We’re never too old to learn lessons. In our spiritual walk with the Lord it is always good to learn new lessons or to relearn ones that we may have forgotten.
1. Lesson of Report: "I should be Accountable Daily to God"
Mark 6:30 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.
§ After the mission trip the disciples reported to Jesus.
§ They were accountable!
§ We need to be accountable daily to God … thanking Him for successes - confessing failures.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
2. Lesson of Rest: "I should take time for Physical & Spiritual Rest"
Mark 6:31 And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.
§ My body needs rest … sleep … relaxation … recreation
§ My spirit needs rest … Word … prayer … fellowship
Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
3. Lesson of Reality: "I should have Compassion on Others."
Mark 6:32-34 So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. 33 But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. 34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.
§ What Jesus saw is what I should see … confused, hurting people … without a shepherd.
§ What Jesus did is what I should do … teach them many things.
Matthew 28:20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
4. Lesson of Responsibility: "I should Share & Watch God Multiply"
Mark 6:35-44 When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. 36 "Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat." 37 But He answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat." And they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?" 38 But He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish." 39 Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties. 41 And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all. 42 So they all ate and were filled. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish. 44 Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.
§ Responsibility is not passing the buck … of letting someone else take care of it.
§ Jesus speaks directly … "You give them something …"
§ 5 & 2 Principle … Sharing what you have.
§ A little sharing goes a long way … all ate and were filled (43).
1 Timothy 6:18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,
5. Lesson of Reliance: "I should Look and Listen for Jesus"
Mark 6:45-51 Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. 46 And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. 47 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. 48 Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. 49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." 51 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.
§ Reliance comes when I look for Jesus.
§ Reliance comes when I listen for Jesus.
§ Looking & listening for Jesus calms us and always amazes us!
Conclusion:
These lessons all seem pretty clear and should be within our grasp to learn or relearn them. However many times we let them go by.
Mark 6:52 For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.
Let us not be hardened but softened to learn these lessons so as to live them. Amen!
