Assurances To Endure Storms

ASSURANCES TO ENDURE LIFE’S STORMS – Pt 1

Mark 6:45-52

Pastor Mike Prah

September 17, 2017

 

“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 alone 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.”  Mark 6:45-52 (NIV)

 

WHAT DOES JESUS DO FOR ME WHEN I’M IN A STORM

 

  1. JESUS PRAYS FOR ME BEFORE IT HAPPENS!

 

(Matt. 14:23) Jesus had been on the mountain praying for his disciples

 

“God has blocked my way so I cannot move. He has plunged my path into darkness.”   Job 19:8 (NLT)

 

“The Lord said, “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to have you apostles for himself. He wants to separate you from me as a farmer separates wheat from husks. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. So when you recover, strengthen the other disciples.” Luke 22:31-32 (GN)

 

       “Who then will condemn us? Will Christ? No! For He is the One who died for us and came back to life again for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us there in heaven.” Romans 8:34 (TLB)

 

  1. JESUS NOTICES MY STRUGGLE.

 

            “He saw the disciples straining at the oars.”  Mark 6:48a (NIV)

           

 “God knows everything I do; He sees every step I take.” Job 31:4 (GNT)

 

       “Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because He was tempted in every way that we are. But He did not sin!” Hebrews 4:15 (CEV)

 

 

  1. JESUS COMES TO ME AT MY MOMENT OF DESPERATION

 

“About the fourth watch of the night He went out to them, walking on the lake.”         Mark 6:48b (NIV)

 

 “The men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before” Jonah 1:13 (NIV)

 

       Jesus: “‘I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm–I WILL come to you!’” John 14:18 (LB)

 

  1. JESUS SHOWS ME WHO HE REALLY IS

 

“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, take courage!  The I AM is here!”   Mark 6:49-50 (NLT+ margin)

 

LESSONS:

  • Jesus Can Do Anything
  • Jesus Is All I Need
  • Faith In God Is The Answer To Fear