January 23, 2008

  • MARKS GOSPEL [#20]

    Why Won't They Believe?
    Mark 6:1-6
    Pastor Dennis Rost  (    01/20/2008)

    Intro:
    • how easy it is to hear a message of truth & it be dismissed b/c we dont like the message
    • Could the real issue be one of willful unbelief? It seems evident that people both then and now are interested in someone who will supply their needs and heal their hurts, but are totally opposed to a message of sin and guilt and condemnation, even when it is accompanied by the gospel of forgiveness and salvation and new life in Christ.
    • Spiritual life change is not popular doctrine…

    1.  The PRIVILEGE of the People
      • Jesus has come home to Nazareth…again.
          >  HOME TOWN BOY makes good.
          >  Holy Son of God gives a SECOND CHANCE (see Luke 4:14-30... they attempted to throw Him off a cliff)
      • Note:  Jesus believes in second chances!
      • Warning:  This is Nazareth's LAST chance. He never returned there again
          >  There is a line by us unseen... that crosses every path... The hidden boundary between... God's mercy and His wrath

    2.  The PERPLEXITY of the People
      • They were confused... the people had heard all about His many miracles, and as they listened to His teaching they were AMAZED at His wisdom
      • The question that was foremost in each person's mind (and on many lips as well) was “WHERE DID HE GET HIS WISDOM AND HIS MIRACLE WORKING ABILITY?”
      • He had grown up in Nazareth, and they knew His family, and so they reasoned that He was NO DIFFERENT than them.
      • small issues can became great excuses for unbelief!

    3.  The PERVERSITY of the People
      • “And they took offense at Him.”...
      • vs 3 "offended" = a stumbling stone
      •  There were really only three possibilities as to where He got His wisdom and power:
          >  either it was from MAN,
          >  or from GOD,
          >  or from SATAN.
          >  They ruled out the possibility of men as the source, for they knew He had no formal schooling.
          >  They also ruled out the possibility that His abilities were from God… but why?
      • Answer:  THEY were opposed TO HIM because HIS MESSAGE was opposed TO THEM. They could not see their sin and their need to repent; they just wanted to see MIRACLES. (lookup John 3:19-20)

    4.  The POVERTY of the People
      • They were poor in what they GAVE.
          >  no HONOR, no WORSHIP
          >  no FAITH
      • They were poor in what they RECEIVED.
          >  limited HEALINGS
          >  limited INSTRUCTION (He never returned)
      • principle:  God has chosen to limit His working due to our lack of faith, or to abundantly work in response to great faith.
      • vs 6 Jesus was AMAZED by their UNBELIEF (compare to Matt 8:10)

    CONCLUSION
      • God deals with us according to our faith... Do things Gods way & TRUST Him for the results
      •  “Unto you, therefore, who believe He is precious…”  (1 Peter 2:7 KJV)