Lord, Help Me

Kate Stevens • May 5, 2021

Summary of sermon on Matthew 15:21-31 from Pastor Ryan Lewis.

Jesus’ encounter with the Canaanite woman is the story of a faith that Jesus called great!


We have to understand the context—Jesus, the second member of the Trinity, is sovereign in all he does. He went to this location for rest, and he knew it was heavily saturated with non-Jews.


He knew he would come across this woman, and he knew the importance of that for her and for us. 



Her Faith was Humble


This woman knew she had nothing to bring to the table. She knew she was a Canaanite and not a Jew. Because of this, she knew she was not entitled to the goodness of Jesus.


Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”


It was this mindset that she clings to the person of Jesus. In it she declares three simple yet powerful words. 


“Lord, help me.”


With these words she humbles herself, bows herself, and she places herself under Jesus because she is in such great need. 


Great faith must be directed at the right object.  The Canaanite woman’s faith was directed at Jesus. Is ours? What do we turn to when we are in need? Self sufficiency? A steady bank account? A secret sin? We must turn away from these things and seek the help of Jesus—like she did. 



Her Faith was Reverent


The Canaanite woman was also a mother who was petitioning the help of Jesus on behalf of her little demon-possessed daughter. 


“Hopeless and desperate as her case appeared, she had a praying mother, and where there is a praying mother there is always hope. Sometimes all we can do for our children is pray for them.” —J. C. Ryle


The woman knew she was empty. She trusted in the Lord, and we see that demonstrated in her reverent acknowledgment of Jesus’s sovereignty over the ability to answer prayer.



Her Faith was Persistent

Great faith does not give up—and the Canaanite woman had great faith. 


Here is a very probable thought pattern from the woman: “I'm a dog, and I deserve judgment. I am without God and without hope in this world, but I know who you are. I've heard stories of what you've done, and there's no way a man can do those things. You are different than any other man who's ever lived. Men don't just walk on water. Men don't feed 5,000. Men don't raise people from the dead, and I know who you are. You're the one.”—Todd Wagner


She never assumed a position for herself.  She just persistently poured out herself to Jesus on behalf of her sick daughter. This was obviously not a last ditch effort on her part. That is what the spiritually bankrupt do. 


However, spiritually mature believers are persistent in their faith and persistent in their prayers. 


John 6:35 says, “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.’”


She knew this and had tasted this. And as a result of Jesus’s goodness, she approached in humility, reverence and persistency. Let’s join her and do the same when we need Jesus. Let’s start by simply saying:


“Lord, help me.”



--


Discussion Questions: 


What are some ways that God spoke specifically to you during the worship and teaching time? 


How does the story of the Canaanite woman impact your faith? 


What are you currently asking the Lord for help with right now? 


Pray as a group for what is shared….




Shepherds & Sheep

July 2, 2025
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, June 29, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 5:1-4 Gen. 1:1-2 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Churches should be led by a plurality of elders. Acts 11:30, Acts 14:23, Acts 15, Acts 16:4, Acts 17:1, Acts 20:28, Acts 21:17, Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:2, 1 Timothy 4:14, 1 Timothy 5:17, Titus 1:5, Titus 1:7, James 5:14 Instructions for Pastors: Shepherd God’s flock The words “God’s flock” remind the elders that the congregation does not belong to them. It is God’s church, and they are given the privilege and responsibility of shepherding it. -Thomas R. Schreiner Exercise oversight Oversee willingly (not under compulsion) 1 Cor. 9:16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! Oversee eagerly (not for shameful gain) 2 Cor. 2:17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. Lead by example (not domineering) Strive for Humility 1. Pure Christian humility disposes a person to take notice of everything that is good in others, and to make the best of it, and to diminish their failings. - Jonathan Edwards The Chief Shepherd is Coming Shepherds God’s flock Exercises oversight 1 Peter 2:25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Oversees willingly (not under compulsion) Oversees eagerly (not for shameful gain) 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. Leads by example (not domineering) Hebrews 2:8b-9 we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Discipleship Questions: What are some of the benefits of having multiple elders? How would you define the job / responsibilities of an elder? If you were to move to a new area tomorrow, what would you be looking for in a new church? Why, do you think, the “younger” are specifically instructed to be subject to the elders? How does someone who is “clothed in humility toward one another” behave in the church? Out of the five pastors at Crosspoint, who is your favorite? (just kidding, don’t ask that).

Not Surprised

June 24, 2025
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 4:12-19 We shouldn’t be surprised when we encounter suffering John 15:18–20 [18] “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. [19] If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. [20] Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. 2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted We can rejoice knowing we are sharing in Christ’s suffering Matthew 5:11–12 [11] “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. [12] Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. We don’t bring glory to God when we suffer for doing wrong We should choose to glorify God instead of being ashamed We should live in light of the coming judgment of God “Peter shows the meaning of our suffering from two sides. First, our suffering for Christ finds its significance in Christ’s suffering for us. We share now in suffering for him as we shall one day share in glory with him (4:13; 5:1). Secondly, our suffering does not destroy us, but purifies us. The fire of God’s judgment that we endure is not the fire of wrath that will consume the unbelieving.” —Edmund P. Clowney, The Message of 1 Peter We can entrust our souls to our faithful Creator Discipleship Questions: Why is it our tendency to be surprised when we encounter suffering? What are some reasons for rejoicing when you encounter suffering? Why is it so tempting to classify all suffering as persecution, even when we suffer for doing wrong? How can you resist feeling ashamed when you suffer for being a Christian? How do you think God uses suffering to purify His church? How does entrusting your soul to God help you find hope?

Unhindered and Healthy

June 18, 2025
Notes from Scott Sutton's sermon on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 4:7-11 Would you know if your prayers were hindered? How would you know? What causes prayers to be more fruitful? What causes prayers to be interrupted? What hinders our prayers? Not living with your spouse in an understanding way A lack of sober mindedness and self-control Hindered prayers hurt our relationships A lack of self-control… letting your flesh rule you will never result in healthy relationships. A lack of sober mindedness… letting your thoughts rule you will never result in healthy relationships. Self-control and sober minded prayer are those inward things that result in outward expressions. They ready us to set our focus and affections on other people. Application: Keep loving one another earnestly Aim to cover a multitude of sins Make your home available to others Make your gifts available to others Speaking Serving Discipleship Questions: Have you ever become aware that your prayers are hindered? How did you know? What are some practical steps that we can take to strengthen our prayer lives? How do hindered prayers hurt our relationships? How do unhindered prayers strengthen our relationships? What are some practical ways that we can aim to cover a multitude of sins? Define at least 2 practical ways in which you will make your home and your gifts available to others this week. How has your life been impacted by others who have made their homes and their gifts available to you?
Show More