Sunday, January 27, 2008

A Prophet without Honor

WELCOME

The Sermon on the Mount.

He and his Disciples and Apostles begin to travel from Galilee to Capernaum.

Jesus heals the Centurion’s servant.

He then has dinner in a Pharisees home where He was anointed by a sinful woman who had repented.

Jesus then returns to Galilee preaching along the way.

Jesus Calms the Storm.

Jesus send out the 12

SCRIPTURE READING

Mark 6:1 – 6 A prophet without honor

1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

"Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! 3 Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.

4 Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith.

A PROPHET IN HIS HOMETOWN

Jesus, upon returning to His hometown wants to do the same there that He has done in so many other towns.

Preach the Good News and heal.

The scriptures make it clear, “For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God” – Romans 3:23

And for this reason, Christ has come, so that through Him, all may be saved!

“Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” – Romans 5:18 & 19

Why does Jesus go to all the world?

Because, it is God’s will that ALL come to a knowledge of the Truth!

“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” – 1 Timothy 2:3 – 5

And how does the world hear this truth?

Through the body of Christ…Christ followers!

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” – Romans 10:14 & 15

So Jesus went into all the world, preaching and teaching and healing.

o They heard the Truth

When you read this scripture, you can plainly see that they are not questioning the Truth of God’s Word that Jesus was giving.

The Truth was never in question.

o They Saw the Miracles

The scriptures are clear that the miracles of Jesus and His ministry were known around the land at this time. They followed and even preceded Him.

From reading this scripture we see that they did not question whether what was happening were truly miracles or not.

They plainly acknowledge that Jesus was teaching the Truth, AND He was performing miracles!

o They did not question the Wisdom, only the man

The problem wasn’t the Truth Jesus was teaching, nor the Miracles that were taking place, nor the Wisdom Jesus had displayed in His teachings and parables.

The problem was Jesus Himself.

The preconceptions in the minds of the people of what a prophet was to look like, and come from.

They were stuck on appearance, lineage, schooling.

But here in lies the problem.

John the Baptist is an example of how God cares not about appearance.

We are also told in scriptures that lineage has no bearing, and that we should not be worried about it.

WHY, because, your family tree makes no difference on whether or not you are right with God.

Now that Christ has come, it is personal.

You can not have a relationship with God because your father does.

You can not go to heaven because your wife is a devout Christ follower.

That works both ways as well.

You are not going to go to hell because your father is an atheist.

And you are not going to go to hell because your husband loves porno.

Our relationship with God is personal. And only YOU and GOD can work that out.

“my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” – Philippians 2:12 & 13

Therefore, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

Why fear and trembling?

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For through me your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.” – Proverbs
9:10 & 11

You want to live longer? Here is the answer, serve the Lord.

Give God a reason to allow you years. Serve Him.

If you are not going to serve Christ on earth, then you have no purpose to be here. And it does not matter if you live or die.

You are not making a difference for the Kingdom of God.

Why do we tremble?

“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and tremble.” – James 2:19

27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.” – Matthew 10:27 – 29

What Jesus taught to the Disciples when they were alone, they were to teach to the world.

This is the Will of the Father in Heaven!

Do not be afraid of man when doing the Will of the Father.

For they can only kill your body, and your soul will be with the Lord.

Rather be afraid of the one who will destroy body and soul of those who do not do His Will.

2 Sparrows only cost a penny.

Hardly worth a dime. Literally!

Yet, not one of them shall die without God’s knowledge or Will…(allowing it)

When Jesus stood before man and was told…”Answer! Do you not understand I can have you killed!” and Jesus answered, “You can do nothing to me, my Father in heaven does not allow.”

Jesus’ Wisdom, Truth in teaching and Miracles were not in question…Only who Jesus was, and where He came from.

To them, He was not worthy.

THEY WERE OFFENDED BY HIM

o He was a carpenter

This was no scholar of the word, no Pharisee or Sadducee. He was not from a notable family line or a Levite.

He was a carpenter.

o Son of a carpenter

He was a son of a carpenter.

o From a family of regular people

This scripture here mentioning Jesus’ Brothers and Sisters by people who did not like Jesus proves that the teaching by some institutions that Jesus had no brothers and sisters is FALSE.

He had brothers and sisters, they just had a different father than He did!

So they were half-brothers and sisters. Same mother, different father.

A PROPHET WITHOUT HONOR

Jesus was a prophet without honor.

Because He did not fit what they believed a prophet should look like, and what background He should come from.

o Jesus answers them

A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, among his own kin, and in his own house.

How about you?

Are you sharing the Gospel with the world?

Are you accepted as worthy to tell the Good News?

Does your own accept you?

o AND He could do no mighty work

Because they would not accept Jesus as a prophet of God, He could do no mighty work!

It’s not that He ‘couldn’t’, because He was ABLE, but He couldn’t because they would not come to Him for forgiveness, and healing.

Their lack of belief that this carpenter, son of a carpenter, from a normal family, with normal siblings, could be anything of God prevented Him from performing any mighty works.

So what could He accomplish there?

He laid hands on a few sick people and healed them.

o He marveled at their un-belief

There are only two times in the scriptures where Jesus marveled.

Jesus marveled once at the faith of the Centurion, and once here at the lack of faith in His own people.

CONCLUSION

We know the mission that the Lord has called us to as His people.

Jesus gave us, not only the commission, but an example true to life for us to follow.

As we read about Jesus, we see that He had trouble reaching people just as we will in our lives.

But that in no way slowed Jesus down. And it shouldn’t slow us down either.

We have a Truth to share with others. A Truth that will plant a seed of hope in a hopeless age.

There are going to be two types of people we witness to.

Those who will have faith, and those who will not.

For those with faith, great things will happen in their lives in the Name of Jesus.

For those with no faith, they will continue living their lives as they have.

And on that great day when we stand before Christ Jesus, Lord of all, and He looks into your eyes, will His words be, “Well done!”?

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Jesus Calms the Storm

WELCOME

The Sermon on the Mount.

He and his Disciples and Apostles begin to travel from Galilee to Capernaum.

Jesus heals the Centurion’s servant.

He then has dinner in a Pharisees home where He was anointed by a sinful woman who had repented.

Jesus then returns to Galilee preaching along the way.

Jesus Calms the Storm.

SCRIPTURE READING

Mark 4:35 – 41 Jesus Calms the Storm

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

41 They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

I. BY JESUS’ WORD

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.

a. After teaching and healing the people all day

i. This takes place after Jesus taught many parables.

ii. And He healed many people this day.

iii. There were many around, much had been done.

iv. Then Jesus commanded the Apostles.

1. Let us go over to the other side. (sea of Galilee)

b. This is a picture of our life and walk

i. Jesus led the Apostles to more work in His name.

ii. Jesus was doing the work (teaching & healing)

iii. When it was done, Jesus said “it’s time to move”

1. If you belong to the Lord, He will do a work around you.

2. When He is done, He will tell you to move.

c. Obeying the Word (command) of Jesus

i. Jesus commanded the Apostles & they obeyed.

ii. Jesus instructs us to obey all He commands.

1. How do you know what Jesus commands?

a. Read God’s Word

b. Go to Bible Studies

c. Meditate on His Word for understanding

2. What Jesus commands, we must obey as the Apostles

iii. This is part of being “doers of the Word”

1. Be doers, not just hearers…

James 1:21 & 22

21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

2. Faith without deeds (works) is dead…

James 2:16 - 18

16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

Claimed Faith blesses no one!

True Faith helps others!

Proper Faith WILL produce proper works.

3. We can have the tools right in front of us, but if we do not use them…

I have a lawn. That lawn grows. I have a lawn mower, and a weed eater.

I can have the faith they will start, run and do the job. But unless I actually GO, and be a DOER, my faith without works, or action is DEAD.

People can have faith in the Lord all day, but there are some things we must DO, or that faith is dead and faith with no action will accomplish NOTHING.

So when Jesus commands, we, who are followers of Christ, Obey. WE DO!

II. THE STORM THEN COMES

37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.

a. Jesus was sound asleep / resting peacefully

i. The storm cam AFTER THEY OBEYED HIS WORD.

ii. In life, most of our storms will come AFTER we Obey His Word.

1. When we are doers of the Word – we are attacked

a. By Satan (Jesus after 40 day fast)

b. By friends & family (Job)

c. By coworkers & neighbors

d. Sometimes by ourselves…

b. They cry out in fear

i. The Apostles cry out in fear of death.

They say, “The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown (LIT. Die)?"

ii. Where was Jesus at their time of need?

1. Jesus was with them!

2. 38 Jesus was at the stern, sleeping on a cushion.

3. GOD…Don’t you care if I die???

a. Questions to God in times of Storms.

i. Where are you?

ii. Why me?

iii. Why this?

iv. This isn’t fair!

4. How quickly we forget who our King is…

a. Questions to you about who God is…

i. Doesn’t the Word say, “And lo, I am with you always”

Genesis 26:24 - God to Abraham

Do not be afraid, for I am with you

Joshua 3:7 – God to Joshua

I am with you as I was with Moses

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Jeremiah 1:8

Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 1:19

They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.

Haggai 1:13

Then Haggai, the LORD's messenger, gave this message of the LORD to the people: "I am with you," declares the LORD.

Matthew 28:20

…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Is the Lord with you??

He is if He is your Lord!

ii. Doesn’t the Word say, “The narrow path is difficult, and FEW find it.” The storms make it difficult.

iii. Storms are one of a few things…

1. Attack because you are on the narrow path. Such as our scripture today.

2. Or, Correction from God because you were on the narrow path but left it.

3. Or as in Paul’s case, allowed to remind you of your position in the Lord, so you do not become prideful. God’s grace is sufficient.

c. Command, obey, storms, The Lord

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Jesus heard His children, commanded the storm to stop, and it obeyed.

And why wouldn’t it? He is the mighty creator, Lord of Lord’s, and King of King’s!

How quickly we forget…

III. CALL ON JESUS

We forget to call on Jesus in our time of need…

We forget His power and authority…

We forget, most of the times we think we need Him, we really don’t!

The Apostles didn’t need Him in this storm…Jesus tells them so in the next verse.

Why should they have let Jesus sleep?

He was tired from a day of ministering to hundreds, or more!

He had been teaching in parables, answering questions about the Kingdom, preaching and teaching and healing multitudes.

His physical body needed rest.

But why should the Apostles not feared the storm?

a. Jesus commanded

i. Jesus’ Word.

1. Let’s go to the other side of the sea.

a. The Lord SAID IT, so it would be!

b. God’s Word will accomplish

i. What God says, WILL be.

c. Storms & opposition will come, but God’s Word will be done

i. We need to be ready for storms in our lives when we are on the narrow path.

ii. Expect them, and be prepared.

iii. This is why God gave us the Whole armor in Ephesians 6:18 so that we may be able to do battle in His name!

iv. Faith is our shield.

v. The Word of God our sword.

vi. Our breastplate is His Righteousness!

vii. Our helm is Salvation.

viii. On our feet, shoes READY to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

ix. The belt of Truth which holds our sword.

And with this, we will be able to withstand the attacks of the evil one.

For we battle NOT against flesh and blood, but against

Principalities – rulers in Satan’s spiritual kingdom

Against powers – those who follow the rulers of Satan’s kingdom

Against rulers of darkness of THIS world – those who carry out the instructions of the powers

Against spiritual wickedness in high places - demons

This is the order of our enemy.

IV. FEAR IS THE BEGINNING OF UNDERSTANDING

But Jesus IS Lord! Lord of ALL!

40 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

a. Why are you fearful?

b. How is it YOU have no faith?

c. They feared Him Exceedingly

41 They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

CONCLUSION

If you are a follower of Christ, He will lead you.

When He commands, we as follower will obey.

When He commands, what He commands WILL COME TO BE!

God spoke to me many years ago saying “I will make you a pillar in my Church.”

God said also, “You will teach my Word to my People.”

God Said, “This church is a seed in this community.”

When we obey, the storms WILL COME.

But we need not fear.

If we are moving IN the WORD of GOD, what He says WILL BE!

And no weapon formed against us will prosper!

BUT, we must be moving in HIS WORD, not our own and asking God to bless our efforts.

Do not fear the storm, but the one who commands it.

For the fear of the Lord is the beginning to understanding.

Understanding that is He commands even the wind and sea, He can command the storms of your life.

He can do that right now, today!

You have the faith that saves you, and heals you.

Put that faith in action!

Make today the day you chose to become a DOER of God’s Word in your life!