The message was brought by Rev. Eddie Foster on June 26, 2023.
Matthew 13:53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. 54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? 57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house. 58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Jesus did not have a successful meeting in his hometown. He would have loved to heal all the sick and raise the dead, but he wasn’t able to because the required elements were missing. In Matthew 18 is the promise that where two or three are gathered in his name he would be in the midst. He was unable to do mighty works because of their unbelief. The problem is never with the Lord; it’s always us–the people. They simply didn’t believe and Matthew tells us a prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house. Jesus was not accepted as the Son of God even though they were astonished at his works. He wasn’t trained in their synagogues so he couldn’t be who he said he was. Amos 7:14-15 bears out that it doesn’t always happen the way the rulers thought. Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel. He didn’t come from a line of prophets, yet he was called. Amos stirred up a hornet’s nest telling it like it was. He’d never make it today as a pastor. Many don’t want to hear the truth; they want to feel good and aren’t interested in the truth. However, we must preach the truth of God’s Word. We may not always feel comfortable when presented with truth.
Jesus was a local boy and couldn’t possibly be the Son of God. They knew him but they didn’t know him. Many know of him but we must know him personally for him to live in our heart. Nazareth took for granted what was right before their eyes. Let’s look at some things we may take for granted.
Many are living near the truth but will die lost. You may have heard me preach. You’ve been presented with the plan of salvation yet you’re still lost. What’s wrong? It’s not God. It’s people. One of the agonies of hell will be realizing how close you were to God while you find yourself in hell for eternity. Don’t take the gospel for granted.
There are scriptural truths that can be taken for granted. (1) Salvation: the longer a person has been saved, the more likely some will take it for granted. Many leave their first love and need to get back to it. What a price was paid for salvation! We should have died on the cross but Jesus took our place. He did it for you and for me. (2) Church and gospel preaching: many take church for granted. I enjoy preaching. I spend a lot of time preparing. I stay in the book and make sure I preach the truth. You’ll be held accountable for what you hear and I will be held accountable for what I preach. I want to hear “well done.” Do you? (3) We may also take the music for granted. I appreciate all who take part in the planning and those who do the singing. We should appreciate it. (4) We may take the Bible for granted. Why don’t people read it more? Imagine getting a text from someone special and not reading it. You wouldn’t dare. The Bible is God’s special letter to us. We need to read it more. (5) The doctrine of the second coming of the Lord is taken for granted. Jesus is coming again. We’ve heard it all our lives. Do you believe it? HE IS coming again and we’re leaving here. I’m not anxious for death but I realize this world is not my home. I’m merely passing through headed to a better land. Is he coming today? I don’t know when he’s coming, but I know he is so it’s important to live as if he could come today.
Have you drifted away from Jesus Christ? Let Jesus put your heart ablaze. Are you unsaved? Everything is in order for you to be saved. Jesus is here. The Holy Spirit is here. This is the right place. The only thing that remains is the people. That’s you and me. Get right with God.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 