Rowing But Not Going

ROWING BUT NOT GOING

Mark 6;45 -52

Mark 6:45 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. (KJV)

To be in this kind of situation is a horrible situation to be in.

Not backslid, not given up on the Lord,

Not throwing in the towel.

BUT REALLY, NOT MAKING ANY HEADWAY FOR TOWARD GOD.

I’ve been there. We all go through these times in our lives.

It seems like we pray about it, you listen to the preaching, you read books about it, and you’ve tried to figure it out, AND YOU STILL SEEM TO BE STUCK

AND YOU ARE TRYING TO SERVE THE LORD.

Spiritually, it seems like you are aching to move up and go on with the Lord.

And right now maybe you’re troubled about it, maybe you feel like you are in God’s will, but there are some problem areas, some situation that is holding you back, and you just can’t seem to go on for the Lord.

YOU ARE ROWING, BUT NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

THAT’S WHAT I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT TODAY.

First, we need to look at the background of this verse of scripture.

On this particular day, the Lord had gone into a desert place, and he had been preaching and teaching and training and ministering and healing them.

And after a long day, he went away across the sea of Galilee to rest with his disciples.

The people saw where he was going, and they ran around the lake, and met him at the other side.

And the Bible says that he was moved with compassion for them and he began to minister to them.

Later that day, evening was coming on, and the disciples came to him telling him to send the crowd away, for they were hungry, and there was no food.

Andrew brought a young man forward, who had packed his lunch.

All he had was a couple of fish and a few biscuits.

Jesus told the disciples to have the crowd sit down in groups, that he was going to feed them from the boys lunch box.

He blessed the food, and he broke it, and handed it to the disciples telling them to feed the people.

That is important to note, he blessed the food and brake it, but as the disciples began to distribute the food, it multiplied.

The miracle came from the Holy Spirit, but it was manifested through the hands of the disciples!

Thousands of people where fed, and there were 12 baskets left over.

And the people rejoiced!

I mean they shouted!

Can you imagine if this happened out here on our Church lawn?

They’d hear the shouting in town!

Now anyway, you get the picture.

Jesus had taught them.

He had preached to them.

He had healed the sick, and then they had all just witnessed one of the greatest miracles, and filled their bellies from the miracle.

Get this picture…

THEY’VE ALL GOT THE VICTORY.

IT WAS A WONDERFUL CHURCH SERVICE!

But then Jesus says to his disciples, get in the boat and row to the other side, and I will meet you there. I need to stay here and disperse the crowds, and pray for awhile.

Now, did the Lord know that a storm was going to blow up in the middle of the night?

YES, HE DID. HE IS OMNISCIENT, AND HE KNOWS EVERYTHING.

AND THE LORD...SENT THEM INTO THE STORM!!!

Knowing what was going to happen, he sent them into the storm.

You see, Jesus was going to test their faith.

The Lord knew that anybody could shout and have faith when you are looking at a miracle...

Anyone can shout when the Holy Ghost is moving...