Mark - He is always there

The Gospel of Mark

The Gospel of Mark, generally held to be the first gospel recorded, and is the shortest Gospel in our bible.

John Mark, the writer of the gospel and cousin to Barnabas and missionary companion to Paul.

The Gospel of Mark was likely written to persuade Gentile readers in Rome that Jesus’ death on the cross did not invalidate his claims to messiahship or his proclamation of the kingdom of God, but rather that his resurrection, miracles, and prediction of his death justified his claims.

“He is Always There”

Announcements:

The Youth is going to serve on every pizza night.

Intro:

This is Sermon #7, only 4 more to go.

What is something you have learned through this study?

Can anyone guess which miracle is tonight?

Sermon

Jesus walks on water - Mark 6:45-52.

Recorded in 3 gospels

Matthew, Mark, John

Story of my baptism

Made a 6 year old decision and was baptised at 6 but did not really understand.

When I was a junior in high school I know that I gave my life to Christ and began to live for Him daily.

I still made plenty of mistakes, and it is funny how I can look back and see how I have grown in my faith and learned to trust in Jesus more and more

Mark 6:45–52 ESV

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.

We know that this miracle of Jesus walking on the water happens right after Jesus fed the 5,000.

What does Jesus do after this miracle?

Why do you think Jesus left the disciples to pray?

Prayer is Intimate:

Today, we often pray when we are in a group (church, school, family, at a meal)

We have forgotten that prayer is not just a group activity but an intimate conversation with God.

I think we have also lost how prayer is a 2 way conversation. We speak and we listen.

It is difficult to listen to God when we are constantly surrounded by noise.

Get alone with God if you want to see your relationship with Him grow.

But even though I knew I was truly a born again believer in Christ. I never got baptised and a big reason for that was because I was embarrassed, and I had been baptised when I was younger I didn’t need to do it again.

But I was not getting alone with God to listen to what He was saying to me.

Sure I prayed and read my bible and even preached a little but I was not removing myself from all the noise and distractions.

Mark 6:47–49 ESV

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,

It’s a ghost! not even after the miracles they have seen Jesus perform they thought that is Jesus.

Mark 6:50–52 ESV

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.

When I had graduated High School I got what I wanted (a college athlete) and I began to live and focus on that, and I had let the noise distract me from listening to Jesus.

Then I went to Caswell for the summer and it separated me from all the noise and being that place I began to get alone with Christ and for the first time since I was a junior in high school I felt the Lord was telling me to get baptised.

It took me way to long to listen to Jesus but He was always there for me.

Why do you think Jesus left the disciples to Pray?

We Need to be Alone

Jesus looked out across the water at the disciples in the boat, and saw their struggle.

Even though the disciples didn’t know where Jesus was He was watching over them.

There has been times in my life when I don’t know where Jesus is, but every time I have gotten alone and listened (refocused my eyes on Him) He is right there with me.