10 Amazing Miracles From Scripture Series (3 of 10)
“That Ain’t No Ghost, Buster!”
John 6.15-21
10/18/15 CFBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker
Introduction:
A John 6:15-21 (NASB)
15 So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone. 16 Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 17 and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.18 The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing.19 Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they *saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. 20 But He *said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." 21 So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
B I heard a story of a ship that was sinking in the middle of a storm, and the captain called out to the crew and said, "Does anyone here know how to pray?"
1 One man stepped forward and said, "Yes sir, I know how to pray."
a The captain said, "Wonderful, you pray while the rest of us put on life jackets--we're one short."
b We find our Savior/Disciples once again in a storm on the Sea of Galilee.
aa Jesus stayed on shore, praying & sends His disciples on ahead.
bb Storm kicks up that pushes them farther away.
2 Ghostly figure walking on the water to them.
a “That ain’t no ghost, Buster!”
b We’re going to learn today three assurances that this story gives us concerning storms.
aa He brought me here.
bb He will come to me.
cc He will see us through.
c Pray
I First Assurance: He brought me here.
A The crowd that Jesus had been ministering to were wanting to make Him their king (Jn. 6.15), no wanting His disciples to get caught up in the temptation of the crowd, He told them to leave Him. (Our Savior showed His humility, self-denial by declining the people’s offer of making Him king. Could/would you have let them make you king?)
1 The disciples got in their boat and started rowing toward Capernaum . . .doing exactly what Jesus had demanded they do (Mk. 6.15.)
Mark 6:45 (NASB)
45 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the crowd away.
a My heart tells me they wanted to wait for Jesus to come and go with them on their passage.
b Apparently Jesus was wanting to go alone and pray for them instead, possibly pray about their next place of ministry . . . I’m not 100% what He was praying about but I do know He was praying (Mk. 6.46.)
Mark 6:46 (NASB)
46 After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray.
2 The disciples were in the Will and doing the Word of God, how could anything go wrong?
a A storm came up that was off the chain, so powerful it was sending them further into the middle of the Galilee (Matt. 14.24; Mk. 6.47.)
Matthew 14:24 (NASB)
24 But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary.
Mark 6:47 (NASB)
47 When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land.
aa It was dark: More dangerous, uncomfortable, can’t see their way to safety, no hope was in sight...not scared.
bb Jesus wasn’t with them: A few days before when they were on the lake Jesus was on-board, tonight He wasn’t. I don’t know if Jesus absence is causing an even greater storm inside them (if so, it doesn’t show.)
cc The sea arose by reason of great wind that came from nowhere: It wasn’t storming when they got on-board: shows me that we must prepared for trouble because it will happen.
b Despite the bad weather, the disciples just kept rowing because that’s what Jesus told them to do (Mk 6.48.)
Mark 6:48 (NASB)
48 Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He *came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them.
B We can be doing the Will/Word of God and still not have smooth sailing. (“In the world you shall have tribulation,” Jesus promised John (John 16.33.)
John 16:33 (NASB)
33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."
1 You can do everything right and still have your world devastated/collapse around you.
a There are two kinds of storms: correction & perfection.
aa Storms of correction are when we’re being punished, disciplined. These are the storms that are a result of our sin, short-comings, of our own making.
bb Jonah the prophet was caught up in a storm, thrown overboard, swallowed by a big fish because he was in rebellion against God (Storm of correction.)
cc Storms of perfection are when God is helping us grow.
dd The disciples were obeying Jesus and were having their faith stretched, grown in this storm of perfection. Jesus had tested them before on this same sea while He was on-board, now He was testing them by being out of the boat.
b When we find ourselves in the storm because we’re obeying, serving, in the Will/Word of God we must remember that He brought us here and He can care for us.
2 Christian, you are as dear to our Savior as any of His disciples (We’re in good company) and the same promises of God’s graciousness balance the threats of any angry storm we may go through.
II Second Assurance: He will Come to Me
A The disciples were rowing their little hearts out, Jesus is praying His heart to the Father and sees the disciples in distress.
1 As Jesus is praying (Jn. 6.15; Matt. 14.23; Mk. 6.46) He hasn’t forgotten them.
John 6:15 (NASB)
15 So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.
Matthew 14:23 (NASB)
23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.
Mark 6:46 (NASB)
46 After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray.
a Jesus is simply operating on a divine schedule (We’ll see that in the resurrection of Lazarus in a few weeks.)
b God doesn’t have to get in a hurry (Divine sovereignty, omnipotence, omniscience doesn’t need to get in a rush.)
2 He comes out to them, defying the laws of gravity, and walks on water.
a Storms they were use to . . . seeing a ghostly figure approaching their boat . . . different story.
aa In all three accounts (Matt. Mark, John), the disciples never showed fear in reference to the storm, wind, rain, waves . . . cool with those things.
bb (Matt. 14.26; Mark 6.49-50a; John 6.18-19), It was the sight of a ghost that geeked them out!
Matthew 14:26 (NASB)
26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear.
Mark 6:49-50 (NASB)
49 But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out;
50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. . .
John 6:18-19 (NASB)
18 The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. 19 Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they *saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened.
cc It’s more frightening to wrestle w/ the rulers of this present darkness, of this world than with a tumultuous sea.
b When they understood the possible root cause of the storm was supernatural in nature . . .got frightened.
aa They learned a lesson faith when Jesus had been on board, “Peace, be still”, but He didn’t say nothing about no ghosts, spooks, hanks!
bb If we saw the supernatural element of our troubles would we be less/more frightened?
cc Please, don’t get so smart that you think demonic forces/attacks do not exist. There are satanic attacks with your name written them.
B Jesus was literally walking on water, not trickery, magic or illusion: it was proof that He is the creator & controller of the physical universe (Jn. 1.3; Col. 1.16; Heb. 1.2.) (Insert picture of Jesus’ speedboat.)
John 1:3 (NASB)
3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
Colossians 1:16 (NASB)
16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.
Hebrews 1:2 (NASB)
2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
1 His coming to them on top of the water is greater than Moses dividing and walking through the water.
a Jesus doesn’t leave when you’re in the storm, He draws near to you when you’re in the storm.
b When John, Apostle Paul were exiled/imprisoned, He didn’t always bust them out . . . but He always finds a way to draw near to the disciple in the storm.
c Whey didn’t the disciples recognize Jesus? (They were not looking for Him!)
aa Had they been expecting, anticipating by faith they would have recognized Him immediately.
bb It’s amazing that Jesus used the physical storm around the disciples as a staircase for Him to come to them.
cc Many times we fear the difficult experiences of life (surgery, bereavement), only to discover that these experiences bring Jesus closer to us.
2 Jesus comes on-board, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
Mark 6:50 (NASB) 50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and *said to them, "Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid."
(That’s what they needed to hear. What words of power, relief, peace, joy!
a To the sinner: “It is I, your redeemer.”
aa To the sick: It is I, the Great Physician, healer.
bb To the poor: It is I, The Good Shepherd/Provider
cc To the oppressed: It is I, I have come to set the captives free.
dd To the broken: It is I, I have come to make all things new.
ee To the lonely: It is I, a friend who is closer than a brother.
ff To the hurting: It is I, I bind up the broken hearted.
gg To the church: It is I, My Love, I am your bride-groom.
b Our response to Jesus as He meets us at our greatest point of need is always worship! (Matt. 14.33)
Matthew 14:33 (NASB)
33 And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "You are certainly God's Son!"
aa Just as the Canaanite woman (Matt. 15.25).
Matthew 15:25 (NASB)
25 But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, "Lord, help me!"
bb A blind man Jesus healed (Jn. 9.38.)
John 9:38 (NASB)
38 And he said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped Him.
cc Woman who came to the empty tomb (Matt. 28.9.)
Matthew 28:9 (NASB)
9 And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.
dd Thomas (Jn.20.28) & the 11 disciples (Matt 28.17; Luke 24.52.)
John 20:28 (NASB)
28 Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
Matthew 28:17 (NASB)
17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.
Luke 24:52 (NASB)
52 And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
III The Third Assurance: He will see us through!
A The moment Jesus got on-board, they didn’t row another lick.
1 Moments before they were rowing with everything they had, for all they were worth.
a Their boat was tossed at sea, but that doesn’t mean it was lost at sea; cast down but not destroyed, limping but not lame.
b The moment Jesus came on-board they arrived to the point of their destination.
aa John 6.21: “They were willing therefore to receive Him into the boat; and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.”
bb This is an incident of “transference.”
cc God transcends laws of physics, gravity, time, space.
2 What Jesus starts, He finishes; Where He Guides, He Provides.
a He’s not limited by anything . . . but our faith.
b Notice two things about their miraculous deliverance:
aa They wanted Jesus to deliver them, enter the boat.
bb They were immediately saved, rescued. (Salvation)
B I see a picture of the latter day church in this account.
1 Where doing everything we can as far as reaching out to the lost, ministering, salt/light to a sick and dying world.
a The cultural, societal winds are trying to blow the church off course, push her into dangerously choppy waters of tolerance, enlightenment, progressivism, humanism . . .
b Calling our boat old-fashioned, out-dated, antiquated, behind the times, on the wrong side of history.
c I am trusting that one day soon, all the faithfulfulness, obedience, persecution, steadfastness, prayer, fasting the true church has done through the centurys (especially as of late) will soon know how the disciples felt on that boat on that night.
2 Our boat has been tossed, but never lost; cast down but not destroyed.
a Very soon the church will hear, “It is I. The Captain on deck.”
b All that the church has been working for will one day soon suddenly be done.
3 If we have received the Savior, even though the night is dark and the storm is strong, we can be comforted with this promise, “We’ll be at that happy golden shore soon.”
Conclusion:
We’ve looked at three assurances that Jesus will get us through life’s storms:
He brought me here.
bb He will come to me.
cc He will see us through.
B Bill Billheimer writes: “Checks used by some business firms require the signatures of two individuals to make them valid. One signature is not enough. Both parties must sign.”
1 This,” he observes, “illustrates God’s method of operating through the prayers and faith of His people.”
2 His promises are His checks signed in His own blood. His part was fully completed at Calvary.
a But no promise is made good until a redeemed man enters the throne room of the universe and, by prayer and faith, writes his name beside God’s.
b Then, and not until the, are the check’s resources released.
3 Pray
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Mike Fogerson
