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Preventing a Mighty Work

As we look to our special meetings, there is a chance that we can miss out on what God has for us! In Mark 6, Jesus desires to do a great work in His hometown of Nazareth. The people there missed out on seeing mighty things  done by Christ because of their unbelief! Are we limiting God in your spiritual lives?

Mark 6: 1-6

 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. 

And 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? 

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. 

But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. 

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 

And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching. 

 1. The peope were astonished at His Word, but did not act upon it! Mark 6:2

The citizens of Nazareth were intrigued by the Words of Christ, but they did not want to make a change. They saw the miraculous works of Christ, yet they still would not believe. Many times during revival services or special meetings, The Word of God is eloquently proclaimed and the blessings of the Lord are plainly displayed, but there is no change. Nazareth sat under the preaching of the greatest Preacher that ever lived and enjoyed the preaching,but they were not willing to act on it.

 2. They confined Christ to their knowledge of Him.-Mark 6:3a

The people that gathered around assumed they knew everything about Jesus. "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary..." They heard the Word's of Christ, but discredited it because they limited Christ to their knowledge of Him. Many times we miss a mighty work because we limit God. We use phrases like "I've heard this before"or "I don't go that far with it" or "I don't believe I need all that," but we must take God at His word and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. We must let the Word of God rule in our hearts and change our lives! Don't confine God's Word to your knowledge, but confine your knowledge to God's Word!

3. The people became offended and opposed His Words! -Mark 6:3b

 The final roadblock is offense. The people of Nazareth heard God's Word and became offended. "Who does he think he is?" "It's none of his business how I live my life!" They rejected the One who could help them the most. Sadly, many Christians have fallen by the wayside because they were offended by the Word of God. If God's Word is being preached and you are offended, there is a spiritual issue(s) that need to be addressed! If you desire to see God do a mighty work be tenderhearted towards His Word.

Let it never be said of us "And he could there do no mighty work.." (Mark 6:5a)

The Progressiveness of Sin via "The Biblical Illustrator"

A gentleman was walking with a friend one day through his beautiful grounds, when they came to a fine large tree which was decayed to the very core. “That tree,” said the proprietor, “was destroyed by a single worm. A short time since it was as vigorous as any of its companions, when one day a woodworm was discovered forcing its way under the outer bark. A naturalist who was at that time my guest remarked on seeing it that if left alone it would ultimately kill the tree. It seemed so improbable, that the worm was suffered to remain. Gradually it bored its way into the fibre of the tree, slowly but surely doing its work. The following summer the tree shed its leaves much earlier than usual, and in the second season it was a dead, worthless thing. The worm which seemed so very insignificant had found its way to the heart of the once noble tree and destroyed its life.” How forcibly do we see this same thing illustrated in the common walks of every-day life. A young man is persuaded by his companions to take his first glass of wine. It seems like a little thing, but it is the beginning of a course of degradation and eternal shame. The clerk in the bank appropriates a few shillings of the funds entrusted to his care. One step leads to another, until at last he is arrested and cast into prison as a defaulter. A boy begins to practise little deceits at school or at home which, unless discovered and checked, will make him a base and unprincipled man. Such is the destructive power of little sins when the continued indulgence in them is practised.

Something to think About with Teens and Tech

As we look at Teens and Tech on Sunday mornings, here is an excerpt from Charles Spurgeon's sermon on entertainment to think about.

"How far may we go in conformity to the world?" is a question that is frequently asked. Have you never heard the story of a lady who wanted a coachman? Two or three called to see her about the post, and, in answer to her enquiries, the first applicant said, "Yes, madam, you could not have a better coachman than myself." She replied, "How near do you think you could drive to danger without an accident?" "Madam, I could go within a yard of it, and yet you would be perfectly safe." "Very well," she said, "you will not suit me." The second applicant had heard the question upon which the other had been rejected, and therefore he was ready with his answer, "Danger! Madam, why I could drive within a hair’s breadth, and yet be perfectly safe." "Then you will not suit me at all." When number three came in, he was asked, "Are you a good driver?" "Well," he replied, "I am careful and have never met with an accident." "But how near do you think you could drive to danger?" "Madam," he said, "that is a thing I never tried; I always drive as far away from danger as ever I can." The lady at once replied, "You are the kind of coachman I want, and I will engage you at once." Get such a coachman as that yourself to guide your own heart and lead your own character. Do not see how near you can go to sin, but see how far you can keep away from it. If you do not take that advice, and if the Spirit of God does not produce in you purity of life, by and by the church will have to hold up its hands and say, "Who would have thought it? These were the nice young people of whom so much was expected; these were the good people who used to say, ‘You must not be too strict,’ and where are they now?" To avoid the worst keep clear of the bad.

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