Amazing Faith: Examining the Details of Our Faith

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Visit our website and learn more about harvest partners@harvest.org new waivers of these over and over and give anyone a warrior version of the affirmative wires that will one option is your article in your heart today on a new beginning after Grigori offers a practical help with her prayer will warning about a vital substitute for God, is anyone or anything that takes the place of the true and living God in your life. That's why bring her life to a home in God invites us to break old advisors to see the sometimes our prayers can be derailed today of a new beginning for Greg Laurie helps us investigate those factors for prayers from reaching God's throne series of lessons in the gospel of Mark the gospel for busy people today see how to undergird our prayers and with the proper attitude with the title amazing faith that were marked chapter 7. This woman had a problem. Her daughter was possessed by demons and she needed to get to Jesus in hell or high water would not stop her.

She was the mother would not give up. Let's read now for Mark chapter 7, read verses 24 to 29 a. By the way I'm reading from the new living translation. Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre didn't want anyone to know what house he was dated, but he couldn't keep it a secret quite a way a woman would've heard about Jim came and fell at his feet.

Her little girl was possessed by an evil spirit, and she begged him to cast out the demons from her daughter since she was a Gentile, born in Syrian Phoenicia.

Jesus told her first.

I should feed the children. My own family, the Jews.

It isn't right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs feasible.

That's true Lord but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps that fall from the children's plate. I love the response of Jesus could answer, he said no go home for the demon. This left her daughter when she arrived home she felt her little girl lying quietly in bed in the demon was gone. Jesus knows this woman has amazing thing. Jesus wants to draw this faith out and he wants to put it on display so we can all learn from it. So we sort of puts up our hurdle. If you will, but he knows this woman can easily clear this hurdle, he knew she was going to be able to pass this test with flying colors.

But sometimes it seems like God isn't listening to us. He always is and is not paying attention but he is paying attention. I know the hardest response to accept is no response at all. But there may be something going on hi Missy which, when you pray, you pray for something over and over again and you wonder why your prayer is not answered in the affirmative, US why is that, well, here's one option.

Maybe there is a spiritual battle reaching that you know nothing about me say that again your prayer may not be answered because there's a spiritual battle raging that you know nothing about is a fascinating story in Daniel chapter 10 were mighty angel appears before the prophet Daniel. The angel says to Daniel, hey, your prayer is been heard by God affected was heard 21 days ago and I was dispatched from heaven with the answer to your prayer, but I was stripped up by a more powerful Angel fallen Angel in this case described as the prince of Persia, so the Lord of the send reinforcements and my goal. The Archangel came to my rescue.

Here's the answer to your prayer. Everything about that you pray the prayer was heard in heaven and answer was sent and there's a spiritual battle among angels raging behind the scenes. Remember this God's delays are not necessarily his denials.

Keep praying. Another reason your prayer may not be answered in the affirmative, is because there is unconfessed sin in your life. Psalm 6618 says if I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened in Isaiah 59 we read these words listen.

Lord is not too weak. He can save you north to becoming debt so we can hear you. Here's a problem your sins of cut you off from God because of your sin. He's turned away will not listen anymore. It may be a sin in your past that is remain unconfessed and on dealt with.

Listen to this God cannot forgive the sin you will not confess. Maybe it's a sin in your life right now.

You don't think is a sin if somehow rationalized I think it's a good idea for all believers to pray with the psalmist prayed in Psalm 139, when he said search me oh God, and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting of you just pause before the Lord in prayer recently and said, Lord, if there's anything in my life that is displeasing to you if there's any relationship I'm engaged in that this honors you. If there's any pursuit I'm engaged in that is outside of your will would you show that to me. I don't want any sin separating me from you.

I think the Lord will hear that prayer. Another thing that may keep your prayers are being answered in the affirmative. As you have an idol in your heart an idol in your heart idols in our hearts cause God to refuse to listen to our prayers. Ezekiel 14 three says Son of Man. These leaders have set up idols in their hearts they have embraced things that lead them into sin. Why should I let them ask me anything with a great idol what you mean an idol. We think of an idol is a little carved image and it of course is that but it can be something else like an idol can be something you drive an idol can be something you hold an idol can be some passion you have in life. It's more important to you than God. Listen to this an idol or a God with a small G is anyone or anything that takes the place of the true and living God in your life.

That's why we read in first John, little children, keep yourselves from idols. Years ago I was leaving the tour to Israel and we went in the footsteps of Paul so we went to modern-day Turkey were the biblical emphasis is, and we saw that amazing city. And so the people of Ephesus worshiped the goddess Diana little carved image.

It was a big deal to the people there. So as I was getting ready to get my message I saw little souvenir stand and there were actually selling these little Diana statutes that the people used to worship so I bought one because I was going to use it as an illustration, so as I'm giving my message. I'm think this is what the people were shipped and how ridiculous this is and I threw it to the ground and afterwards I threw it in my backpack and thought nothing of it and then we got on a cruise ship because this cruise ship would take to support the board for the footsteps of Paul and I had to my granddaughters with me, Lucian, Stella, I'm sitting in my cabin with them and I see there playing with the little idol. The little goddess Diana and she's a good doll may have her talk to Mike with thoughts like an idol. Why do women idol in my room while my granddaughters playing with an idol site. The girls give that to me and I love the room and went to the side of the boat and I throw it over into the ocean is I don't even want to check to go idol in my life. But if we allow these other things that brought out God can bring our prayer life to a home.

Your great glory will have the second half of this message just a moment I want you to know tonight. One thing God loves you and a new pastor Greg Laurie brings us a deeper appreciation for the man and his no matter how you live, what languages God loves you Julie Bridges. People always shared the gospel and he always emulated Christ and I think we can learn from his example. So I write about that a lot more this book I've written called Billy Graham the man I knew it's an evangelist in the life of history's greatest revenge.

Your copy of the new biography Billy Graham, the man I knew go to harvest.org. What were discussing prayer today on a new beginning as pastor Greg provides some insight on why her prayers are answered in sometimes why they're not.

It's a study based in Mark chapter 7. Here's another reason our prayers are not answered quite yet because God wants us to keep praying. He wants us to keep praying and clearly that's a situation with this woman again. He did not arrest these barriers to keep her away, but to draw her closer.

Let's come back to what Jesus said. Look at verse 27 hey she says touch my demon possessed artery goes first. I need to feed the children. It is my own family.

The Jews, it isn't right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs. What kind of thing is that to say let's understand it contextually to words that could be used for dogs. One describes dirty roaming packs of dogs that live off garbage and dead animals and by the way, there were a lot of those back in these days in Israel.

I member a number of years ago I was in the Third World country and I went for a run on the beach. That's when I used to run and really run much anymore. I walked briskly, but I would first run of the beat.

All of a sudden a couple of wild dogs started chasing me. I'll say this, I ran a lot faster. Maybe if I was tooth my wild dog again. I would run, but I really crazy wild dog that's not the word that Jesus uses uses a word that would refer to little puppies or family pets. Sort of a an affectionate way to describe it. I mean we love our dogs, especially the doodles right is a lot of Littles and noodles and dogs today than a lab or doodle in the visit due to live in that little but he's cute little dogs in and dogs are so much a part of our culture.

There's a new book out now called pet nation that talks about how the attitude of Americans is changed toward their pets in the old days dogs slept outside. Remember dog houses number Snoopy and his doghouse. Sometimes it sleep. On top of it and I when you are in trouble. What was was here present. He's in the doghouse. Dogs don't have houses anymore dogs live in our house and sometimes even live in our bed, and sometimes even eat at our table and now dogs have Instagram accounts and cats have hotels and gourmet food and there's luxury fashion for pet.

My goodness, dogs or even mayors. I just read an article that said a dog was elected mayor not making this up in the town of rabbit cash in Kentucky. Robert has some surprise.

It didn't elect a rabbit to be there mayor with the article says this dog whose name is Wilbur, was elected and by the way, he won 13,000 votes. Mayor Wilbur there mayor is a dog.

I'm sure when they told him the good views he just rolled over with excitement right facing that sort of art relationship with animals today and so Jesus is really saying. Let me paraphrase you know it's not right to take the children's boot and give it to the little puppies. She could have been offended by that, but I think she knew exactly what was going on she can see the love and the size she could see the little bit of a smile on his face so she comes back with his classic response again. Verse 28 that's true Lord but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children's play Gaylord. Even some of your leftover power is more than enough for me just what that woman just passed the test with flying colors. Look at what Jesus says in verse 29 he says good answer now go home for the demon. This left her daughter. I think the disciples jaws must've dropped to the ground that the good yeah you get this woman out of Sherry. You don't want to help her and and he makes a statement doing to respond to what is going on here. Then he says good answer your present good answer is not great. Why the sudden transformation he goes from ignoring or answering her prayer answer because of her persistence, tenacity and commitment.

The door is shut in her face and she just keeps knocking. She won't give up.

She had an amazing faith and she would not go home without an answer.

One an example for us to remember to keep praying for our children. Maybe I'm talking to somebody right now who has a son or a daughter who's taken a prodigal turn. Maybe I'm talking to a prodigal, and I just want you to know that your break and your parents hearts, and you need to come back to the Lord again because whatever you're chasing after you know it's not going to satisfy you. You're going to come to the end of it and I hope you don't come to the end of it at the end of your life and throw your life away come back to Jesus and I'll tell you how to do that in a few moments. So listen, don't give up on your children. Are you the devil whisper in your ear and he'll say oh it's too late for your kids will never change the listen to him. He's a liar and he's the father of lies. Keep praying for them.

By the way, you know you're praying according to the will of God when you're praying for someone to come to our come back to the Lord is a how do you know that Greg because the Bible says God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. It's the heart of God to see people come to him or come back to him.

God loves these people and he wants to reach 70 wants to reach them for you sort messages almost done here, let's conclude what we learn from the story number one faith is often found in the most unexpected places, isn't it. Again faith is found in the most unexpected and unusual places pleasant it is grace not the place that makes a person a believer, let me say that again it's grace, not the plates.

You know, one would not of expected a person with faith like this woman who was in another country, a country that was filled with the enemies of Israel. A woman who was steeped in pagan idolatry to be someone of great faith. I mean, in contrast, Simon Peter, who was Jewish, was told by Jesus. He had little faith. Jesus said don't all Peter, why do you have such little faith and get here is this woman, a Gentile woman outside of God's covenant and he commends her faith number two no matter what. Bring your problems to Jesus. Nothing will shock him nothing will surprise him my table.

Greg, I'm just unworthy to approach God to either break this to you.

You were never worthy to approach God Jim, what about the D that I went to church twice and I read 10 chapters of the Bible and I share the gospel with someone and I was fasting to pay you know what you were not worthy of your approach God on that day and so this is not about wordiness. This is about the grace of God. Remember, the woman said, have mercy on me. Thirdly, when you pray, seek to find the will of God allying yourself with it and pray with persistence again. As I said, you know you're praying according to the will of God when you're praying for someone to come to her come back to Jesus Christ. So keep praying. Don't give up. Jesus said men out always to pray and not give up, let me say this. In closing, Jesus went way out of his way to reach this woman. She had an appointment with Jesus. I don't know, but showed up on her calendar that day but it was there. You have an appointment with Jesus right now. Maybe you two knew that this by accident or maybe someone told you to tune in her or however you are watching this you don't have a relationship with God and you don't know how to have a relationship with God. Let me tell you how understand this, God loves you. God wants to forgive you of all of your sin. But there's nothing you can do to make this right living the good life being the nice person nothing. You're always going to fall short of God and his glory. But here's the good news 2000 years ago Jesus Christ came to this earth on a rescue mission to die on the cross. Only love to think of Jesus as a little baby there in the manger and that that's all true. Listen to this, the Nativity or the birth of Christ, of the incarnation happen.

So there would be the crucifixion.

We don't want to think of the baby growing up to be a man and dying on the cross, we must think of that as an aberration in the beautiful story no.

It was the whole purpose of the story.

This child was born to die, that we may live Christ died on the cross for your sin. He took the judgment that should've come upon you and upon me, upon himself and he rose again from the dead three days later.

Listen, he stands at the door of your life right now and he knocks it says if you hear his voice opened the door he will come in.

Jesus went out of his way to reach this woman. He wants to reach you.

Right now he wants to forgive you right now you can come into a relationship with him, and of all of your sin forgiven.

I mentioned prodigal's earlier maybe I'm talking to what prodigal and and if you don't know what I mean by that I mean someone that walk with the Lord at one time, but now you walked away from him and I bet you're pretty empty inside. Maybe you haven't said it out loud, but you are because you know how it can be.

You know what it's like to wake up in the morning with guilt racking you are having a hangover. You know what it's like to gather together with God's people and worship the Lord and hear the word of God, but you push that all your life and you chase after other things and you've already seen the emptiness of you can come back to Jesus right now, you might as well hello I do this you call out to him for this woman view. She called out to Jesus and the Bible says whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be say exhibit I will how I call out the end you have his number can I text him Nono you call out in prayer and in the moment. I would like to lead you in a prayer where you would ask Christ to come into your life and forgive you of your sin. So listen if you want Jesus to forgive you of your sin if you want to know that you go to heaven when you die if you want to start this new relationship with him or of your prodigal son or daughter and you want to come back to the Lord.

Pray this prayer with me. In fact, you could even pray it out loud. Just pray these words. If you would, Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner but I know that you are the Savior. I believe you died on the cross for my sin and rose again from the dead. Now Jesus come into my life. I choose to follow you from this moment forward as my Savior and Lord is my God Jesus name I pray, and Pastor Greg Laurie with those making a change in the relationship with God today and if you yourself are prayed with Pastor Greg and made a first-time decision for the Lord would like to help you get started in your new relationship with God.

Would like to send your new believers] it's a collection of resources. Pastor Greg is put together to help answer your questions and get you started off right in your walk of faith and will send it without any charge. So just right is at a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300. We can take your call anytime 24 seven. Again dial the number 1-800-821-3300 or just go online to harvest.org and click the words know God Pastor Greg were making available your new book, Billy Graham, the man I knew yeah it's a fascinating read and there are so many things I found surprising. One of those surprises was that early on a bill he had dreams of becoming a major league baseball player. That's right okay so I'm in the share with you now. 10 things that will surprise you about the world famous evangelist, but I want to announce it again. I need some echo in this and then little fanfare. Okay here we go 10 things that will surprise you about the world famous evangelist Billy Graham, RI, now that we have that taken care of. Here's number one.

Billy Graham had dreams of playing major league baseball okay so Billy was a dairyman son living in North Carolina and he wanted to play major league baseball especially after meeting the baby himself. Babe Ruth came to his town and Billy was able to shake his hand and watch the babe in action and and that's what he dreamt of all that was not meant to be. He was not going to be playing in the stadium he was going to be preaching in stadiums all around the world. But a lot of people don't know that the dairyman son known by most is simply Billy Frank wanted to be a pro baseball player matches one of the many things that I bring out in this book called Billy Graham the man I knew I wanted tell you about his life at the flyover of who he was, where he came from what he did. There's been many great books written on Billy Graham so I didn't feel like I needed to rewrite one of those books but it's really a book written by an evangelist, that's me about the greatest evangelist that's billing and so I bring insights that may be other books about really touched on. I also weave in a lot of my personal experiences one-on-one with Billy things he said to me personally and things I gleaned by watching him, so if you want to learn more about this man that change the world. Get your copy of Billy Graham, the man I knew that his life is certainly worth a closer look. It was such a great example for all of us and pastor Greg and his co-author Marshall Terrill have done exhaustive research into Billy's life research that took them all the way back to the Civil War, so don't miss this opportunity to read about this modern-day hero of the face and will send you a copy to thank you for your investment in making these daily studies possible. It's only through listener support that we can feature Pastor Greg's teachings each day. So send your gift today to a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call us at 1-800-821-3300. We can take your call anytime 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and look for Billy Graham, the man I knew everybody.

Greg Laurie here encouraging you to join us as we give her what we call Harvest at Home is worse in the message of the word of God and watch it with your family and your front room where you can watch it on the go on your tablet on your phone or your computer. Take it with you think the word of God with you. Join us for Harvest at Home harvest will next time will visit the moment when Jesus asked his disciples, people say that I am pastor Greg shows is that how we answer reveals a great deal about join us next time you beginning, things really to a new beginning. Greg Laurie podcast made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for daily devotions and learn how to become a harvest partner harvest.org