An example:
a. When Jesus returned to His hometown – Mk 6:1-6
b. The town of Nazareth, where He had been brought up – cf. Lk 4:16-24JESUS’ COUNTRYMEN TOOK OFFENSE…
1. At first they were impressed by His teaching – Mk 6:2; cf. Lk 4:22
2. The people of Nazareth knew Jesus as:
a. A carpenter and the son of a carpenter – Mk 6:3; cf. Mt 13:55
b. The son of Mary, with brothers and sisters – Mk 6:3
3. But the moment He spoke critically, they took offense – Mk 6:3
a. They became angry – cf. Lk 4:23-28
b. They attempted to kill Him – cf. Lk 4:29-30
4. Which led Jesus say: “A prophet is not without honor, except in
his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.”
– Mk 6:4
— Because of familiarity, they did not respect Him as a prophet

JESUS LIMITED HIS TEACHING…
1. Their offense led to His leaving and returning to Capernaum
– cf. Lk 4:31
2. Thus depriving themselves of further teaching by the Son of
God!
3. Remember what Jesus had told His disciples earlier? – cf. Mk 4:23-25
— Because of their contempt, they lost access to more learning of
God’s will!

MIGHT WE BE GUILTY OF THE SAME…?
1. We can easily develop familiarity today
a. With those teaching the Word of God (“He no longer impresses
me”)
b. With the message of the Word itself (“I’ve heard that many
times before”)
2. Do we allow our familiarity to breed contempt?
a. No longer respecting those we know well, taking them for
granted?
b. No longer appreciating the significance of the Word of God?
— If so, then we will cut ourselves off from its powerful message!

And this can be seen in many areas and ways. How have you seen or experienced this?

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