A FAITH THAT DESTROYS FEAR! PART 1

IMPERATIVES: #1 Determine Your Goal;#2 Pick A Point (It’s important to have a one point message. That way you only have one thing to remember.);#3 Create A Map (Me-We-God-You-We);#4 Internalize The Message (Tell a story that takes them on a journey) (Whether it’s a journey to your childhood home or a journey to a life-changing truth, it’s a story that will take you there.) (People make it difficult when they try to communicate points instead of telling a story.) (When you stand up and speak without notes and without having to read your sermon, you’re saying, “This is so important that it’s a part of me — and I think you should make it a part of you, too!”);#5 Engage The Audience;#6 Find Your Voice;#7 Find Some TractionPrayer, Checklist Questions: What do they need to know?Why do they need to know it?What do they need to do?Why do they need to do it?MAP:ME - Explain who you are and what you’re all about. Pastor in his church uses as introduction of idea or topic.WE - It takes me from what I’m thinking or feeling to what WE are thinking and feeling. I have to find an emotional common ground with them around the topic or idea of the message. My goal is to raise a felt need with as many people in the audience as I canGOD - where I take this emotional common ground I’ve established and introduce biblical truth into the discussion. Now I’m providing a solution to the need I just raised. Remember, we are not teaching the Bible to people; we’re teaching people the Bible. First, we connect with the people; then we move to the Bible.YOU - Once I’ve introduced God’s view on the subject as the answer to the need, it makes it easy for me to then ask, ‘What are you going to do about it? This becomes the application segment, and if I’ve followed my map well, instead of having to stir up interest in making the application, the application comes as a relief or it’s always the answer to a question they’re already asking. Communicate the challenge at a personal level because life-change is going to come when people apply the truth to their lives. You just go back, and everywhere you raised a need, now you make an application and make sure you don’t raise a felt need that you aren’t going to cover from God’s Word and answer with an application. The worst thing a communicator can do is overpromise and under-deliver. You’re building trust with your listeners. Not just trust in the information, but trust in the relationship.WE - the place to cast a common vision. A vision of what our lives, our church, and even our world would look like if only we would apply the truth of God’s Word. It’s the inspirational part of the message. My goal at this point is to inspire people to make a change. Sometimes being faced with God’s Word can leave the listener feeling defeated, if all they think about is how far they have to go. But, if I can give them a picture of what life will be like once they apply the truth, then they have a little hope.

GOAL:

POINT:

INTRODUCTION

Good morning! I always get a kick out of the way the Skit Guys have a way of getting a point across. So much truth in such a humorous way; and as I speak about “A FAITH THAT DESTROYS FEAR” this morning it ties right in. But, before we dive right in this morning . . .

It’s a new day! It’s a new season! It’s a new time in the life of the church! More than ever before it is a time for us to rise above the circumstances that surround us, that want to hold us down and hold us back! Circumstances that want to discourage us, frustrate us, and cause to respond in desperation and in fear; and I want to speak to that very thing this morning!

(ME)

My wife (Kaylene) and I are right here in the middle of this thing with you! In the middle of being quarantined for 2 weeks because we just returned from our trip this last week as we traveled through 3 International Airports that were hotspots for the Corona Virus; and as we returned the first thing that we did was to contact medical personnel (BY PHONE I SHOULD MENTION) and find out what we needed to do to protect those we love and care about, including our community here in Valley City and Barnes County! Believe me, we are making some real adjustments!

(WE)

Just as you are also doing! We are all in this together! We are all making adjustments in how we do things. The new phrase that we are all hearing “social distancing.” Not a phrase we will soon forget! We are all learning new ways to walk out our lives and our faith and not fear. We are all learning new ways to do our jobs, some still in their work place, some in our homes, and even some that are not able to work at all; and all of these things can stir up emotions within us . . . some good, and some not so good! You see, people fear many things. Seven of the things that people fear the most are 1) the past, 2) the future, 3) mistakes, 4) people, 5) sickness, 6) loneliness, and 7) Death itself. As you listened to these 7 most well known fears you will notice that 5 of the seven the future, people, sickness, loneliness, and death are all part of what is going on right now in the midst of our present circumstances. We are wondering what the future holds because right now it is all unknown! We are all dealing with thoughts about people because no one knows who has this virus and who doesn’t. We are all very aware of the sickness that is involved as we watch the media from around the world, and we listen to the reports come across different media. We are all becoming very aware of the loneliness that can be involved as we are told to keep our “social distance” from one another; and we are all very aware that death is very much apart of what might or might not be because of this. To be honest, no one is exempt! So, how do WE handle this? How do WE not fear? How do WE continue to find hope and peace, purpose and health, and the strength and security to carry on? I believe that God’s Word has much to offer us!

Prayer!

MESSAGE

(GOD)

Mark 6:45–56 NIV84

Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.

As we step into this most familiar story of Jesus walking on the water we find four (4) things that really stand out 1) his prayer, 2) his power, 3) his presence, and 4) his personality. Let’s take a look at each of these.

THE MASTER’S PRAYER ()

Mark 6:45–46 NIV84

Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

If we look back in the preceding verses before this story we see that Jesus had just performed the miracle of feeding the 5,000 with the 5 loaves and the 2 fish; and as he completed this he sent the disciples ahead of him to Bethsaida while he took the time to pray. I believe that this is of utmost importance because in this gospel there are only three times in which Jesus withdraws to pray, and each time some sort of crisis is involved: after the excitement and activity of a busy Sabbath in Capernaum (), after the multiplication of the loaves (), and in Gethsemane after the Lord’s Supper (). Each of these incidents involves the temptations not to carry out God’s mission for him - a mission that would ultimately bring suffering, rejection, and death. Prayer was the very element that helped Jesus keep his focus and stay on mission!

THE MASTER’S POWER ()

Mark 6:47–50 NIV84

When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

The text goes on and talks about the disciples being in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was standing alone on the land. Jesus saw the disciples straining against the wind as they were rowing somewhere between 3-6am in the morning and Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. Now when the disciples saw him walking on the lake they thought he was a ghost and they cried in fear because they were terrified. But, immediately Jesus spoke to them and said “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” So, we see here in these next few verses, not only his power over the sea, but his power to speak into the lives of the disciples and calm their fear with words of assurance. Words that would bring them confidence also.

Speaking of confidence, some years ago, (ILLUSTRATION)

Time magazine reported on a man in Lambertville, New Jersey. This man was stopped by the police, went on to explain that he had been driving on two hundred and twenty-four consecutive learner’s permits over the last twenty-five years. He had flunked his first driver’s test and had been unsure of himself ever since. Now that is unbelievably funny! But true!

I think about traveling as Kaylene and I just returned from California. Travel can sometimes be hard enough without the airlines and their terminology. Think about it, as you drive to the airport, watching for the signs that indicate what exits to take, I wonder what sadist named the place where you trust your all to a creaking bunch of nuts and bolts, Terminal.

And when you check in at the counter, I remember this particular flight was chosen for one reason - it was the cheapest available.

And when it’s time to land, why does the flight attendant have to remind us that we are making our final approach? (One person said the attendant announced reassuringly, “We will be in the ground very shortly.”)

And when the flight attendant warns us not to move until the plane has reached a complete stop, I wonder what an incomplete stop would be like.

Our confidence can be shaken by many things if we let it! But, when Jesus shows up, and shows his power, and speaks a Word into our situation . . . it can change everything. It can bring peace, hope, assurance, confidence! That’s the Master’s Power!

THE MASTER’S PRESENCE ()

Mark 6:51–52 NIV84

Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

Then he climbs into the boat in verse 51. The wind dies down and they were completely amazed. You see, the disciples really hadn’t grasped the miracle about the multiplication of the loaves, and if they had, they wouldn’t have been so amazed at the calming of the wind. They would have realized that the sovereign Lord of the universe was in action, and they would have been prepared to understand the walking on the water and the calming of the wind and the waves. You see, their hearts were hardened as Mark noted in verse 52. The recognition of his presence, first in the midst of life, and in the middle of a crisis is so important. It is important that we recognize the importance of prayer, the importance of his power, and the importance of his presence in our lives.

It makes me think of certain people in my life. Have you ever had a person in your life, that when your are in the middle of a crisis, all they do is walk in the room, and all of a sudden everything seems to just settle down and a calmness is ushered into the room. Or, that person who walks in the room, and in one or two words brings a calmness to your heart, a comfort that just settles you down! You see, that’s what Jesus does in a much similar and greater way!

And last,

THE MASTER’S PERSONALITY ()

Mark 6:53–56 NIV84

When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.

as they cross over and land at Gennesaret and anchor there. The people were there as soon as they got out of the boat recognizing Jesus and running about bringing the sick from all over the land, placing them in places where they might have the chance to touch even the edge of his cloak. Why? Because they recognized the person of Jesus! Because they recognized who he was and is! It is in this that we see the widespread fame of Jesus as a healer. It is in this that we see the faith of those who came to touch Jesus’ clothes that he responded to. You see, it is in these things . . . the importance of prayer (in communicating and connecting with God), the importance of his power (to speak into the midst of our circumstances and into our lives), the importance of his presence (to bring a calmness and a peace into our lives and situations); and finally the very personhood of Jesus who can heal and restore; and not just the physical healing that we so often think of . . . but healing and restoration in every way (physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially). You see, there is nothing that he can’t do! There is nothing he won’t do within his wisdom and his power to bring glory to His Father! To bring a revelation and understanding of himself, and to help us to grow in our faith and understanding! To bring us through our fears of the past, the future, the mistakes, people in our lives, sickness, loneliness, and even death itself!

S

1) the past, 2) the future, 3) mistakes, 4) people, 5) sickness, 6) loneliness, and 7) Death itself

(YOU)

So, I want to ask you, even as I ask of myself in times that fear raises it’s ugly head in my life. What will you do? What will you do the next time fear raises its ugly head at you? I’m reminded of what says . . .

Matthew 10:28 NIV84

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

You see, as we have probably heard many times as of recent, says, “. . . God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of a sound mind.” And in we are reminded that “there is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear . . .”

Let us rest and take comfort in prayer as we communicate and connect with the Lord. Let us rest in the knowledge that the Lord has power over all things, even when we don’t understand why he doesn’t do it the way we think he ought to. Let us let him climb into the boat of our lives and bring a calm to the raging winds and waves that want to toss us about; and let us rest in the personhood of who Jesus is, that he is the healer and able to restore all things!

CONCLUSION

You see . . . Faith and Fear just do not mix! If you have too much fear, it will destroy your faith. If you have much faith, it will destroy your fears. Allow Christ to fill your heart with faith, then all your fears will disappear.

(WE)

I know that we are all being challenged with our current world situation. But, we have a great opportunity! We are being stretched and it isn’t always comfortable . . . and honestly we all like our comfort, our consistency, and we don’t always like change . . . especially when we can’t see that the change is necessarily for the good; and so many things are unknown right now! But, this thing has not caught God off guard . . . it’s not a surprise to him. And I know that even though I can’t see and know the future that God has us in the palm of his hand and even though we are being stretched it will be for the good.

One thing I know that we can do is to be thinking about new ways to connect . . . new ways that we can help meet the needs of our community surrounding us. There may be people around us that absolutely cannot leave their homes because of current sickness, or maybe just because they are immune deficient and are being extra cautious. I have a friend in Bismarck that is in that very situation right now . . . and there are people right here in VC that are in that same boat.

As we pull together as the body of Christ . . . and as a community of people, we can rise above the storm and thrive even though it is different from what we have known or even gotten comfortable with! It is a time to expand our imagination and creativity and adapt and learn to do things in a new way!

So, I’m asking you to join with me and others as we put these things into practice in our lives as we pray for strength, as we seek the power of his word in our lives, as we seek the presence of Christ that can bring us comfort and peace, and as we seek the very personhood of Christ that can bring restoration and healing to our lives.

Let us close in prayer!