Walking on, or Sinking in, the Storms of Life:

Context:

• immediately following the feeding of the 5000, Jesus sends His disciples in a boat to cross the sea of Galilee to (Mark:Bethsaida, John:Capernaum: Some think Bethsaida was a fishing suburb of Capernaum).
• Jesus then goes up the mountain to pray (finally some alone time with the Father).
• while Jesus enjoys His solitude, the boat is beaten by the waves.
• the wind was against them.
• in the fourth watch of the night Jesus walks across the sea to meet them.

Why would Jesus make His disciples leave?

• John 6:15 “...Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself...”

• since the people wanted to make Him king, He was likely removing His disciples from this influence.

When is the fourth watch?

• a twelve hour night had four watches of 3 hours each.
• night started at 6 pm.
• the fourth watch would be from 3-6 am.

 

Matthew 14:27-31 “...But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?...”

Mark 6:49-52 “...but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 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.” And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened...”

John 6:20-21 “...But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going...”

Were the disciples battling the storm most of the night?

• John 6:19 “...When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened...”

•  Matthew 14:24 “...but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them...”

 In the midst of crisis, how did the disciples react to presence of Jesus?

• they were terrified (Mark)

What was Jesus response to the disciples condition?

• “...do not be afraid...”

How did Peter then answer Jesus?

• he wanted to minimize the distance between himself and Jesus.

Is Peter’s response a good example for us to follow when facing life’s storms?

Why did Peter, and why do we, start sinking in the middle of life’s storms?

• we are influenced by what we set our eyes upon.
• our focus is easily distracted from the author and perfector of our faith.

What is the problem with staying in the boat?

• stepping toward Jesus reveals our doubt, but helps us grow.
• cowering in the boat doesn’t increase our faith.

What is the result of welcoming Jesus into our presence?

•  Mark 6:51 “...he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased...”

•  John 6:21 “...they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going...”

• the purpose He has for us is realized.

Matthew 14:33 “...And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God...”

• accepting His Lordship leads to worship.

Mark 6:51 “...And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded,...”

• existanto - literally “out of their minds"
• seeing the authority and power of Jesus is no small matter.

Mark 6:52 “...for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened...”

How did misunderstanding the loaves lead the disciples to 'lack of faith'?

• How many signs and wonders are necessary to soften a person’s heart?
• What does it take for a person to come to complete confidence in Jesus?

Feeding the Hungry: 5000+

Context:

• Herod had given the daughter of his brother’s wife the head of John the Baptist.
• hearing of the fame of Jesus, Herod suspects He is John the Baptist raised from the dead.

 If Herod thought that highly of John the Baptist, how could he behead him?

• Herod the Great appears to have died shortly after Christ’s birth.
• Herod the Tetrarch was his son, a captive of his fleshly appetites.
• He recognized something special about John the Baptist, but didn’t like him.
• It’s difficult to make good decisions while ensnared in sin.
• the disciples of John buried his body, then went to tell Jesus of his cruel death.
• upon hearing, Jesus withdrew, in a boat, to a desolate place to be alone.
• but the crowds followed Him, and with compassion he met their needs.
• the disciples tried to dismiss the crowd to nearby villages.

Matthew 14:16-18 “...But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me...”

Mark 6:38 “...And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish...”

Luke 9:13-14 “...But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish - unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each...”

John 6:5-13 “...Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten...”

Does Jesus expect His followers to do the impossible?

• From the world’s perspective, yes. 200 denarii would have been eight months’ wages, and because of the remoteness of their location, even if they had the money, it was unlikely that a small local village could feed upwards of 20,000 people. 
• From the kingdom’s perspective, no. God has always provided for His people, and obedience to the Lord’s command would always be possible. “Where God guides, God provides”.

What was the sequence of events from v.18 to v.20?

• Five loaves and two fish were brought to Jesus.
• Jesus looked to heaven and said a blessing.
• Jesus broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples.
• All (5000 men plus women and children) ate and were satisfied.
• Twelve baskets full of broken pieces were left over.

Does Jesus believe in leftovers?

• the John account includes Jesus telling the disciples to gather up the leftovers.
• if you can feed more than 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish, why worry about the leftovers?
• should we ever take for granted or squander God’s provisions.
• 12 baskets, 12 disciples.

Are we okay with doing God’s bidding and living on leftovers?

How does this compare to mega ministries that live luxuriously on the donations of well meaning people?

• Ezekiel 34:10 “...Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them...”

Was Jesus doing something that hadn’t been done before?

• 2 Kings 4:42-44 “...A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, “Give to the men, that they may eat.” But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred men?” So he repeated, “Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” So he set it before them. And they ate and had some left, according to the word of the LORD...”

Was Jesus doing something pretty exciting?

• John 6:15 “...Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself...”

Rewards:

Matthew 10:40-42 “...Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward...”

Context:

- there's lots of work to be done.

- laborers are to go out proclaiming the Kingdom.

- they will be sheep in the midst of wolves.

- family and friends will turn against them.

- they will get the same treatment Christ received.

- no fear, no peace, but rewards?

How do people have the opportunity to receive the Father?

- by receiving those that Jesus sends to them.

- to receive those sent is to receive Jesus is to receive the Father.

What is a prophet’s reward?

- what does a prophet bring? [a prophet presents God to people].

- is that rewarding?

What is a righteous person’s reward?

- Jesus declared the need for righteousness beyond religious externals.

- Jesus proclaimed a blessing on the pure in heart - they shall see God.

- is seeing God rewarding?

Who are the little ones that can be given a cup of cold water?

- the disciples that Jesus sends

Who gets the rewards in this passage?

- people who receive those that Jesus sends to them, and treat them well.

How well are the representatives of Jesus received in America today?

Is the prophet’s reward being enjoyed?

Is the righteous person’s reward being enjoyed?

Why are rewards being lost on a regular basis?

NO PEACE:

Matthew 10:34-36 “...Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household...”

Luke 12:49-53 “...I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law...”

Why did Jesus come?

- to set families against one another.

What were the Jews expecting?

- a Messiah who would overthrow the current government to bring a government more to their liking, and peace.

How did the Jews misunderstand what was about to take place?

- Jesus wasn’t overthrowing governments.

- Jesus was revealing the will of His Father.

- Jesus was teaching Kingdom principles that many would reject.

- Jesus was about to offer Himself as an atonement for sin.

- Jesus wasn’t on a worldly assignment, but on a Kingdom assignment.

How did the prophet Micah accurately describe the situation?

Micah 7:4-7 “...The day of your watchmen, of your punishment, has come; now their confusion is at hand. Put no trust in a neighbor; have no confidence in a friend; guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms; for the son treats the father with contempt, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house. But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me...”

- the situation on earth would be confusing.

- there would be danger in trusting others.

What would be needed during this time of confusion?

- not a focus on traditions, family, or friends.

- a focus on the Lord, the only means of salvation.

Does this situation only describe the days that Jesus was walking on the earth?

- this is a perfect description of our days as well.

- we can’t simply look to our traditions, our churches, our family, or our friends.

Hebrews 10:19-22 ”...Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water...”

Hebrews 12:2 “...looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God...”

How was the sword an accurate depiction of what Jesus came for?

Ephesians 6:17 ”...and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,...”

Hebrews 4:12 “...For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart...”

- Jesus came as Truth to a world overcome by lies.

- the Truth causes considerable violence in a world that strongly embraces untruth.

Was Jesus advocating conflict?

- His teaching was to turn the other cheek.

- He was merely describing the violence that occurs with truth and untruth meet.

Was He describing the effect, not the purpose, for His earthly visit?

- was it necessary for this to occur?

Matthew 10:37-39 “...Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it...”

Is it wrong to love fathers, mothers, sons and daughters?

- it is only wrong to love them more than Jesus.

What is the test of whether a person loves family more than Jesus?

- losing personal life to follow Him.

- self sacrifice instead of self indulgence.

What does it mean to carry one’s own cross?

- probably not simply a ‘burden or trial to bear’.

- a criminal in the Roman Empire had to participate in their own crucifixion.

- a Christian participates in putting worldly ways to death (a shameful, painful road to a dreadful execution).

Will a person follow Jesus if they don’t crucify their selfish ways?

What conflict have you encountered because of following Jesus?

NO FEAR:

Context:

- there's lots of work to be done.

- laborers are to go out proclaiming the Kingdom.

- they will be sheep in the midst of wolves.

- family and friends will turn against them.

- they will get the same treatment Christ received.

Matthew 10:26-27 “...So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops..."

What do you think is unseen but will be made known?

- error of those who persecute God's workers.

- innocence and integrity of those who take the abuse (like Christ).

- the truth that Jesus is!

1 Corinthians 4:5 "...Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God..."

- are we ready to have the purposes of our hearts disclosed?

How can this help a person "have no fear"?

- being on the side of truth has a long term reward.

- temporary suffering can be endured with the future in sight (like Christ).

Where does Jesus do most of His intimate teaching?

- apart from the masses.

- in places with more solitude.

Where does Jesus tell His followers to do their proclaiming?

- where everyone can hear.

Do we freely and fearlessly proclaim the truth of Christ Jesus?

How does the Lord's direction to speak boldly in public places contradict America's current stance on religious activity?

- America's policies attempt to remove this activity from public places.

- Do these policies lead to persecution?

- Do we fear this persecution?

Matthew 10:28-33 "...And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven..."

Are there those who can actually kill you for proclaiming Christ?

- this is certainly happening in other parts of the world.

- did this happen at Columbine in America?

Are there those who can humiliate you for proclaiming Christ?

Will this keep you from proclaiming Christ?

Why should the threat of death or humiliation not prevent you from being a laborer?

- temporal death or humiliation is a small thing compared with eternal death.

What is the result of denying Christ before men for self preservation?

- preserving current status in this world but losing kingdom status.

How is this passage consistent with Jesus teachings on the resurrection of all?

 - both body and soul are destroyed in hell.

How can the sparrow reference reduce fear?

- fear comes from thinking you're on your own in an extremely dangerous situation.

- are we ever on our own?

- does God care about His creation?

- does God interact with His creation?

If you die for your Christian stance, does that mean God doesn't care?

- did Father God care for Jesus Christ when He hung on the cross?