Mark 4:35-41
Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 4 viewsNotes
Transcript
Let’s Go Over To the Other Side
Let’s Go Over To the Other Side
Jesus had had a full day of teaching and healing. He and the disciples needed some rest, so Jesus told them that they were going to go to the other side of the lake.
This was going to be a test of their faith. They had heard his amazing teachings and seen his miraculous healings. They were impressed by both, but still did not recognize who Jesus is.
Jesus told them the destination. He did not say that it would be easy or without troubles. He simply said that we are going to the other side.
I believe that the Lord gives us direction that we must have faith in
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”
“You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”
These are all promises that Jesus makes that we can have faith in.
Difficulties Are A Part of Life
Difficulties Are A Part of Life
And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.
As Jesus and the disciples were crossing the sea, a storm came and it appeared to be sinking the ship. These were fishermen who knew what a storm could do to a ship. This was probably not their first storm, however they knew what could possibly happen.
Though we have the amazing promises of God, we are not promised a life free from trouble. As a matter of fact we are promised a life of trouble as a christian.
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
Do You Care?
Do You Care?
As the storm was raging Jesus was sleeping. The disciples woke him up and asked a very telling question. Mark 4:38
Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
The disciples were fearful for their lives and went to Jesus for help. However the question that they asked revealed what they though about Jesus. They basically said that Jesus did not care for them because he did not appear to be doing anything to help them get what they wanted.
We must be careful as well. When we are in times of difficulty, the suffering that we go through can drive us to ask the very same question. “Jesus do you care?”
This is never a question that needs to be asked. The answer is always YES! He has shown that by what he did on the cross of Calvary.
Do You Have Faith?
Do You Have Faith?
And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.
And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? How is it that you have no faith?”
Jesus woke up and rebuked the storm and calmed the sea. I find it interesting that Jesus spoke to the storm and the sea. Neither of these have ears to hear. Jesus did not have to say a word and could have done the same thing.
So why did he say, “Hush, be still!” it was for the disciples to hear! For them to see that Jesus is God. He can do things that go beyond reason and what humanity is capable of.
Friend Jesus does the same thing for us in the midst of our storms. We need to hear his calming voice and have faith that we are going to the other side.
When Jesus is on board with us, we can be sure that we will reach our destination.
FAITHFUL INSTRUCTIONS
There was a man who got lost in the desert. After wandering around for a long time his throat became very dry, about that time he saw a little shack in the distance.
He made his way over to the shack and found a water pump with a small jug of water and a note.
The note read: "pour all the water into the top of the pump to prime it, if you do this you will get all the water you need". Now the man had a choice to make, if he trusted the note and poured the water in and it worked he would have all the water he needed. If it didn’t work he would still be thirsty and he might die. Or he could choose to drink the water in the jug and get immediate satisfaction, but it might not be enough and he still might die. After thinking about it the man decided to risk it. He poured the entire jug into the pump and began to work the handle, at first nothing happened and he got a little scared but he kept going and water started coming out. So much water came out he drank all he wanted, took a shower, and filled all the containers he could find. Because he was willing to give up momentary satisfaction, he got all the water he needed. Now the note also said: after you have finished, please refill the jug for the next traveller.” The man refilled the jug and added to the note: “ Please prime the pump, believe me it works”!
We have the same choice to make, do we hold on to what we have because we don’t believe there are better things in store for us, and settle for immediate satisfaction? Or do we trust God and give up all that we have to get what God has promised us? I think the choice is obvious. We need to pour in all the water, trust God with everything.
Then once we have experienced what God has to offer, the living water, we need to tell other people, “Go ahead prime the pump, believe me it works”!
We also have a choice. Are we going to have faith in Christ or not?
Discover God
Discover God
They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
When the disciples saw what Jesus did they realized who Jesus is. He calmed the storm. Up to this point he had only taught and healed. Calming the storm demonstrated that Jesus is God because only God can calm a storm.
When we put our faith in Christ we will experience the power of God. The more we exhibit faith the more we come to know God.
Those who have the strongest faith are those who have suffered the most! Explain.