Sermon Tone Analysis

22 Jan 23

Mark 4:33-5:1 – When we follow Jesus

Turn to Mark 4. This is one of my first sermons at Sunnyside.

I started Monday, July 21, 2014, and this sermon is from Aug 10.

Anyone remember what this sermon is about?

I think it’s a very fitting message for us – changed a few things.

The original question was, “Hey pastor, you’re the new guy – what are your plans for this church?”

The answer was, “I don’t know, but we’re going to follow Jesus the best that we can,” and I think we have.

We haven’t followed perfectly.

We’ve made mistakes along the way – but that’s part of the journey – that’s part of being a family.

Looking over the sermon, the question is not, “What are the plans,” but rather I want to expose what happens (or could happen) when we faithfully follow Jesus.

I’ll say this – following Jesus can’t be merely lip service or accomplished through intentions.

And following Jesus can’t be done only on Sunday mornings and it can’t be done without a commitment to Sunday mornings.

And following Jesus it can’t be done without a commitment to the Church.

“Well, I don't need to go to church to believe in Jesus!” True, but I'm not talking about believing in Jesus, I'm talking about following Jesus.

And without a commitment to His Church, I doubt you'll follow Jesus.

Jesus was clear – He expects His people to follow Him – to go wherever He goes and to be whoever He wants us to be.

Let’s be honest, a lot of crazy things can happen when truly following Jesus.

It’s not a smooth straight ride until we get to Heaven.

Following Jesus has a lot of twists and turns, ups and downs, and what in the world is going on …!

Talking about crossing the Sea of Galilee.

Not an unusual request, however the timing may have been off a little.

First, it had been long day of ministry, especially for Jesus.

A lot of teaching and dealing with a large crowd (v1).

The Disciples were probably tired as well - “We’re ready for a break.

You want to cross now?

Probably not the best time to be out there when the sun is going down.”

Galilee is known for powerful winds and storms that come down off the surrounding mountains at dusk.

Disciples may have thought, “Jesus, look, you’re a carpenter – we’re fishermen and we’ve been doing this a long time – this could get dangerous, we’re tired, you’re tired – let’s wait until tomorrow.”

As I read it, it’s the wrong time to go.

But, Jesus said, “Let’s go.”

What does this tell us about following Jesus?

Our time and His time ….

Jesus says, “Follow me.”

But Jesus, the timing is wrong!

“Follow me.”

But Jesus, I like this church …. “I know.

Follow me.”

On top of all that, Jesus did not give them any details.

“Let's go to the other side.”

They didn’t know where they were going, didn’t know why, and didn’t know how long this would take.

All they knew was, “We got to row.”

How many of you are detail people?

You want to know what’s going on, you want to know the plan, you like your lists, step-by-step instructions ….

Some people don’t do anything without a plan.

I’m thankful for people who like details and lists.

I make lists – then I look at the list, but then I’ll do something not on my list.

Susan will even make a list of things she’s already accomplished just to have the satisfaction of marking stuff off.

Anyway, Jesus did not give them any details.

I believe Jesus knew where they were going and what they were about to do but chose to withhold that information.

If I am correct, why?

What do you think?

What does this tell us about following Jesus?

I’m not saying that God will never give us details or plans, because He does.

But there are times when He asks us to follow without knowing what lies ahead.

If He doesn’t give us the details, there’s a reason – usually because He knows us.

In chapter 5 we discover where they went, and they met a man full of demons.

I have a sneaky suspicion if they knew what they were getting into ….

Often when following Jesus, the details come later.

Lord, could you give me more details?

“Just follow me.”

But what about …? “Just follow me.”

What if I’m not ready?

What if I mess up? “Just follow me.”

What’s the plan for Klamath Falls or Sunnyside?

“Just follow me.”

What does this tell us about following Jesus?

I can think of at least 2 things: 1) Following Jesus requires simple obedience – period – even when it doesn’t make sense, when we're tired, when we don’t have all the details, when this could get dangerous, when we have no idea what to expect, when it’s “illogical captain!”

There are times when obedience to Christ will call us to leave something or someone.

But Jesus, what about them?

What about so and so? “Follow me.”

What about …? “Follow me.”

2) They took Jesus in the boat “just as He was.”

Interesting phrase.

Then I started thinking, how many of us are willing to take Jesus just as He is? Think about it – it was a long day - Jesus was exhausted, dirty, hungry, deodorant wasn’t working, He needed a shower, but they took Him as He was.

I wonder sometimes if our image of the Savior is too clean, too prim and proper, too passive, even too holy?

We forget that Jesus got His hands dirty, and He hung out with “dirty people.”

See, sometimes we want the Jesus who gets into our boat, to be a little different than the real Jesus.

If we're going to follow Jesus, we need to make sure we're following the Jesus of the Bible and not some imaginary Jesus where we get to pick and choose the kind of Savior we want Him to be.

This Jesus got dirty; this Jesus got tired; this Jesus ate with sinners and prostitutes and touched lepers.

This Jesus washed feet, served the least, and He loved, and forgave, and He healed, and He died on a cross to save a bunch of sinful people including you and me, and anyone else you can think of.

They took Him as He was.

So, what does this tell us about following Jesus?

I’m not so sure about those people, Jesus.

“Follow me.”

We’ll finish this passage next week.

What does the Holy Spirit want to say to you right now?

To His church?