“Amazing Claims” Mark 6:1-6 09/06/2009 Dane Boyles

“Amazing Claims” Introduction Our text today finds Jesus returning to Nazareth. His return to His hometown does not go the way one might expect it to. He has proven that there is something very special and very different about Him.

“Amazing Claims” 1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. (Mark 6:1) When Jesus gets to Nazareth, no one seems to care.

Mark 6:2 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles!

“Amazing Claims” THE PEOPLE WERE SHOCKED BY HIS PREACHING. Amazed or astonished means “to be seized with panic; to be struck with terror.” 2 “Where did this man get these things?” (Mark 6:2)

“Amazing Claims” Their questions dealt with 3 things: His Words The rabbis parroted other rabbis and thus knew more about Jewish tradition than about the Word of God.

Mark 12:24 24 “… you are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?”

“Amazing Claims” When Jesus spoke the foundation of his rationality was the Scripture and the power of God. This is what gives God’s servants authority.

John 7:46 46 “No one ever spoke the way this man does.”

“Amazing Claims” When they heard Jesus speak, they were blown away because He hadn’t removed the power of God from God’s Word or his preaching.

“Amazing Claims” His Wisdom When Jesus spoke, His words were filled with truth. 2 “What’s this wisdom that’s been given him?” (Mark 6:2)

“Amazing Claims” His Works They could not believe that a young man from their own town could do miracles. Jesus’ message can still affect people that way. Some of the Bible’s claims:

“Amazing Claims” All people are sinners (Rom. 3:10-20, 23; Gal. 3:22). All the disobedient are headed to a place called Hell (Psa. 9:17; Rom. 2:8-9).

“Amazing Claims” There is only one way to be saved from sin and its penalty (Acts 4:12; 1 John 2:23; 5:12). All other religions in the world are false religions and they all lead to Hell (John 3:18, 36).

“Amazing Claims” The only way for anyone to be saved is for them to place their faith in a man who lived, died and rose again from the dead 2,000 years ago (John 14:6; 10:9).

“Amazing Claims” What do you think when you hear the claims of the gospel? 25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 16:25)

Mark 6:3 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

“Amazing Claims” THE PEOPLE WERE OFFENDED OVER HIS PERSON. They rejected Jesus because they thought they knew everything there was to know about Him. They knew that He had no formal training.

“Amazing Claims” They also knew His occupation. 3 “Isn’t this the carpenter?” Because they couldn’t explain Jesus, they refused to listen to Him.

“Amazing Claims” They resorted to ridicule! They called Him “the son of Mary.” Mark’s point: these people couldn’t accept what they couldn’t explain!

“Amazing Claims” This state of mind is still with us today. People reject what they cannot easily explain. You must come to the place where you understand that Jesus Christ is the very Son of God (John 3:16).

“Amazing Claims” You must understand that He died for your sins on the cross and that He rose again from the dead (Rom. 10:9). You must come to a place where you turn from your sins, and obey the gospel or you have no hope (Acts 2:38).

“Amazing Claims” The absolute truth: Jesus is God in the flesh (Phil. 2:5-8; John 1:1, 14). Jesus was born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14; Luke 1:25-38). Jesus lived a sinless life (Cor. 5:21; Heb. 7:26; 1 Pet. 2:22; 1 John 3:5).

“Amazing Claims” Jesus died for my sins on a cross on Calvary (2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 2:24; Isa. 53:4-6; John 1:29). Jesus was raised from dead after three days (Matt. 28:1-6). Jesus ascended back to Heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Father (Heb. 1:3; 10:12).

“Amazing Claims” Jesus is coming back to this world to take the saints with Him (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:16).

“Amazing Claims” Jesus Christ is the only Door to Salvation. Apart from Him, there is no hope, no salvation and no Heaven (John 14:6).

Mark 6:4 4 Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.”

“Amazing Claims” THE PEOPLE WERE SHUNNED BY HIS POWER. The people rejected Jesus and they rejected His message. Jesus’ proverb simply means “familiarity breeds contempt.”

“Amazing Claims” The people of Nazareth, like people everywhere, took for granted what they had and wanted what they didn’t have.

Mark 6:5 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.

“Amazing Claims” Jesus possessed the power, but He refused to demonstrate His power in the face of blatant unbelief. 6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith. (Mark 6:6)

“Amazing Claims” Jesus is said to have “marveled” only twice. He left Nazareth, and there is no record that He ever returned there. Their rejection of Jesus was total and He abandoned them to their choice!

“Amazing Claims” This is a somber text. If someone doesn’t want Jesus, Jesus will do what He did in Nazareth. He will leave and go elsewhere with His message and His miracles (v. 6).

“Amazing Claims” Out of grace Jesus went back to Nazareth even though they wanted to throw Him over a cliff. Jesus went back because He loved them! He comes to us today because He love us too!

“Amazing Claims” Mark 6:1-6 09/06/2009 Dr. Dane Boyles