John 6 (3)
Where is Jesus when times are tough?
When I was in high school, my parents bought a boat. I guess it was because my dad’s parents had boats when he was young and he wanted us to share some of the same experiences.
Any of you who have ever owned a boat, know that if you have one, you are going to make memories. I remember for instance, the day we were pulling the boat down to the Enterprise boat ramp, and boat and trailer came loose from the truck and passed us on the right hand side. That made a memory.
Or, the time we went scalloping in the gulf, just as a storm blew Jellyfish from a 1000 miles into the gulf. Every time you came to the surface you had to look up to make sure you weren’t coming up underneath one. Travis forgot one time.
I’ll never forget the time we put the boat in at the Enterprise boat ramp, where our parents met us after work to go skiing. We often did that. On this particular night we ran out of gas on the other side of Lake Monroe, after dark, and had to cross the lake manually. We had 1 short paddle. We used a ski as a paddle on the other side of the boat, and we had one person in the front of the boat throwing out the anchor and pulling it in. Throw out the anchor and pull it in. I didn’t think we’d ever get back to the ramp.
I think that’s what the disciples must have felt like during the night recorded in John 6 when they crossed the Sea of Galilee in the middle of the night, in the middle of a wind storm.
Turn with me please to John chapter 6, John chapter 6 and verse 16, as this morning we examine the account of the disciples’ memorable trip in their boat. John chapter 6 and beginning in verse 16.
- Read John 6:16-21
As we continue our study of John, you may remember 2 weeks ago, we saw how Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish to feed more than 5,000 people. It was a crowd and a memorable day. The teaching and the miracle performed that day so impressed the people attending that last week we saw that the people wanted to forcibly make Jesus king.
He will be King one day, and that day is getting closer every moment, but that was not the time nor the place. He will not be the kind of king they wanted, so He sent the people away. Matthew 14 and Mark 6 tell us that Jesus also sent the disciples away. I imagine He sent the disciples away to get them away from temptation.
Remember, Jesus had to keep in mind the ambition of Judas Iscariot, the impulsiveness of Simon Peter, the zeal of Simon the Canaanite, and the tempers of James and John. Also, Jesus had already taught the disciples to be praying that God’s kingdom would come. It would not be a good idea for these disciples to start mingling too much with a group of people who wanted to force a crown on Jesus He did not want. So He sent them away.
In their self-confidence, they had no concern about disaster. Peter could do it, after all, he had his fishing buddies with him. This would be a swift and easy passage to the other side. But, they were about to head into a storm they knew nothing about. There was stormy weather ahead.
- Read vvs 16-17
Darkness had set in.
Sadly, most of the world lives in darkness everyday. One impression that comes to mind again and again as I talk to the boys as they travel in Southeast Asia, and from my mother and cousin during their trip there, is the great number of temples they have in that part of the world. My word, they have almost as many temples there as they do Baptist churches in the South. There are temples everywhere.
While visiting in Indonesia, they were told that the Hindu folks in that area do not travel very much or very often because it is important that they make offerings in their temple each day.
How sad, people so enthusiastically pursuing religion, so energetically pursuing their gods, but who have no knowledge of the truth. Lord, please open their eyes to their darkness, let them see the light, see the truth.
Oh, but there are so many people in darkness in the West, and in this country as well. People who chase one thing or another trying to find peace, and hope, and joy, trying to find something meaningful and important in life; but who have no time or concern for the Lord. People blind to the truth. Blind to the light, and with no knowledge of the Lord.
John 1 tells us that the light was among them but they preferred darkness.
The disciples were sent away by Jesus, into the darkness. From this account, there are several items we learn about the Christian life.
I. YOU CAN BE IN GOD’S WILL AND STILL HAVE STORMS
- Read verse 18
As the disciples were traveling across the lake, a storm came up; or a high wind began to blow.
Were the disciples where Jesus wanted them to be? Yes. Were they doing what He wanted them to do? Yes. Were they headed where He wanted them to go? Yes, and yet a great wind came up.
Some people have the mistaken idea that if you are one of God’s people, if you are Christ-follower, if you are in His will, and doing what He wants you to do that everything will be hunky dory for you, that everything will be smooth sailing. I don’t know where we get that mistaken idea. The Bible never promises us that.
Abraham was in God’s will, but local herdsmen kept stealing wells Abraham’s servants dug. David was in God’s will, but Saul kept chasing him. Daniel was in God’s will, but he still spent a night in a lion’s den. Saddrack, Meshack, and Abednigo were in God’s will, but they had to go through a fiery furnace. Peter was in God’s will, but was crucified. John was in God’s will, but was imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos. Paul was in God’s will, but was beaten, stoned, snakebite, shipwrecked and imprisoned. His companion Timothy was a pastor, and had frequent stomach issues.
My parents both grew up in the church, reared their boys in the church, and faithfully served the Lord for years, and yet my dad was killed and my mother has cancer. She and I were talking a couple of days ago and she mentioned how she wished she had all of the money people owed us, and cheated us out of when we closed our family business years ago.
Being a Christian and being in God’s will does not mean you won’t have storms. It doesn’t mean you won’t have difficulties. It doesn’t mean your spouse will be perfect, and your children won’t disappoint you. It doesn’t mean your business will succeed and that people won’t steal from you. It doesn’t mean your boss will appreciate you and give you the raise or promotion you think you deserve.
We are promised heaven, but this ain’t it. We are promised a place where there will be no tears, where there will be no pain, where there will be no death, sickness or suffering; but this isn’t it. AS a matter-of-fact, a few pages to your right in your Bible, Jesus says, “In this life you will have tribulation”. As the old song says, “I beg your pardon. I never promised you a rose garden.”
Don’t let the Devil discourage you with difficulties, making you question the goodness of God. Don’t let that non-believing spouse disparage your walk with the Lord, asking why you’re having the difficulties you are. Don’t let that doubting neighbor or co-worker dismiss your faith, because of a few setbacks. You can be in God’s will and still have storms.
II. YOU ARE IN GOD’S SIGHT EVEN IN THE MIDST OF STORMS
> Mark 6:47-48 Well into the night, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land. He saw them straining at the oars, because the wind was against them.
Where was Jesus while the disciples were going through this trial by water and wind? He was watching them. He had His eye on them.
Mark explains that when He was up on the mountain alone, He saw the disciples straining at the oars. This is understandable when we remember that this took place at the time of the passover, which occurs at a full moon. So Jesus, on the Mountain where He went to pray, kept His eyes on His disciples who were traveling across the lake in the storm.
God is everywhere. We know that. David in Psalm 139 says,
> Psalm 139:7-10 Where can I go to escape your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits, even there your hand will lead me; your right hand will hold on to me.
Paul, in Acts 17:27-28, assured the Athenians that,
> Acts 17:27-28 . . . He is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being, . . .
If that is true generally of all people, how much more true is it of Christ-followers? Jesus assures us that not even a sparrow falls to the ground without our heavenly Father knowing about it, and that the very hairs of your head are numbered.
My friend, I don’t know what trial or difficulty or trouble you are going through right now. I don’t know your situation or your struggle, but I know someone Who does.
III. YOU ARE IN CHRIST’S PRAYERS
> Matthew 14:23 After dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Well into the night, he was there alone.
Not only was Jesus watching His disciples, but He was praying as He did so.
Have you ever known someone who had an especially good prayer life, someone you knew prayed faithfully and whose prayers you saw God answer?
Can you imagine having Jesus pray for you? Did you know that’s what Jesus is doing right now?
> Hebrews 7:25 Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them.
Jesus prays. He speaks to His Father on our behalf. Can you imagine?
Hey Dad. Gene is really struggling in this area right now. Give him strength to over come that.
Hey Dad, Drew and Danny are a bit lost right now, a bit concerned. Encourage them.
Hey Dad, My disciples are struggling in the boat, they are fighting the wind and waves. Protect them and give them strength. Help them to learn through this experience. Help them to grow stronger, through the struggle they are experiencing. Don’t let this storm be wasted. Help their faith to grow.
When the disciples were struggling and discouraged, in the midst of a storm, they thought they were out of sight, but they weren’t. Not only were they in the sight of Jesus, but they were in the prayers of Jesus.
IV. CHRIST WILL HELP YOU
Jesus came walking on the water. That probably scared the disciples more than the storm. The storm was frightening, but many of them were fishermen. They were accustomed to storms and wind; what they were not accustomed to was seeing someone walking on water.
I wonder how, exactly that worked. Have you ever thought about it?
Do you remember going to the beach and rushing into the water? You have a decision to make, don’t you? Do you walk or run through the waves and struggle against their enormous power, or do you dive into them? It’s a struggle knowing exactly what to do sometimes, isn’t it?
I wonder, did Jesus walk on top of the wave tops, using them kinda like stepping stones, or did he walk on the troughs, with the waves breaking around His feet, or di all of the water smooth out and make a path in front of Him, while the waves broke all around?
That would have been a sight wouldn’t it? It’s night, well into the early morning hours, with darkness. There is nearly a full moon up, so there is light all around. The wind is blowing so hard you can make barely any progress, and a spray is being kicked into the air. Through the mist and haze of the kicked up water, in the shadowy, moon-lit night, a figure starts approaching your boat. He’s not even walking directly toward you, because the disciples thought He might pass by, and they cry out in fear.
Jesus tells them, “Don’t be afraid, It’s Me.” He gets in the boat, and He helps them in their difficulty.
I wonder how many of us miss out on Jesus’ help because we don’t listen for His voice. We just get scared?
In Let Me Illustrate, a collection of stories and illustrations, the story is told of a man who owned an ice house. Perhaps some of you remember the one that used to be up on 13th street in Sanford. One day the owner lost a fine watch in the sawdust. He offered a reward to anyone who would find it; and many went through the sawdust with rakes trying to find the timepiece. No one could find the wath. Finally, when the searchers left the building for lunch, a small boy went into the ice house. A few minutes later he came out with the watch. The men asked how he had found it and he replied, “I just lay down in the sawdust and listened. Finally I heard the watch ticking”
Some of you have lost more than a watch. You have lost your way. If you will stop and listen, the Lord will tell you exactly where you lost the power and victory you miss so much. He will tell you why you lost the joy you once knew.
Jesus helps.
V. CHRIST WILL GET YOU WHERE YOU’RE GOING
Jesus got in the boat, and immediately they were at their destination.
Jesus can get you where He sent you if you will allow Him to. This is true in life. If He has called you to be a missionary, He will help you through the difficulties to make that happen. If He has called you to be a witness, a light in a dreary, dark and discouraging place, He will give you the strength to carry out that assignment.
Oh, and in case I’m talking to someone this morning who has never become a follower of Jesus I want you to know that Jesus can bring victory to your life and bring you to your heavenly home as well.
Jesus says in John 14:6
> John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me.
If that is your situation, let me explain, that there are a couple of things you must believe and a couple of things you must do.
A. Believe
1. Believe that you cannot do anything to save yourself.
> Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
> Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death.
Believe that there is nothing you can do to save yourself.
2. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that God raised Him from the dead.
> Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in your heart God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
B. Do
You must commit yourself to Him. The Bible describes this in a number of different ways. It’s called putting your faith and trust in Him. It’s called being born again.
We repent, ask the Lord to forgiver us of our sins, and turn and follow Him.
Believing and doing. The 2 go hand in hand.
There is one last item I’d like you to notice before we leave, and that is, Jesus comes by invitation.
- Read vs 21
VI. JESUS COMES BY INVITATION
When did Jesus get into the boat? When did He move them and it to the other side of the lake? When did they get to their destination? It happened when they invited Him into the boat. When they willingly invited Him in.
The Lord never violates our human will. He doesn’t intrude or force His will on us.
What does Jesus say in Revelation 3:20?
> Revelation 3:20 Behold! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
In the Garden of Eden, the Lord didn’t make slaves with no will and no options. He gave them free will, and He gives that same gift to you and me. You have to choose to become a follower of Christ. You have to choose to invite Him in to your life and into your boat.
Some of you wonder why you see no power or fruit in your life. Could it be because Jesus is not in your boat, because you have never invited Him?
> James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Salvation, growth, spiritual victory and power is a choice. You must decide that you are going to walk with the Lord. You must decide you want that relationship. You must decide you want that victory and invite Him in. The choice is yours.
In this life you will have storms. Jesus is aware of it. He sees you. He is watching you. He is praying for you, interceding for you with the Father. He can give you victory and can get you to your destination, but you have to invite Him to do so.
Will you do that today?
