WOOD & NAILS: THIRST FOR MORE
SCRIPTURE READING: MATTHEW 13:53-58
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2026
Pastor Muche Ukegbu
The offer:
When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed.
v53-54
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Matthew 13:44
Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
Mark 4:30-32
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Luke 4:17-19
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10
An abundant life together with God.
The rejection:
When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t 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 own town and in his own home.” 58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
Matthew 13:53-58
“A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.” 58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
v58
“Sin is always the issue, and Jesus is always the solution. Changing the issue is legalism; changing the solution is idolatry.”
-Tim Keller
The tension of acknowledging Jesus’ abilities but diminishing His identity:
“Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this…
v54-55
The reluctance to move beyond preconceived ideas about Jesus:
“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him.
v55-57
The reluctance to move beyond past experiences with Jesus:
Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
Mark 3:20-21
The reluctance to move beyond personal expectations of Jesus:
Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
John 7:3-5
For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face. 8 I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my own mother’s children; 9 for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.
Psalm 69:7-9
“A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.” 58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
v57-58
Jesus cannot have a healthy & thriving relationship with you, without you.
Responding better:
Pray for faith
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:23-24
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.
Luke 17:5-6
A little of the right thing goes a long way.
“Come, follow me,”
Matthew 4:19a
Plan your calendar with Jesus in mind.
“and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Matthew 4:19b
Give yourself over to where Jesus is stretching you.
When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed.
v53-54
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Matthew 13:44
Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
Mark 4:30-32
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Luke 4:17-19
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10
An abundant life together with God.
The rejection:
When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t 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 own town and in his own home.” 58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
Matthew 13:53-58
“A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.” 58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
v58
“Sin is always the issue, and Jesus is always the solution. Changing the issue is legalism; changing the solution is idolatry.”
-Tim Keller
The tension of acknowledging Jesus’ abilities but diminishing His identity:
“Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this…
v54-55
The reluctance to move beyond preconceived ideas about Jesus:
“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him.
v55-57
The reluctance to move beyond past experiences with Jesus:
Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
Mark 3:20-21
The reluctance to move beyond personal expectations of Jesus:
Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
John 7:3-5
For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face. 8 I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my own mother’s children; 9 for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.
Psalm 69:7-9
“A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.” 58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
v57-58
Jesus cannot have a healthy & thriving relationship with you, without you.
Responding better:
Pray for faith
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:23-24
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.
Luke 17:5-6
A little of the right thing goes a long way.
“Come, follow me,”
Matthew 4:19a
Plan your calendar with Jesus in mind.
“and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Matthew 4:19b
Give yourself over to where Jesus is stretching you.