Hometown Heroes

Living Hope Presbyterian Church

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Matthew 13: 53 And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, 54 and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

Matthew 14: 1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, 2 and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 3 For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. 6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, 7 so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” 9 And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. 10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.

ESV: The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ©2011 Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Sermon Summary: The sermon delves into the themes of Jesus as a treasure, the kingdom of God, and the challenges faced by Jesus in His hometown of Nazareth. It explores the rejection Jesus faced from those who knew Him growing up, the tragic story of John the Baptist’s death at the hands of Herod, and the humility and exaltation of Christ in the face of suffering and rejection.

Key Points:

• Jesus is likened to a treasure, with the gospel and the kingdom of God being invaluable treasures.
• The kingdom of God is compared to a mustard seed and leaven, emphasizing its growth and transformative power.
• Believing in Jesus leads to a life of abundance, fruitfulness, and productivity in Him.

Bible Verses Mentioned:

• Matthew 13:53-58
• Matthew 14:1-12
• Philippians 2:5-11

Humor and Anecdotes:

• The speaker shares a personal anecdote about his father’s small town in western Pennsylvania to illustrate the close-knit nature of small communities.
• The story of Elvis Presley’s rumored survival is humorously referenced in relation to conspiracy theories.

Key Quotes:

• “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.”
• “Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Themes:

• Rejection and Unbelief: The sermon explores how familiarity with Jesus led to rejection and unbelief in His hometown, highlighting the challenges of being recognized in one’s own community.
• Faith and Miracles: The importance of faith in experiencing the transformative power of Christ is emphasized, with miracles attributed to faith rather than mere spectacle.
• Humility and Exaltation: The sermon delves into Christ’s humility in suffering and rejection, leading to His exaltation through resurrection and victory over sin and death.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does familiarity with someone like Jesus impact our ability to recognize His authority and message? How can we overcome preconceived notions to truly see Christ for who He is?
2. In what ways does faith play a role in experiencing the transformative power of Christ in our lives? How can we cultivate and strengthen our faith in Him?
3. Reflecting on the rejection faced by Jesus in His hometown, how can we navigate sharing the gospel with family members or close acquaintances who may struggle to accept our beliefs?

Metaphors and Stories:

• Mustard Seed and Leaven: These metaphors symbolize the growth and transformative power of the kingdom of God, starting small but expanding significantly over time.
• Elvis Conspiracy Theory: Used humorously to illustrate how individuals may create elaborate explanations or interpretations to fit their own perspectives or desires.