Restricted by unbelief

Sermon notes from Sunday 15 March 2020 pm

Mark 6 verses 1 - 6

Restricted by unbelief

Here we see the Lord coming back to Nazareth.  He had been brought up here.  Many knew about about him and his brothers and sisters.  He goes into the synagogue and begins to preach.  The people turn away as a result.  The Lord "could do no mighty work."  Why?  Because of their unbelief.  He was hindered from working there.  The bible says "he came unto his own and his own received him not." (John 1 verse 11).  "but as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his name." (John 1 verse 12)

First there is the privilege Jesus gave to the city of Nazareth - verse 2 "When the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?"  The leader called on him to bring the word of God.  The congregation were astonished couldn`t believe what they were hearing.  Here was this man raised in their midst, no learning or education, they couldn`t believe what they were listening to.  Their hearts were filled with unbelief.  What a privilege to hear him speak the word of God.  This was a tremendous time.  A second opportunity to hear and see the Lord again.  Remember when Jesus came into Jericho.  He was passing through, not stopping, on his way to Jerusalem to the cross of Calvary.  There was a man who climbed a sycamore tree.  It was his last opportunity to see Jesus and hear him.  He knew that the Lord would pass that way.  He wanted to be there when he did.  This would be his final opportunity.  How many people, maybe they are hearing the gospel for the last time.  Their hearts are still filled with unbelief.  They will go out into the darkness of eternity without a Saviour.  Think of Nicodemus in John 3.  What a privilege he had.  He came by night to the Lord.  The Lord gave him time.  Nicodemus had a leadership role in the synagogue.  He didn`t believe Jesus was the son of God.  The Lord explains the way of salvation.  He said to Nicodemus "just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness."  Nicodemus remembered that account of the people who were bitten by the snakes in the desert, how Moses was told to make a brazen serpent, to set it up and everyone who looked to him was healed.  Anyone could do it.  Nicodemus caught on right away.  "So must the Son of man be lifted up."  Everyone that looked to him was healed.  On the mount of Calvary the Lord was lifted up between heaven and earth.  He bore your sins and mine on his body.  He was paying the price for our sins on the cross.  The very price was laid on him.  "By his stripes we were healed."  Cornelius had a great privilege.  He heard the angel tell him to send for Peter and he would tell him words whereby he would be saved.  He gathered everyone he could into his house.  Peter opened up the scriptures and showed them how they could be saved.  The Holy Spirit came down and took over that meeting.  Do we take the privilege we have for granted?  If you are depending on anything else you will be lost for all eternity.

The problem that was created - verse 2 "from whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?"  They recognised him as "the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joses and of Judah and Simeon? and are not his sisters here with us."  They were offended at him.  They couldn`t believe that the Messiah had come.  Remember Nathaniel`s words "can any good thing come out of Nazareth?"  Is this very problem being created tonight?  That somehow Jesus is not the Son of God, that he came into the world to be the Saviour, the only mediator between God and man.  Men and women are sitting tonight with hearts of unbelief.  They have become too familiar with the message to the point it has no real effect listening to it night after night.  We should pray each time we come into a meeting that God would speak to us as the word is proclaimed.  God can do mighty things.  Remember back to the first time you heard the gospel?  You were delighted with it, couldn`t wait to hear it again.  Maybe tonight it hasn`t the same joy for you.  Acts 17 Paul preached of the resurrection - some laughed, others said "we will hear you again."  That was the problem - so familiar with the word of God that it didn`t really affect them.

The peril that is provoked.  They were going to miss out.  Jesus could do nothing because of their unbelief.  Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost  He could do nothing for his own people because of their unbelief.  Naaman went down to see the prophet in Israel.  He was a mighty mighty soldier, done great exploits for his nation but he was a leper.  He was told to go and wash 7 times in the River Jordan.  He turned around.  He was so angry - "are not the waters at home not equal, as good as or even better."  He turned his back on the prophet.  He was coaxed back again and he went down and washed himself 7 times, and his flesh was cleansed like a child.  Somehow he was going to miss out.  Somehow he couldn`t fathom it for himself.  The Lord has died on the cross for you but you cannot take it in.  You are the one who will be missing out.

The pain that was caused - "and he marvelled because of their unbelief."  It pained Jesus.  Maybe the Lord looks down on our hearts right now - does he see your unbelief?  How often Jesus preached to the people of Jerusalem and he wept but they would not believe.  Is the Lord weeping because he has spoken to you but you will go away tonight without trusting him?  Trust in him tonight, believe in him and be saved - that is what you need tonight.