Mark 6- Be Not Afraid

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And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. 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. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: Mark 6:47-49

After a long day of preaching and teaching, Jesus did what he always did, he went alone to pray to the Father. While he was praying, the disciples were in a boat when another storm came upon them. Jesus came to help them, but by unstandard means, we has literally walking on water.

When the disciples saw Christ defying the law of nature, they freaked out. Some even thought he was a ghost, but Jesus was revealing how he has power of the natural and the supernatural world. Jesus is Lord of All, just as he demonstrated his authority over the demons, he has the authority over the Heavens and the Earth

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. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. Mark 6:50-52

Jesus said to them “Be Not Afraid, I am with You” , Jesus is saying the same thing today to his Church. As one theologian said “A scared world needs a fearless Church” , Take Courage, the One who has overcome the world is walking with You! Yes the world is scary, Yes we have troubles and problems, but we also have a Risen Savior!

Notice Jesus immediately stopped the storm, Jesus is in complete control! The world may seem like its in total chaos, however God is still on the throne. The disciples witnessed the miracles of Christ, yet still hardened their hearts, do this sound familiar? Where is your faith?

Maybe you feel like your stuck in the boat right now, maybe your caught in the storms of life, Take Courage , Jesus is with you! Amen!

Mark 6- Feeding The Five Thousand

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And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? Mark 6:34-37

Jesus began drawing major crowds, and he had great compassion for them as the Great Shepherd. At this point Jesus was teaching outside of Jerusalem in the desert, far away from civilization, it was starting to get late in the day and the disciples were worried about feeding all these people!

The disciples first thought was to send everyone away, however Jesus commanded “Give them something to eat” Jesus didn’t turn away anyone as the Good Shepherd. He had compassion and love for his Sheep. Notice the similarity between God feeding the Israelites in the Wilderness and Jesus feeding his people in the Wilderness!

The first thought and response of the disciples is, “How can we feed all these people”? They don’t have money or resources, however Jesus is asking them to have faith and trust in him. Just as he is asking us today to trust him also in the Wilderness!

He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. Mark 6:38-41

Notice the symbolic number of 7 (5 loaves and 2 fish) as we know 7 is the Biblical number of completion. Jesus took whatever they had to offer, blessed it, and multiplied it. This should be a message to the Church, take the gifts that you have, and Christ will bless and use it for Gods glory!

Jesus blessed and broke the bread, does that sound familiar? A foreshadow of the Lords Supper, a foreshadow of his death on the cross. Jesus is breaking bread with his people and having fellowship with them, this is exactly what Communion is all about! Honoring our Lord and having fellowship with each other including Christ!

And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men. Mark 6:42-44

Notice the symbolism of the 12 baskets, the 12 Apostles, the 12 tribes of Israel. God doesn’t do anything by mistake, this event is a revelation of who Jesus is and who we are because of Christ

Jesus is your Shepherd, Jesus is providing for you in the Wilderness, have faith in Him Amen!

Mark 6- The Apostles

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And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. Mark 6:7-10

The calling of the Apostles, this is the beginning of Christ’s Church, we can learn alot from them by what Jesus commanded them to do and what authority he gave them. First we notice the symbolic number of 12, the same number of the tribes of Israel. And when you study Revelation you see the 24 elders, the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 Apostles coming together in unity. 

Secondly Jesus gave them power and authority over the demons, the same Holy Spirit is living inside of you today! The same power that rose Jesus from the grave is living inside of you (Romans 8:11) They were sent in teams of two, nobody was made to go this life alone. This is why the Church is important, Christ never expected you to do this alone!

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. And they went out, and preached that men should repent And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. Mark 6:11-13

So what do you do if you preach the gospel and they reject it? Jesus said “Shake the dust off your feet and move on” Its not our job to save people, we can’t save people only God can. All we can do is sow the seed (preach the gospel) and be the hands and feet of Christ. Anyone who rejects the gospel it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah, think about that!

What message did the Apostles preach? Repent! Repent! They didn’t try to be socially acceptable and relevant. They preached the gospel of Christ and that’s it, why? Because Jesus is the only way to salvation (John 14:6) So what power did the Apostles have? They cast out demons and healed people, with no money or no building, they set the world on fire! How? By being filled with the Holy Spirit

Many people question, why don’t we see these works done today? My question would be “Does the Church look or act like the Church of the 1rst Century? NO, so why would you expect a Holy Spirit powered Church today. We need to get back to the basics! Preach the gospel in Jesus name Amen!

Mark 6- Hometown Hero?

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And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. Mark 6:1-4

Many Christians want to be popular with the world, they want everyone to love and accept them. Question is, if your Lord was rejected and killed by the world, why would you expect better treatment? Christians who believe they should be all inclusive and accepting, don’t understand real Christianity. As Jesus said “He didn’t come for peace but with a sword” (Matthew 10:34) What did Jesus mean? He meant the gospel was going to divide people, many will reject it while few will find the way

The Messiah came to his hometown, you would think they would have a parade, right? Wrong, they rejected and opposed Jesus. They made derogatory remarks about his occupation, his family, they basically wrote him off as crazy. Jesus said “A prophet has no honor in his hometown or family” why? Because people don’t understand the transformation power of God and becoming Born Again

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching. Mark 6:5-6

 Jesus performed limited healings and miracles in Nazareth, why? Because of the lack of faith among the people. They had hardened hearts and spiritually deaf ears. They rejected Christ, and rejected his gospel. Remember the previous miracles Jesus performed were possible because of the great faith of people in Jesus. 

Back to modern day Christianity, again why do you think you’re going to be popular as a Christian or loved by many? Jesus was tortured and crucified by his own people, and he is our Lord, why do you expect better treatment? 

Jesus said “Deny Yourself, Carry your Cross, and Follow Him” Jesus didn’t say this is your best life now, Jesus said the opposite. This will be your worst life now, until you enter the Kingdom. Suffer for Christ, those who endure till the end will be saved Amen!

Mark 5- Jairus’s Daughter

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And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. Mark 5:22-23

Today we look at another healing Jesus made, a man named Jairus came to Jesus for him to heal his daughter. Who is Jairus? The Bible says he was a “ruler of the synagogue” obviously he had a high standing with the religious leaders at that time, so for him to come to Jesus shows not only great faith but also humility

Notice when it came to life or death for his daughter, Jairus denied his pride, humbled himself and came to Jesus. Don’t wait until your death bed to come to Christ, come to the only one who can save your soul, Jesus Christ now!

Jairus demonstrated his faith in multiple ways here, not only did he seek out Christ but he believed that if Jesus would just lay his hand on his daughter, she would be instantly healed. Jairus was convinced that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah

While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. Mark 5:35-37

Bad news was given to Jairus, that his daughter had already died before Jesus was able to get to her. But when Christ heard this he said “Don’t be afraid just believe” this must have taken great faith to believe this. Notice Jesus told everyone not to follow him except a few disciples, why? Because of the lack of faith by the majority of people, Christ only surrounded himself with those who truly believed

And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. Mark 5:38-40

When Jesus finally reached Jairus home, the girl was already dead. There were people mourning and crying over the loss of the young daughter. However Jesus made the statement “She is not dead, just asleep” What was the reaction of the crowd? The laughed at Christ, they had no faith in Jesus. 

And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. Mark 5:41-42

Jesus commanded “Little girl Rise” and immediately the daughter came back to life, just as when Christ commanded Lazarus “Come Forth” and brought him out of the grave, Jesus holds the keys to life and death!

Remember it was the faith of Jairus in Jesus that allowed this to happen. Jesus not only raised the dead but took a Synagogue leader and made him a disciple Amen!

Mark 5- One Touch of Faith

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And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. Mark 5:25-27

 What does true faith look like? What does true faith feel like? How about this woman, who has been suffering for 12 years with a medical condition. She went to see many doctors, but nobody could cure her. One day she heard Jesus was coming through town, and she knew if she could just touch his garment, she would be healed!

This woman had been beaten down, she had every reason to give up, however she had faith in Jesus, she believed he is the Christ, she knew he was the only one who could save her. Do you have this faith in Jesus? Are you reaching out and seeking him?

Just one touch of the Savior and she was cured! It sounds too simple, it sounds impossible. But then you start to realize who Jesus is, the Son of God, the Great I AM, the Good Shepherd who came to bring life to his sheep

For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? Mark 5:28-30

She kept saying “If I could just reach the Savior, then i would be healed” this is what we should all be saying daily. If we just keep reaching out to Jesus, you will be saved. Keep focused on Christ and not of this world. There is only one who can set you free!

Notice when she touched his garment, Jesus knew immediately and asked “Who touched me” Jesus hears your prayers, Jesus knows your pain, and Jesus doesn’t just want us to reach for him but to get to know him. A personal Savior from Heaven.

And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. Mark 5:31-33

Even though Jesus was surrounded by people, he searched for the one woman who was seeking him. Don’t think that you’re too insignificant for Christ, remember he left the 99 to find the one lost sheep! 

The woman bowed before The Lord and begged for mercy. She knew who he is , the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, she laid her life at the Savior’s feet

And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. Mark 5:34

Notice Jesus’ response “Daughter, your faith made you well” He addressed her as a child of God, and Christ healed her because of her faith.  Just one touch of the Savior, will save your life, keep seeking Jesus Amen