Tale of Two Cities: One Christ. #
Mark 6:54-56
Introduction
The Gospel of Mark is action packed. We go from one episode, straight into another. There is a such an amazing portrait of the Saviour written by Mark. Jesus is portrayed as the great servant, going from one place to another in full ministry mode.
As a waitress would go from table to table, and serve people, Jesus travels from town to town serving people everywhere he goes. Serving complete strangers, family, the disciples, everyone he meets, he desires to serve them. It is quite amazing to see Jesus in that light, also knowing and realizing He is the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords… Jesus, in great humility serves!
I. Recognition (54) “they knew him” #
A. Known as Person - His town (Mark 6:2-3) #
- His home town knew him as a person, carpenter, son of Mary, brother of James, Joses…
- Many people know a lot about Jesus, but they do not KNOW him!
B. Known as Powerful healer #
- These people in this town knew the healing power of God
- I don’t know if they knew he was God, but they certainly knew he had power to heal!
- They started gathering all the sick folk, This was their opportunity!
C. Knowing the Blessings of God #
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
1. The People of Jesus’ Town missed out on a blessing because they knew him as a person #
2. The People in Gennesaret were greatly blessed because they knew the power of God. #
3. How do you know God? #
II. The Response (55) #
A. Examination (Mark 6:2) #
- The people of his town, questioned him…
Mark 6:2 “….Whence hath this man these things?” “What wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?”
- Doubtful disputations…
B. Excitement “ran” #
1. Do we have a passion and zeal for the Lord? #
Rom. 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
2. Sometimes we become weighed down with the cares of life, and lose our zeal for the Lord. #
C. Engagement “began to carry about in beds those that were sick” #
1. These were not slothful! #
2. Find an area, and engage in it! #
Rom. 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
III. The Restoration (56) #
A. Tied hands of Christ #
Mark 6:5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
1. Unbelief #
Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
B. Touch (56) “as many as touched him” #
1. Touch means closeness! #
Mark 1:40 ¶ And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
2. Woman with the issue of Blood #
Mark 5:27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
3. Unlimited! #
Mark 3:10 For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.