The Ministry, Message, and Messiah in the Book of Mark Week 14:
"Are You Fearfully Afraid or Faithfully Focused?" (Mark 6:45-52)
Crossroads Community Church
Rev. Ricky A. Rohrig Sr., Founding Pastor
Webster-Merriam defines fear as verb or action word meaning:
• to be afraid of (something or someone)
• to expect or worry about (something bad or unpleasant)
• to be afraid and worried
At some point in your life we have all been scared or feared something. Let me ask you what are somethings that you are scared of or fearful of?
One of the ways to overcome your fears is to face them head on. For some they may need a little extra encouragement and there was a show that not only made people face their fears head on, but if you were strong enough, brave enough, and maybe even crazy enough you could win $50,000 for doing it.
The show was called Fear factor, hosted by comedian and UFC commentator Joe Rogan, in each pulse-racing "Fear Factor" episode, contestants (sometimes solo, often paired with spouses, siblings or best friends) recruited from across the nation must decide if they have the guts and determination to face their most primal fears. Under the supervision of professional Hollywood stunt coordinators, contestants are confronted with a series of challenging stunts. If they complete their task they advance; if fear stops them from completing a stunt or they fail the mission, they are immediately eliminated. The contestant who wins the final challenge takes home the prize.
• The first stunt is designed to physically test each of the contestants or teams (for example, jumping from one building to the next or hanging from a helicopter and collecting flags on a ladder). Usually, the two men and the two women, or the three teams, that gave the best performance (such as the fastest time, farthest distance, or number of flags collected in under a certain time) will move on to the second stunt. The others are eliminated.
• The second stunt is meant to mentally challenge the contestants or teams. The three most common types of stunts in the second round are eating stunts, animal stunts, and retrieval/transfer stunts. Eating stunts entail ingesting vile animal parts, live bugs, or a blended concoction of multiple items; animal stunts entail immersing one's head or entire body in animals considered to be disgusting or intimidating (such as rats, spiders, snakes, or worms); retrieval/transfer stunts entail retrieving items or gross objects (often by mouth) hidden in disgusting substances (for example, blood or lard), or live animals (such as sit in a tub of snakes as long as they could). Less often, the second stunt involves a pain endurance challenge or embarrassment tolerance challenge, such as outlasting competitors in a tear gas chamber, walking on broken glass with bare feet, getting a tattoo, having their head shaved, getting piercings or ingesting habanero peppers. With the exception of retrieval/transfer stunts, contestants are usually not eliminated after this stunt unless they did not complete it, or if vomited before finishing. In the case of teams, one team may be eliminated for performing the worst.
• The third and final stunt is usually something from an extreme type of stunt seen in an action film. Like the first stunt, it usually involves heights, water, vehicles, or some combination of the three. In order to avoid ties, this stunt is always competitive. The player or team with the best performance this round wins the grand prize, usually $50,000, and had the privilege of being informed by Rogan that "evidently, fear is not a factor for you".
So who’s ready to sign up? Fear is something that is not uncommon and has been around as long as people have. We all have had circumstances, situation, or surroundings that have made us fearful at one time or another. As we continue in our series The Ministry, Message, and Messiah in the Book of Mark, I would like to start by asking you this question, "Are You Fearfully Afraid or Faithfully Focused?" (repeat) We are going to unpack this today together and see why even in the midst of desperation, your darkest hour, or your deepest fear, God is there with you, Jesus can calm your storm, and the Holy Spirit can lead and guide you from scared to safety. The words of the Apostle Paul to his young protégé Timothy will be our baseline scripture I want you to remember today and the next time you are afraid.
2 Timothy 1:7
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
If you have your Bible today I would like you to turn to Mark 6:45-52. Similar passages are found in Matthew 14 and John 6 and I will be cross-referencing those today too.
Last week we learned about the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5000 and this is where we pick it up today.
Mark 6:45-52
45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.
52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.
In this and the other two gospel writers accounts there are at least 6 miracles recorded.
God has, is, and always will in the miracle business. After the feeding of the 5000 there would have been all sorts of people with all sorts of emotions. One of the first things Jesus did after this miracle was to separate the disciples from the crowd and himself.
1. Jesus sends the people away
Mark 6:45
45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
• Straightway - immediately
• Constrained - made necessary
• Bethsaida –A town on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was a small fishermen’s village, known under the name of Beth-Ramtha, and formed part of the Perea. It was the home of Philip, Andrew and Peter (John 1:44; 12:21). Jesus healed the blind there (Mark 8:22) and it was one of the cities which he reproached (Matt. 11:21; Luke 10:13).
Jesus had a purpose He needed the disciples to go one way, the crowd another, while He could have some alone time.
46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
• Wednesday in our small group we talked about daily devotions and the importance it is to spend that alone time with God. Why is that important because even Jesus needed that.
• Prayer is our communication, the way we talk to God. It should be a two way form of communication
o For us to talk to God
o For us to listen to God
• Fasting and prayer are two essentials things as Christians that we can use to stand firm, stay faithful, and be focused on God when the enemy tries to detour us, derail, us, discourage us, or disappoint us
• There are going to be unexpected things come in your life that you can not, nor should not handle alone, that is where prayer comes in:
o We can pray anytime, anywhere, about anything and God is always there waiting, listening, and waiting to answer our prayers
47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
2. Jesus sees them
48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
• There something interesting to note here, according to John’s gospel they would have been about 4 miles across the sea, it was dark, and there was a storm
• The Greek word for saw is eido¯ which means: :
o to see
o to perceive with the eyes
o to perceive by any of the senses
o to perceive, notice, discern, discover
• So the conclusion is this,
o Miraculously God Jesus gave power to supernaturally physically see them and/or
o Being God’s Son, Jesus knows all, sees all, and knows all
• Toiling – Jesus not only sees but senses what they are going through, from the original language means they were physically and literally being tortued and tormented in their circumstance
• Right before this things are going along good, and then BOOM something happens.
o The wind was contrary so that means it was against them or the opposite of what they were doing
• Have you ever felt like that, that everything seems to be going good (maybe to good) and then it seems like everything or everyone seems to be against you
o You try to do what’s right while is it seems everyone else is doing wrong
o It seems like everyone is getting blessed, while your faced with burdens
o Others are catching a break, while all your consumed in is heartache, disappointment and despair
o You are trying to make it through the grace of God but the enemy wants to steal your joy
o Don’t worry because
• How many times have you cried out for help to no avail
o Isn’t it awesome to know that God is always there for you
o Here comes Jesus in the fourth watch (between 3 and 6 in the morning) to their rescue
o In the midst of a storm
o 4 miles away
o Showing His power over nature and the elements
o Walking so fast that he would have passed them
• Isn’t God good, God is good (all the time), all the time (God is good)
o God doesn’t have a set schedule, no 9-5, weekends off, vacation time
o No, the God we serve is available to all of us 24/7/365!
3. The disciples see the situation
• How many times in your life have you been so focused on your surroundings, your situation, and circumstances that you can’t see anything else?
49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
• The very person and thing they needed was Jesus was right in front of them but they didn’t realize it
• Their situation led them to even greater fear and instead of welcoming the Savior, they were scared of what they thought was a spirit or ghost
• Jesus calms the storm and their state of mind with one simple sentence:
? Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid – the literal translation is:
? Jesus tell them to be brave, have courage
• Something happens when Jesus shows up
o He has a way of erasing all your doubt
o Your fear
o Your frustrations
For our application and moment of decision we are going to switch gears and conclude with Matthew’s gospel
Matthew 14:28-33
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
• Do you see the hesitation and resistance from Peter?
o He says, “if” like Jesus has something to prove to him
o Peter needs a sign, I need to make sure it is you, command me Lord
• People today are in the same boat that Peter was, they hesitate to trust Jesus right where they are at with all of their problems and follow Him.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
• Look what happens when your faith overcomes your fear
o The impossible becomes possible
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
• Boisterous - only place in the entire KJV Bible you will find this Word. From the Greek word isochors (is-khoo-ros') – means mighty, powerful, strong, valiant, forcefulness, power, might
• Peter focused on the power of the wind around him, instead of depending on the power in front of Him, and within him.
o When we look at everything around us and forget what is within us it is easy to become distracted
• Because of the fear of his surroundings Peter became afraid or scared and began to sink. Sink here form the original Greek means he became overwhelmed and began to sink literally, physically, and spiritually
o Have you felt like that before, or maybe you are going through something like that now, you are so overwhelmed that you sinking:
? Financially
? Emotionally
? Physically
? Spiritually
• If there hasn’t been there will be a time in your life that you are going to be like Peter and say Lord, save me from:
o My past
o Brokenness
o My messiness
o My ugliness
o A bad attitude
o Guilt
o Anger
o Depression
o Addictions
o Pride
o My self
o My surroundings
o My sin
o Everything that is not of you, for you, or from you
• Maybe that will be the only words you will be able to utter or need to utter Lord save me from (fill in the blank)
Something amazing happens when you cry out to Jesus, He shows up, on time and big time…
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
• God wants you to have faith in Him, trust His Son Jesus, and reassure you that the Holy Spirit has your back
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
• Walking hand in hand with Jesus makes whatever you go through in life worth it
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
• When God shows up in your life, when you trust Jesus and He comes through you should thank , praise, and worship Him for who He is, what He means, and what He does in your life
Moment of decision
Psalm 37:23-24
23 The steps of a good man are ordered (established) by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
(Psalms 37:23)
• Notice the word of the Lord says steps (plural)
• There is no Hebrew translation for good
• Hebrew translation for man is geber, a strong man, mighty man; a conqueror
o No matter how powerful you are you still must be led/guided by the Lord
(Psalms 37:24)
• Even though you will go through trials and tribulations, God will uphold you with his hand (Imagine how big the hand of God is, if he can uphold you in it)
• Whatever you are going through right now:
o You are and never will be alone God knows about it, knows what you need from Him, and isn’t working it out, He already has worked it out, you just have to have faith, believe, and trust in His timing.
So let me ask the question again, “Are You Fearfully Afraid or Faithfully Focused?"
• Are you like the disciples before the storm
o When everything is good, your good, no fear
• What about when the storms of life come, how is your faith?
• Or how about when you have a personal encounter with Jesus are you trusting Him completely or are you only allowing Him to only be in certain areas of your life?
• When you focus on Jesus do you feel fearless
• What about you take your focus off of Him and your life becomes overwhelming how is your faith?
We all have times when life seems unbearable, unapproachable, unlikeable, or maybe even unlivable.
Rest assured God won’t leave you or forsake you. But you have to turn your life (every part of it, over to Him)
Have you done that?
• Are you all in for Jesus, a 100% committed to Him
• Do you need to recommit and make Him the Lord of your life, over everything?
• Do you need to be baptized by immersion or
• Maybe you want the church to pray with you and for you for God to show up and shelter you from the storms of life
Whatever it is you need, God’s got, wants to give it to you, and it can happen right now, today!
As we sing and praise Jesus and the Holy Spirit is ministering to you, will you come down for whatever He says you need as we sing our song of decision Oceans.
