Becoming a Stronger Disciple

(Mark 7:24-30) Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want any-one to know it; yet He could not keep His presence secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about Him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at His feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. “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 their dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then He told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

HOW A DISCIPLE BELIEVES

Real belief in Jesus always brings exciting results.

1. Real Belief is PROSTRATE

(25) …fell at His feet.

A. Real belief starts with being desperate for Jesus.

(5:22) Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at His feet and pleaded earnestly with Him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.”

(5:33) Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at His feet and trembling with fear, told Him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

B. I’m not going to take my problems to people – I’m going to FIRST take them to Jesus.

C. I’m not going to just hope my problems get better – I’m going to take them to Jesus.

D. I’m going to prostrate myself before Jesus!

2. Real Belief is PERSISTENT

A. Persistence is an expression of confidence that something is ultimately going to succeed.

B. Closed doors may not be “locked” doors – always test them.

(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 their dogs.”

C. Don’t get discouraged in prayer – keep on asking.

D. Persistently seek Jesus as a personal Lord.

(Jeremiah 29:12-13) “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”

(Matthew 7:8) “For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

3. Real Belief is PRODUCTIVE

(29-30) Then He told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

A. Real belief in Jesus always produces results.

B. Real belief in Jesus always produces “surprising” results.

C. Real belief in Jesus always produces “exciting” results.

“Ten years from now what will you wish you had done today? Do it now!”