voice of God because we will not hear the cries of our neighbor.

32. 3. Lips that are open to all kinds of opportunities. If you meet your “Canaanite Woman” this week:  Don’t write her off!  Who would have thought the demoniac would amount to much?

33. “It is understandable if a single old unbidden lady is of no interest to you”  Have you…  tasted the bread of heaven?  been invited to the banquet?  gulped living water?

34. If so, you need to realize that after you have had your fill there is still something to share.  There’s always something to share.