Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

What is your biggest fear?

What are you scared of?

Clowns?

Germs?

Flying an in airplane?

Getting sick?

Aliens?

Ghosts

The disciples were scared once - and it was recorded in three Gospels - let’s take a look at the account in John

John 6:16-21

John 6:1

Let’s Pray

Background Information

Jesus walking on water is recorded in Matthew, Mark, and John

Each of the three gospels gives us details that we should know.

Matthew - Peter walks on water

Matthew 14:28-31

Matthew 13:

Matthew 14:

a

Mark - Tell us that the boat was in the middle of the sea and Jesus was watching them.

Mark 6:47-48

Mark 6:47-48

John - Tells us that they had rowed about 3-4 miles

John 6:19

Keep these three details in mind as we work through our scripture today.

Let’s Begin with

John 6:

Pictures of Capernaum and Sea of Galilee

13 miles long by 7 miles wide

You can see across the sea of Galilee and Jesus certainly could have seen them rowing their boat.

Because of the location of the Sea of Galilee being tucked into the Golan Heights the weather can pick up drastically - and that is what happened - a strong wind started to blow and the sea was beginning to toss their row boat around.

When they had rowed about three of four miles

John 6:19

This is interesting - because 3-4 mile would be about half way across a 7 mile lake

John 6:

We read in Mark that boat was in the middle of the sea

Mark 6:47-48

Mark

Jesus watched them straining at the oars

Jesus watches us too - how many times do we feel like we are rowing against the wind?

Working on our own power - to accomplish our own goals.

Mark’s account is interesting because it tells us that Jesus’ intent was to pass them by

Imagine that - you are straining against the oars - padding against the wind - and Jesus intends to walk on the water, right on by you.

When they saw Jesus - they were frightened

Who wouldn’t be!

It’s dark - your rowing against the wind, you are in the middle of a lake

And here comes someone or something walking on water

How much faster would you row?

They were scared - and yet Jesus was right there beside them.

What are you scare of?

https://blogs.chapman.edu/wilkinson/2016/10/11/americas-top-fears-2016/

In 2016 - Chapman University conducted a survey on American’s across the United States on Fear.

This is what they found.

Picture of Results

Biggest Fear - Corrupt Politicians - 60% of the people responded that this was their fear.

Followed by Terrorist Attack, Inadequate Funds for the Future, Being a victim of terrorism, Gun Control, Losing a loved one, Financial Collapse, Identity Theft, Loved ones becoming ill, Affordable Care Act/Obama Care

Can you relate to one of those fears?

25% responded they were afraid of bugs or spiders

7% responded they were afraid of people gossiping about them

We live in a culture of fear

Justin is deathly afraid of snakes

a culture filled with anxiety

Pastor Tommy is scared of dogs

I am scared of aliens - the green guys from mars

And yet - Jesus is with us - He is walking with us - For believers we have the Holy Spirit in us - Look at what Jesus says to those in the boat.

They were literally afraid of Jesus - they didn’t recognize Him

They were literally afraid of Jesus - they didn’t recognize Him

How many times in life are we scared and don’t recognize the hand of Jesus in our circumstances

And yet Jesus said, “It is I; do not be afraid.”

In addition to the 365 times the Bible says “Do not fear” - there are an additional 33 verses on fear.

Isaiah 41:10

2 Timothy 1

Psalm 94:19

Psalm

Deutronomy 31:6

Deuteronomy

John 6:21

http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/debbie-mcdaniel/33-verses-to-remind-us--we-do-not-have-to-fear.html

Conclusion

With Jesus we have nothing to fear.

Any of these 33 verses would be good verses to memorize, pray over, meditate on.

Jesus walked on water and the disciples were afraid.

What are you afraid of?

Cast those fears at the foot of the cross.

If you are afraid of becoming a Christian - what is there to be afraid of?

Come forward and find out why being a follower of Jesus is nothing to be afraid of.

Let’s Pray