Series: Limiting The Holy One Of Israel (Part 2: Jesus Could Do Not Much Miracles In His Own Hometown Except... Why?)

DO NOT LIMIT THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL (PART 2) JESUS COULD DO NOT MUCH MIRACLES IN HIS OWN HOMETOWN EXCEPT...

1. Mark 6:1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 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? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 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. 4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.

2. Psalm 78: 41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.

INTRODUCTION

Chief Questions This Series Will Project Are: In What Ways Do We Limit God? In What Do We Limit God? Why Do We Limit God? How Do We Take Off The Limits? The Results Of A Life Without Limiting God. Some Examples From The Bible & Our Own Lives.

WHAT IS A LIMIT?

What Does It Mean To Limit Someone? A limit is a point or level beyond which something does not or may not extend or pass. The terminal point or boundary of an area or movement; the furthest extent of one's physical or mental endurance, a restriction on the size or amount of something permissible or possible, etc. E.g. The limits of presidential power; the city limits, trying someone’s patience to the limit, etc. In Psalm 78, It Was Israel. Today, It Is The Church –- Christians. God’s problem is not with the atheist, the agnostic, the infidel, the devotees of modern godless & political movements – it is with His own people who limit Him. We Are Limiting God The Creator, Sustainer & Redeemer Of Mankind. Jeremiah 32:17 I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me? Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Genesis 18:14 Sarah laughs – Is there anything too hard for the Lord? Hebrews 13:8 He is the same today as it was yesterday.

EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE GOD USES AND ENABLES

The Bible Harbors Records Of God Using Ordinary People: David, Joseph, Little Maid of Israel (2 Kings 5 – Naaman), Daniel & His Friends, Boy with His Lunch (John 6), Peter, Paul, Gideon, Jepthath, Moses, Esther, Elisha, Jacob, Samuel, Elijah, Mary, etc. We See These Great Examples But Still Maintain: “I am a failure so God can never use me.” “This other problem God cannot solve.” 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. Daniel 11:32 But the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits.

HOW WE LIMIT GOD: FROM PSALM 78 ALONE, ISRAEL LIMITED GOD BY THEIR:

1. Disobedience: Psalm 78:10 They refused to live by His laws..

2. Forgetfulness: Psalm 78:11 They forgot his miracles in Egypt & the Wilderness.

3. Unbelief: Psalm 78:19,20,22,32: Questioned God’s ability to provide for them.

4. Constant Murmuring: Psalm 78:40 Grieved God by their murmurs.

5. Worldliness & Sin: Psalm 78:33 So he ended their days in futility (worldliness)”

6. Insincerity: Psalm 78:36-37 They flattered God with their lips, but were insincere.

7. Ingratitude: Psalm 78:42-72 unappreciative of His Hand, Signs, Interventions, Guidance, Provision, Chastenings.

8. Idolatry. Psalm 78:58 They angered God with their idols worship.

9. Familiarity: Psalm 78:20 They saw miracles but doubted - Can he supply meat for his people?

ABOUT JESUS AND HIS HOMETOWN – AND WHY NO MIRACLES.

This Trip To Nazareth Was Jesus’ Second where He was raised after His family moved back from Egypt. There, Joseph set up his business, working with wood - not a home builder, but a carpenter. Jesus’ 1st trip there in Luke 4 did not go well. He entered the temple and declared himself the Messiah. They rejected him, took him to a cliff to throw him over, but he walked among them. He now comes back a 2nd time – this time with disciples. A local boy leaves town and makes it big in the world - left as a carpenter and comes back as a traveling rabbi with great following. He has shaken the Jewish religious establishment & nation as well as the Roman world. He is a household name. You would expect his own to applaud him. No. Just Watch And See…