Breaking Free from Familiarity: Embracing God's Presence
Summary
Today’s gathering is a reminder that God’s presence is not just something we acknowledge, but something we experience—especially when we move beyond the familiar and open our hearts to Him. We often think of worship as our work, but it’s really about shifting our focus to God and allowing Him to work in us. When we praise, we receive grace, and our hearts are awakened to Jesus, who is here to speak and love us.
The story from Mark 6 challenges us to examine our own unbelief. Jesus returned to His hometown, ready to pour out blessings, wisdom, and miracles. Yet, those who knew Him best—His family, friends, and neighbors—could not see beyond their familiarity. They put Jesus in a box, limiting Him to “little Jesus” they grew up with, and their unbelief prevented them from receiving the fullness of what He came to give. This is a powerful warning: our own familiarity with Jesus, with Scripture, or with church can blind us to the living reality of God at work right in front of us.
We all have moments where we miss what’s right before our eyes, not just in daily life but in our spiritual walk. Familiarity can breed pride, making us think we already know all there is to know, and closing us off to new revelation or deeper understanding. Whether we’re deeply religious or only occasionally engaged, we’re all tempted to keep Jesus in a box—either of tradition or of our own moral standards—so we can maintain control and comfort.
But God calls us to humility and curiosity, to keep seeking, listening, and learning. Unbelief has real consequences: it can obstruct God’s work in our lives, limit our growth, and keep us from the blessings He wants to pour out. Jesus doesn’t force His way in; He invites, He challenges, and He waits for us to respond in faith.
So how do we move past unbelief? By speaking truth against falsehood, praying for God to change our hearts, and leaning into faith even when we don’t see the way forward. God is faithful to provide, often in ways we could never have imagined. Our call is to trust Him daily, to do the good He puts before us, and to remain open to His leading—knowing that even small acts of faith can lead to great things.
Key Takeaways
- Familiarity Can Blind Us to God’s Reality
When we become too familiar with Jesus, Scripture, or the rhythms of church life, we risk missing the living presence and work of God right in front of us. Familiarity can create a box that limits our expectations and closes our hearts to new revelation. True spiritual growth requires us to remain humble, curious, and open to what God is doing now, not just what He has done before. [30:50]
- Pride and Unbelief Are Subtle but Powerful Obstacles
The people of Jesus’ hometown could not receive from Him because their pride and preconceived notions blinded them. Pride convinces us that we have nothing left to learn, and unbelief convinces us that God cannot or will not work in new ways. Humility, on the other hand, keeps us teachable and ready to receive God’s wisdom and grace, even from unexpected sources. [43:42]
- Unbelief Restricts God’s Work in Our Lives
Jesus came to His hometown ready to bless, heal, and pour out grace, but their unbelief limited what He could do. In the same way, our own doubts—about God’s power, His provision, or our own worthiness—can obstruct the work He wants to do in and through us. Faith is not just intellectual agreement; it’s a posture of trust that opens the door for God’s wonders. [46:50]
- Faith Grows When We Lean Into God’s Promises, Not Our Limitations
When faced with challenges, it’s easy to focus on what seems impossible or on our own inadequacies. But God calls us to speak truth against falsehood, to remember His promises, and to pray for help with our unbelief. Even when we can’t see the way forward, God is able to provide, guide, and multiply our small acts of faith into something far greater than we could imagine. [55:19]
- Doing Good in Faith Changes Lives and Communities
The greatest sins are often not the obvious ones, but the good we fail to do when God prompts us. When we slow down, listen to the Spirit, and do the good set before us—no matter how small—we participate in God’s work of transformation. A community of people doing good in faith can change the world, bringing hope, healing, and the reality of God’s love to those who need it most. [38:03]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[11:48] - Connecting and Growing as Disciples
[13:52] - Entering God’s Presence in Worship
[23:15] - The Holiness of God and Our Humility
[24:28] - The Blindness of Familiarity
[25:47] - Jesus’ Homecoming and Unbelief
[26:44] - The Box of Familiarity
[29:09] - When We Stop Listening
[30:50] - Limiting Jesus by Our Expectations
[32:42] - The Dangers of Religious and Moral Boxes
[38:03] - The Good We Fail to Do
[40:59] - Pride, Jealousy, and Offense
[43:42] - The Call to Humility and Curiosity
[46:50] - The Consequences of Unbelief
[49:45] - Faith, Comparison, and God’s Purpose
[52:21] - Leaning Into Faith in Hard Times
[55:19] - Speaking Truth and Praying for Faith
[57:58] - Trusting God’s Provision and Next Steps
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: “What is Your Unbelief?”
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### Bible Reading
Mark 6:1-6 (ESV)
> He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 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? 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. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 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. And he went about among the villages teaching.
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### Observation Questions
1. What was the initial reaction of the people in Jesus’ hometown when He began teaching in the synagogue? What changed their attitude? ([26:44])
2. According to the passage, what specific things did the people say about Jesus that showed their familiarity with Him? ([26:44])
3. What was the result of the people’s unbelief in Jesus’ hometown? How did it affect what Jesus was able to do there? ([46:50])
4. In the sermon, what example did Pastor Jason give about how familiarity can make us miss what’s right in front of us? ([24:28])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the people who knew Jesus best were the ones who struggled most to believe in Him? What does this say about the dangers of familiarity in our own faith? ([28:23])
2. The sermon mentions that pride and preconceived notions can blind us to what God is doing. How does pride show up in the story of Jesus’ hometown, and how might it show up in our own lives? ([40:59])
3. Pastor Jason said that “unbelief restricted Jesus’ ability to perform any miracles” in His hometown. What does this teach us about the relationship between faith and God’s work in our lives? ([46:50])
4. The sermon talks about putting Jesus “in a box.” What are some ways people today might do this, either through tradition or their own moral standards? ([32:42])
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### Application Questions
1. Can you think of an area in your life where you have become so familiar with Jesus, church, or Scripture that you’ve stopped expecting God to do something new? What would it look like to open your heart to fresh revelation? ([30:50])
2. Are there any “boxes” you’ve put Jesus in—ways you’ve limited what you believe He can do in your life or in others? What would it take to let Him out of those boxes? ([32:42])
3. The sermon warns that pride can make us think we have nothing left to learn. Is there a place in your spiritual life where you’ve stopped being teachable? How can you practice humility and curiosity this week? ([43:42])
4. Pastor Jason shared that unbelief can keep us from receiving God’s blessings and from doing the good He’s called us to do. Is there something you feel God is prompting you to do, but you’re holding back because of doubt or fear? What’s one step you could take in faith? ([38:03])
5. When you face challenges or things that seem impossible, do you tend to focus on your own limitations or on God’s promises? What is one truth from Scripture you can speak over your situation this week? ([54:06])
6. The sermon encouraged praying, “Help my unbelief.” Is there a specific area where you need to pray this prayer? How can the group support you in this? ([55:19])
7. Think about a recent opportunity to do good that you ignored or missed. What kept you from acting? How can you be more attentive to the Spirit’s prompting to do good in the coming week? ([38:03])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for open hearts, humility, and faith to see and join in what God is doing right in front of them. Ask God to help with any areas of unbelief and to give courage to step out in faith, even in small ways.
Devotional
Day 1: The Danger of Familiarity with Jesus
Familiarity with Jesus can lead us to put Him in a box, limiting our openness to His authority, wisdom, and the new things He wants to do in our lives. When we become overly accustomed to the stories, teachings, and even the presence of Jesus, we risk missing the reality of who He truly is—God’s Son, the Messiah, who comes with power and grace. This tendency to confine Jesus to our expectations or past experiences can blind us to His work and voice today, causing us to stop listening and to seek only confirmation of what we already believe, rather than fresh revelation. Let us be careful not to let our comfort with the familiar keep us from seeing the living Christ at work in and around us. [32:42]
Mark 6:1-6 (ESV)
He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 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? 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. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 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. And he went about among the villages teaching.
Reflection: In what ways have you become so familiar with Jesus or the things of God that you’ve stopped expecting Him to surprise you or speak something new into your life today?
Day 2: Unbelief Restricts God’s Work
Unbelief is not just a private matter of the heart; it has real consequences in our lives and communities. When we doubt God’s power, His goodness, or His willingness to work, we can actually obstruct the blessings, miracles, and growth He desires to bring. Jesus came to His hometown ready to pour out grace, healing, and wisdom, but the people’s unbelief limited what He could do among them. God does not force His way into our lives; He invites us to trust, to believe, and to receive. Our lack of faith can keep us from experiencing the fullness of what God wants to do, both in us and through us. [47:58]
Hebrews 13:15-16 (ESV)
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where unbelief is keeping you from stepping out in faith or receiving what God wants to give you? What would it look like to trust Him more in that area today?
Day 3: Humility and Curiosity Open Us to God’s Wisdom
Pride and self-sufficiency close our hearts to God’s ongoing work, while humility and curiosity keep us open to His voice and wisdom. When we think we already know all there is to know, or when we only seek confirmation of our own views, we miss the living Word that God wants to speak into our lives. Humility is not about thinking less of ourselves, but about recognizing that there is always more to learn, more to receive, and more to grow in. A humble, curious heart is eager to discover what God is saying today, to be challenged, and to be changed. [44:42]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Reflection: What is one area where you need to set aside your assumptions and approach God’s Word or His work with fresh humility and curiosity this week?
Day 4: Faith Means Leaning Into God’s Possibilities
When faced with challenges, doubts, or feelings of inadequacy, faith means speaking God’s truth over our circumstances and leaning into His possibilities, not our limitations. God’s Word reminds us that nothing is too hard for Him, and that with God, all things are possible. Even when we feel weak, overwhelmed, or unsure, we are invited to trust that God cares, that He is with us, and that He is able to do more than we can imagine. Faith is not about having it all together, but about choosing to believe God’s promises and to act on them, even when it feels risky or uncertain. [55:19]
Mark 10:27 (ESV)
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
Reflection: What is one “impossible” situation or dream in your life that you need to bring before God today, trusting Him to do what only He can do?
Day 5: Pray Honestly—“Help My Unbelief”
God welcomes our honest prayers, even when they are filled with doubt or struggle. Like the father who cried out to Jesus, “I believe; help my unbelief,” we are invited to bring our mixed faith and our questions to God. When we confess our unbelief and ask God to help us, He meets us with grace and begins to grow our faith. This honest, dependent prayer is the starting point for seeing God move in new ways. As we lean into prayer, write down our doubts, and take small steps of obedience, God is faithful to provide, to guide, and to show Himself strong on our behalf. [56:18]
Mark 9:23-24 (ESV)
And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
Reflection: What is one area of unbelief you need to honestly confess to God today, and how can you invite Him to help you trust Him more in that specific place?
Quotes
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