The Rejection, Commission,

and Consummation

of Gospel Ministry

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth Jesus and his disciples go to Nazareth. Jesus teaches in the synagogue on the

Sabbath. The people were amazed at his

teaching and his wisdom. The people derogatorily questioned his

authority. They were offended that Jesus would

even think of himself as being a special messenger of God.

Jesus’ Response to Nazareth’s Rejection

1. Jesus acknowledged that prophets are honored elsewhere but not in their hometown among family.

2. Jesus willingly chose not to do mighty works there because of their unbelief.

3. Jesus was astonished at their unbelief.

What can we learn from this rejection of Jesus at

Nazareth? 1. Familiarity with Jesus breeds

indifference and complacency which leads to unbelief and a hardened heart.

2. A lack of faith in the full authority and power of Jesus is the single greatest reason for a lack of divine power in your life.

3. Sometimes those closest to us are the hardest to reach.

Jesus Commissions the Twelve

Jesus leaves Nazareth and begins to move among the villages to teach.

He calls the twelve and he commissions them to gospel ministry and service.

He sends them out two by two and he gives them authority over evil spirits.

Jesus Commissions the Twelve

He commands them to go with little to no provisions.

He tells them to stay in one home until their ministry is completed in that city.

He told them how to handle rejection of their message and ministry.

Three parts to their Ministry Commission

1. Proclaim a message of repentance.

2. Offensively confront evil with divine power and authority .

3. Meet the needs of the people in the power of the Spirit .

Our Commission to Serve Jesus

1. All followers of Jesus are called to serve.2. All servants of Jesus are to serve in the

authority and power Jesus alone gives.3. All ministry to the Lord must be fully

dependent on the Lord for fruit. 4. All servants of the Lord will be

subjected to opposition, criticism and rejection.

The Consummation of Gospel Ministry

Jesus considered John the greatest of all the prophets.

John was the forerunner to the Messiah. John was filled with the Holy Spirit from

the time he was in the womb of his mother.

John’s life comes to an end at the whim of a dancing girl at the drunken birthday party of a wicked king.

What is Mark Telling Us?

1. Mark is showing us a life well spent, a life committed to ministry, a man, faithful to his Lord – John.

2. Mark is showing us a wasted life - Herod.

3. Mark is also giving us a preview of what is to come for Jesus.

What About YOU?Have you become so familiar with Jesus that

you have actually become indifferent to him and have not even realized it?

Is your lack of faith in God draining the divine power of God from your life?

Are you engaged in faithful service to the Lord and his church?

Is your witness gaining you friends but not Christ followers?

What is going to be the consummation of your life and ministry?