Sermon of the WeekAnd Christ Was Amazed

Here's Doug Vandermeulen who is one of my favorite preachers. He's gentle in tone, but extremely pointed about the Truth. Doug is the preaching pastor at Community Baptist Church in Fargo, ND. Three unexpected things grabbed me in this sermon.

Firstly, Pastor Vandermeulen brought up a saying that I think is from Francis of Assisi, and which goes something like this - "Preach the gospel at all times - use words if necessary." I have used this one myself in the distant past. It is catchy and it sounds very pious. It fits well into the liberal and emergent emphasis of doing over being. Doug demolishes this sloganesque phrase as a deceptive falsehood. Listen for it.

Secondly, he picks out a phrase I have often seen misused by others concerning the nature of faith. "And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief." I have never fallen into the trap of thinking that the lack of faith in the people hamstrung Christ from doing miracles - which is how some interpret this. My own take was always that Christ, seeing what the Father was doing, perceived when the Father granted faith and acted in perfect accord with it. But Doug has another light on the subject - what might be a better one. Look for it.

Thirdly, he draws an inference I had never noticed before about the disciples being sent out without second tunics or purses. I won't spoil it for you. Just give him a listen...


And Christ Was Amazed - Doug Vandermeulen


The Text:

Mark 6:1-13 He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.

7 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff––no bread, no bag, no money in their belts –– 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. 10 And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. 11 And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 12 So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.