Becoming a Stronger Disciple

(Mark 6:45-52) Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to Bethsaida, while He dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, He went up on a mountainside to pray. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and He was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night He went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw Him walking on the lake, they thought He was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw Him and were terrified. Immediately He spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then He climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

HOW A DSICIPLE SURVIVES

Jesus is always watching over and caring for His disciples.

1. Jesus Sees My Struggles

A. Life can become an overwhelming struggle.

B. Jesus sees me in my struggles.

(48a) He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them.

2. Jesus Comes to My Side

(48) He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night He went out to them, walking on the lake.

A. I may not always see Jesus – but Jesus is always watching me.

B. I may not always come close to Jesus – but Jesus always comes close to me.

(Proverb 18:24) There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

(50) “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

(50) “Be of good cheer: it is I. Do not be afraid.” (KJV)

C. When Jesus comes to me in my struggle, I want to embrace Him.

* I want to stop being afraid - and be courageous.

* I want to stop doubting – and rejoice.

3. Jesus Quiets My Storm

(51) Then He climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed…”

A. I need Jesus to quiet the storm in my life.

(51b-52) They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

B. Jesus can quiet all my storms because He is God – and God can do anything!

(52) They had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

(45) Jesus MADE His disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him…

C. Jesus doesn’t send the storms of life, but He does make sure I face them when they come.

D. So He can come to me and show me His great love by quieting my storms.