2 Samuel 5:1-10 — Psalm 48 — 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 — Mark 6:1-13
Repentance: Practice & Proclaim
Recap the previous few weeks:
v Mark 3:13 = Calling of the 12 disciples
v
Mark 4:35-41 = Jesus Calms the Storm
v
Mark 5: 1-20 = Jesus
Heals a demon possessed man
v
Mark 5:21-43 = a) Jesus
heals the “bleeding” women
b)
Jesus heals the dead girl
v Over the past 2 chapters: The disciples have experienced
the AWESOMEness
of Jesus
Ø
They have seen him
have power over Nature
Ø
They have seen him
have power over Satan
Ø
They have seen him
have power over Perpetual Sickness
Ø They have seen him have power over Death
v Now they enter Jesus’ hometown.
Ø Can you imagine what they must expect?
Ø Jesus is home.
Ø Jesus can be who he REALLY is!
v But what happens?
Ø The people back home, in Nazareth…
they KNOW JESUS
§
They remember the
Jesus who ran around the town yelling.
§
They remember the
Jesus whose father built their tables
§
They remember the
Jesus who they went to school with.
§ They remember Jesus.
There is no “hint” of sarcasm, bewilderment, annoyance when
the people ask:
Where did he
get this power?
Isn’t this
the Carpenter?
Text says: because of their unbelief, Jesus couldn’t do any
miracles among them
Except… heal
a few people
v Over the past few chapters, we – along with the disciples,
have seen Jesus’ complete authority.
§
He has power to do
unbelievable things…
¨ Calm storms, heal, bring to life, overcome Satan.
v But here, among his people, he could do nothing.
Ø Because they had “unbelief”
Ø Because they had unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles
Ø But you might say: why was he able to cast out the demon?
§ Because the demon believed!
Mark 5:6 6 When Jesus was still some distance away,
the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. 7 With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you
interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg
you, don’t torture me!”
v Jesus has power over Satan,
v
Jesus has power over
nature,
v
Jesus has power over
sickness and death.
v But Jesus doesn’t have power over “unbelief”???
Mark 6:5-6 because
of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his
hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief
v Does Jesus truly have “NO” power in Nazareth?
Ø Can the Holy, Living God do nothing over “unbelief”?
v Or does he choose not to?
v
Does God choose to
give us a choice…
v
Based upon our
experiences, our history, our ability to reason, the scriptures we have before
us…
Ø Does God want us to use these, and believe?
From the beginning of time, God has given us Free-Will
Ø
We have a choice.
Ø
We have the
opportunity to respond.
Ø Will respond in belief?
v Jesus goes on from this discussion about his hometown to send
the disciples out.
§
He tells them to go
out in twos.
§
Take nothing with you
§
Rely upon the
provisions of God
§
And if people don’t
listen, to dust off their feet.
·
Don’t worry about it…
move on.
Ø
Jesus sent them with
power & a message
o
He sent &
empowered them to cast out demons & heal
o
He sent them with
this message: REPENT.
v He wants us to repent.
v He wants us to call others to repent!
Repentance has always been part of God’s plan.
God always grants forgiveness when there is repentance
v God wants us, his creation, to turn to him.
v
God wants us to turn
from our selfish ways, and towards him.
v He wants the ones he loves to choose his path, His ways.
Ø
He will not make us
believe.
Ø HE gives us the choice to live in unbelief, or to turn to him
and believe.
v We have a choice.
v
We have an
opportunity to respond.
v Will you respond in belief?
v This morning: Do you need to Repent?
Ø Are there things in your life which aren’t right?
Ø Are there relationships which need mending?
Ø Do you need to make a 180 from self-centeredness and turn to
God?
v This morning: Do you need to be empowered by your belief in
the saving grace of God?
·
You must choose.
Choose God! Repent.
·
You must call others
to Repent!
·
Light the way for
others to turn from their selfish ways, and into the ways of the Living God.
Pray
Benediction:
As you Go. Do not live in unbelief, rather turn to God.
Go and Love!
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