Sailing to the other side

Sailing to  the other side

Matthew 14:22

22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.[1]

  Life is much like sailing on a ship. One can attempt to have a direct plan of destination, but the weather can change, either while on the way or while in it, and one can lose control. In other words, we can plan life out, but things can happen, and our plans are out of control. Then some may ask the question if I run the risk of failing to reach my destination, then why sail? We need to sail because our contentment with where we are in our lives can lead to staleness, stagnation, and never ever reaching our full potential. If we don’t sail, we have a false since of success saying we have made it, while we are not going anywhere. Isn’t it strange, how some of us feel that we have reached our plateau in ministry and think that we have arrived, therefore we don’t have to go to Bible Study, show up in rehearsals, or go to a school of higher learning. This attitude is very dangerous, and can hinder our growth in Christ, in community, and congregation.

In the text, the disciples had a similar problem because the crowd was wanting to make Jesus a national king, and the disciples were getting the big head, and Jesus had to send them away. He didn’t want the disciples to get side tracked. While sending them to the other side there are some things that they encounter along the way.  

The first thing that these disciples encounter is themselves. The first encounter is we have to learn to face ourselves. It is a self evaluation.

Self

The fist thing I asked if you didn’t, is what was their conversation like as they were sailing to the other side. The text in verse 22 says Jesus constrained his disciples to ge into the ship. The greek word for the word constrained is ἀναγκάζω [anagkazo /an·ang·kad·zo/] which would suggest that these disciples did not want to go, but Jesus made them get into the boat. It is equal to children playing outside, or playing the wii, Genesis 360, playstation 3, or on the computer, and the parents say get off, but the child doesn’t want to, and the parents give them the look. ( husbands, wives, children, members, pastors) Licks/ physical, emotional, financial

Since Jesus made them get into the boat, what was the conversation while they were sailing to the other side.  Were they upset with Jesus decision, Were they discussing that they should turn back anyway. Were they upset with the crowd, because the crowd was the reason that caused the separation in the first place. 

There are some unfortunate similarities with these disciples, and us because we can’t seem to get to the other side because we are not focused on getting to the other side, but our focus is on why we didn’t get our way. Some of us cannot move forward because we are second guessing decisions that have been made, we are trying to do what we wanted to do anyway, and we are upset by the stimuli that has caused a change to our own personal agendas.

There is another definition for this word conversation, which can be found in Ephesians 4:22 “ That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts.

ἀναστροφή [anastrophe /an·as·trof·ay/] n f. From 390; TDNT 7:715; TDNTA 1093; GK 419; 13 occurrences; AV translates as “conversation” 13 times. 1 manner of life, conduct, behaviour, deportment.

[2]

This word means our way of life or our conduct. God expects our life to match our lips, our audio to match our video, our production to match our promo. He does not want us to have false advertisements.

A few nights ago I went to McDonalds to order a couple McRibs. On the sign it was still advertised, but when I ordered, the person on the other end said that the McRibs went off on yesterday. Well, I have a problem, because the sign doesn’t match what you are selling. If this is a problem in the secular world, then spiritually do we as churches, promote a Jesus that is not there. Sometimes when folk come to church, they see our hatred, they see our sabotage, they see our personal intentions, and they are not Christian, but we say upon this rock we will build our church.

( When they were sailing, what was the conversation)

It is interesting to note, that while Jesus was praying, the disciples are panicking.

The second encounter that these disciples face is a storm.

Storm (24,25)

Now, these disciples are not rookies, they are not first timers, they are not beginners, some would even suggest that some of them were experts in dealing with storms, but this particular storm was different.

Let’s take a look at the problems with this storm.

One is the whereabouts of this storm. This storm is in the middle of the sea, and they have gone too far to turn around, and they are at the point of no return. Somebody can identify with the whereabout problem. They just bought that house, or just purchased that vehicle, or just started their college experience, and now Nissan, Saturn, or your workplace has said we are going to have to cut back hours, or we are going to have to lay you off. Too far to turn around, in the middle of the sea.

The second problem with the storm is the waves and water is getting in the boat, and making the ship heavy. The waves are beating against the ship, and the water is starting to weigh the ship down. Somebody understands  firsthand because now that you are stretched so thin. The weight of responsibility is about to weigh you down. It’s that Husband or wife that left and cleft to each other, but because one or more of the siblings are not helping you, it has put a strain on your marriage because you are taking care of momma or daddy.  It’s that parent/s that have children, and in trying to help your child get ahead, you cosigned, and now when you ask them about there payment, they say they don’t have any money. The waves are heavy

The third problem is the wind is contrary. Every time these disciples adjusted the sail, the wind would direction would change. They put it forward, and the wind would blow behind, they went to the left or right, and the wind would blow in the opposite direction. It did not matter what they did, the wind would change direction. The wind is just like the devil, every time we think we have things under control, he changes direction.

Some of us think satan is the same all the time. If we conquered his traps one time, we think he is going to come the same way.

The other day I was on the internet, and my laptop  started acting funny. I noticed at the bottom of the screen, it said your windows updates has been turned off. Now I didn’t turn it off, a virus of some sort had entered in. Now this virus is so smart, that one can buy different anti-software to combat it, that it changes the registry, and even though it may suggest that it is removed, it is still on the computer. The updates that I would normally get, that would help with my problem, has now been cut off. The only way for me to get it off, is to reformat my hard drive.

The problem with some of us is that we don’t even know that we have a virus, and we don’t get the updates because we feel like we have it all together. We miss Sunday, and Tuesday or Wednesday. (updates) When we come to church, we wonder why everyone else has passed us by, and they are moving faster than we are. I would suggest it is because you have turned off the updates by not showing up, I would suggest, that you have a virus, and if you don’t reformat your hard drive, you will still be controlled by satan. God has to take us piece by piece apart a reformat us back together.

The fourth problem with this storm is the watch.  The text says that it was the fourth watch of the night, which means it was from 3am to 6am in the morning. The question is who is out there where you can call help, who will hear you.

Well, some have been screaming for help, but it seems only the executives are being heard. Some have been screaming, but the banks can do what they want to with the money. Some have been screaming, but the school zones still are seemingly not fair. Some have been screaming but funds have been misappropriated that was for the poor. Some have been screaming, but we are still in a war, that we have no business being in. We are screaming, and who is going to hear us, during this watch.

Notice in the text, somehow during this watch, Jesus heard them. This sea of Galilee was thirteen miles long, and eight miles wide. The distance between Murfreesboro and Lavergne. ( long) Almost From Murfreesboro to Smyrna wide. 

What is interesting is that Jesus has some awesome closing speed. 

When a cornerback in football seemingly gets burned by a receiver, and the receiver gets by him, the quarterback throws the pass, and the cornerback runs as fast as he can, and knocks the pass away, the commentator will say “ wow what closing speed.”  When persons run track, and they reach that last leg, most will turn it on as fast as they can, and people will say “ wow what closing speed”.

However, when we read this text, Jesus isn’t jogging, Jesus is not running fast, the text says he is walking. Now I can’t explain how one goes from the mountain, and travels almost four miles by walking. Scientifically one cannot explain it, but Grandmomma theology said it best “ He may not come when you want him,but he’s always on time.

We have looked at the problem with the storm, but now let’s look at how we can have peace while we are in the storm.

(27)

We must have the right attitude.  ( Be of good cheer)

James says when you fall into divers temptations, count it all joy

We must have some assurance ( It is I)

When Jesus made this statement it is I, he was saying I am.

When Moses was asked who shall I say sent me, I am that Iam

He is the Bread of life, He is shelter in the time of storm, He is a heartfixer, He is a mind regulator.

We have authority.  ( be not afraid)

The Lord says to us, if God be for us, then who can be against us. We are more than conquerors.

Thirdly as we are sailing, we will encounter the Saviour. (28)

Lastly,  if we are going to make it to the other side. We cannot pay attention to what seems impossible, we must listen to the voice of Jesus. Some of us don’t have some things because we don’t have the faith to just step out. In 08, if we want the same results, in 09 then all we have to do is stay the same, but if we want something different, we need to hear the voice of Jesus, and step out on faith.

God made us different by design.

The Ugly Duckling

Once again he was all alone. He fled as far away as he could, and at dawn, he found himself in a thick bed of reeds. "If nobody wants me, I'll hid here forever." There was plenty a food, and the duckling began to feel a little happier, though he was lonely. One day at sunrise, he saw a flight of beautiful birds wing overhead. White, with long slender necks, yellow beaks and large wings, they were migrating south.
 
   "If only I could look like them, just for a day!" said the duckling, admiringly. Winter came and the water in the reed bed froze. The poor duckling left home to seek food in the snow. He dropped exhausted to the ground, but a farmer found him and put him in his big jacket pocket.
 
   "I'll take him home to my children. They'll look after him. Poor thing, he's frozen!" The duckling was showered with kindly care at the farmer's house. In this way, the ugly duckling was able to survive the bitterly cold winter.
 
   However, by springtime, he had grown so big that the farmer decided: "I'll set him free by the pond!" That was when the duckling saw himself mirrored in the water.
 
   "Goodness! How I've changed! I hardly recognize myself!" The flight of swans winged north again and glided on to the pond. When the duckling saw them, he realized he was one of their kind, and soon made friends.
 
   "We're swans like you!" they said, warmly. "Where have you been hiding?"
 
   "It's a long story," replied the young swan, still astounded. Now, he swam majestically with his fellow swans. One day, he heard children on the river bank exclaim: "Look at that young swan! He's the finest of them all!"

I’m talking to someone. You are trying to figure out why you are different, you are different because God has a work for you to do. Jesus told Peter to Come. This word come is the word for making one’s debut, it’s a word that means coming out. In 09, Jesus is saying to you come. We must hear the voice of Jesus

Peter was walking to Jesus until he focused on the wind. If we are going to do the impossible, we must continue to hear the voice of Christ. Faith come by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Encounter

Self

Storm

Saviour

SaFETY

Jesus reached down and Peter up. ( Jewish history says that Moses rod picked someone up, but here in the text Jesus uses his hand) We need in this some helping hands

I’m glad that Jesus specializes in helping those

Who are having trouble with the

Wind

Waves

Whereabouts

Watch

I came to Jesus just as I was wearied, wounded, and sad. Found in him a resting place,  he has made me glad.

When the Lord saves us.

Worship

Witness ( thou art the Son of God)

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[1] The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995, S. Mt 14:22

n n: noun or neuter

f f: feminine

TDNT Theological Dictionary of the New Testament

TDNTA Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume

GK Goodrick-Kohlenberger

AV Authorized Version

[2]Strong, James: The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible : Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order. electronic ed. Ontario : Woodside Bible Fellowship., 1996, S. G391