A Sermon’s Main Course and Side Dishes
A Spiritual Meal
Listening to a sermon is like partaking in a spiritual meal. The main message, or “Main Course,” provides the core sustenance for the soul. The additional insights, or “Side Dishes,” can be flavourful as well.
Different palates may enjoy the flavours of the same meal differently. Here, I share my thoughts about the Main Course and two Side Dishes presented by Rev Anthony in his sermon on 8th September. Hopefully, it is a blessing to those who may have missed the sermon. Besides, the process of sharing my thoughts also helps me to assess the spiritual nutrients I absorbed (like evaluating the nutritional content of a physical meal).
Main course: The Power of Persistent Faith
Rev Anthony gave his sermon the title “The Amazing Heart of Jesus For You, Me, and the World.” It focused on the transformative power of persistent faith. The story (in Matthew 15:21-28) of the Canaanite woman, a non-Jewish woman who pleaded with Jesus to heal her daughter, served as a powerful illustration. Despite repeated rejections, the woman’s unwavering belief in God’s ability to help her showcased the importance of perseverance in faith.
Her humility, acknowledging her own limitations and seeking God’s assistance, was another key factor in her success. The story also revealed Jesus’ unconditional love for all people, regardless of their background or circumstances. Through her faith, the Canaanite woman was able to overcome significant challenges and witness a miraculous healing.
The sermon encouraged listeners to cultivate a similar level of persistent faith, humility, and trust in God’s love. By doing so, they could hope to experience the miraculous in their own lives.
Side Dishes: Additional Insights
The sermon also offered several Side Dishes that complemented the Main Course.
Side Dish 1: Correct Contextual Interpretation
The reference to dogs in Matthew 15:26 was commonly misunderstood, often misinterpreted as a derogatory or insulting comment. However, with the Jews’ condescension towards the gentiles providing the backdrop, Jesus’ reference to dogs was not a personal insult but a metaphorical illustration. From the sermon, I felt this point about the metaphor: The Israelites, as God’s chosen people, were the primary recipients of His blessings. Gentiles, while not as closely connected to God’s covenant, were still worthy of the spiritual crumbs that fell from the master’s table, each small blessing adding up to a substantial feast.
Despite facing prejudice from the Jewish people, the Canaanite woman approached Jesus for help, demonstrating deep faith. The Jewish disciples, however, had differing beliefs and traditions, often arguing with Jesus.
Jesus used this encounter as a teaching moment for his disciples, emphasizing God’s love for all people. While his initial response might have seemed harsh, it was a test of the woman’s faith. Her persistence and understanding of the symbolic language impressed Jesus, leading Him to heal her daughter.
This story highlights Jesus’ compassion and his willingness to extend His reach to those in need, even when it defies human prejudice, such as the Jews’ against the Gentiles.
Side Dish 2: Biblical Word Study
Rev Anthony pointed out that in Greek there are two words for dogs. One word means dirty, unclean street dogs, while the other means small pet dogs. When Jesus talked about dogs in the bible passage, He used the word that means small pet dogs. This shows that He wasn’t being mean or insulting in his choice of the metaphorical word.
The woman’s reply, ‘Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table,’ shows that she understood the meaning of Jesus’ words. She knew that Gentiles were different from Jews, but she still hoped that God would bless her.
The woman’s faith was very strong. She believed that Jesus was the Messiah and that He could help her, even though she was a Gentile. Her unwavering faith and understanding of Jesus ensured that her pleading was heard, and she was not disappointed.
Conclusion
The sermon provided a valuable spiritual meal, offering insights into the power of persistent faith and the importance of correct interpretation of Scripture based on an understanding of the context and the nuances of words in the original language (with the help of bible study aids).
The spiritual nutrient I have absorbed from the sermon has nourished my soul with a deeper appreciation for the message of God’s love and compassion for all people.
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