Unbelieving Faith Series

Introduction

2 wks ago-started- journey of faith through- Mk 5/6.

Stories of- power of unbelief/faith in the human heart.

2Cor 4:6-7

In man we see- coming together of the natural/eternal.

The hope is that the …

eternal that is within us

would break through the veil of our flesh and

touch the world around us.

This is a great mystery …

Col 1:27… which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. NASU

Mk 6:1-6 Jesus At HomeV1-2 God wants to give us the same wisdom/authority

Acts 4:13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. NASU

That authority came from relationship, not position.

V3-5 Jesus could not perform miracles in that geographical area because- unbelief of the people.

If men have come together to hate, they will hate. If men have come together to refuse to understand, they will misunderstand. If men have come together to see no other point of view but their own, they will see no other. WBarclay

The corporate unbelief- hindered God’s ability to …

come as Lord, establish Kingdom order, and

work the supernatural.

There is laid on us the tremendous responsibility that we can either help or hinder the work of Jesus Christ. We can open the door wide to Him- or we can slam it in His face. WB

They evaluated Jesus by externals- the broken vessel.

Sometimes we are too close to people to see their greatness.

He healed a few- those who pressed beyond unbelief.

We have the same situation today-

a few willing to press through,

many not willing to put forth the effort

to tug on the hem of Jesus garment.

Mtt 7:7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. NASU

God- looking for individuals to walk in faith, but His greater purposes will be fulfilled in- corporate man

We need each other/interdependent- on each other.

V6 Jesus wondered at their unbelief.

Wondered- amazement awakened through sight.

Lk 7:9 Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, "I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith." NASU

Jesus can wonder at either our unbelief/faith.

Mk 6:7, 13 Disciples Sent Out

Jesus gave authority to His disciples.

He has never withdrawn this authority.

12- sent out- represent Christ/accomplish His work.

Jesus knew He would return to the Father.

He wanted to release men/women here to do His work

We see the same picture- Mtt 28:18-20

Not on their own-power/authority of God behind them

2 Cor 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. NASU

An ambassador has- power of his government behind him- we have God’s power behind us- IF …

we place ourselves under His government and

alignment ourselves w/His Kingdom principles

Mk 6:30 Report Back

We will stand accountable for what we have done with what we have been given by God.

They were sent out to fulfill a special commission and return with a report on what they accomplished.

Accountability is not just about living right vs sin.

1 Pet 4:10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. NASU

Steward- one who manages the affairs of another.

Jesus left behind for us a work to manage for Him.

Manifold- the infinite variety of the grace of God.

God expresses Himself in many different ways through many different types of people.

You are uniquely created to express a facet of God’s grace that no one else can express the way you do.