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A Man Named Jesus
Part 3
Jesus Is Aboard Your Life
Lesson
Text: Mark 4:35-41
In this
wonderful and powerful story of Christ and His disciples we find some amazing
and comforting applications. Whenever the life and disposition of Christ are
analyzed, regardless of the situation and circumstances, many things are
learned. It was Christ who said in Matthew 11:29 "Take my yoke upon
you, and learn of me..." As the behavior of Christ is witnessed in
this awesome story Christians can begin to learn how to deal and manage, in
times of crisis, knowing because Christ is aboard the Christian's ship.
In this
study we will expound upon four prevalent points in this story regarding
Christ, his men, a boat and the water:
1.
In the midst of our life and trip from earth to glory, attempting
to pass over to the other side, we will have some trials and tribulations.
2.
During times of Crisis the faith of Christ allowed him to sleep.
3.
Christ is in control.
4.
The manner of man Christ is.
It became
time for Christ and his men to move from one point to the next. The Bible says
in Mark 4:35 ¶"And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto
them, Let us pass over unto the other side." Of course Jesus and been
taking his men across various geographical locations as he began to proclaim
the new spiritual law that was to come and being put in place over the Old
Testament physical law. During these times Jesus and his men encountered some
strange things. They were accepted by some and rejected by others. They were
entreated by some and mistreated by others. They were loved by some yet hated
by many.
Christians
today are also trying to pass over to the other side. The Christian man is
doing all he can to make heaven his home and the Christian women is doing all
she can to make heaven her home. They are attempting to do all they can to hear
those melodious words of Christ found in Matthew 25:21, "...Well done,
thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I
will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy
lord." But the baptized believer cannot forget that there is an
adversary in the way. There is a lion in the way that is out to prevent God's
elect from passing over without a fight.
Jesus was
attempting to pass over what may have appeared to have been some smooth and
obedient water but somehow once they got in the midst of the sea she began to
rage. This is the same thing that happens in the lives of Christians. We step
out on what appears to be smooth terrain and before we know it an earthquake
starts to shake the foundation, attempting to shake our faith. All the while
Satan is standing by hoping we crumble with the rocks.
Look at the
illustration:
Mark
4:36-37 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as
he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there
arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was
now full.
I do not
know what came of the small ships that were around the vessel that Christ and
his men occupied but I do know they fell into trouble. It may have started out
as a nice and simple trip that should have resulted in the mere passing over
but for the disciples it turned into a frightening trial of faith. Before they
new it the wind and sea were raging and the boat was filled with unwanted and
uninvited water. This says to me that the life of the Christian can be filled
with some mishaps, some unsuspected interference, some uninvited guests and
some heavy and scary trials and tribulations.
All of the
sudden this boat was filled with water. The disciples became fearful for their
life, wondering what they should do. Luke 8:23 says "...There came down
a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in
jeopardy." The lives of the disciples were in jeopardy. They thought
they were going to die.
Our first
point simply illustrates to us that times will get rough but rough and
difficult times are only a part of the equation. The New Testament children of
God were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26). This term means
follower of Christ. Therefore, since Christians follow Christ we must also
observe how he conducted himself during times of crisis.
The men did
not know what to do. They probably were in a state of panic. They needed to
find Jesus. They were now searching the ship for a man named Jesus. He had
rescued them before so maybe he could do it again. But when they approached
Jesus, while all of this trepidation and horror was occurring they found Him
deep in the back part of the ship sleeping on a pillow. Jesus had apparently
decided to take a break, maximize is time and get some rest. While the men were
in crisis the Son of God was sleep and in peace. Jesus had faith, no fear of
the storm and was in a deep sleep. This is the same Jesus that we serve and
died for us. If Jesus can rest and be at peace during a time of crisis the
Christian can be at peace during a time of crisis because we are followers of
Christ and place our trust in Him.
Our third
point helps the Christian even become more confident in Christ, realizing he is
in total control. The Christian's mediator, the Christian's Messiah, the
Christian's lamp, the Christian's hope, the Christian's refuge, the Christian's
spiritual husband is the one who said in Matthew 28:18 "...All power is
given unto me in heaven and in earth."
The
Christian must realize that God is in control. God has total control and is not
going to allow the obedient Christian to suffer or endure what he or she cannot
handle (I Corinthians 10:13). And in all the endured suffering and pain that
the Christian may want God to take, it must be realized that it is working to
the betterment of the believer if they truly love God (Romans 8:28). Remember
it was Paul who besought God three times to remove his thorn in the flesh but
in
II
Corinthians 12:9 it was Almighty God who said "...My grace is
sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."
After Jesus
Christ was awoke from his slumber and good rest he stood up and rebuked the wind.
Sometimes the best sleep people get is when the heavy rain is falling and the
crisp wind of God is blowing. Jesus Christ stood and said in verse 39 of our
text "...Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great
calm." Jesus was in control and because he was in control he wanted to
know why his men were so fearful and deficient in faith: Mark 4:40 And he said unto them,
Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
Jesus wants
his children to be assured that he is aboard our ship. He wants the Christian
to know that we do not have to be anxious for anything because he will provide
everything. God has added us to the church and the church is not separate from
Christ it is the body of Christ. There
was no need for the disciples to fear the storm because Jesus was aboard the
ship. Paul posed a question in Romans 8:31 "What shall we then say to
these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" We do not have
to fear because Jesus is in the church and adherents to the sound doctrine and
gospel of Christ make up the church.
Christ walks
amongst the believers in the church as evidenced by the following passages of
scripture:
Revelation
1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for
evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 19 Write the
things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which
shall be hereafter; 20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest
in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the
angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are
the seven churches.
Revelation
2:1 ¶Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he
that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the
seven golden candlesticks;
Christ walks
in the midst of the church and is aboard the ship so there is no need to fear
the raging water and mighty winds of life.
Our fourth
point is found in the fact that after Jesus commanded the wind and sea to obey
him it resulted in a supreme interest in His presence and being. They said in
verse 41 of our text "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and
the sea obey him...?"
Jesus is:
1.
The man who could have called 12 legions of angels to come to
His aid.
2.
The one through whose stripes we are healed.
3.
The one who was numbered with the transgressors for our sake.
4.
The one with the power to raise the dead.
5.
The one who bowed his head and died as opposed to being killed.
6.
The one with the power and faith to walk on water.
7.
The King of kings and Lord of lords.
8.
The prince of Peace.
9.
The Word of God.
10.
The Son of Man.
11.
About His Father's business at the age of twelve.
12.
The man who wept because His friends Mary and Martha lost their
brother Lazarus.
13.
The same man who when he found out this news he brought Lazarus
back from the dead.
14.
The one who had the power to say to the thief on the cross after
he repented, "This day you will be with me in paradise."
15.
The one who had the power to say to the women caught in adultery
"...Go and sin no more."
16.
The one who told the men present "...He that is without sin
among you, let him first cast a stone at her."
17.
The one who ascended up high, led captivity captive and gave
gifts unto men.
18.
The one who said no man comes to the Father but by me.
19.
The one who said he that has seen me has seen the Father.
20.
The one who said Father forgive them for they know not what they
do!
His manner
is that He is the anointed one of God with all power and is aboard the
Christian ship. Yahweh is my God and Y'shua is my Messiah. Jesus Christ died
for your sins and is willing to save and add you to His church. Come see a man
named Jesus and be baptized today.
Amen!
·
Hear Gods Word:
Romans 10:17
·
Believe on
Christ and His message: Hebrews 11:6 Mark 16:15-16
·
Repent of all
ungodly ways: Luke 13:3
·
Confess Christ
as the Son of God: Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:10
·
Be baptized
for the remission of sin: Acts 2:38