Offensive Message or Empowering Mission

Do You Have Nazareth’s Reaction To Jesus?

When You consider Jesus, are you only amazed?

Nazareth was a very small town. Scholars are not agreed upon the number, but some have it at 250 and others as many as 500. The entire town was less than 60 acres.

His teachings may astonish us… is that enough?

Examples of Jesus Teaching that would astonish the Jew.

Do not kill… no do not think angry thoughts

Do not commit adultery… No! do not think lustful thoughts.

You should even love the Samaritans.

They begin to ask 5 questions.

Where did he learn these things?

What is the wisdom given to Him?

How is He performing these miracles?

Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas and Simeon?

This statement is disrespectful. Men were known by their fathers, not their mothers. This is basically saying isn’t that the illegitimate child of that harlot Mary?

His miracles may captivate us… is that enough?

Up to this point Jesus has performed many miracles. He has healed many, calmed storms, cast out demons and raised from the dead.

The Nazareans are not rejecting Jesus miracles. they just don’t translate to faith.

His background is non impressive… So what?

His background is non impressive… So what?

He is just a blue collar worker.

They “Know” Jesus. They have seen him grow up, and they are not impressed.

We must guard ourselves against this.

When You consider Jesus, are you Offended?

Skandalizomai- they are scandalized by all this conversation about Jesus. they are offended that this kid they watched grow up could possibly be the Messiah.

They were too close to see it. They saw too many “Problems” that they didn’t see the Messiah.

When You consider Jesus, are you guilty of Unbelief?

Unbelief limits Jesus.

See verse 5… He did no mighty works

His miracles were not just magic tricks. Their purpose was to advance the kingdom. If there is a region where they will not spread the gospel, then there he will do little, because it will not advance the kingdom.

Jesus Marvels. He only marvels 2 times in scripture. Here and later at the faith of the Roman Centurian.

Do You Have the Disciples Reaction To Jesus?

Go with Jesus Authority as a Team!

Jesus sends them 2 by 2

Safer- it took the observation of more than one to prosecute. more than my word against theirs. Still would be better today.

With Authority over demons. They are representatives of the Messiah.

Go Lightly!

They are sent with nothing, not even a staff or a cloak. The idea is to go with abandon. The idea is to go and not have to worry about anything extra.

Go Where you are Welcomed, and don’t worry about where you are not!

We should anticipate rejection. We should take what is given to us and not worry about what is not given to us. Be a people among the people for the people.

Go Preaching and Loving!

We are to share the gospel. If we have truly embraced the Gospel, we should not be able to contain ourselves from sharing the Gospel.

When we have truly embraced the Gospel we should be driven to love the community around us. The Gospel sends us to love the world. Because God’s mission is our mission, and God’s mission is the world.

Challenge

Are you a Nazarean today? Are you Astonished by His Teaching and Captivated by his miracles, but non impressed with Jesus?

Or are you a Disciple? Are you Sent out because you are so driven by your relationship with Christ that you can’t help but Go! and Share the Gospel!