I understand that you're experiencing some issues with your Mac and its messaging functionality. Based on the information you provided, it seems like you're unable to search for messages, not receiving messages, and the app is not displaying recent messages properly. I'll do my best to assist you with resolving these problems.
To start, let's try some troubleshooting steps to address the issues you're facing:
1. Restart Messages App: Quit the Messages app on your Mac and relaunch it. This simple step can often resolve minor glitches.
2. Check Internet Connection: Ensure that your Mac is connected to a stable internet connection. Poor connectivity can cause issues with message syncing.
3. Sign Out and Sign Back In: Open the Messages app, go to the "Messages" menu in the menu bar, and select "Preferences." Then, click on the "Accounts" tab, select your iMessage account, and click the "Sign Out" button. Afterward, sign back in with your Apple ID and check if the problems persist.
4. Update macOS: Make sure your Mac is running the latest version of macOS. Apple frequently releases updates that address software bugs and improve performance. Go to the Apple menu, choose "System Preferences," and click on "Software Update" to check for any available updates.
If these steps don't resolve the issues, you may find additional troubleshooting solutions in this Apple Support article: Troubleshooting Messages on Mac