05-14-03 - He Arose - Mk 4.35-41 - NSB
Preach for a year - Vol. 1
What Manner of Man is This? Mark 4:35-41
Do you remember when Christ arose?
Well maybe you are thinking of a different time.
I. INTRODUCTION:
A. The long hard day of preaching
1. The crowds so great, He had to get into a boat.
2. Just out from the land, He taught them (v. 1)
B. The crowd listens
1. All gathered along the beach
a. Some sit on the sand as close to the water as possible
b. Some let the waves roll over their feet to get relief from the heat
c. Some are scattered about, seated on driftwood and old boats.
2. They were eager to hear
a. So few today who want to hear God's truth
b. The church of England that was once so strong is for the most part dead.
c. The church in America is not dead but it is sick
1. We are lacking in convictions and we refuse to be convicted
2. We want to sing songs, express opinions, pat each other on the back and go home
3. God is not going to overlook church houses full of people unwilling to repent of their sins and preachers either unwilling or unable to tell their what sin is.
a. Homosexuals baptized
3. The people this day heard about the sower, and the candle, and the mustard seed that is like the kingdom of God.
C. FINALLY JESUS AND THE DISCIPLES ARE ALONE
1. And there is an invitation, a storm, and a miracle
And then the question we want to look at -
2. What manner of man is this?
Let's read together - Mk 4:35-41
What manner of man is this?
Three answers to this question
A. HE IS A MAN WHO INVITES US TO TRAVEL WITH HIM (vv. 35-36)
1. Let us pass over to the other side.
He didn't say, "Reach the other side if you can."
He didn't say, "Get to heaven the best way you can."
He gave them and us an invitation to be with Him.
2. An invitation loaded with promises
a. The promise of His fellowship on the journey
Mt. 28:20 - And lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world, Amen.
(Psa 23:4 KJV) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
b. The promise of His fellowship on the other side
(John 14:2 KJV) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
(John 14:3 KJV) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
c. The promise of safe passage to the other side
Heb. 13:5 - I will never leave thee nor forsake thee
John 5:24 - Is passed
3. How like the Christian life this is
a. Here on the shore we are often weary
b. Jesus invites us to travel with Him to the other side
c. Those who accept His invitation will arrive safely
(John 10:28 KJV) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
(John 10:29 KJV) My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
B. HE IS A MAN WHO IS WITH US IN ALL THE STORMS OF LIFE (v. 37)
1. "And there arose a great storm of wind"
2. What a great storm it must have been
a. High wind - rolling thunder - lightning
b. The waves beat into the ship
The waves covered the ship and the ship was being filled with water and Luke says, "they were in jeopardy."
You've had trials like that - you maybe in one right now.
Trials that come up suddenly and unexpectedly.
c. And we try to handle them on our own
1. These were experienced fishermen
2. No doubt they had tried to deal with the situation on their own before they went to Jesus.
3. There is a lesson here: storms come to disciples
a. They were traveling with Jesus
b. They had obeyed Jesus yet the storm came
(John 9:2 KJV) And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
(John 9:3 KJV) Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
c. And you may be passing through a storm even though you are His child.
The NLT says they were screaming, "we are sinking."
But the Bible says in all three gospels, something that I just love.
Mk 4:39 - And He arose
Mt. 8:26 - Then He arose
Lk. 8:24 - Then He arose
The response of a God who hears our cries -
And the storms never had a chance
Can you look back through your life now and see the many times you called on God and "He arose?"
4. Storms have different purposes
a. Jonah's: to bring him from backsliding
b. Paul's: to open new doors of witness
c. The disciples storm: to test their faith
C. HE IS A MAN WHO IS UP TO THE OCCASION
1. He was asleep
a. even though Jesus in physical body was tired and needed rest
b. Jesus as God did not -
(Isa 40:28 KJV) Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
2. He arose: "Peace be still" THERE WAS A GREAT CALM!
a. The waves ceased - the sea flattened
b. The moon broke through the clouds
c. There was a gentle breeze
d. The only sounds were the lapping of the water against the side of the boat
3. What manner of man is this?
a. Good question
1. Mark gave us the answer in Mark 1:1
(Mark 1:1 KJV) The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
2. The Roman Centurion gave us the answer in Mk 15:39
(Mark 15:39 KJV) And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
3. God himself gave the answer in Mk. 1:11
(Mark 1:11 KJV) And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
III. CONCLUSION
A. JESUS CAN CALM YOUR STORM AND GIVE YOU PEACE
Jesus sees you in the midst of your trials.
(Psa 34:18 KJV) The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Put your faith in Him and listen as He says, "Peace be still."
Give your burdens to the Lord and you will be able to look back on His faithfulness and say, "He arose!"
Let's pray.