Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost At-Home Service for August 16

The example of the Canaanite woman in the Gospel of Matthew this week should be enough for us to drown God with our prayers night and day. Beyond that, we have the promise of God’s faithfulness in Christ Jesus even more fully displayed than she did. 

He was willing to submit to the will of his heavenly Father, enduring suffering, the cross, death, and hell for our benefit. If God was faithful through Christ, seeking the wellbeing of all humanity in such big things, we can be confident that our prayers, which require much less of God, will be heartily received and, in time, answered. 

Follow along with the the At-home printed version of the Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost service.

Click here or on the image below to view the at-home version of the service.

Pastor Rike’s Sermon

The Canaanite woman was probably NOT surprised by Jesus’ answer to her prayer. However, the 12 disciples were surprised when Christ proved faithful to all he had said. They were probably surprised that Jesus eventually included even a Canaanite in the fellowship of his grace. It was similar to the surprise the twelve would later experience when Jesus appeared among them after his death and resurrection. It was something that should not and could not possibly have happened, but miraculously had, indeed, happened. 

When we have given up hope, and, therefore, stopped praying we are surprised to discover God was at work after all. How much more surprised might we be in this world, with all that troubles and divides it, to discover that the Son of David who makes all things new, has been reconciling old divisions and bringing about the life promised 

Click here to read Pastor Rike’s entire sermon.

Video Options

Follow along with the service on video led by Pastor David Rike with music performed by Randy Broker

Click on the image below to view the video.