Monday, July 9, 2012

REPENTANCE: Practice & Proclaim


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 When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. 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. 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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