Mark 6:1-6 Familiarity breeds contempt

Joel and Mary Nadel, Covenant Church

From J.C. Ryle’s “Expository Comments on the Gospels - Mark”

House Rules: Phones, Respect, Stay on the Text

Pray

Mark 6:1–6 NASB95

Jesus went out from there and came into His hometown; and His disciples followed Him. When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands? “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” And they took offense at Him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.” And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He wondered at their unbelief. And He was going around the villages teaching.

Introduction and Review (Map)

The beginning of Jesus Ministry

Jesus’ message - repent and believe the gospel

Review the gospel

His teaching with signs and wonders

Focuses on the Gospel

How to have peace with God

Consequences: Rebellion against God

Miracles to prove who He is and the truth He preaches

Healing sickness

Casting out demons

Controlling the weather

Raising the dead, Jairus daughter

Today:

Jesus returns to His home country - Nazareth

This shows how deeply embedded and sinful men and women truly are - we need to take note

People take for granted things they are familiar with

Army leaders who did well - Keller, Hughes, Carr

People of Nazareth were offended with Jesus

Could not believe that this man, who they watched grow up, could deserve to be followed as a teacher and rabbi

No place on earth was as blessed as Nazareth

Jesus lived there 30 years

Demonstrated, from childhood, a perfect, blameless life

This was lost to them

Not ready to believe the gospel, coming from the Lord Himself

Could not believe that this young man, who grew up among them, deserved their attention. “offended at Him”

None of this is surprising - we see it every day

The Bible, preaching, worship services, all the blessings we enjoy - no gratitude from the people - grown used to it - take it all for granted

In religion, familiarity breeds contempt

We, the Lord’s people, can take comfort in this

Preachers and witnesses constantly deal with unbelief

True Christians may stand alone in their families - all around are cleaving to the sin of the world

We share the experience of the Master, Jesus

He was despised by those who knew Him best

Our best conduct and witness will not always change minds - just like with Jesus

“a prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house”

Jesus came from humble beginnings, before He started His public ministry

Nazarenes, in contempt “is not this the carpenter?” (Only in Mark’s gospel)

For the first 30 years of His life, Jesus worked with His hands

What a thought! He was just like many of us!

Creator of the universe - heaven, earth, sea, everything

Took on the form of a servant - worked by His own sweat for his bread

“love of Christ that exceeds knowledge”

He was rich in heaven - became poor for us

Humble in life and death, that sinners might live forever

Remember, there is no sin in poverty

Never be ashamed of poverty, unless our own sins got us there

never look down on others because they are poor

Disgraceful: drunks, stoners, gamblers, liars

This should destroy the high thoughts of those who are consumed by their riches - want of money

It is not shameful to come from the same kind of background as the son of God and Saviour of the world

Unbelief is a great sin

Has unbelief afflicted you?

The Lord “could do no mighty work” at Nazareth

Hardness of hearts

Unbelief can rob men of great blessings

“He marvelled because of their unbelief”

Unbelief is a suicidal and unreasonable sin

Even Jesus is surprised by it

Can’t be too careful about unbelief

oldest sin in the world

Eden - Adam and Eve listened to the devil’s promises. Brought the curse of sin down on the whole world

brought on the flood

kept Israel out of the promised land for 40 years

Unbelief is the sin that fills Hell

Causes people to not believe the clearest evidence, shut their eyes to clear testimony, believe lies

Millions are guilty of it, many are Christians, Talk a good show on Sunday, then act as unbelievers the rest of the week

They don’t believe the Bible - and so don’t believe Christ as Saviour

We need to watch and guard against unbelief

Heart, not the head, is where the trouble will lie

Not because of problems with Christian teaching, evidence that causes unbelief, it is the will.

People love sin, wedded to the world

Take any reason to confirm their own will

A humble heart, like that of a child, is the heart that believes

Bringing it home

Continue to guard your heart, even after you turn to Christ

Root of unbelief is never entirely destroyed

Stop watching, praying, and crop of unbelief will soon spring up

Luke 17:5 “The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!””

Questions, Prayer Requests