Hope Lutheran Church, Aurora CO, Podcast

A Daughter with a Demon - Matt. 15:21-28

·22 min·2 clips

Jesus insults the woman by calling her a dog, but she persists, asking only for the scraps from his table.

The episode is a sermon by Pastor Brian Wolfmuller from Hope Lutheran Church in Aurora, Colorado, focusing on the biblical story of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21-28. He begins by setting the scene: Jesus is in the region of Tyre and Sidon, where a Gentile woman approaches him, kneeling and begging for help for her daughter severely oppressed by a demon. The pastor marvels at how news of Jesus spread among the desperate, like lepers and the blind, drawing parallels to modern outreach efforts. He explains that people who know their need, such as sinners and outcasts, are drawn to Jesus, citing examples from the Gospels like blind Bartimaeus and the Samaritan woman. The sermon references 1 Corinthians 1, where Paul notes the early church comprised the lowly and despised, not the wise or powerful. Pastor Wolfmuller contrasts this with contemporary Christianity, which he says has become more suburban, though he praises God for continuing to build the church. He argues that the Holy Spirit includes these stories in the Gospels to humble believers and provide new heroes among sinners. The core message is that listeners must recognize themselves as poor, miserable sinners in need of Christ's mercy. The Canaanite woman serves as a teacher with five lessons: learn the language of a beggar (praying 'Lord, have mercy'), know where to go for help (Jesus), identify the problem (e.g., demon oppression), be persistent in prayer even when God seems silent, and grab hold of Jesus according to his word, even when insulted. The pastor illustrates persistence with Jesus' parables about annoying neighbors and widows. He describes how Jesus initially ignores the woman, then says he came only for Israel, and finally calls her a dog, but she responds by asking for scraps, showing audacious faith. Jesus commends her faith and heals her daughter instantly. The sermon connects this to the centurion's faith, both foreigners praying for others. It emphasizes that prayer is asking God to keep his promises, not bargaining. The conclusion references Martin Luther's last written words, 'We are beggars,' highlighting reliance on God's kindness. The episode ends with contact information for the church.

As heard by us

A Canaanite mother's plea becomes a sermon on mercy, beggary, and Christ's kindness.

This sermon follows Jesus into the region of Tyre and Sidon and turns on a Canaanite mother who kneels and asks help for her daughter, who is severely oppressed by a demon.

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Why you'd press play

When you want Lord have mercy to be the whole argument.

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