Walking On Water

Text: Mark 6:45-52

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (4/5/98)

Introduction:    THEME - Trials

                            PURPOSE - To demonstrate that there are

    valuable lessons to be learned in our trials.

There are three lessons to be learned from the trouble encountered by the disciples in this passage.

I. The Certainty Of Hardships

(James 1:2 KJV)  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

(1 Pet 4:12 KJV)  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

(2 Tim 3:12 KJV)  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Troubles come for (at least) three reasons.

A. By Divine Permission vs.45

Trials come because God has allowed them.  Not necessarily because He has sent them.

Jesus sent the disciples away quickly for two reasons.

1.     The people wanted to take Jesus by force and make Him King.

2.     He had valuable lessons on the storm that the disciples needed to learn.

B. To Develop Purity vs.48

They were TOILING in rowing.

Define toiling - In distress to the point of torture or torment.  Used of the process of testing metals for purity on the touchstone.

God desires a pure people, and He knows what is the touchstone in our lives that will develop that purity.

(James 1:3 KJV)  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

(James 1:4 KJV)  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

"All the mistakes are burned up"

The great Edison Industries In West Orange, New jersey, were practically destroyed by fire in December, 1914. In one night Thomas A. Edison lost two million dollars' worth of equipment, and the record of much of his life's work went up in flames.

Edison's son, Charles, ran frantically about trying to find his father. Finally he came upon him standing near the fire, his face ruddy in the glow, his white hair blown by the winter winds. "My heart ached for him," his son said.  "He was no longer young, and everything was being destroyed." When Thomas Edison spotted his son, Charles, he shouted, "Where's your mother! Find her. Bring her here. She'll never see anything like this again as long as she lives." The next morning, walking about the charred embers of so many of his hopes and dreams, the 67-yearold Edison said, "There is a great value in disaster. All the mistakes are burned up. Thank God, we can start anew."

C. To Diminish Pride vs.48

Trials teach us that we must depend upon Christ.

The wind was contrary (working against them).

The trials of life work against us.  We do not possess sufficient strength to overcome them.  We must depend upon Christ.

Without trials men become self-sufficient and proud.

II. The Concern Of The Saviour

His concern and care for us is revealed in three ways.

A. In His Prayer vs.46-47

(1 Tim 2:5 KJV)  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

(Heb 7:25 KJV)  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

(John 17:9 KJV)  I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

(John 17:20 KJV)  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

B. In His Perception vs.48

This was divine vision.

They were 3 - 3 ½ miles (25-30 furlongs) out on the lake.  It was the fourth watch of the night (the darkest part), but Jesus saw them.

He sees us!!!

C. In His Provision

·         He came to them

·         He stilled the water

·         He brought them to shore

(John 6:21 KJV)  Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

His provision is only 1/3 of his care for us.  It is the visible part, but it is the tip of the iceberg.

III. The Callused Nature Of Human Hearts.

Unbelief and spiritual dullness.

This results in three conditions...

A. Fear vs.49-50

The closer Jesus was the more the disciples were afraid.

This kind of fear is sin.

B. Failure

Peter’s attempt to walk on the water.  See Matt. 14:28-31

Everyone talks about Peter’s failure, but what about those who stayed in the boat?

C. Forgetfulness vs. 51-52

They considered not..........

Let us not forget what God has done for us!!

Conclusion:    

THANKFUL FOR BLINDNESS

The famous blind songwriter Fanny Crosby wrote more than 8,000 songs. This fact and other interesting highlights in the life of Miss Crosby were revealed by Warren Wiersbe in his book Victorious Christian. Wiersbe explained that when Fanny was only 6 weeks old a minor eye inflammation developed. The doctor who treated the case was careless, though, and she became totally and permanently blind. Fanny Crosby harbored no bitterness against the physician, however. In fact, she once said of him, "If I could meet him now, I would say thank you, thank you, over and over again for making me blind." She felt that her blindness was a gift from God to help her write the hymns that flowed from her pen. According to those who knew her, Miss Crosby probably would have refused treatment even if it could have assured the restoration of her sight.  Wiersbe concluded by commenting: "It was said of another blind hymnwriter, George Matheson, that God made him blind so he could see clearly in other ways and become a guide to men. This same tribute could be applied to Fanny Crosby, who triumphed over her handicap and used it to the glory of God." Yes, this talented woman allowed her tragedy to make her better instead of bitter.