022b CKV Jn 6 16 21 Jesus Is God (2)

John J. Hanner

Sermon • Submitted a year ago • Presented a year ago

John 6:16–21

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Notes

Transcript

Series: Uniqueness of Jesus

Title: Jesus Is God

Reading: Combined: Mark 6:45-52; Matthew 14:22-33; John 6:16-21

Text: John 16:16-21 Reading: Combined (See Notes at End)

Jesus sent the disciples into the storm (to avoid knowing the crowds intention to make Jesus King). They are also a captive audience when the time comes.

Jesus is interceding for you. Jesus goes up the mountain to pray. Hebrews - Jesus interceding for us

Jesus sees your struggles

Our initial look at Jesus afar may frighten us (loss of dream/plans)

Jesus is saying to you this day, “I am.” Do NOT be afraid.

Keeping our focus on Jesus and not the storm is our security.

Obedience does not mean it will easy.

Our ‘security is not secure’ (the boat)

When Jesus comes close and we bring Him in (destination reached)

Jesus is greater than our storms (text)

JESUS IS GOD

The safest place for us is to be in the will of Jesus.

What have you placed your security in?

What dream do you have and has God taken it?

If Jesus calls you to come out in the midst of the storm - Keep your eyes on HIM!!!

Look at other passages.

Music 1 Holy God We Praise Thy Name 114555 TCH #2

Music 2 How Firm a Foundation 107816 TCH408

Music 3 Ere the Blue Heavens PD

Music 4 We Praise Thee O God Our Redeemer 4671798 TCH68

Music 5 Jesus Savior Pilot Me 120958

Welcome Screen

Call to worship

PSALM 25:11-22 O LORD, Guard My Soul

Congregation: For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.

Leader: Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.

Congregation: My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.

ALL: Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

Music 1 Holy God We Praise Thy Name 114555 TCH #2

Music 2 How Firm a Foundation 107816 TCH408

Opening Prayer

Scripture Reading: Three Gospels Combined

(Jn 6:15a) Perceiving then that they were about to come and take Jesus by force to make him king, (Mk 6:45a) Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, (Jn 6:17b)and started across the sea to Capernaum, (Mk 6:45b)while he dismissed the crowd. (Mt 14:23) 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. (Jn 6:17c-18) It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. (Mk 6:48) And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. (Mt 14:25) And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. (John 6:19a) When they had rowed about three or four miles, (Matthew 14:26) the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. (Mt 14:27) But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Only Matthew has Peter walking on the water included

(Mt 14:28-31) And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Challenging endings between Mark and Matthew.

(Mk 6:51-52) And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. (Mt 14:33) And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Conflict or timing - First reaction just as Jesus was in the boat vs after a little while in the calm

Music 3 Ere the Blue Heavens PD

Music 4 We Praise Thee O God Our Redeemer 4671798 TCH68

Music 5 Jesus Savior Pilot Me 120958

Prayer

Jesus Is God

Intro

When did you realize that Jesus is God?

I was a teenager - reading through the Bible. It actually is the passage we will cover in a couple of weeks, where Jesus says, “Before Abraham was, I am.”

It may have been at the time you gave your life to Jesus.

It may have been when you were baptized.

It may have been when God delivered you out of a situation.

Indeed, God can show Himself any time and in many ways.

We see Him in the beauty of nature. The tough love of a friend helping us stay true to the faith.

We saw last week that Jesus fed the five thousand as a way to say, “I am the God who gave your ancestors manna.”

John 6:16–21 ESV

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

Matthew and Mark bring some different pieces of information.

Matthew tells of Peter walking on water.

Compared to Mark and Matthew, John’s account seems unnecessary.

But I believe John is demonstrating and emphasizing the uniqueness of Jesus. The feeding of the ten thousand was Jesus demonstrating that He is the God Who fed the Israelites manna in the desert. But we saw in the feeding of the ten thousand that the people were ready to make Jesus king. We see this as a reason Jesus sent the disciples ahead of him - so as not to get caught up with that.

I believe Jesus has set this opportunity for the disciples alone - to see Jesus as the Almighty God in the flesh to prepare them for what tomorrow will bring.

But before we do that in our next time together, we will merge these three Gospel stories together to try and get a fuller picture of what is going on.

Scripture Reading: Three Gospels Combined

(Jn 6:15a) Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, (Mk 6:45a) He immediately made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, (Jn 6:17b)and started across the sea to Capernaum, (Mk 6:45b)while he dismissed the crowd. (Mt 14:23a) And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.

Note John 6:15 for a key to the reason Jesus sends off the disciples and he goes up the mountain to pray

John 6:15 ESV

Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Jesus has the disciples go out.

Jesus is up the mountain alone praying. Why?

Hebrews 7:25 ESV

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Jesus went up the mountain to pray.

He sent them out because the people were ready to make Jesus king by force, and perhaps Jesus wanted to be alone to pray. I think it was also so He could do what He was about to do to help the disciples know who He is.

Jesus is interceding for you.

God may have us take a course that is hard. He knows what He is doing.

We are left trusting Him.

(Mt 14:23b) When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. (Jn 6:17c-18) It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. (Mk 6:48) And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them.

Jesus saw the disciples struggling.

Jesus sees your struggles

Indeed, the word ‘painfully’ means ‘torturous.’

kayak experience

(Mt 14:25) And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. (John 6:19a) When they had rowed about three or four miles, (Matthew 14:26) the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. (Mt 14:27) But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

fourth watch is between 3 - 6am

Jesus comes out. Mark says Jesus was making it look like he was simply walking by.

The word order of Jesus statement - “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” is “Take heart (be confident), I am, Do not be afraid.”

These three ideas should be our response to the situations, challenges, changes in our lives today.

But before I go further with that thought - when Jesus showed up, what did the disciples see?

Matthew and Mark say they thought they saw a ghost. John simply says they are frightened.

Sometimes, when God shows up - we may not recognize that it is Him!

Our initial look at Jesus afar may frighten us

When you hear or see the headlines, do not be dismayed. Rather, as Jesus said,

Take heart. That is be confident. Why?

I Am - Jesus said. God has been, is and will always be. God is ever present and has not left you.

Jesus is saying to you this day, “I am, Do NOT be afraid.”

Only Matthew has Peter walking on the water included

(Mt 14:28-31) And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Poor Peter - he always seems to get dinged in some form or fashion.

But Peter is the only one asking if he could go out to the water with Jesus.

It is possible that when Jesus said, “Be confident. I am. Do not be afraid,” Peter was responding by asking Jesus call him?

Why? Peter was always ready to go all in - when he balked at Jesus washing his feet and Jesus explained that unless he lets Jesus do the feet washing, Peter has no part of him, and Peter responds with asking Jesus to wash all of him.

Peter wanted to be where Jesus is so he asks and he walks out on the water.

What happens next?

He saw the wind! How does one see wind? He saw the turbulence of the water, and yet it was dark?

How was he walking on the water - on top of the waves? was it sort of level? No clue.

What changed between asking Jesus to bid him come and Peter being on the water?

He takes his eyes off Jesus and focuses on the turbulent water.

Notice that Jesus reaches out his hand and took hold of him. Even in his doubt, Jesus reaches out to Peter, and at the same time corrects him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

JESUS IS GOD is the main theme of Jesus walking on the water.

This sub-story is a lesson for us.

When Jesus calls us, let us follow Him and not doubt.

He may call out out of the comfort of the boat to walk above the circumstances we face.

Focus on Jesus, not the storm you are facing.

But John, Peter asked, and Jesus said “Come.”

Peter did go out to Jesus.

Yes, but he took his eyes off of Jesus, looked at the wind, and stopped going to Jesus.

Keeping our focus on Jesus and not the storm is our security.

When Jesus does bid us to come out of our boat of comfort, we should obey.

Obedience does not mean it will be easy.

Indeed, it may require more of us. It may be scary, it may be harder, but the fruit does not come without obedience.

Whatever you may be facing - whatever strong wind is blowing hard against you, know that Jesus is there with you.

You feel secure in your boat - but your boat is not enough.

Our security is not secure unless our security is Jesus

Jesus is outside the boat walking on the water in the midst of that strong wind.

Jesus is above and over your circumstances.

Turn to Him. Ask Jesus how He wants you to proceed.

Peter was willing to ask Jesus to bid him.

Are you willing to ask Jesus to bid you to come to him outside the safety of your boat?

Jesus only bid Peter.

He may call you out of the boat.

Jesus may simply join you in the boat – but will you invite Jesus to join you.

You may ask, what is the difference? In every work of God, He has a point person.

Peter ended up being the leader of the disciples. Jesus bid Peter out of the boat.

You may ask the Lord to bid you come out – but He may not do that. He may join you in the boat.

Either way – stay focused on Jesus. Stay close to Him. Your boat will not save you.

The only true security is having Jesus.

Challenging endings between Mark and Matthew.

(Mk 6:51-52) And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. (Mt 14:33) And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Conflict or timing - First reaction just as Jesus was in the boat vs after a little while in the calm

We do not know if there was time for a conversation. John ends his account with

John 6:21 ESV

Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

When Jesus comes close and we bring Him in

(destination reached)

I believe both Mark and Matthew endings are accurate. To see this, let’s take a peek at the end of the chapter:

John 6:60–71 ESV

60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” 66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.

I believe that this is a subplot - an important one.

Jesus told the disciples to go into the boat - knowing what would be coming.

I believe Jesus had the disciples go ahead of him for three reasons:

To avoid the influence of the crowd to make Jesus king.

To have the opportunity to help them see that Jesus is God Yahweh in the flesh.

With that experience of seeing Jesus’ divinity would deepen their conviction to follow Jesus, regardless of what may come. We will see the fruit of their increased faith as we work through John 6 and see their response to Jesus hard teaching at the end of this chapter.

I believe Jesus did this miracle of walking on the water for their benefit. And ours. His point:

JESUS IS GOD

know that Jesus is God should give us comfort.

Jesus is the I Am.

Whether Jesus sends us in a boat (a direction in life) and whether the wind blows against us or not, do we continue to obey His will?

When in our own boat of comfort, but the wind is blowing hard. While we are struggling and maybe like the disciples, being tortured by the blowing wind, we something coming that scares us even more - but it is Jesus. What do you do?

From Mark’s and John’s gospels - we see welcoming Jesus in when He is recognized is a blessing - indeed, John says they quickly arrive to the shore.

But Matthew tells of Peter’s story - when after Jesus tells them to “Take heart. I Am. Do NOT be affraid,” Peter asks if Jesus would call him out of the boat.

Whether we stay in the boat or go out to Jesus if He calls us out, what we need to remember is:

The safest place for us is to be in the will of Jesus.

What have you placed your security in?

What dream do you have and has God taken it?

If Jesus calls you to come out in the midst of the storm - Keep your eyes on HIM!!!

Worship through Communion

Music When I Survey The Wondrous Cross (O Waly Waly)

Closing Hymn Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me

Blessing Live and Love As Jesus To See Others Live and Love As Jesus

NOTES

Faith - believing regardless of circumstances

Why Jesus withdraws to the mountain and send the disciples. Mt-; Mk-; Jn 6:15

Jesus tells them to go to the other side. Mt 14:22 ; Mk 6:45 ; Jn-

The disciples obey. Mt14:22,24; Mk 6:45 , 48 ; Jn6:16,17

The wind was against them. Mt 14:24 ; Mk 6:48 ; Jn 6:18 (sea is rough)

Jesus comes to them. Mt 14:25 ; Mk 6:48

The disciples see something unusual in the wind. Mt 14:26 ; Mk 6:49 ,50 ; Jn 6:19

The disciples are afraid. Mt 11:26; Mk 6:49,50; Jn 6:19

But Jesus tells them it is he. Mt 11:27 ; Mk 6:50 ; John 6:20

"Take heart" "I am" "Do not be afraid." Mt 11:27; Mk 6:50; Jn 6:20

Peter asks Jesus if He will call to him. Mt 11:28; Mk-; Jn-

Jesus calls Peter out and Peter obeys. Mt 14:29; Mk-; Jn-

Peter takes his eyes off Jesus and looks at the waves and is afraid. Mt 14:30; Mk-; Jn-

Peter calls Jesus for help. Mt 14:30; Mk-; Jn-

Jesus does with a comment. Mt 14:31; Mk-; Jn-

Jesus gets into the boat, the wind ceases. Mt 14:32; Mk 6:51; Jn 6:21

Immediately the boat landed. Mt-; Mk-; Jn 6:21-

God gets the glory. Mt 14:33; Mk 6:51 (astounded); Jn-

Still not understanding; hearts hardened. Mt-; Mk 6:52; Jn-

James 1:6

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

2018;

NOTE “I AM” in Greek: Strongs order is 1473 & 1510; LN is 92.1 & 13.1, 13.4, 85.1 (same word - LN slight variations, means “to be”

Mark 6:45-52 - 45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

Matthew 14:22-33 - 22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

John 6:16-22 - 16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

Three Gospels Combined

(Mk 6:45a) Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, (Jn 6:17b)and started across the sea to Capernaum, (Mk 6:45b)while he dismissed the crowd. (Mt 14:23) 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. (Jn 6:17c-18) It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. (Mt 14:25) And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. (John 6:19a) When they had rowed about three or four miles, (Matthew 14:26) the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. (Mt 14:27) But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Only Matthew has Peter walking on the water included

Challenging endings between Mark and Matthew. Conflict or timing - First reaction just as Jesus was in the boat vs after a little while in the calm

(Mk 6:51-52) And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

(Mt 14:33) And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”