The sermon titled "The Scandal of Jesus" from July 7, 2024, delivered at Emmanuel Free Methodist Church, explores Mark 6:1-13, focusing on the reactions of Jesus' hometown of Nazareth to His teachings and actions. The central theme is how familiarity can breed contempt and complacency, both towards Jesus Himself and in our spiritual lives. The sermon begins by highlighting how Jesus, upon returning to Nazareth with His disciples, is met with skepticism and offense from the townspeople who knew Him well. Despite witnessing His wisdom and miracles, they struggle to accept Him beyond His ordinary origins as a carpenter's son. This rejection is characterized by the Greek term "Skandalon," meaning scandalous or offensive, emphasizing a deep, visceral hostility towards Jesus that transcends rational disagreement. Drawing from Timothy Keller's insights, the preacher argues that Jesus' scandalous nature is universal: both religious and secular elites, conservatives and liberals alike, find reasons to oppose Him. This unity in offense paradoxically unites otherwise disparate groups against Jesus, reflecting how human hostility can overshadow the unifying love intended by the Gospel. The sermon proceeds to discuss why Jesus is offensive: His ordinary humanity challenges the status quo and demands personal transformation rather than mere conformity to societal norms. This transformative aspect of Jesus' message is illustrated through His sending out of the Twelve disciples, empowering them to preach repentance, heal the sick, and cast out demons. They are sent in pairs, echoing biblical themes of renewal and redemption. Moreover, the preacher warns against spiritual complacency that can arise from familiarity with Jesus. Familiarity should not lead to contempt or indifference but should foster intimacy, authenticity, and radical transformation. Spiritual complacency, on the other hand, can harden hearts and lead to a dangerous indifference towards God's calling and presence. The sermon concludes with a provocative reminder about the dangers of complacency, suggesting that it can lead to spiritual doom and ultimately blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. The preacher challenges the congregation to examine their hearts: are they genuinely responsive to Jesus, or have they become complacent and indifferent? In summary, "The Scandal of Jesus" sermon explores the paradoxical nature of Jesus' offense, challenges listeners to confront their own responses to Jesus' teachings, and encourages a deeper, transformative relationship with Him that transcends familiarity and complacency.