Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Lessons to Weather the Storms of Life”
REVIEW
God chose to put his truth to music. You have words and music. The lyrics are the words of truth communicated by God through the Bible. The music is the practice of that truth in life and relationships. Much of the truth in the Bible is communicated by both words and music as God chose to reveal the largest portion of His truth in the context of relationships with His people. The music of the Gospel flowed out of Jesus. His whole life was a symphony. We have four powerful renditions of the symphony of Jesus composed by the Holy Spirit. Each rendition highlights a different theme or aspect of Jesus and his ministry. The dazzling thing about this music is that all four pieces can be played together at one time in perfect harmony producing a quadraphonic rendition of the life and ministry of Jesus found nowhere else.
Today we resume listening to John’s symphony in chapter six where we listen to a most powerful theme developed; Jesus as the bread of life. This theme becomes the underlying theme for the entire chapter. When played together, these four symphonies of the truth of God as lived and spoken through Jesus penetrate the depths of the hungry heart. Sometimes Matthew and John join forces to bring a different dynamic to the music. At times just one writer carries the melody alone. At other times three may join together. There are a few times, though somewhat rare, where all four composers play all at one time for a grand rise in the music that captures our full attention and interest and produces a most powerful impact. The account of Jesus feeding the 5,000 plus hungry people from man’s limited resources is one of those splendid occasions.
As we stand in the middle of these four gigantic speakers and listen to not only the words, but also the music of the gospel as heard through this historical event put to music by the four gospel writers, I hope you will be able to hear the voice of God speaking to your need. Here we will hear lessons to bring us through the storms of life. Until we learn and apply the lessons taught here, we will continue to struggle and resist the storm of life intended to deepen our trust in the presence of Christ. We continue to live in fear and perhaps anger, denial, avoidance, numbness rather than the victorious growth God offers us today.
I. Initial presentation of the Word and His witness 1:1-34
A. John presents the Eternal Word, Jesus 1:1-5
B. John presents the witness to the Word, John 1:6-8
C. John presents the relationship of the Word to men 1:9-18
D. John presents John the Baptist’s eye witness testimony 1:19-34
E. John presents some core disciples to the Word 37-51
II. The Public ministry and Teaching of the Word 2-12
A. Jesus ministers at Cana 2:1-12
B. Jesus teaches and cleanses the Temple 2:13-25
C. Jesus teaches Nicodemus concerning the way to eternal life 3:1-21
D. John the Baptist declares his final testimony 3:22-36
E. Jesus ministers and teaches in Samaria 4:1-42
F. Jesus ministers in Galilee 4:43-54
G. Jesus ministers in Jerusalem by the pool of Bethesda 5:1-47
H. Jesus teaches concerning the Bread of Life 6:1-71
1. Jesus feeds 5,000+ people 6:1-14
2. Jesus walks on the water 6:15-21
3. Jesus teaches the people about the bread of life 6:22-40
4. Jesus confronts the Jews concerning the bread of life 6:41-65
5. Peter expresses confidence in the bread of life 6: 66-71
This whole movement builds to paint a powerful portrait of Jesus as the bread of life. Beginning with the living illustration of real bread Jesus provides opportunity to practice what they should have learned through a raging storm. Following the object lesson and test, Jesus specifically amplifies the concept of him being the bread of life. Mark provides a very important clue to understanding and applying the truths of this passage. After the test of the storm Mark recounts that the disciples “were filled with amazement and awe for they had not gained any insight from the loaves, but their heart was hardened.”
The object Lesson – Feeding of the 5,000 plus people
Now the apostles on returning gathered together with Je¬sus, and reported to him all the things they had done and taught.
This incident follows an intense ministry excursion where Jesus had sent them out to preach the kingdom of God. Upon their return, they reported to Him what happened. There is a place for accountability and reporting in ministry.
Two areas: 1) Things they had done 2) Things they had taught
Lesson: Everyone needs accountability
Then said he to them, “Come away by yourselves to a wilderness place and rest for a little while.” For there were many coming and going and they had no leisure time even to eat. And he took them and withdrew privately in the boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Sea of Tiberias) to a wilderness spot belonging to a city called Bethsaida.
There is a place for rest in ministry. There are times when things may become so intense and hectic that there isn’t even time to stop and eat. Remember Jesus didn’t eat in Samaria but pointed to satisfaction of doing the work of the father that became his very sustenance.
Even thought he spirit may be willing, our flesh is often weak and weakened by continual expenditure of energy and requires time to rest. Jesus recognized that fact and called the disciples away to rest.
Lesson: Everyone needs rest from the stress of ministry
But the crowds learned of it and saw them leaving, and many recognized him; and together on foot they hurried in that direction from all the towns. They followed him be¬cause of seeing the miraculous signs which he wrought on those who were sick. They even arrived there before them, and came together toward him; so when Jesus came ashore, he beheld a great throng.
Sometimes real life interrupts our best intention and even desire to rest.
These people focused on Jesus even if it was a shallow foundation.
They were not seeking a Savior from the misery of their sin but one who might relive the misery of their circumstances. So often today, the Gospel is presented as a relief from the misery of our circumstances rather than the misery and judgment of our sin. Which is which is all too obvious by the response called for. One requires nothing from the individual but a wishful belief and assertion of one’s will. The other requires repentance and a surrender of one’s will to the Lordship of Christ.
Lesson: We don’t always receive the rest we think we need.
But he was moved with compassion to¬ward them, as they were like sheep that had no shepherd. And he welcomed them, and began to teach them many things; and he talked to them about the Kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing.
He did not neglect their physical needs but focused on their spiritual needs through teaching concerning the kingdom of God. This is the context of this great miracle. They had already been in great need of rest. Now we have yet another day of strenuous ministry to the needs of people because of the compassion of Jesus for the needy.
Lesson: Jesus operated from a base of compassion
How far does our compassion extend? As the day progressed the disciples picked up on a growing need and approached Jesus.
Then came the twelve and they said to him, “The place here is a wilderness, and the hour already late; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages and coun¬tryside round about, and lodge, and buy themselves food. For they have nothing to eat.” Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to by bread that these may eat?” And this He was saying to test him for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. But he answered and said to them, ‘“They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”
The disciples show some insight but their solution was rather self-centered. Let everyone shift for himself or herself. Rather than take responsibility for the solution because of the seeming impossibility, the disciples offer to allow everyone to take care of himself or herself.
Perhaps they too were extremely tired of the press of people and were themselves very hungry. Jesus directs them back to a ministry mentality and says, “You give them something to eat.” None of them even ventured to suggest a supernatural solution. They heard him teach and accomplish many miracles of supernatural healing all day yet failed to make the connection or application to this present situation. They were there when he supplied more than enough wine, why not more than enough bread? The disciples focused so much on their insufficient resources they failed to appropriate Jesus’ all sufficient recourses. So often we grow to be myopic and fail to see that Jesus wants to display a solution that defies natural explanation. The call to minister to the needs of this generation appears so impossible.
Lesson: Jesus asks us to give satisfying bread to the hungry
The disciples, faced with the suggestion of Jesus to take on the impossible task, take personal and group inventory.
And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denaries’ worth of loaves, and give them to them to eat?” And Phillip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii (200 days wages) worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.”
Jesus directs them to look not at what they don’t have but what they have and are willing to offer completely to Him. He could have provided food out of nothing but gave opportunity to take what was offered and multiply it to meet the need.
But he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And on finding out they said ‘to him, “There is a lad here who has just five loaves and two fish but what are these among so many, unless indeed we go and buy food for all this throng!’’ ‘ But he said, ‘‘Bring them here to Me.
Jesus takes what little we have and multiplies it into what we don’t have.
Jesus turns our inadequacy into his adequacy.
Lesson: Little becomes much when God is in it and we give it all.
Too often we figure because our little won’t meet the need we reserve it for ourselves.
God wants us to give to him what little we have.
Our little, fully sacrificed to Him becomes much when God is in it.
Then said Jesus to his disciples, “Have the men recline for eating, in companies of fifty.” Now there was abundant grass in the place, and they did so, having them all recline on the green grass; and they reclined in rows, by hundreds and by fifties. Then took he the five loaves and two fish, and looking up toward heaven he blessed them; and having given thanks, he broke the loaves and distributed to the disci¬ples to set before the throng. And likewise of the two small fish divided he among them all, as much as they wished; and all of them ate and were satisfied.
And when all were filled, he said to his disciples, “Gath¬er up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.’’ So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves and the fish, which were left by those who had eaten. ‘ And those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
What a powerful object lesson regarding the person of Christ.
Lesson: Jesus has infinite power over nature and the physical world.
Lesson: Jesus has both the love and power to meet impossible situations.
He is not only willing but also able. All too often the enemy tries to convince us that Jesus is either not able or not willing to help in our time of need.
Lesson: Jesus is able to completely satisfy hungry souls.
Lesson: When we give to Jesus, we end up with more than we gave.
These are all things that should have been observed and taken to heart by the disciples.
What about the people’s reaction?
Then those men, having seen the miraculous sign, which Je¬sus wrought, kept saying, “This surely is the Prophet who is coming into the world.” Jesus therefore perceiving that they were ready to come and seize him to make him king immediately constrained his disciples to board the boat to precede him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he should send the multitude away.
Again they people are more interested in a political and physical Messiah than the Lord of the invisible Kingdom of God. They were ready to grab Jesus and march into Jerusalem to throw off Roman rule and enjoy eternal prosperity at the hands of Jesus.
Jesus sent them away and withdrew alone to pray.
And when he had taken leave of the crowds, he withdrew again up the mountain, by himself alone to pray.
Lesson: Revitalization comes through solitude and time with God.
What do we do when we are exhausted? How do we cope with the perpetual pressure of people problems? Jesus wants them to get a grip on the truths we just observed. He perhaps even prays for a storm to come up.
The Pop Quiz – Sudden storm on the sea of life
Now an opportunity to apply the lessons that should have been apparent on the hillside arises on the sea.
“Then with evening come, his disciples went down to the sea and boarded the boat, and started to go across toward Cap¬ernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not come to them; and the sea was getting rough from a strong wind that blew.
And he, there alone on the land (praying), saw them hard-pressed in their rowing; ‘the boat was now out in the middle of the sea, being pounded by the waves, for the wind was contrary to them.
Lesson: Even though we may not recognize the presence of Jesus, He is fully aware of our storms and prays for us.
We may not be fully aware of the fact that we have the most significant prayer warrior possible continually praying during our storms.
He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:23-25
The disciples find themselves in a very dangerous situation even for experienced seaman and fisherman. Jesus not only upheld them in prayer but also now makes his presence known to them in their time of struggle.
So in the fourth quarter of the night,” they had rowed between three and four miles, ‘Jesus went toward them, walking on the sea. He was intending to come alongside of them, but ‘when the disciples saw him walking on the sea “and drawing close to the boat, ‘they were alarmed, saying, “It is a spirit!” And they cried out for fear, for all saw him and were terrified. Then immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Have cour¬age! It is ‘I AM’ do not fear.”
Lesson: at the proper time, Jesus not only prays but displays his presence in the middle of our storms.
Because of our fear and hardness of heart we sometimes find difficulty identifying the presence of Jesus during the storms of life. The disciples interpreted the presence of Jesus for the presence of evil.
Lesson: Be encouraged not afraid at God’s presence during the storm.
He longs for us to trust him and allow Him to calm the storm and bring us to our destination.
Lesson: Look for God’s presence during the storm.
Peter impulsively tests the presence of Jesus.
Peter answered him and said. “Lord, if it is You, bid me come to you on the water.” And he said. “Come.” So Peter climbed down from the boat and walked on the water to¬ward Jesus. But seeing the wind turbulent he was frightened, and commencing to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Then Jesus quickly stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “You Little-faith, what made you doubt’?”
Peter began with a strong focus on the presence of Jesus in the storm but quickly lapsed into a focus on the storm rather than the Savior. Jesus did not rebuke the test of his presence. “If it is You.” He rebuked the lapse of faith once confirmation of His presence was granted.
Lesson: Fix your eyes on the author and perfector of faith not the storm.
At times it was difficult in the face of failing health to stand in faith on the promises of God. We must realize that even faith is a gift and cry out to God for His wonderful gift. Realize his presence and fix your attention on Him.
And when they came up into the boat, the wind ceased; “therefore ‘those in the boat “were ready to welcome him. And inwardly they were filled with amazement and awe for they had not gained any insight from the loaves, but their heart was hardened, but they came and made obeisance before him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” And immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
Two miracles arise from the presence of Christ in the storm.
1—the storm stopped
2 – they arrived at their destination.
Lesson: What seems impossible without the presence of Jesus becomes a reality in the presence of Jesus.
The disciples had been struggling all night miles from their destination. They were at the end of their personal resources when they realized his presence even though he had been aware of their situation all alone. Jesus stopped the storm. Jesus achieved his goal for them (He told them to go to the other side).
Lesson: Hardness of heart prevents transforming insight and vital faith in the storms of life.
Looking only for temporal fixes to spiritual problems? Angry at God for not doing things as you want? Focusing on the storm rather than the savior? Ignorant of the purposes and promises of God? Harboring sin that prevents truth? Too distracted or busy to learn the lessons on the hillside needed to weather the storms in the seaside?
CONCLUSION
What storm do you face this morning?
If you are not in a storm then pay closer attention to the lessons He is trying to teach you on the hillside. Luis Palau, “Woe to the man who has to learn principle in the time of crisis.” Jesus wants us to learn the lessons on the hillside that will enable us to trust Him in the storm.
Jesus often achieves his goals for our life through the storms of life.
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5
"These things(abiding, the Holy Spirit, prayer) I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
Learn the truth of Christ’s provision on the hillside.
Jesus loves us deeply and all his actions flow out of His compassion for us.
God enables us to be involved in effectively ministering to the needs of others
Our little becomes much when God is in it and we give it all.
Jesus has the love and power to meet impossible situations
Jesus is able to completely satisfy hungry souls
When we give to Jesus, we end up with more than we gave.
Revitalization comes through solitude and time with God.
Apply the truth of Christ’s provision during the storms of life
Jesus is fully aware of our storms and prays for us and displays His presence.
Be encouraged not afraid at God’s presence during the storm.
Fix your eyes on the author and perfector of faith not the storm.
What seemed impossible without the presence of Jesus becomes a reality in His presence.
Hardness of heart prevents transforming insight and vital faith in the storms of life.
As we understand the love that God has for us and the love he wants to channel through us that we come to experience the fullness of God who is love. The most difficult time to perceive that love is during the raging storms of life before we become aware of his presence. He allows us to experience the personal helplessness and hopelessness of life without his presence so that we will cry out to Him and come to appreciate his prayer and his presence both on the hillside and the storm tossed seaside. God wants us to come face to face with the futility of our fleshly boats and our personal striving so that we will trust nothing else but him to still the storm and bring us to where we need to be.
Remember!
Jesus said, “I will NEVER leave you or forsake you.”
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written,
"For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long;
We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 8:31-39
What to do?
? Think about and evaluate how you respond to life’s storms.
? Think about the lessons from the hillside.
? Apply the additional lessons taught the storms of life.
? Repent of hardness of heart (if God or unbelief reveals such)
? Listen for the words of Jesus.
? Look for the presence of Jesus in the storms.
