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"THE GOSPEL OF MARK" Jesus Walks On Water (6:45-52) INTRODUCTION 1. Have you ever felt alone... a. As you battled the storms of life? b. Wondering where Jesus was when you needed Him? 2. Then perhaps the miracle we are about to study may be helpful... a. When Jesus walked on the water b. Recorded in three gospels (Matthew, Mark, John) [Our study will be based on Mark's account (Mk 6:45-52). We'll divide the study in two sections, beginning with verses 45-47 where we read of...] I. THE PRAYER IN JESUS' ABSENCE A. JESUS PRAYED AS THEY WERE ROWING... 1. Jesus sent His disciples by boat to Bethsaida near Capernaum - Mk 6:45; cf. Jn 6:17 2. He Himself departed to the mountain to pray - Mk 6:46 a. Even in His busy schedule, taking time to pray was a priority for Jesus - cf. Mk 1:35 b. If the Son of God needed prayer, how much more the children of God today! - cf. Col 4:2 3. Thus at evening, while His disciples were rowing, He was alone - Mk 6:47 -- Two vivid scenes: Jesus praying on the mountain, His disciples rowing in the sea B. JESUS PRAYS AS WE ARE WORKING... 1. Like the disciples rowing in the sea, we are to busying working a. Working out our salvation with fear and trembling - cf. Php 2:12 b. Abounding in the work of the Lord - cf. 1Co 15:58 2. Meanwhile, as on the mountain, so now in heaven, Jesus prays for us a. He is our great High Priest - cf. He 4:14-16 b. He makes intercession on our behalf - cf. He 7:25; Ro 8:34; 1Jn 2:1 -- Two vivid scenes: Jesus praying in heaven, His disciples busy on earth [As we return to our text (verses 48-52), the two scenes become one as Jesus joins His disciples and we read of...] II. THE PEACE OF JESUS' PRESENCE A. JESUS' COMING BROUGHT THEM PEACE... 1. Jesus saw His disciples straining at rowing - Mk 6:48 a. For the wind was against them b. Matthew records the boat was being tossed by the waves - Mt 14:24 2. Jesus came to them, walking on the sea - Mk 6:48 a. About the fourth watch of the night (3:00 to 6:00 am) b. He would have passed them by had they not called out 3. The disciples saw Him, thought it was a ghost, and cried out - Mk 6:49

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a. Perhaps like King Herod, they were prone to superstition - cf. Mk 6:14 b. Given the circumstances (dark night, stormy sea), who could blame them? They were greatly troubled, but Jesus spoke words of comfort - Mk 6:50 a. Note that Mark says "immediately" - Jesus sought to allay their fears quickly b. "Be of good cheer" (NKJV), "Take heart" (ESV), "Take courage" (NASB) c. "It is I; do not be afraid" - Jesus sought to encourage them with His presence It is interesting that Mark does not record Peter's attempt to walk out to Jesus a. As recorded by Matthew - Mt 14:28-31 b. Especially if Mark's gospel was based mostly on Peter's testimony c. Yet it is consistent with the humility often seen in the gospels, where the authors make little or no reference to themselves (cf. Matthew, Mark, John) As Jesus joined them in the boat, the wind ceased and they marveled - Mk 6:51-52 a. Greatly amazed beyond measure, and rightly so! b. For they had yet to grasp the significance of His feeding the 5000 c. According to Matthew, they worshiped Jesus and proclaimed Him to be the Son of God - Mt 14:33 Jesus' coming had brought great peace and comfort to His disciples

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B. JESUS' COMING WILL BRING US PEACE... 1. For now, we are like the disciples, rowing our way to the heavenly shore 2. At times, the stormy seas in our journey will make us afraid and challenge our faith 3. Remember that He prays for us! a. As He did on the mountain b. So He now does in heaven 4. When He does come... a. His coming will be with the greatest "storm" ever! - cf. 2Pe 3:10-12 b. But it will bring joy and peace for those who look for Him - cf. 2Pe 3:13; Re 21:1-7 5. How we will gladly proclaim Him to be the Son of God! -- Jesus' final coming will bring great peace and comfort to those who serve Him CONCLUSION 1. As described in the Believer's Bible Commentary... "The church has seen in this miracle a picture of the present age and its close. Jesus on the mountain represents Christ in His present ministry in heaven, interceding for His people. The disciples represent His servants, buffeted by the storms and trials of life. Soon the Savior will return to His own, deliver them from danger and distress and guide them safe to the heavenly shore." 2. So while we may struggle at times in our service to the Lord... a. We can take comfort, knowing that Jesus is praying for us during the storm

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b. We can take courage, knowing that His coming for us will bring us great peace But such comfort and courage will come only to those who are willing to serve Him now. Are you in the "boat" and "rowing" in the service of Jesus Christ, the Son of God...? - cf. Mt 28:18-20

Surviving the Storms of Life

Chris Jordan 309 Chris Jordan sermons

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Topic: Sermons on Peace Scripture: Mark 6:45-6:51 Denomination: Foursquare Date Added: July 2011 Audience: General Adults (31 - 49) Keywords: Storms, Trials, Difficulties, Peace, (Suggest a Keyword) View on one page Listen to sermon Share this Print friendly Add to Favorites Add to Calendar Suggest Keywords SURVIVING THE STORMS OF LIFE OPENING QUOTE: The disciples were left to face the storm alone. The greatest storm that night was not in the sky; it was in the disciples hearts. The greatest fear was not from seeing the storm-driven waves; it came from seeing the back of their leader as he left them to face the night with only questions as companions. It was this fury that the disciples were facing that night. Surely Jesus will help us, they thought. Theyd seen him still storms like this before. On this same sea, they had awakened him during a storm, and he had commanded the skies to be silent. Theyd seen him quiet the wind and soothe the waves. Surely he will come off the mountain. But he doesnt. Their arms begin to ache from

rowing. Still no sign of Jesus. Three hours. Four hours. The winds rage. The boat bounces. Still no Jesus. Midnight comes. Their eyes search for God in vain Maybe youre riding a storm, searching the coastline for a light, a glimmer of hope. You know that Jesus knows what you are going through. You know that hes aware of your storm. But as hard as you look to find him, you cant see him The question of storms is, Where is God, and why would he do this? (Max Lucado, In the Eye of the Storm, pg. 108-111). What storm are you going through in your life right now? Is it a storm of addiction trying to break free from a bondage you have had for years? Is it a storm of sickness praying believing God for healing? Is it a storm of financial pressures trying to get out of debt? Is it a storm of relationship challenges trying to restore a broken relationship? Is it a storm of doubt and hopelessness? How can we hope to survive the storm? DISCUSS STORMS: Storms, valleys and darkness in the Scriptures symbolically represent the difficult and troublesome times in our lives. INTRO TO TOPIC: Driving to church one day to preach on What to do in the day of trouble we were in a car accident. Everyone goes through storms! THE BIG IDEA: Jesus said that storms will come in our lives, but they dont have to overcome us. Sometimes he calms the storms, but other times he calms His child. 1. SOMETIMES HE CALMS THE STORMS: a. Just because youre in a storm doesnt mean youve sinned: This story takes place right after an amazing miracle of provision feeding the 5,000. Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. (Mark 6:45). The disciples were obeying Jesus and found themselves in a storm. Job was a man who experienced many trials, and his friends concluded that there must have been some sin in his life. PERSONAL TESTIMONY: False teaching I received = no storms for Christians! b. Just because youre in a storm doesnt mean Jesus doesnt care. And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. Now when evenin g came, the boat

was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. (Mark 6:46-48). Even though Jesus seemed absent in the storm, He was watching them. In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus finally came to them. God is never early, but hes never late. He will
come when the time is right. When Lazarus was sick, Jesus didnt come until after He had died, four days later. c. When youre in the storm, you will encounter Jesus in a new way. And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out. for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid. Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened. (Mark 6:49-50). Jesus doesnt always come in the way we would like Him to. When Jesus comes, He says, Be of good cheer; it is I; do not be afraid. Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going. (John 6:21). They had to choose to receive Him into the boat before they got to their destiny. In Matthews account of this story: Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God. (Matt. 14:33). d. When youre in a storm, cry out to Jesus for help: In their first storm, Mark tells us: They awoke Jesus and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing? (Mark 4:38). I will lift up my eyes to the hills-- From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:1-4). 23 Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters, 24 They see the works of the Lord, And His wonders in the deep. 25 For He commands and raises the stormy wind, Which lifts up the waves of the sea. 26 They mount up to the heavens, They go down again to the depths; Their soul melts because of trouble. 27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits end. 28 Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses. 29 He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. 30 Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven. (Psalm 107:23-30). 2. SOMETIMES HE CALMS HIS CHILD: 7 We had several days of rough sailing, and after great difficulty we finally neared Cnidus. But the wind was against us, so we sailed down to the leeward side of Crete, past the cape of Salmone. 8 We struggled along the coast with great difficulty and finally arrived at Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea18 The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard. 19 The following day they even threw out the ships equipment and anything else they could lay their hands on. 20 The terrible storm raged unabated for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone. 21 No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, "Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Fair Havens. You

6 would have avoided all this injury and loss. (Acts 27:7-8;18-21). This storm was different than the ones the disciples faced: o They had several days of rough sailing. The terrible storm raged many days. o They had to throw out the ships cargo and equipment and lost a lot of stuff. o Finally, the ship itself was destroyed. All hope was gone. 22 But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. 23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, 24 and he said, Dont be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! Whats more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you. 25 So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. 26 But we will be shipwrecked on an island. (Acts 27:22-26). Jesus never calmed this storm for Paul, but the Lord gave him peace in the storm. 3. GOD WILL COMFORT US SO WE CAN COMFORT OTHERS: God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. So when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us, it is so that we, in turn, can be an encouragement to you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in suffering, you will also share Gods comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:4-7, NLT). When you go through storms, God will comfort you so you can comfort others. God will take your mess, and turn it into your message. When Job went through his trials and suffering, he encountered God in the storm: o Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind. (Job 38:1). CLOSING SONG: Sometimes He Calms the Storm by Scott Krippayne. TESTIMONY: Tell the background to this song and why I used to dislike it. All who sail the sea of faith, Find out before too long How quickly blue skies can grow dark, And gentle winds grow strong Suddenly fear is like white water, Pounding on the soul Still we sail on knowing, That our Lord is in control Sometimes He calms the storm, With a whispered peace be still He can settle any sea, But it doesnt mean He will Sometimes He holds us close, And lets the wind and waves go wild Sometimes He calms the storm, And other times He calms His child PRAYER: For everyone going through a storm that needs to experience Gods peace.