DON’T LIMIT GOD

A child once asked: -- "What does God do all day?" Good question! -- But IF -- if the answer to that question depends on how much we allow God to do in our individual lives -- some of us would have to reply: -- "Not much!"

In the difficult situations we so often face in life -- it is easy for us to say we trust God -- & yet we try to handle things ourselves -- without turning to God -- & to His Holy Word. Although God is constantly working -- He allows us to set a limit on the degree of work He does on our behalf.

My friends -- you & I could have so much more of the blessings of God in our lives -- if we would only allow God to do the work He desires to do!

Do you remember those V8 vegetable juice commercials a few years ago? Someone would drink a soda -- or some other juice -- & then realize they could have had a V8 instead. And they would say: -- "Wow, I could have had a V8!"

That catchy phrase probably sold a lot of V8 juice. But when that principle is applied to our spiritual life -- it can be very, very sad indeed. I don't want to miss out on any mighty work God wants to do in my life -- nor do I want to see you miss out on what God desires to do in your life!

So how can I be sure not to miss out on God's best for my life? How can I avoid missing that door of opportunity which has been placed before me -- for me to walk through? How can I avoid limiting what God wants do in my life -- & thereby limiting what I can do through Christ?

None of us want to settle for second best! All of us -- if we are a sincere Christian -- want to be all we can be in Jesus Christ. But there are attitudes that can either help or hinder -- in that endeavor.

We see this truth demonstrated in Mark 6 -- when Jesus tried to minister in His hometown of Nazareth. These six short verses -- Mark 6:1-6 -- tell of a homecoming -- a reunion of sorts -- which ends on a bad note. We read a lot about the healing & preaching ministry of Jesus in the first five chapters of Mark's Gospel. Crowds pressed in upon Him everywhere He went -- as people desired a healing touch; -- from people who desired a word of hope. But what a contrast we discover upon entering chapter 6. Watch as this dramatic story unfolds in Mark 6:1-6. -- (NIV) Jesus left there & went to his home town,

accompanied by His disciples. 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 --

that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? -- Isn't this Mary's son -- and the brothers of James, Joses, Judas, & Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at Him. Jesus said to them, -- "Only in his home town, among his relatives & his own house is a prophet without honor."

He could not do any miracles there, except lay His hands on a few sick people& heal them. And He was amazed at their lack of faith.

The KJV reads: -- "... he marveled because of their unbelief." And the result of that unbelief -- that "lack of faith" -- was that "He could not do any miracles there." That statement -- "He could not do any miracles there" -- is one of the saddest statements in the whole New Testament!

There is a key to the understanding of this passage. A key -- you know -- turns both ways -- to lock & to unlock. This is like a key -- which turned one way -- can unlock the power of God -- but turned the other way -- can lock up the power of God! Turned one way -- it is faith! -- Turned the other way -- it is unbelief!

This story unfortunately reveals the power of unbelief to limit the movement of God in our lives! As the story unfolds -- we find Jesus coming back to His own home town. As He & His disciples were there -- Jesus began to teach in the synagogue on the Sabbath day. As usual -- His teaching was brilliant! He taught as one who had authority -- & not as the Scribes. He gave them insight into God's word -- & they were astonished. They said: -- "Where did he get all his wisdom & the power to perform miracles?" -- Yes, they were amazed! In fact -- they were asking some of the right questions. The problem came in the answers! -- Rather than allowing Jesus to answer for Himself -- they answered their own questions. "He's just the carpenter -- the son of Mary -- & brother of James, Joseph, Jude & Simon. -- And his sisters live right here among us." They took offense at Him -- & they refused to believe in Him. What they were demonstrating -- was not faith -- but the lack of faith!

And the message -- the meaning of this passage is so simple -- so clear. The lack of faith limits the power of God in our lives! In verse 5 -- we are told: -- "He couldn't do any mighty miracles among them except to place His hands on a few sick people & heal them." Their lack of faith limited the power of God! The power of God was not limited! -- But their unbelief limited what they would allow God to do for them -- & in them -- & through them! The power of God was turned back -- & they were the losers!

Let's take a closer look at this story -- so we can see it's lessons: --

1. The Cause! -- What was the cause of their unbelief?

Two things caused their unbelief! --Their limited view of Christ -- & their limited hearts! They were limited by what they could see -- by what they could touch -- by what they could understand.

What they had before them was the Messiah -- the Son of God! What they saw was the carpenter -- the son of Mary. Their limited views kept them from seeing who Jesus really was! They had stereotyped Jesus -- & could not see beyond their own natural understanding of this carpenter's son who had grown up in their own community.

What is your view of Jesus? -- Do you just keep Him on the self of your life all week -- & pull Him out to bring to church with you? Do you understand that to be a Christ follower it means that it will affect every area of your life? My friends -- every decision you make should be viewed through the lens of God's Holy Word.

A limited view of Christ will hinder you from believing at the times you need Him the most! A limited view of Christ will leave you cold & unconnected with the truth that can set you free. A limited view of Christ will allow you to engage in activities that will seriously damage your relationship with Christ. A meaningful & rewarding relationship with Christ will only happen when we let Him into the secret places of our lives.

You may fool your parents -- you may fool your wife or husband -- you may fool your closest friends -- your boss -- your pastor -- or everyone around you -- but you will never fool God! He knows & sees your every move -- & even your every thought. When you are moving toward God -- He moves toward you -- & you will grow in your spiritual life!

The cause of unbelief is often found in our unwillingness to know Christ better -- & to let Him work in our hearts His good & perfect will.

One day -- a lady in a faded dress & a man in a homespun, threadbare suit -- walked into an office -- & asked to see the president of Harvard University. The receptionist thought that such backwoods hicks did not need to be in such a place. She told them: -- "He is busy all day." -- They said: -- "We'll wait." After several hours -- the receptionist finally called the president & asked if he would give them a few minutes just to get rid of them. -- He agreed.

The couple sheepishly walked into his office -- as the president got up in a huff -- & strutted toward them. The lady said: -- "We had a son who attended Harvard for a year & loved it. -- But about a year ago -- he was killed in an accident. -- My husband & I would like to erect a memorial to him somewhere on campus."

The president was shocked. -- He said gruffly: -- "We cannot erect statues for everyone who attended Harvard & died. --The place would look like a cemetery." "Oh no" -- the lady quickly explained. -- "We don't want to give a statue -- we want to give a building." The president rolled his eyes. He looked at them in their unsophisticated clothing & said: "A building! -- Do you have any idea how much that costs? -- We have over seven million dollars in the physical plant here at Harvard." The lady was silent. -- The president was pleased. The lady turned to her husband & said: -- "Is that all it costs to start a university? -- Why don't we just start our own?" Her husband nodded. -- The president looked bewildered.

At that point -- Mr. & Mrs. Leland Stanford walked away from Harvard --& went to Palo Alto, CA -- where they established Stanford University as a memorial to a son that Harvard no longer cared about.

Someone here today may not think Jesus is all that the Bible says He is! You may look with skepticism on the uniqueness of Christ -- on His virgin birth -- His miracles -- His sacrificial death. You may think that the story of Jesus is an old, worn out tradition that has no relevance to your life. -- But think twice before you write Him off! If you do -- you will forfeit a gift so valuable that money cannot buy; -- eternal life & a personal relationship with the God of the Universe.

Had the people of Nazareth received Jesus as the Son of God -- they would have been recipients of His mighty miracles! But because they viewed Him only as a man of the flesh -- they lost their opportunity to be touched by the power of God. You see -- limited views mean limited lives! A lack of faith locks out what could be!

2. The Consequence! -- What are the consequences of this unbelief?

The consequence of their unbelief is that the power of God was locked out! -- Notice vr. 5 -- "He could not do any miracles there." It does not say that Jesus would not; -- it says He could not! Jesus desired to do mighty works -- but He could not do to their unbelief! The lack of faith -- unbelief -- locks out the power of God! It limits what God can do for us -- & in us -- & through us! God is no less powerful! -- But He has set limits on what He will do! He could force us to love Him -- but He wants us to chose to love Him. He can do anything -- but He wants us to believe! The power of God is designed to be released as we trust God by faith!

A tourist -- eager to see everything in the art gallery -- hurried from picture to picture -- scarcely noticing what was in the frames. As he left -- he said to one of the guards: -- "I didn't see anything very special here." "Sir" -- the guard replied -- "it is not the pictures that are on trial here; -- it is the visitors."

And my friends -- it is not God's power that is on trial! It is you & me -- & our willingness to allow God to work in our lives!

Jesus desired to do mighty works at Nazareth -- but in the end -- only a few sick people who were at the end of their ropes -- expressed enough faith in Jesus to be able to experience His healing touch.

The power of God is not limited; -- the provisions of God are not limited; -- the promises of God are not limited. -- What is limited is our faith! Jesus said: -- "Only believe!" Nothing is too hard for God if we will only believe!

My friends -- do you take God at His Word? -- Do you truly believe? Are you willing to trust God no matter what the circumstances of your life may be? -- Are you willing to trust & obey? God will see you through the darkest night -- if you will only trust & obey!

At an evangelism conference several years ago -- an gentleman from China was brought to the platform to address those who had gathered in from around the world. He had been arrested & kept in a filthy prison camp in China. His job was to spend all day every day cleaning out one of the camp cesspools that had been drained. It was full of filth & stench -- but he would stand on a ladder -- & scrub the walls. When asked how he stood it each day -- he told of singing this song over & over -- & enjoying the presence of God.

I come to the garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses.

And the voice I hear falling on my ear

The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me -- And He talks to me.

And He tells me I am His own.

And the joy we share as we tarry there

None other has ever known.

He speaks & the sound of His voice

Is so sweet that the birds hush their singing.

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing.

My friends -- you & I ought to have that kind of a relationship with God. As a matter of fact -- we can have that kind of relationship with God -- when we long for Him -- & love Him with everything we have & are. This old sin-filled world -- & all its stinking habits & addictions & garbage begins to lose its attraction -- as we place our full trust & faith in the Savior.

Don't limit what God wants to do in your life -- & through you -- by His wonderful grace -- because of your unbelief! In order to be the recipient of God's mighty works -- you must respond to Him in faith -- believing!

And that brings us to our final point: --

3. The Cure! -- What is the cure for unbelief?

It should be obvious that the cure for unbelief is faith! But what is faith? -- & how do we receive it? Well -- faith is total & complete trust in Jesus Christ -- & in His Word!

What I am talking about is not knowledge about Jesus -- but trust in Him! It is a truth born out of a relationship with Him. It is trust which comes from knowing Him & His presence in our hearts.

You see -- rather than express limited views based on limited knowledge -- we must be willing to adopt the attitude that God can -- & God will work in our lives -- if we will only believe Him -- & trust Him.

But how do we come to the place where we really believe Him -- where we really trust Him -- where we are willing to step beyond what we can see? There is an important Biblical answer to that question. The answer is found in Romans 10:17 -- "So faith comes by hearing -- & hearing by the word of God." Faith grows as we give attention to what God is saying in His Word. As we open the Bible -- & study it; -- as we seek God in prayer -- for Him to reveal -- by His Holy Spirit -- the lessons this Book contains -- then we will begin to have the eyes of our understanding enlightened. As we hide the Word of God in our hearts -- faith will grow! You see -- faith must be nurtured! A believing heart does not simply happen; -- it is developed! As we come to understand & to know Christ better through His Word -- we will also come to understand the faithfulness of God to keep His promises to us!

Conclusion: -- My friends -- we do have a choice!

When was the last time you got serious with God -- & asked the Lord to do something mighty in your heart -- & in your life? What would happen if we chose to open our minds & our hearts to faith? What would happen if we were to banish those negative thoughts of unbelief? What would happen if we prayed -- as did the father of an afflicted child: -- "Lord, I believe. -- Help my unbelief!" What would happen if our faith opened the way for God's power to be at work in our life? What would happen if we took Christ seriously -- & believed His word? What would happen if we relied on the promise that all things are possible to them that believe?

There is an old poem that goes like this: -- Doubt sees the obstacles; -- Faith sees the way. Doubt sees the darkness; -- Faith sees the day. Doubt dreads to take a step; -- Faith soars on high. Doubt questions, "Who believes? -- Faith answers, "It is I."

Today -- God wants to bless you with so much more!

Today -- God wants to preform mighty works in your life!

Don't settle for less; -- don't settle for second best.

Don't limit God by your lack of faith -- by your unbelief!

Trust Him -- & keep on doing what is right!

Pastor Lyle Pettit -- Wynne Chapel -- Cochise, AZ

www.wynnechapel.org