STUCK IN A STORM
Gospel of Mark #21
Pastor Clanton
Woodland Church
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
(Mark 6:45–56, NLT) “Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in. After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. They brought the boat to shore and climbed out. The people recognized Jesus at once, and they ran throughout the whole area, carrying sick people on mats to wherever they heard he was. Wherever he went—in villages, cities, or the countryside—they brought the sick out to the marketplaces. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.”
1. OBEYING CHRIST KEEPS ME PEACEFUL IN THE STORM.
(Mark 6:45, NLT) “Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home.”
A. God has a plan for me when adversity comes my way.
B. God didn’t cause the storm.
C. God knows your boat is not going to sink.
D. Life is a series of miracles and struggles.
2. THE STRESS OF STRUGGLES.
(Mark 6:48, NLT) “He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves.”
In the NT básanoi means “pains” in Mt. 4:24 and “torments” (of hell) in Lk. 16:23.
basanízein means “to plague” or “to torment” in Mt. 8:6 (the servant) and Mt. 8:29 (the demons).
The boat is “battered” by the waves in Mt. 14:24.
The reference in Rev. 12:2 is to “birth pangs.”
Lot’s “torment” at the sight of wickedness is the point in 2 Pet. 2:8.
–Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Geoffrey W. Bromiley
A. God’s eyes are always on you.
B. God knows the right time to show up.
(Mark 6:48, NLT)“About three o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them, walking on the water…”
C. At times, perseverance is as virtuous as moving forward.
3. THE PRESENCE OF GOD IS THE SOLUTION.
(Mark 6:48, NLT) “About three o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.”
(Mark 6:49, NLT) “When they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost.”
(Mark 6:50, NLT) “They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!”
(Mark 6:51–52, NLT) “Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in.”
A. Jesus never gives up on me despite my failures.
B. Jesus will take me through the process again until I get it!
C. Two mistakes we make of miracles:
a. What’s next?
b. So what?
D. Stay amazed by Jesus.
E. Jesus promises us victory if we remain faithful.
F. The story started with a miracle and ends with miracles.
(Mark 6:54–56, NLT) “The people recognized Jesus at once, and they ran throughout the whole area, carrying sick people on mats to wherever they heard he was. Wherever he went—in villages, cities, or the countryside—they brought the sick out to the marketplaces. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.”