Struggling to Obey (Part C)

Is whether Christians were persecuted they were single just each instance and go about your busy course of Jesus Christ would just put a little incense on the altar to Caesar and will leave you alone and they refuse to work the other way to just pinch of truth submitted to rocks. Hell. So when James says how great a forest a little fire can that goes both ways you can start a big fire for God to with just a little fire. This is cross reference radio with our pastor and teacher Rick Gaston. Rick is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville. Pastor Rick is currently teaching through the book of Mark, please stay with us after today's message to hear more information about cross reference radio, specifically how you can get a free copy of this teaching. Now here's Pastor Rick and Mark chapter 6 with his study called struggling to obey in this section there they trap. That scene could turn around had to roll forward and as I the risk of repeating myself rolling forward against resistance not getting anywhere. So now about the fourth watch.

He came to them walking on the sea. Is that a little irritating. Why did he wait he saw them earlier when I just help them out give a brother a break because his his ways are higher than ours and their better and we learn to love him in spite of he came to them walking on the seat the same wind that resisted them could not resist him. That's one of the lessons we know this, he outpaced them he was going to pass them by about you, but I think this is hysterical.

I mean, they could've just added he was walking towards moonwalking past them you so that just put down yours is all this is humiliating, experienced fishermen, so what was his intent is walking on the sea. That's miraculous, tantamount to flying, he would have passed them by.

Was he trying to make a point because he watched us when he rose from the dead and the you found the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. He joins them in their conversation and it is a comical seem to some degree, so we just talk about where you been. That's what they said there then Luke writes then they drew near to the village where they were going and he indicated that he would've gone farther thank God he didn't mean to something there that Jesus says they're going to be times where I will pass by and keep going and less and less you call out to me unless you hold me there next to you. I'm not going to be rude and force myself even on my own people. I think that's one of the great parts of this lesson because when they call out EMC instantly answers them what we could stay on this part about the came to them walking on the sea, the kind of dramatic entrance and would've pass them by.

But let's move forward to verse 49 and when he saw and when they saw him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out but it was the Grim Reaper I mean that anything was a ghost just casually Outlook at a ghost citing it was that he's coming for us useful lessons. Sometimes we don't recognize our Lord is just that awesome. Sometimes he just did you know where to caught up in the storm and the resistance in the struggle we don't see them right there when I try to just settle it down just just just try to calm everything down and just submit tenant stop everything get to mechanical zero just stop and hope that he will minister to me.

Sometimes our lack of understanding causes us to be afraid of him because we don't recognize that it is he who is the one that is doing the things that were faced with God does not abandon one of the lessons the struggling soul in the path of obedience feels like that sometimes Satan wants us to believe that we have been abandoned. Jacob felt that way when he wrestled with the Lord until finally just submitted just because I can't let you go.

Do you bless me some of you have that I been there doesn't work that smoothly that's that's correct. That is, that is faith overcoming the curse and many times it's not smooth. What if they were determined to go forward without him in the boat without going. There's a ghost and just continue as many in the world do they would never reach their destination. Some are determined to roll through life without his miraculous walk into their life there free to do so. Had they turned back if they could've turned back, they would have accomplished nothing. They just would've been tired, you know there's a saying if you you know that there are times if you retreat you die tired. If you run away if they had turned back. Ministry would've stopped.

That should mean something to Christians what is ministry. I again I think some Christians don't understand. Yeah, I think that the church is the centerpiece of ministry is not the only piece and I also believe to be independent of the church is to be wrong. When given the choice, I also believe that those in countries who cannot assemble to worship which they can't assemble the worship to be able to freely amongst the brethren have communion to pray together, to fellowship after service will before the sit and have God's word just said to them, may we may never take this for granted. Verse 50 but they all saw him and were troubled. But immediately he talked with them and said to them, be of good cheer is I do not be afraid.

What quieted the voice. It is the voice of God that changed everything in my earlier days it seemed that God spoke to be so many times I'm with you have got this on. Hope it's okay now it's just like what you wanted. You know the drill or teacher of Israel, will you do say the sky like a flashing's neon sign where you because he treats me like him. Supposedly I don't like it. I don't like it. I'd love to hear him say I got this I love to hear him say I am with you. I'm not fond of hey lets you stay home. I thought I was using it.

We were getting along so well. That way, what happened, crying out the drives.

On the other one that moved you moved. I'm still talking to you whatever you talking to me and yet get above my knees. I do what I'm told is best I can because I have enough truth and it just takes a pinch of truth is the put it this way. It takes a pinch of incense to blaspheme God. That's what the Christians were persecuted they were single just just put a pinch incense and go about your busy worship Jesus Christ would just put a little incense on the altar to Caesar and will leave you alone and they refused one works the other way to just a pinch of truth submitted to Rock Hill. So when James says how great a forest a little fire kindles that goes both ways you can start a big fire for God to with just a little fire. Satan does not get all the advantages so he gets many, it was the sound of his voice. It was one word in the Greek when he says, be of good cheer. That's a single word and it means just what it says he speaking to their emotions. It has within it. Okay the best I can maybe transfer. This is he saying to them, chill out. That is true because the word has ended, and the meaning courage but that's not all of it.

This again, be of good cheer is supposed to make them feel safer. It is also to their minds when he says it's me it is I may, that's supposed to make them say we know you are. We recognize you and then when he says do not be afraid. That is a word to their will be speaking to the whole heart of the person the brains the emotions and the will that is the heart of a Christian when you sue in the Scriptures as usual.

Love the Lord your God with your heart that really includes everything else. Take the heart away.

Take life away. Courage can be commended.

We don't like to have it commended, but it is work on battlefield.

It is worked in ministries. His work throughout history. That's why God said in Joshua one have not I commanded you, I've commanded you to be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor be dismayed.

Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go. I want to feel that and I have felt that many times in ministry, but over the years. I don't feel it is much, but I know it's just as true, and I also know this, that that counts to my favor with the Lord. I know he enjoys that there is none feel it, but still doing it because we've gotten past that whole thing about let me see another miracle and all believe were now working with the raw truth. He can do that by with his help. Tara can be defeated both by his health is that I ended that statement now. The next day.

The victim connected this to some degree.

Tara will watching us in our society. A society of people with low grade. Tara you see it in their eyes as they walk around who you afraid of their there are worse things that can happen to you. Psalm chapter 3, I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around like what the psalmist say that why go to King David say that because of his Lord's faith in Everybody's against Mrs. hard to do that we don't want to be disliked. We don't want people to think the wrong things of us. We want to justify ourselves. We all often we don't get a chance.

The Bible says you better be more mindful what God thinks you got that one right, you got power Isaiah chapter 12 verse two behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid, is an act of the will and love.

Love is an act of the will, the world's definition of love is an act of the emotions you feel it. That's an element of filing or stroke a are other forms of of love in the Greek using the Greek words but that agape that high love.

That love that comes from the touch of God. It's an act of the will is not an act of anything less you can have feelings ended with the goals just as well without them. His nearness it makes a difference and that's what were getting out of the story he came near the boat until he gets in the boat. That's what I want.

We call it communion prayer and communion prayer is me talking to God and God can talk back to me it's a diet can be a dialogue. It is not always. I think I talked to got a lot more than he talks to me communion. Communion is rhythm is union with God.

It is I belong at the table have a place at the table. My name is at the table here on earth and there in heaven.

Today you will be with me in paradise was not going to be today is going to be because he gives me a say so in this matter. Just as he gave Judas just as he gave Ballin just as he gave Jezebel just as he gave every Satan had a choice. Satan chose to exalt himself to be like the most high blunder of the universe and in some ways was to pay for it many ways his nearness Daniel chapter 10 again is with the messenger says the angelic messenger says and he said oh man greatly beloved beloved, fear not. Peace to you.

Be strong. Just be strong.

So when he spoke to me.

I was strengthened and said let my Lord speak for you have strengthened me see were disposed to mean something because they're supposed to be attached to something else or someone else. So we say we consider the source and when God says to either his scripture to another believer, ergo a word in season, and we sense that it is the Holy Spirit that this is right. We are strengthened. Unfortunately, some people think discernment means if I like it. It must be God that's not discernment. Discernment is the recognition that this is consistent with his word circumstances supported the word of God does not object to it in the sense of the Holy Spirit is here not easy being led, but it is vital Revelation chapter 1 was still talking about. Be not afraid it is me. Revelation 1. This is when John was getting the revelation of Jesus Christ. When I saw him I felt at his feet as dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying to me. Do not be afraid. I am the first and last.

Another words I got all the power and I'm telling you.

Don't be afraid it be better with the other way around. The power and I'm telling you be afraid so we need to know that he sees us when we struggle we need to know that it is for us to roll forward. Nonetheless, until he walks to us on the sea and relieves us of the struggle and that we must wait while we wait. We were all in the direction we were told to go in very simple. As far as instructions go a whole another matter to pull it off, but we do it all the time so you Christians who serve here in this ministry. How many times you felt at the kids tomorrow. All I got. I should do tomorrow. I am tired. I don't want to. I'm not ready your rolling but you there on time right who's not Johannes you're there at your post. You're not absent without leave you're there at your post are barred by Parr bar to the causeway for poor Marcio King James were chronicled on instructions. Two centuries this walking on the water is left out by Mark I think is just sensitive. Peters, Peter. That's what I will step out walking, water, and evidently Mark said now as we got out. Matthew said I won't. John tells it, but Matthew is the one. This is in this one Peter. Did you live but he's easier to be just too much are we afraid that we around somebody too much good to go to see how annoying we are going to trip with somebody for a week and find out by time. Friday gets here. Good morning is just this is a fact of life. Something as a pastor, I fear that I'm going to just be around folks so much that I am sick to hear you are not looking up. I am not looking up because it is just that's what goes with life and is awful anyway. Verse 51. Then he went up into the boat to them and the wind ceased and they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure and marvel.

I want to add a Spurgeon, Spurgeon's teaching or preaching on Peter walking on the water and he says I do not advise any of you to try it, neither did our Lord advise Peter to do so, and hopefully that stabilizes a lot of wackiness in the church are you Criswell wants to know what the water glad I'm not holding your hand so I mean if God gives you that moment and take it.

But if you making it yourself.

Just remember what happened. Peter anyway, he went up into the boat. They were amazed. They were blown always sort of nonchalant is it not there yet.

Yet he walks in the world. What would you expect is God and is no exaggeration, no sensationalism, no overstatements, just the bare facts and leave it at that. They were rolling hard and were getting anywhere. It was night, they were going for hours.

He walked on the water. They were spooked by those holding he said, be of good cheer it. As I joined the boat, the wind stopped. They were sure next story greatly amazed.

Verse 52 for they had not understood about the loaves because their hearts were hardened and I don't judge them if you want to judge them. You go right ahead and better have a better heart than they did. He does not rebuke them for this. I wonder is Mark dropping a hint to his Roman audience.

Is he suggesting to his readers that a hardened heart is due to blindness to the facts to the experiences to the obvious in the spirit.

I think he may be doing that by this time, they should not have been as amazed as because they had seen so much. I have not seen these miracles, I have watched him minister through his truth. But I have not watched him raise the dead, walk on water. I have not witnessed what they saw.

So why is Jesus Christ. Every bit my God to me that he was to them Peter. He struggled and struggled with points this out because years later Peter came to churches where they were even Gentiles now and he sees these people that didn't walk with Christ as he did, and he sees that they love Christ just as much as him without seeing all the miracles he writes about it. First Peter chapter 1 verse eight he says whom having not seen you love is I saw him and I love him. Unit had that been the venue love just as much as me somehow doesn't seem fair is is no though now you do not see him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory since I've seen you worshiping with this glory to the Lord. I could go on and on all just ignore one more were almost rule over time.

John chapter 20 Jesus said to him to Thomas. Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believe Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have believed. So I don't need to see him walking on the water to believe him just as much as the apostles there is in the Scripture Jesus prayed of the father, sanctify them by your truth.

Your word is truth.

That's what we see the truth. Calvary, Golgotha, the place of the skull Christ was crucified. The most profound demonstration of the father's love known to man because it is more painful for a loving father to watch his son suffer than to suffer himself and and to let it happen quite statement. So Paul writes, God demonstrates his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ Jesus died for us. The ungodly well were just finished this up.

We have to finish this chapter is to closing part is just a quick summary or commentary was verse 53, but they had crossed over, and they came to the land of Nazareth and anchored there and verse 54 and when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him.

And so the only vacation they got was a boat ride on the way to Beth side up. That was it and the ones that were working the boat to get the best side of the got nothing. Their reward for tirelessly serving the Lord rolling in the face of resistance. What was their reward more ministry. What a lesson to those minimalist servants that will do just this much, but no more crisis. I know you tired as Moody would say tired in the world not of the work I have wrestled with that yet.

I'm still here somehow. Sometimes you can see the back of my jacket being held up by an invisible hand verse 55 he ran through the whole surrounding region and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard he was left he gets out of the both parties moving around and and and Mark is capturing that verse 56 wherever they entered into villages, cities of the country, they laid the sick in the marketplace, places, and begged him that they might just touch the hem of his garment. And as many as touched him were made made well. So of course. Word got around the woman with the issue that touched the hem of his garment and multitude strongly against him. People had to come up with what we study these blessings we can reach him or he PUSHED the people on the stretchers to him so this is lamb out there and and and have it happen that way. This is the greatest popularity these days of his ministry, they would not last. I want to close with a couple of verses John chapter 2 and he said to him, every man at the beginning sets out the good wine and when the guest have drunk then the inferior you have The good until now. My point is this the world has never seen anyone like this.

The best is still yet to come. Goddess got a paradise for his people. That would just make all of this sort of forgotten eternity as we press forward with so many other things about him. For since the beginning of the world.

Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor as the eye seen any God besides you, who ask for the one who waits for him question. Were they waiting for him while they were rolling. I think they were waiting is not being stagnant. Waiting is doing something because in my father's house there are many mansions and then Jesus is right after that there are many dwelling places. It wasn't so. I would not hold you as an emphasis then he says I go to prepare a place for you, and that includes us, unless you reject and hopefully you will move thanks for tuning in to cross reference radio for this study in the book of Mark cross reference radio is the teaching ministry of Pastor Rick Gaston of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville in Virginia to learn more information about this ministry. Visit our website cross reference radio.com once you're there you'll find additional teachings from Pastor Rick. We encourage you to subscribe to our podcast.

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