Matthew 15:21-28 New International Version (NIV) The Faith of a Canaanite Woman 21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” 23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the l

The Bible: The written word of the Eternal God; gathering dust on our bookshelves and side-tables. Many of you know my testimony. I grew up in a very Christian family. Almost all of my relatives are in full-time ministry. My parents are full-time missionaries. I grew up in a Christian home, but I was not a follower of Christ until I was 16, and this is how it happened. I had made the decision in high-school to pursue one thing: Popularity. I wanted people to like and admire m

THE CONTEXT To understand this text, you really need to understand the world in which it was taking place. I looked into it. It is eye opening. The Tradition of the Elders The Pharisees and the teachers of the law come to Jesus and ask, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?” And what was the tradition that was spoken of? The tradition of washing hands before they eat. To better understand why this was a big deal, you need to understand where these traditio

I will be continuing my series that I started when William was on Sabbatical last year in the book of James. The Book of James is a book written to Christians struggling with the problem of Antinominalism, which is the idea that if I am saved I don’t really need to do anything to be saved. Therefore, I can do whatever I like. It is the crisis of if salvation is by faith alone, then it doesn’t really matter what I do, because it is by faith that I am saved. James writes to thi

Jacob’s Journals of Grace 9. School of Suffering Genesis 34 - 37 Life has a way of bringing us down, doesn’t it? Just when we think we’re riding a wave of success, it suddenly breaks, sending us crashing into the jagged rocks on the shoreline of hard reality. Life is hard. No one stays on top forever. Important observation: We learn very little from success, but failure is a wonderful teacher. Ask anyone who’s gone bankrupt … or who has gone through the agony of divorce … or

Good evening, Have you ever felt tired? As in, completely wiped? Have you ever been hit by a wave of weariness that fills your eyes and lungs? I’m not talking about a ‘one-bad-night’ tired – I’m talking about other-worldly weariness that comes from a years-long period of tension, or a sudden heart-wrenching trauma. I’m sure most of you know what I’m talking about. I’m certain of it, because you all live in the 21st century, in one of the biggest, busiest cities in the world.

Good evening. Many of you are aware of the amazing miracle that took place in a Church last week. The powerful and successful prophet Alph Lukau, surrounded by tens of thousands of his followers in his big and successful Church raised a dead man to life. This great man of God – this general in God’s army – did what no other pastor in the country has yet claimed to do. And how can you doubt him? He drives a Rolls Royce and has a private jet. Of course, all it took was a few la

Genesis 32, 33 Which is more difficult? To forgive or to be forgiven? You could argue it either way. If you say it’s more difficult to forgive, you are right. When you forgive someone, you are - 1. Choosing to overlook the pain of the past. 2. Choosing to give the offender another chance. It’s more difficult to forgive. Unless you say it’s more difficult to be forgiven. You are obviously correct because when you decide to be forgiven, you are - 1. Admitting your guilt. 2.