DEEPER LIF SEARCH THE SCRIPTURE
SEARCH THE SCRIPTURE by Pastor Kumuyi of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry for today is here. Digest the word of the lord and pray believing.
Youth Search The Scripture Lesson: 78
LESSON
78
TOPIC: CHRIST
REJECTED IN HIS OWN COUNTRY
Text: Mark 6:1-56
Memory Verse: "But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour,
but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he
could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick
folk, and healed them" (Mark 6:4,5).
Jesus
has been ministering to people of different lands, countries, cities and
languages. In our text today "He went out from thence, and came into his
own country; and his disciples follow him" (verse 1). Jesus came to the place
of His birth for the purpose of preaching the gospel to them. By this, He was
fulfilling His mission on earth "For the Son of man is come to save that
which was lost" (Matthew 18:11).
Question
1: What should young people learn from Jesus going back to His own country to
preach?
Young
people should learn vital lesson that the preaching assignment should not be
limited to those of other countries or family alone. We should also find time
to witness to our immediate family members, close friends, classmates and school
mates.
THE
CONSEQUENCES OF RE JECTING CHRIST (Mark 6:1- 6;Matthew 13:54-58,Luke 4:16)
"And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue:
and many hearing him Were
astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these his hands?" that even
such mighty works are wrought by ministry of (Mark 6:2). As Jesus continued His
threefold teaching, preaching and healing in Nazareth, most of the people in
His audience were His kinsmen and hometown people They were surprised at the
teaching of Jesus knowing fully well that He was once among them as a carpenter.
They
marvelled "from whence hath this man these things?" They even
recognised and admitted that mighty works were done through Him. One would have
thought that their amazement would have led them to accept His lordship and to
repent. But this familiarity hindered them. They were offended at Him; hence,
they despised and rejected H His offer of salvation.
Question
2: In what ways do youths manifest over familiarity with the word of God and
ministers of the gospel today?
Familiarity
breeds contempt. Many youths lose out of God's blessings due to familiarity
with the word of God and His ministers. Hence, they receive nothing during
church services, retreats, success camp and other meetings. Such youths do not
open their Bibles when a particular passage is quoted on the premise that they
know what that passage is saying. Others despise their leaders and pastors
because of
their familiarity with them. Some despise their youth leaders and pastors based
on the physical, financial or other weaknesses. It is pertinent to note that
over familiarity wilI hinder a youth from getting God's best. It will block his
chances of being saved, and receiving miracles from the Lord. "And he
could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick
folk, and healed them (verse 5).
Question
3: What should Christian youths do when they are rejected in the course of
preaching the gospel?
"But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his
own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house; And he marvelled
because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching"
(Mark 6:4,6). Jesus was not bitter at them. He did not fight or use any
derogatory word on His despisers and rejecters. Above all, He was not deterred
in any way. He left the despisers and went round the villages teaching and
healing. Christian youths should not be discouraged or downhearted when people
reject their messages or make mockery of their faith. They should do like Jesus
by going to other people who will hear and accept the gospel message. The Scripture
says, "And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city,
shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them" (Luke
9:5).
THE
REAWAKENED CONSCIENCE OF HEROD AND HIS WICKED ACT (Mark 6:14-29; Matthew
14:1-12; Luke 9:7-9)
"And
king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That
John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew
forth themselves in him. Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That
it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. But when Herod heard thereof, he
said, It is John, whom beheaded: he is risen from the dead"(Mark
6:14-16).The news of the activities of Jesus came to King Herod and this troubled
and reawakened his dead conscience. Before now, Herod had arrested John,
imprisoned and killed him. This was at the request of Herodias his brother's
wife whom he had married unlawfully but was condemned by John the Baptist. "For
Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison
for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her"
(verse 17).
Question
4: What can Christian youths learn from the life of John the Baptist?
"For
Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed
him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly' (Mark
6:20). John was a fiery and bold preacher who would not condone prove sin in
whomsoever it was found. As a Christian leader the Youth Home Success
Fellowship, School Fellowship or Bible Study Group, you must preach against,
refuse and rebuke sin in any person. "Therefore Herodias had a quarrel
against him, and would have killed him; but she could not" (verse 19). Herodias,
the wife of the brother of Herod who left her husband to marry her brother-in-law
had a quarrel with John because of his unyielding stand against sin. We must
not mind the reactions of the evildoers or sinners, who kick against our
preaching against sin in their lives. We are to preach the gospel without fear
or favour. "And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday
made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee"
(verse 21 ). The despicable (vile, evil contemptible) act of King Herod in
killing John was carried out on the day he was celebrating his birthday.
Uncontrolled drinking, worldly music, ungodly dance and moral debasement filled
the atmosphere of unrestrained celebration. A careful examination of the
Scriptures shows that only two birthdays were recorded. First, Pharaoh celebrated
his birthday and killed his chief baker (Genesis 40:21). Second, Herod
celebrated his birthday and killed John the Baptist. Many youths commit a lot
of atrocity in the name of birthday celebration and other parties. However, any
celebration that does not put God first but promote ungodliness, defilement,
immorality and uncontrolled passion and lust is not acceptable to God.
Question
5: Which day should be Christian youths' most important day?
No
day could be greater than the day you were born into the kingdom of God. The
day you had an unforgettable encounter with Jesus Christ should be the day that
gives you the greatest joy and happiness that is worth celebrating. If you are
not saved, you will be keen at celebrating your natural birthday at all costs.
You must be born again so that the angels will celebrate you in heaven.
"Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of
God over one sinner that repenteth" (Luke 15:10). We see a practical demonstration
of this in the parable of the prodigal son. The father celebrated the return of
his prodigal son (Luke 15:11- 24)
CHRIST
COMMISSIONED HIS DISCIPLES
(Mark 6:7-13,30- 32;Matthew 10:1-15;Luke 10;1-12,1 7-20;9:10)
"And
he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and
gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take
no thing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in
their purse: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. And he said unto
them, In what place soever ye enter into an ho use, there abide till ye depart
from that place"(Mark 6:7-10).
Question
6: What can Christian youths learn from the way Jesus sent out His disciples in
pairs to preach?
Jesus
intensified His evangelistic campaign in His own country by sending out His
disciples to preach. He realised the power of working together with others.
This teaches us that firstly, no leader (no matter how gifted or endowed) can do
the work of God alone. He needs the support of others. He may not be able to
reach some places where his supporters and helpers in ministry will get to.
Secondly, youths should
co operate with their leaders and pastors when they are sent out for
evangelism. Thirdly, no one should be idle in the house of God because there is
work for everyone. More so, evangelism is the ministry of all believers whether
young or old. Obedience to the Masters instruction must be implicit as demonstrated
by the disciples. "And they went out, and preached that men should repent"
(verse 12). Christian
youths should preach Jesus Christ. They should emphasize the need for their
audience to repent. They are not expected to preach their church or pastors.
Jesus only should be our message when we go out to preach. Jesus gave His
disciples power as He sent them out to preach. This made them to ".. cast
out many devils anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them (verse
13). Power demonstration, miracles, signs and wonders will follow youths who
obediently and faithfully go out to pre ach the gospel.
Question
7: What is the importance of report in the church today?
Having
been sent to preach, the disciples of Christ returned to give their
evangelistic report to Christ. And the apostles gathered themselves together
unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had
taught" (Mark 6:30). They told Jesus about what they had taught and done.
This underscores the importance of reporting. Youths should always report to
their leaders their encounter, success, oppositions and breakthrough in any of their
evangelistic outreaches. The act of reporting plays important roles in the church.
Firstly, it updates the supervising or coordinating leader of the activities in
any section. Secondly, it helps the church to know if there is progress or not.
Thirdly, it serves as a source of challenge to other youths and leaders who are
less concerned or idle in the church.
Fourthly, it makes room for proper assessment and planning in the future.
Fifthly, it makes the church leadership to have proper records of all activities
in every section. "And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a
desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they
had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship
privately" (verse 31,32). Having received their report, Jesus told His
disciples to rest. At this time, they were busy to the point that they hardly
had time to eat. Hence, Jesus knowing the importance of rest told them to go
apart for rest. We learn here that we should find time for resting and
relaxation of our body after a hard day's work. As Christian youths strive to balance
their spiritual and academic life, they must not undermine the act of physical
rest. More so, youth leaders must also find time for spiritual recuperation, refreshing and retreating. “And when he had 'sent them
away, he departed into a mountain to pray” (verse 47). The keeps them going and
progressing valiantly for the Lord
CHRISTS
PROVISION AND POWER OVER NATURE (Mark 6:32-56;Matthew 1 4:15-33;Luke 9:11-17;John 6:16-21)
The
ministry of Jesus did not stop at preaching, teaching and healing, He also
showed love and compassion on the people that came to hear Him. He did not only
feed them with the bread of life, but also fed them with the physical bread. "And
Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was
moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a
shepherd: and he began to teach them many things" (Mark 6:34) Overwhelmed
by the number of the multitude and the seeming impossibility of getting enough
bread for them in the desert, the disciples told Jesus to send the people
away.However,Jesus"...answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat.
And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and
give them to eat?" (verse 37). We are to give food to those who are hungry
and famished. Though the disciples had only five loaves and two fishes, yet,
Jesus shared it with the multitude. Note that the miracle of multiplication did
not take place before the sharing but during the sharing. When we share our
money, materials and other things with those
who are in need, Jesus will perform the miracle of multiplication in our lives.
Question
8: What were the miracles performed by Christ?
Furthermore, other notable miracles performed by
Jesus in our text include the miracle of walking on the sea. "But when
they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and
cried out" (verse 49).Secondly, He
calmed the stormy sea. "And he went up unto them into the ship; and the
wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and
wondered" (Mark 5:15). Jesus is still in the business of performing
miracles today: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever"(Hebrews
13:8). He still heals the sick, does the impossible, give success, peace,
promotion and favour. To experience the miracle power of Jesus, sinners must
repent of their sins and accept Him as Lord and Saviour.
