Mark 6: 1-6

Rejection

This is # 197 in the Restoration Series –

Introduction: Restoration in the face of adversity. Jesus did not get discouraged and quit, but sent out His disciples to minister to every need of the people. We are not to grow weary in well doing.

1. Jesus returns to His hometown. Vs. 1-2

1. Think for a moment or two about "coming into your own country".

1. It will bring back memories. It brought back memories of thirty years He had spent there.
2. It has been assumed that His father was dead and Jesus did carry on the trade for a while.
3. Jesus goes to the synagogue to minister.

4. As He ministered the question was asked, "Where did He learn all this?".

1. Remember where He came from and who He associated with.

1. The people doubted and said, "Aren’t His Brothers and Sisters with us now?"
2. The account in Luke states that the people were so upset they intended to kill Him.

1. The three major reasons for their rejection.

1. They did not understand the source or the authority of His teaching.
2. They were offended because they thought of Him as "one of them", or their own.
3. Because of unbelief, they had blocked God’s power. John 1: 10-11

1. The accusations and the rejections. Vs 3-4

1. Jesus identified three groups who were offended, and were doing anything to dishonor Him. Romans 10:3, Ephesians 4:18.

1. Those in "His own country" attempted to kill Him. Luke 4:28-29
2. His own kin: friends and neighbors thought Him insane.
3. His own house: family members were embarrassed by His claims.

1. Ashamed because of wagging tongues of friends and neighbors.

1. A thought: God abhors envy. ["to shrink from" or "to hate"]

1. Being envious of others and their gifts and calling.
2. Each gift God gives is to help and encourage others.
3. Never envy; just praise God as they use the gifts.
4. 1 Corinthians 4:7

1. Jesus being rejected blocked God’s power for the entire community. Vs 3-4

1. Their unbelief, questioning, rumors and repulsion toward Jesus kept many away.

1. Only a few sick were healed.
2. We still have many to question, show unbelief and doubt that will cause a hindrance to God’s moving.

1. We must all realize that our belief or unbelief affects the move of God. Matthew 18:6, Matthew 23:13

1. Each of us is in one or the other place in service.

1. We are standing by faith, believing God.
2. We are standing in doubt and unbelief.

1. Regretfully Jesus had to leave His hometown to be able to do what God had called Him to do.

1. Our prayers should be that Jesus and the Holy Spirit will not leave our presence.
2. Each of us should hunger for the "Bread of Life".
3. We each should desire to eat at a ‘full table’, not down on the floor looking for crumbs.

Conclusion: Restoration! It does come when all doubt, rejection and apathy is gone. When God’s people begin to reach out, hunger for God and get desperate for Him to show up, then He will.