1 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:07,600 Jehovah Jireh, my provider, God is Not intimidated by our 2 00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:10,300 economy. He believed that he has his own 3 00:00:10,300 --> 00:00:13,000 economy, right? He'll take care of us. 4 00:00:13,100 --> 00:00:16,200 You'll guide us in this time of inflation and recession and all 5 00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:18,600 the craziness and all the rumors of the American dollar. 6 00:00:18,600 --> 00:00:20,600 What's going to happen? A new currencies and all these 7 00:00:20,600 --> 00:00:25,100 things. God owns a thousand cattle on a 8 00:00:25,108 --> 00:00:28,300 thousand hills. He has everything under control 9 00:00:28,300 --> 00:00:31,900 my brother, he has everything under control my sister, I want 10 00:00:31,900 --> 00:00:33,700 you to see that with me and God's word today. 11 00:00:33,900 --> 00:00:35,600 Would you meet me in Mark chapter 6? 12 00:00:36,900 --> 00:00:40,500 Meet me in that, glorious text. That is so, so, so common to our 13 00:00:40,508 --> 00:00:48,300 understanding to our Vault of testimonies of what God has done 14 00:00:48,300 --> 00:00:50,500 in the past, in the person of Jesus Christ. 15 00:00:51,100 --> 00:00:53,700 But I pray today that you would see it in a new light that you 16 00:00:53,708 --> 00:00:56,300 would see it with fresh fresh eyes. 17 00:00:57,600 --> 00:01:00,600 And our brother prayed so beautifully, but I can't help 18 00:01:00,600 --> 00:01:05,300 but pray again. Would you pray with me and maybe 19 00:01:05,300 --> 00:01:07,000 pray for me while you pray as well. 20 00:01:08,900 --> 00:01:12,600 Lord, we come to you in. Absolute, reverence absolute 21 00:01:12,600 --> 00:01:15,400 awe. What we do to come. 22 00:01:16,700 --> 00:01:19,500 Knowing that we have been accepted in the Beloved but Lord 23 00:01:19,500 --> 00:01:25,700 our hearts our hearts are so easily distracted consumed with 24 00:01:25,700 --> 00:01:30,200 the things of this world so weak so frail. 25 00:01:31,300 --> 00:01:38,300 So, given over to emotion. Lord, we ask for a personal 26 00:01:38,300 --> 00:01:41,800 Grace. Especially for the delivery of 27 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:44,200 this word. We pray that there would be a 28 00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:47,400 special power in it. We ask Lord that there would be 29 00:01:47,400 --> 00:01:51,600 a sense of your nearness Lord. We pray that you would peel back 30 00:01:51,600 --> 00:01:54,000 the veil and that we would be able to behold you Lord, let 31 00:01:54,000 --> 00:01:58,100 everybody disappear like Christ takes center stage. 32 00:01:59,000 --> 00:02:02,000 And what we pray again that you would do wonders in our hearts 33 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:03,200 and our understanding. Yes. 34 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:06,100 But in our lives, practically speaking, we pray that you would 35 00:02:06,100 --> 00:02:14,000 come and do Miracles Lord. Heal us heal the broken body. 36 00:02:14,900 --> 00:02:20,900 Heal the broken marriage heal, the Wayward heart heal, the 37 00:02:20,900 --> 00:02:25,000 confused. Soul heal the broken in spirit. 38 00:02:25,700 --> 00:02:28,500 Oh Lord. We pray that you would indeed 39 00:02:28,500 --> 00:02:32,200 heal us. Your Holy Spirit would speak to 40 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:35,100 us. O God, we pray that there would 41 00:02:35,100 --> 00:02:39,500 be unction in the Holy Spirit this afternoon, true unction and 42 00:02:39,500 --> 00:02:43,100 power Lord. We know that your own Apostles 43 00:02:43,100 --> 00:02:47,600 could not go without the holy spirit being bestowed upon them 44 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:51,200 with a special Grace Lord, we do not presume and we do not rely 45 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:54,000 on our own strength. Let the Holy Spirit. 46 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:57,800 Have his way and may Christ be pleased with what he sees and 47 00:02:57,800 --> 00:03:01,100 hears in this house. And Jesus name, we pray. 48 00:03:02,200 --> 00:03:09,200 Amen. Twelve. twelve baskets was a 49 00:03:09,208 --> 00:03:14,600 total number of leftovers that the 12 disciples were able to 50 00:03:14,600 --> 00:03:21,300 gather after Jesus Christ performed, a miraculous banquet 51 00:03:22,200 --> 00:03:28,200 to feed thousands of men, women and children at the time where 52 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:33,400 they could not eat for themselves. 12 12, baskets of 53 00:03:33,400 --> 00:03:36,700 bread and fish. For 12 of Jesus, closest 54 00:03:36,700 --> 00:03:40,800 servants, who were willing to suspend their getaway in order 55 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:43,800 to serve strangers in a desolate place. 56 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:48,500 It was no coincidence that the number of baskets that they were 57 00:03:48,500 --> 00:03:54,000 holding in their arms was 12. Because in that Miracle of the 58 00:03:54,008 --> 00:03:58,500 loaves, Jesus did not just want to communicate to a crowd who 59 00:03:58,500 --> 00:04:01,800 are like sheep without a Shepherd that he is 60 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:05,300 compassionate. He also wanted to communicate to 61 00:04:05,300 --> 00:04:08,900 his own that he does not Overlook them. 62 00:04:10,200 --> 00:04:15,700 When Jesus mysteriously Made bread appear in fish to come 63 00:04:15,700 --> 00:04:19,899 about out of nothing. He also calculated the amount 64 00:04:19,899 --> 00:04:23,900 that would be left and that would be retrieved by his own 65 00:04:25,400 --> 00:04:28,900 and Jesus wanted to teach so much in that one miracle. 66 00:04:28,900 --> 00:04:33,500 And one of the things that you and I concluded on last week, Is 67 00:04:33,500 --> 00:04:38,700 that when the Lord sees you, the Lord sees me serving him. 68 00:04:39,100 --> 00:04:43,700 He does not forget us. He will not leave us to 69 00:04:43,700 --> 00:04:47,700 ourselves. In fact, when we serve him 70 00:04:47,700 --> 00:04:53,000 sacrificially, he will take care of us perfectly and more than 71 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:55,500 that one day, he will reward us abundantly. 72 00:04:55,500 --> 00:04:59,800 I'm telling you that this is the truth for those who are indeed 73 00:04:59,800 --> 00:05:03,600 dedicated to his purposes. In fact, there is a verse that 74 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:06,800 confirms that truth and I know we already we haven't even read 75 00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:08,700 a verse from Mark, but I'm telling you to go somewhere 76 00:05:08,700 --> 00:05:12,200 because I want you to make this a verse that you will cling to, 77 00:05:12,200 --> 00:05:15,200 as you serve him day by day, month after month. 78 00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:19,300 Month year by year. So keep your place their Mark, 79 00:05:19,300 --> 00:05:24,500 but go quickly to Hebrews 6 10 because this is what will 80 00:05:24,500 --> 00:05:32,000 Comfort some of you. and Hebrews 6, 10, the holy spirit says, for 81 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:37,700 God is Not unjust. So as to overlook your work and 82 00:05:37,700 --> 00:05:41,200 the love that you have shown for his name and serving the Saints 83 00:05:41,400 --> 00:05:46,000 as you still do. For God is Not unjust to 84 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:48,800 overlook your service. Your love to the church to the 85 00:05:48,800 --> 00:05:50,900 people of God. Why would the Holy Spirit 86 00:05:50,900 --> 00:05:52,800 include a verse like this and Holy Scripture? 87 00:05:54,700 --> 00:05:58,300 Why would he insert this? Kind of a promise in the text. 88 00:05:58,300 --> 00:06:00,500 You know why? Because we are prone to believe 89 00:06:00,500 --> 00:06:04,000 at times that, as we give our efforts, and our resources, and 90 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:07,800 our energy to, the things of God, that he might forget us, 91 00:06:08,100 --> 00:06:12,300 that he doesn't see us. And that awful thought is often 92 00:06:12,300 --> 00:06:15,400 strengthened when we perceive and people that they don't 93 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:19,200 notice what we have to offer, and they don't express their 94 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:23,100 appreciation for our sacrifice and what we do to benefit and 95 00:06:23,100 --> 00:06:26,000 all the time that we take apart from our families, or from other 96 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:28,600 activities that we could be doing on the weekend. 97 00:06:28,800 --> 00:06:31,800 And so we interpret how people fail to see us. 98 00:06:32,100 --> 00:06:35,000 And then we bring that to God, and we think surely Lord, you 99 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:37,100 have indeed in some measure. Forgotten me. 100 00:06:39,300 --> 00:06:44,000 People may forget even God's people God doesn't and what this 101 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:48,600 text shows is that it is contrary to his nature to be 102 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:53,800 forgetful and not to remember, every single deed of love that 103 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:58,000 you have performed in his name. It is actually a violation of 104 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:03,500 his character to dismiss whether smaller great, what you have 105 00:07:03,500 --> 00:07:08,500 done for his namesake and that is what you saw last week when 106 00:07:08,700 --> 00:07:14,100 Jesus provided 12, baskets of food for 12 of his servants, who 107 00:07:14,100 --> 00:07:17,700 gave up that evening? That was devoted to them to 108 00:07:17,700 --> 00:07:21,300 others. And we will continue to see that 109 00:07:21,300 --> 00:07:25,000 truth conveyed though, manifested differently today. 110 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:30,200 You and I are going to witness another miracle and the miracle 111 00:07:30,200 --> 00:07:33,000 that we're going to witness is going to teach a different angle 112 00:07:33,100 --> 00:07:37,300 of God's all seeing Grace, the same disciples, who are able to 113 00:07:37,300 --> 00:07:43,400 perceive that the Lord sees me. In my service are the same 114 00:07:43,400 --> 00:07:47,800 disciples who are going to see that the Lord watches me. 115 00:07:48,300 --> 00:07:53,400 Not just in my service, but in my struggles, And the way the 116 00:07:53,400 --> 00:07:58,000 Lord is going to convey that gracious truth is by walking on 117 00:07:58,000 --> 00:08:02,500 water. Yes, by walking on water Christ 118 00:08:02,500 --> 00:08:04,700 is going to convey to the disciples. 119 00:08:04,700 --> 00:08:11,900 And to us that he sees us not just as we toil and service, but 120 00:08:11,900 --> 00:08:16,300 even as we struggle, while we try to serve him, And I want 121 00:08:16,300 --> 00:08:19,100 your heart to be open to that truth and to believe it for 122 00:08:19,100 --> 00:08:23,000 yourself, and though that might be the Central Point that's 123 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:25,200 going to be driven down into our souls. 124 00:08:25,200 --> 00:08:27,500 That is not the only Point, there's so much. 125 00:08:27,900 --> 00:08:31,700 There's so much that beautifies this text that we cannot ignore 126 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:35,500 and I want you to see it with me as we begin to read here in 127 00:08:35,500 --> 00:08:40,400 verse 45, Mark 6:45. Immediately. 128 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:45,600 He made his disciples, get into the boat and go before him to 129 00:08:45,600 --> 00:08:50,000 the other side, to bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 130 00:08:51,000 --> 00:08:54,700 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain 131 00:08:55,500 --> 00:09:00,300 to pray. Something happened right after 132 00:09:00,300 --> 00:09:05,300 Jesus fed the multitudes, the Lord perceives something. 133 00:09:05,700 --> 00:09:09,500 Something came to his attention. And clearly, it was urgent 134 00:09:09,500 --> 00:09:13,400 enough for the Lord, to look at the 12, all of a sudden to say, 135 00:09:13,400 --> 00:09:16,700 get in the boat and go get out. Meet me in B. 136 00:09:16,700 --> 00:09:21,000 Ida go before me. And we may not perceive what it 137 00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:23,900 is exactly here, but it's the concert of the word of God, that 138 00:09:23,900 --> 00:09:26,500 actually shows us, but we might think to ourselves a what 139 00:09:26,500 --> 00:09:30,100 happened exactly what happened for Christ to commission his 140 00:09:30,100 --> 00:09:32,900 disciples and this way. And not only that, but to slip 141 00:09:32,900 --> 00:09:37,400 into Solitude himself Did the Pharisees and Sadducees show up 142 00:09:37,400 --> 00:09:41,200 on the scene again with another devious plot that Herod sent for 143 00:09:41,200 --> 00:09:44,400 his men freshly after killing John, the Baptist to apprehend 144 00:09:44,400 --> 00:09:46,600 Christ and his closest followers. 145 00:09:47,300 --> 00:09:50,800 What was it that demanded such dispersion after a mighty 146 00:09:50,800 --> 00:09:54,100 display of his majesty are. You don't have to guess, praise 147 00:09:54,100 --> 00:09:55,400 God. You have to read your Bible more 148 00:09:55,400 --> 00:09:58,200 carefully. And where we get the answer is 149 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:01,100 in the parallel account of this very same incident, and that 150 00:10:01,100 --> 00:10:04,000 isn't John. And in John, chapter 6, I want 151 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:08,200 you to see exactly why it. That Jesus did this very thing 152 00:10:08,900 --> 00:10:12,300 John 6:14. We read. 153 00:10:12,700 --> 00:10:16,600 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said this 154 00:10:16,600 --> 00:10:20,200 is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world. 155 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:25,700 They interpreted the miracle of the bread and fish and linked it 156 00:10:25,700 --> 00:10:27,600 to the promise that was spoken through. 157 00:10:27,600 --> 00:10:30,000 Moses, that there is a prophet who is to come and you shall 158 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:32,800 listen to him. And they saw the correlation 159 00:10:32,800 --> 00:10:36,700 between a Moses Who provided Manna in the wilderness. 160 00:10:36,700 --> 00:10:39,900 Now with Christ, Who provided bread for them in a desolate 161 00:10:39,900 --> 00:10:42,400 region. And so they said it's got to be 162 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:45,100 him. But more than that in verse 15 163 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:49,300 perceiving, it says perceiving then that they were about to 164 00:10:49,300 --> 00:10:53,000 come and take him by force to make him King. 165 00:10:53,200 --> 00:10:58,700 Jesus withdrew, again to the mountain by himself perceiving, 166 00:10:58,700 --> 00:11:02,400 then that they were about to come and take him by force to 167 00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:04,200 make him king. That's the reason. 168 00:11:06,100 --> 00:11:08,600 That's the reason Jesus looked at his table and said go. 169 00:11:08,700 --> 00:11:11,500 And that's the reason where he pulled himself away up into a 170 00:11:11,500 --> 00:11:14,800 Hilltop. So that he can be in prayer. 171 00:11:15,500 --> 00:11:18,200 Why isn't as an encouraging thing don't we want Jesus to be 172 00:11:18,200 --> 00:11:23,500 crowned as King by the Jews? Especially no actually it's not 173 00:11:23,500 --> 00:11:26,700 a good thing. Because John goes on to tell us 174 00:11:26,700 --> 00:11:30,200 that their motive, their desire and wanting to exalt him. 175 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:34,500 And give him a throne is purely because he made their bellies 176 00:11:34,500 --> 00:11:39,100 full. They're their intention here is 177 00:11:39,100 --> 00:11:42,600 just because purely because of material Miracles that were 178 00:11:42,600 --> 00:11:47,300 performed and think about what Jesus can do for us, if we elect 179 00:11:47,300 --> 00:11:52,300 him as our leader, think about all the days off work, Think 180 00:11:52,300 --> 00:11:55,400 about all the vacations, think about all the endless meals, 181 00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:59,100 think about all the things that he can do and so they were now 182 00:11:59,100 --> 00:12:01,500 so excited and ready to start a revolution. 183 00:12:03,300 --> 00:12:06,600 They were ready to overthrow Rome with this kind of Miracle 184 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:08,700 Worker on their side. Surely, we can do it. 185 00:12:09,800 --> 00:12:13,600 And so, there is enthusiasm, but it's a misguided enthusiasm. 186 00:12:14,500 --> 00:12:18,600 These people enjoyed the bread that Jesus could provide, but 187 00:12:18,600 --> 00:12:21,500 they would not Embrace him as the bread, from heaven. 188 00:12:22,900 --> 00:12:25,700 That's why Christ wanted nothing to do with their proposal. 189 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:30,400 And so, he looks at his 12 and he says, knowing their weakness 190 00:12:30,400 --> 00:12:33,300 that they can get caught up in this frenzy and entertain the 191 00:12:33,300 --> 00:12:35,300 ideas for themselves and side with them and say, Lord, come 192 00:12:35,300 --> 00:12:37,600 on, this is good. They want you to be king, is in 193 00:12:37,608 --> 00:12:39,000 this what we want. You're the Messiah. 194 00:12:39,100 --> 00:12:41,300 This is our time. No, he doesn't even give him a 195 00:12:41,300 --> 00:12:43,500 moment more. He says, get in the boat and go. 196 00:12:45,300 --> 00:12:49,100 And he does tell them to do that, but at the same time, he 197 00:12:49,100 --> 00:12:54,500 also senses the need to retreat himself to pull away, not just 198 00:12:54,500 --> 00:12:58,000 from the crowd but from his own and to do what of all things. 199 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:03,200 After a long day of ministry, Of exercising, power teaching, 200 00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:06,900 healing and doing things with bread and fish, he wants to 201 00:13:06,900 --> 00:13:10,300 pray. That's for your instruction. 202 00:13:10,300 --> 00:13:11,400 My brother. And my sister. 203 00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:16,700 That's for our Council. This is included for us to know 204 00:13:16,700 --> 00:13:19,800 something about prayer and here's what it is. 205 00:13:20,300 --> 00:13:23,500 When you are presented the opportunity, the temptation to 206 00:13:23,500 --> 00:13:29,200 Veer away from the will of God, you must learn to turn to 207 00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:34,300 prayer. Jesus will one day Rule and 208 00:13:34,300 --> 00:13:38,600 Reign on this Earth as king. You better believe it, he will, 209 00:13:39,400 --> 00:13:44,000 but before he would be crowned King there in Jerusalem as that 210 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:46,400 mountain would be exalted above all other mountains. 211 00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:49,000 We are told he had to face the cross. 212 00:13:49,300 --> 00:13:54,800 No Crown before a cross. Jesus knew that. 213 00:13:56,100 --> 00:13:59,000 Jesus knew that, but that didn't stop Satan in the wilderness to 214 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:00,700 give him a shortcut to the throne. 215 00:14:01,800 --> 00:14:04,500 Jesus knew that the but didn't talk didn't stop the crowd to 216 00:14:04,500 --> 00:14:07,600 approach him and to give him an easier way out. 217 00:14:08,800 --> 00:14:13,100 And so what you have here in essence is the persuasion to 218 00:14:13,100 --> 00:14:17,000 avoid the cross and to come to the throne. 219 00:14:19,300 --> 00:14:22,600 Early. And the Lord would not have any 220 00:14:22,600 --> 00:14:25,000 of it. And the way the Lord would be 221 00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:30,000 strengthened to resist it. So to speak, is by exemplifying 222 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:33,200 what you need. And what I need when similar 223 00:14:33,200 --> 00:14:36,800 Temptations, are brought before us to say why don't you just do 224 00:14:36,800 --> 00:14:42,400 it this way? Prayer is what anchors Us in the 225 00:14:42,408 --> 00:14:46,300 purposes of God prayer is what will fortify you on. 226 00:14:46,300 --> 00:14:50,500 The path that God has ordained for you prayer, is what clears 227 00:14:50,500 --> 00:14:55,800 your vision and helps you to perceive past the carnal prizes 228 00:14:55,800 --> 00:14:59,600 and promotions of this life and to have a righteous perspective 229 00:14:59,600 --> 00:15:04,100 on all things. That's what prayer does. and if 230 00:15:04,108 --> 00:15:08,800 there's any take away, That you will make from this point, 231 00:15:08,800 --> 00:15:12,100 please let it be this that apart from prayer, you you. 232 00:15:12,100 --> 00:15:14,500 And I will not know, longevity in the will of God. 233 00:15:15,400 --> 00:15:19,300 We will not know how to be sustained in the sweet purposes 234 00:15:19,300 --> 00:15:21,100 of our King. If we don't know how to 235 00:15:21,100 --> 00:15:26,400 cultivate a life of prayer, listen to this, Jesus had to 236 00:15:26,400 --> 00:15:32,300 pray, that's fascinating to me. He didn't stand there and 237 00:15:32,300 --> 00:15:33,500 linger. He didn't stand there and 238 00:15:33,500 --> 00:15:36,200 entertain the thought he didn't, he didn't engage with those 239 00:15:36,200 --> 00:15:39,200 people and what they would offer him now. 240 00:15:39,200 --> 00:15:41,700 He went into secret and met with the father. 241 00:15:44,900 --> 00:15:47,000 And the type of prayer that I'm speaking about that, will 242 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:50,500 promise you success and honoring the Lord Jesus Christ with your 243 00:15:50,500 --> 00:15:53,200 life is the prayer that is modeled by Christ here. 244 00:15:53,500 --> 00:15:56,000 What do I mean by that? Yes, the Lord sees your 245 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:58,400 thoughts? Yes, he sees your springing 246 00:15:58,400 --> 00:16:03,000 concerns as you work in as you travel but there are conflicts 247 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:06,900 of the soul and there are certain temptations that require 248 00:16:07,100 --> 00:16:10,700 this kind of caliber of praying. Do you know what that means? 249 00:16:11,300 --> 00:16:14,500 Secluded undistracted, undivided time. 250 00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:18,100 Time in prayer. And until you. 251 00:16:18,100 --> 00:16:20,400 And I believe that about prayer and are willing to give 252 00:16:20,400 --> 00:16:22,100 ourselves to this kind of prayer. 253 00:16:22,600 --> 00:16:24,900 We will never know. The weighty promises that it 254 00:16:24,900 --> 00:16:28,900 offers then, fusing Grace the shield and the strength that we 255 00:16:28,900 --> 00:16:32,500 can know and isolation, with God. 256 00:16:33,600 --> 00:16:37,900 And to meet with him and to wait on him until he gives us what we 257 00:16:37,900 --> 00:16:40,200 need to be able to push through all the noise. 258 00:16:40,300 --> 00:16:43,500 And I'm telling you in this day of surrounding Seductions in 259 00:16:43,500 --> 00:16:46,400 this day of bombarding, Persuasions, if you and I don't 260 00:16:46,400 --> 00:16:51,400 know how to pray. Not going to make it very far. 261 00:16:53,400 --> 00:16:57,200 I can tell you that. Floor, praise. 262 00:16:58,200 --> 00:17:01,200 But after he prays, we're told something else here in verse 47 263 00:17:01,200 --> 00:17:05,900 and when evening came, the boat was out on the sea and he was 264 00:17:05,900 --> 00:17:09,900 alone on the land. And he saw that they were making 265 00:17:09,900 --> 00:17:13,800 Headway painfully for the wind was against them and about the 266 00:17:13,800 --> 00:17:17,300 Fourth, Watch of the night, he came to them walking on the sea, 267 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:24,200 he meant to pass by them. We don't know how much time 268 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:27,200 Jesus spent in prayer, but eventually came out of that 269 00:17:27,200 --> 00:17:31,800 intimate place, and we are told that he now made his way to the 270 00:17:31,800 --> 00:17:33,700 disciples who were struggling at sea. 271 00:17:33,700 --> 00:17:38,100 But before we see him planting his feet on those, Raging Waters 272 00:17:38,300 --> 00:17:42,100 the Holy Spirit pauses and he wants you to pause and as we 273 00:17:42,100 --> 00:17:45,300 pause he wants us to see that Christ sees something. 274 00:17:45,900 --> 00:17:49,800 He wants us to have Christ perspective on this very scene. 275 00:17:50,700 --> 00:17:55,400 and what it is that Christ saw from that Hilltop, As I like to 276 00:17:55,400 --> 00:17:58,900 imagine the moon was shining on those Waters. 277 00:17:59,800 --> 00:18:05,300 And as the Crickets filled the air, That they were making way 278 00:18:05,300 --> 00:18:09,200 painfully. Translation, they were 279 00:18:09,200 --> 00:18:13,000 struggling to go where Jesus told them to go originally. 280 00:18:14,600 --> 00:18:17,900 He was watching them. And in John 6, 18, you're on to 281 00:18:17,900 --> 00:18:19,200 turn there. We were told that it was a 282 00:18:19,200 --> 00:18:22,800 strong wind, a strong wind. It was in a light Breeze. 283 00:18:22,800 --> 00:18:28,200 It was a strong forceful wind that even made the waves rough. 284 00:18:28,600 --> 00:18:31,300 Matthew tells us that those waves were beating against that 285 00:18:31,300 --> 00:18:33,700 very boat and so they were struggling. 286 00:18:33,700 --> 00:18:36,500 Indeed. And this is a familiar thing for 287 00:18:36,500 --> 00:18:39,900 these men, but we see here that the Lord is watching them. 288 00:18:40,500 --> 00:18:43,900 Watching them attempting to honor his wishes when he said I 289 00:18:43,908 --> 00:18:45,800 need you to go Before me, I'll meet you there. 290 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:49,300 And they were met with opposition. 291 00:18:49,500 --> 00:18:53,600 The wind was against them. It wasn't for them, it was 292 00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:55,500 against them. And here's the point that I want 293 00:18:55,500 --> 00:18:58,600 to make to you today, that obedience often is met with 294 00:18:58,600 --> 00:19:03,200 opposition. You will know resistance as you 295 00:19:03,200 --> 00:19:06,800 dedicate your life to serving Christ no matter what he asks of 296 00:19:06,800 --> 00:19:10,300 you and what makes that resistance, especially more 297 00:19:10,300 --> 00:19:14,000 challenging for the true soldier of God is that, while they are 298 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:17,600 trying to row forward, they sense the absence of Christ's 299 00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:19,900 presence in the midst. Isn't that the most bothering 300 00:19:19,900 --> 00:19:23,000 thing? I'll go where you go. 301 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:27,700 But Lord, let me just sense you along the way if you can just 302 00:19:27,700 --> 00:19:29,700 walk with me. Lord, if you can, just peel off 303 00:19:29,700 --> 00:19:31,500 this layer from my perception to help me. 304 00:19:31,500 --> 00:19:34,400 See you and every step, I'll go wherever you go, but what do you 305 00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:40,000 do when he's not on the boat? That is precisely what's 306 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:44,000 happening here and to add to this description, John adds to 307 00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:47,300 it. John says in chapter 6 verse 16, 308 00:19:47,300 --> 00:19:52,400 this time, John 6, 16 when evening came, his disciples went 309 00:19:52,400 --> 00:19:56,600 down to the Sea, got into a boat and started across the sea to 310 00:19:56,600 --> 00:20:01,600 Capernaum. It was now dark and Jesus had 311 00:20:01,600 --> 00:20:05,800 not yet come to them. Jesus had not yet. 312 00:20:05,800 --> 00:20:09,000 Come to them. There's an expectation for 313 00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:13,100 Jesus. And this is not the first time 314 00:20:13,100 --> 00:20:17,000 the disciples endured and uncomfortable storm, right you 315 00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:19,700 were here when we preach on that first time, but this is the 316 00:20:19,700 --> 00:20:23,300 second and the main difference between the first episode of the 317 00:20:23,300 --> 00:20:26,800 storm. And this episode of the storm is 318 00:20:26,800 --> 00:20:29,800 that this time Jesus was not on the boat. 319 00:20:30,500 --> 00:20:34,300 He was the first time he was taking a nap, but he was there 320 00:20:34,300 --> 00:20:37,000 I'll take Jesus having a nap on the boat then I having Jesus at 321 00:20:37,000 --> 00:20:39,800 all. This time he's nowhere to be 322 00:20:39,800 --> 00:20:43,100 found this time. He left us to ourselves. 323 00:20:44,800 --> 00:20:48,400 And it's a good reminder. That with these two episodes you 324 00:20:48,400 --> 00:20:52,900 see a principle that Lord is trying to illustrate he wants to 325 00:20:52,900 --> 00:20:56,300 mature us. And in wanting to mature as he 326 00:20:56,300 --> 00:20:58,900 does, so by allowing us to face circumstances that are more 327 00:20:58,900 --> 00:21:02,900 challenging than the last. If you're going to grow in 328 00:21:02,900 --> 00:21:06,600 Christ and expect to face greater trials greater test of 329 00:21:06,600 --> 00:21:09,500 faith. And even this I was thinking 330 00:21:09,500 --> 00:21:11,900 about this last night, you know, I have many conversations with 331 00:21:11,900 --> 00:21:14,800 people who have very awesome questions and one of the 332 00:21:14,800 --> 00:21:16,700 questions that I've heard over the years is brother. 333 00:21:18,400 --> 00:21:20,600 Is it true for you? Because it's been true of me 334 00:21:21,300 --> 00:21:23,600 that when I walk with the Lord. And when I was walking with him 335 00:21:23,600 --> 00:21:27,100 in the beginning, God was just so real to me. 336 00:21:29,000 --> 00:21:31,200 It's like I went to bed with him being by me. 337 00:21:31,200 --> 00:21:33,600 I woke up with him being in the very same room when I went to 338 00:21:33,600 --> 00:21:35,300 work. It was just this open Heaven. 339 00:21:35,300 --> 00:21:38,700 Wherever I went, I just sensed The Nearness of the Lord, I 340 00:21:38,700 --> 00:21:42,700 enjoyed him, that was uninterrupted Devotion to him. 341 00:21:42,700 --> 00:21:46,800 And, and just him making himself known and specific ways in ways 342 00:21:46,800 --> 00:21:50,600 that were tailor-made for me. And I had those conversations 343 00:21:50,600 --> 00:21:53,700 with many sisters and brothers and then they, all they always 344 00:21:53,700 --> 00:21:55,500 end up saying the same thing when they walk with the Lord 345 00:21:55,500 --> 00:21:57,400 long enough, but it's not really the same. 346 00:21:57,400 --> 00:22:03,000 Now, I just feel like the testimonies are less. 347 00:22:03,800 --> 00:22:08,400 I just feel like the the Warmness of that place and 348 00:22:08,400 --> 00:22:12,800 prayer is not as intense as it was when I first encountered him 349 00:22:13,100 --> 00:22:15,700 at, this is make sense to anybody, okay? 350 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:21,700 And it's 100% always the same for those who are truly walking 351 00:22:21,700 --> 00:22:25,900 with the Lord and I get it. And I think this is a perfect 352 00:22:25,900 --> 00:22:28,700 illustration to explain why. That is the case. 353 00:22:30,800 --> 00:22:34,300 Because when you start with them, he is so gracious with us. 354 00:22:34,300 --> 00:22:37,500 Is he not? He is so patient with us and 355 00:22:37,500 --> 00:22:40,000 he's always patient with us but there's a special sense of who 356 00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:45,200 he is and where he is. When we first start out, But 357 00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:48,000 then, as time goes by, we sense that he pulls away. 358 00:22:49,400 --> 00:22:51,400 And why is that the case I'll tell you why. 359 00:22:51,400 --> 00:22:53,900 It's the case because he wants to mature your faith. 360 00:22:55,800 --> 00:23:00,300 Faith, pleases God. And what will require from us? 361 00:23:00,300 --> 00:23:05,500 Often is for him to hide himself in order for you to Simply take 362 00:23:05,500 --> 00:23:09,700 him at his word and not, wait for a testimony or an experience 363 00:23:09,700 --> 00:23:14,800 to solidify your trust in him and what better illustration 364 00:23:14,800 --> 00:23:18,100 than this, when the disciples were walking with the Lord early 365 00:23:18,100 --> 00:23:20,000 on, he went in the boat with them. 366 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:24,700 And after some chapters go by, he tells him to go without him. 367 00:23:26,700 --> 00:23:29,500 What is he doing here? He wants to train their faith. 368 00:23:29,500 --> 00:23:32,000 What is he doing here? He wants to pull out of the more 369 00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:34,100 trust and Reliance on him though. 370 00:23:34,100 --> 00:23:36,200 They cannot immediately perceive him. 371 00:23:38,100 --> 00:23:41,400 And so like a actual child grows up. 372 00:23:42,500 --> 00:23:45,500 You sense this Independence though. 373 00:23:45,500 --> 00:23:49,000 You're not completely Not relying on the Lord. 374 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:53,100 But there's a sense in which the Lord will let you move forward 375 00:23:53,300 --> 00:23:56,200 and cloak himself as you go. So that when you go you're 376 00:23:56,200 --> 00:24:01,100 trusting and what he had said and necessarily on how you feel 377 00:24:01,100 --> 00:24:05,900 him that morning, what he did in your life last weekend. 378 00:24:07,400 --> 00:24:09,700 I hope that gives you some kind of comfort. 379 00:24:10,700 --> 00:24:12,500 This is what the Lord wanted to convey. 380 00:24:14,200 --> 00:24:16,500 But the distant presence of Jesus did not mean that he was 381 00:24:16,500 --> 00:24:21,100 any less mindful, right? Mark tells us that the watchful 382 00:24:21,100 --> 00:24:26,700 eye of Jesus was over. The disciples, the watchful eye 383 00:24:26,700 --> 00:24:31,100 of Christ was laser focused on those 12. 384 00:24:32,500 --> 00:24:35,300 And that no matter how far they were, they were never outside of 385 00:24:35,300 --> 00:24:38,000 his caring reach. That's the point here. 386 00:24:40,300 --> 00:24:45,600 The Lord monitors you The Lord supervises you, you might not be 387 00:24:45,600 --> 00:24:47,600 aware of it, but that doesn't matter. 388 00:24:47,800 --> 00:24:49,900 It doesn't make it any less true. 389 00:24:50,800 --> 00:24:53,500 He is there though. It's dark. 390 00:24:53,500 --> 00:24:55,500 He is there though. It's difficulty is there though. 391 00:24:55,500 --> 00:24:58,800 You feel deserted? He's there. 392 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:03,600 He never ceases to oversee you're going and you're coming. 393 00:25:04,100 --> 00:25:06,600 And he is always ready to bring Deliverance when the time is 394 00:25:06,600 --> 00:25:09,900 right. Here's Christ, watching them 395 00:25:09,900 --> 00:25:13,500 all. Oh, what a sight, what a sight. 396 00:25:15,400 --> 00:25:18,100 And he is ready to do just that to come to their rescue. 397 00:25:18,100 --> 00:25:20,500 But before that may make a comment about the disciples. 398 00:25:22,500 --> 00:25:28,000 The disciples here were told. Were rowing when it was really 399 00:25:28,000 --> 00:25:31,800 challenging to do. So the wind was against them but 400 00:25:31,800 --> 00:25:36,500 they didn't quit. They didn't quit, all they had 401 00:25:36,500 --> 00:25:39,700 from. Jesus was one short, brief 402 00:25:39,700 --> 00:25:43,500 command. Go to the other side, that's all 403 00:25:43,500 --> 00:25:48,000 they needed. And when they went, they kept 404 00:25:48,000 --> 00:25:52,500 going, they did not give up, you know, how tempting it would have 405 00:25:52,500 --> 00:25:57,400 been to make a u-turn. The wind is now rushing against 406 00:25:57,400 --> 00:25:59,700 them. All they had to do is make a 180 407 00:25:59,700 --> 00:26:01,700 and the wind would support them, and they just come back to their 408 00:26:01,700 --> 00:26:05,000 original place and, you know, call it a night and just go when 409 00:26:05,000 --> 00:26:06,800 the weather was better, but they didn't why? 410 00:26:06,800 --> 00:26:11,200 Because Jesus told him to go. And so, they gave themselves 411 00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:13,400 over and you can imagine the muscle cramps and you can 412 00:26:13,400 --> 00:26:17,100 imagine the frustrating process very slow. 413 00:26:18,500 --> 00:26:21,000 And we often see the disciples in a negative light by here's a 414 00:26:21,000 --> 00:26:25,700 praiseworthy thing, they were committed to what Jesus had 415 00:26:25,700 --> 00:26:30,800 said. In this day of microwave 416 00:26:30,800 --> 00:26:34,700 results, right? It's becoming more of a trend 417 00:26:34,700 --> 00:26:38,100 for believers to be less committed less committed to 418 00:26:38,100 --> 00:26:40,700 their Ministries, less committed to the local churches, less 419 00:26:40,700 --> 00:26:44,600 committed to devoting themselves to the things that Jesus told 420 00:26:44,600 --> 00:26:49,600 them to do. And I could tell you, the reason 421 00:26:49,600 --> 00:26:52,400 for that, and it might sting, but it's okay. 422 00:26:53,200 --> 00:26:55,000 Christ is not their primary audience. 423 00:26:56,200 --> 00:26:57,800 All these disciples had was a word. 424 00:26:58,900 --> 00:27:03,100 All they wanted to do is please the master and if Christ, my 425 00:27:03,100 --> 00:27:07,300 friend is not your primary audience, then don't be 426 00:27:07,300 --> 00:27:09,700 surprised when you jump from Ministry to Ministry. 427 00:27:11,200 --> 00:27:13,600 Don't be surprised if you find yourself jumping from church to 428 00:27:13,600 --> 00:27:15,000 church. Don't be surprised when you 429 00:27:15,000 --> 00:27:17,500 resign from one community. And think it's gonna be better 430 00:27:17,500 --> 00:27:21,600 with another community. That is a sign of immaturity in 431 00:27:21,600 --> 00:27:26,100 the faith. Christ is worthy of loyalty. 432 00:27:27,400 --> 00:27:34,800 He is worthy of loyalty. And if you don't have him as 433 00:27:34,800 --> 00:27:37,800 your motivation, then you will be tossed to and fro in 434 00:27:37,800 --> 00:27:41,000 different ways. And I don't want that for you, 435 00:27:41,200 --> 00:27:43,800 and I praise God. That in this place, there are 436 00:27:43,800 --> 00:27:49,100 solid Christians, who don't give up so easily they row, and they 437 00:27:49,100 --> 00:27:53,800 push and they fight and in those days were their body betrays 438 00:27:53,800 --> 00:27:55,900 them, or their schedule conflicts with them, they 439 00:27:55,900 --> 00:28:03,100 realized this is for my Jesus. He told me to do this and that's 440 00:28:03,100 --> 00:28:06,800 enough for me. Wouldn't be nice to gather 441 00:28:06,800 --> 00:28:09,500 yourself with 11 others who had the same conviction. 442 00:28:10,800 --> 00:28:13,600 Oh, may this be a boat filled with people who feel that way 443 00:28:13,600 --> 00:28:16,800 about Jesus. We're going forward, it's not 444 00:28:16,800 --> 00:28:19,000 easy but we're going forward. We're going for we're not seeing 445 00:28:19,000 --> 00:28:20,500 the results that we wish we would see. 446 00:28:20,700 --> 00:28:23,000 We're going forward, I'm not being promoted or recognized. 447 00:28:23,000 --> 00:28:24,700 The way I would like to be promoter recognized, but it's 448 00:28:24,700 --> 00:28:27,100 not even about any of that. My Jesus told me. 449 00:28:28,600 --> 00:28:31,200 That's all I need. Whether the fruit that I 450 00:28:31,208 --> 00:28:34,300 expected after two years of doing this is here or not, 451 00:28:34,900 --> 00:28:40,200 whether the progress is slow, my Jesus told me, and that's enough 452 00:28:40,200 --> 00:28:44,800 for me that kind of caliber of Christianity, makes the devil, 453 00:28:44,800 --> 00:28:48,500 pull his hair. Christ, here. 454 00:28:48,500 --> 00:28:53,100 Sees this And he's going to do something in a moment. 455 00:28:53,600 --> 00:28:57,800 Verse 48, we read in the beginning that he saw that they 456 00:28:57,808 --> 00:29:01,400 were making Headway painfully for the wind was against them. 457 00:29:02,600 --> 00:29:04,900 And about the Fourth Watch of the night, you know what time 458 00:29:04,900 --> 00:29:09,900 that is 3 to 6 a.m.? Think about how long they were 459 00:29:10,000 --> 00:29:14,500 rowing for then hours. Hours. 460 00:29:15,700 --> 00:29:18,000 When I try to paint something or chisel that my shoulders. 461 00:29:18,400 --> 00:29:22,300 Get so sore after 5 minutes, these guys were these were 462 00:29:22,300 --> 00:29:24,200 expert fisherman. Yes but not all of them. 463 00:29:25,800 --> 00:29:30,500 And here they are treading. Wrestling. 464 00:29:31,600 --> 00:29:34,900 Advancing. Till 3:00 to 6:00 in the 465 00:29:34,900 --> 00:29:39,400 morning, and in those early hours, that's when Jesus decides 466 00:29:39,400 --> 00:29:43,400 to plant his feet, on those, vicious waves on those 467 00:29:43,400 --> 00:29:47,400 bulldozing wins. And he makes it seem like a walk 468 00:29:47,400 --> 00:29:50,600 in the park. Like, it's a sunny afternoon in 469 00:29:50,600 --> 00:29:53,800 Galilee. He just makes his way in walks 470 00:29:53,800 --> 00:29:58,900 and their Direction. And when he does Mark tells us 471 00:29:58,900 --> 00:30:04,200 something unique. Mark tells us that the end of 48 472 00:30:04,900 --> 00:30:08,600 walking on the sea, he meant to pass by them. 473 00:30:11,100 --> 00:30:14,100 Interesting and difficult to interpret. 474 00:30:14,600 --> 00:30:16,600 You have many people believe different things about what this 475 00:30:16,600 --> 00:30:17,700 means. What do you mean? 476 00:30:17,700 --> 00:30:22,400 Jesus meant to walk by them. Are all these ideas. 477 00:30:23,500 --> 00:30:26,100 But this is not the only time we've seen Jesus do this, right? 478 00:30:26,700 --> 00:30:30,500 This is not the only time we've seen the Lord planning to move 479 00:30:30,500 --> 00:30:33,800 ahead with his disciples when they were physically heading in 480 00:30:33,800 --> 00:30:36,500 a certain direction. Do you remember those two 481 00:30:36,500 --> 00:30:40,000 sorrowful disciples on the road to Emmaus with heavy hearts? 482 00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:45,300 Jesus appears hides his identity and the way that he gives them a 483 00:30:45,300 --> 00:30:50,300 prescription for their weariness is a terrific Old Testament 484 00:30:50,300 --> 00:30:54,800 Bible study. And he goes through the Hebrew 485 00:30:54,800 --> 00:30:58,800 scriptures and reveals Christ in them, and those Heavy Hearts 486 00:30:58,800 --> 00:31:03,800 begin to burn. And at some point during that, 487 00:31:03,800 --> 00:31:06,900 several mile, Journey, Jesus, and these to come to a 488 00:31:06,900 --> 00:31:09,500 Crossroads. And when they come to the 489 00:31:09,500 --> 00:31:14,100 crossroads, Luke tells us what Jesus was planning to do. 490 00:31:15,200 --> 00:31:18,900 And in Luke 24, 28. So they drew near to the Village 491 00:31:18,900 --> 00:31:23,700 to, which they were going, he acted, as if he were going 492 00:31:23,700 --> 00:31:27,800 further. He acted as if he was going 493 00:31:27,800 --> 00:31:31,100 farther. So here's the Lord with these 494 00:31:31,100 --> 00:31:36,100 two others and mesas that way. And The opposite direction is 495 00:31:36,100 --> 00:31:40,800 here and the Lord. Begins to make way in the 496 00:31:40,800 --> 00:31:45,000 opposite direction. Why why would why would he do 497 00:31:45,000 --> 00:31:46,200 that? And why is the holy spirit? 498 00:31:46,200 --> 00:31:49,900 Telling us that he's doing that? Because the Lord in this moment 499 00:31:49,900 --> 00:31:52,900 after revealing so much of himself wanted to see if they 500 00:31:52,900 --> 00:31:55,400 wanted more. That's why. 501 00:31:58,500 --> 00:32:00,800 Christ is so precious. He is such a treasure. 502 00:32:01,200 --> 00:32:06,600 And in his personality, he Delights in seeing us seek him. 503 00:32:07,800 --> 00:32:15,500 He enjoys seeing us pursue him. And at times he reserves himself 504 00:32:15,500 --> 00:32:17,600 in order, to see if you're willing to, as you heard 505 00:32:17,600 --> 00:32:22,800 earlier, press on to know him, do you want more truth? 506 00:32:23,500 --> 00:32:27,500 Do you want more Revelation? Do you want more understanding? 507 00:32:28,300 --> 00:32:32,600 Do you want more intimacy? There are times in your walk 508 00:32:32,600 --> 00:32:36,600 with the, Lord will get quiet and I'm becoming quiet. 509 00:32:36,600 --> 00:32:39,100 It's not, because he's playing games with you. 510 00:32:39,100 --> 00:32:42,800 He wants to see if you want more of him. 511 00:32:44,700 --> 00:32:47,400 These two disciples. They passed the test they 512 00:32:47,400 --> 00:32:50,200 compelled him. It says to come with him. 513 00:32:50,400 --> 00:32:51,200 You know what? Christ did? 514 00:32:51,200 --> 00:32:53,900 When he came over for dinner. He honored that and he opened 515 00:32:53,900 --> 00:32:58,700 their eyes even more. And they proceeded to he was, he 516 00:32:58,700 --> 00:33:00,500 disappeared. And they made way to Jerusalem 517 00:33:00,500 --> 00:33:03,000 to tell him about the resurrected Christ. 518 00:33:03,700 --> 00:33:05,600 Could it be that Jesus doing the same thing here? 519 00:33:06,700 --> 00:33:11,700 here they are and this storm tossed moment and through the 520 00:33:11,700 --> 00:33:17,300 wind and the waves, you see somebody just strolling by I 521 00:33:17,300 --> 00:33:19,300 wonder if he even looked at them, I don't think he did. 522 00:33:21,100 --> 00:33:25,600 Just graciously and Heavenly like walking by them. 523 00:33:26,700 --> 00:33:30,200 Perhaps wanting to teach him to cry out. 524 00:33:32,200 --> 00:33:35,300 To cry out to cry out for his holy company. 525 00:33:37,000 --> 00:33:43,100 For him to be near closer. The Lord desires that from us. 526 00:33:45,600 --> 00:33:47,900 And it wasn't until they did cry out that he turned his attention 527 00:33:47,900 --> 00:33:49,900 toward them and actually comforted them. 528 00:33:51,100 --> 00:33:54,300 And entered into the boat, but maybe there's something deeper 529 00:33:54,300 --> 00:33:58,700 with this. Maybe maybe that is part of it, 530 00:33:58,900 --> 00:34:02,900 but maybe the Lord had a deeper desire in wanting to pass by. 531 00:34:03,000 --> 00:34:07,200 Could it be that in passing by? He wanted to display his glory 532 00:34:10,800 --> 00:34:13,500 This is not the first time, the Lord has passed by some of his 533 00:34:13,500 --> 00:34:18,900 servants with the sole intent of demonstrating his Beauty. 534 00:34:21,199 --> 00:34:25,500 Remember Moses said O Lord, Show Me Your Glory. 535 00:34:26,600 --> 00:34:30,900 Show Me Your Glory. And the Lord agrees to that. 536 00:34:31,900 --> 00:34:33,500 But he gives him a set of instructions. 537 00:34:33,500 --> 00:34:38,800 He says, I am going to allow my glory to pass by you but I'm 538 00:34:38,800 --> 00:34:40,900 going to put you in the cleft of The Rock and I'm going to put my 539 00:34:40,900 --> 00:34:43,800 hand over you until I do pass by you. 540 00:34:45,500 --> 00:34:49,000 That's Moses. In Exodus 33. 541 00:34:49,000 --> 00:34:52,699 What about Elijah and First Kings, 19, 11, Elijah's 542 00:34:52,699 --> 00:34:56,900 distraught, he is defeated, he's depressed, the Lord gives them a 543 00:34:56,908 --> 00:35:02,000 meal, a drink couple of naps and he tells him to go on Mount 544 00:35:02,000 --> 00:35:05,800 Horeb. Elijah goes, we're told they're 545 00:35:05,800 --> 00:35:13,500 in First Kings, 19, 11, that the Lord passed by And when the Lord 546 00:35:13,500 --> 00:35:19,100 passed by a wind came, and it broke some of those mountains. 547 00:35:19,600 --> 00:35:21,900 And after that, wind came an earthquake came. 548 00:35:21,900 --> 00:35:25,400 And after an earthquake came fire came, and he wasn't, and 549 00:35:25,400 --> 00:35:29,000 are either of those things, finally, a low whisper came. 550 00:35:30,700 --> 00:35:35,800 And the Lord spoke. The Lord passed by Moses and he 551 00:35:35,800 --> 00:35:39,800 had a glimpse of his glory. The lord passed by Elijah and he 552 00:35:39,800 --> 00:35:42,900 got a glimpse of his glory. Could it be that the Lord is 553 00:35:42,900 --> 00:35:46,100 passing by these disciples to give him a glimpse of his glory? 554 00:35:49,100 --> 00:35:52,300 That might be speculation. But there might be validity to 555 00:35:52,300 --> 00:35:56,400 that when you see what Jesus says to them, when they 556 00:35:56,400 --> 00:36:01,700 understand that it is him or at least At least discovered after 557 00:36:01,700 --> 00:36:04,600 these words, what does he say here in verse 50? 558 00:36:06,800 --> 00:36:09,400 For they all saw him and were terrified but immediately he 559 00:36:09,400 --> 00:36:11,000 spoke to them and said, take heart. 560 00:36:11,000 --> 00:36:16,800 It is, I do not be afraid, take heart, it is, I do not be 561 00:36:16,800 --> 00:36:19,200 afraid. Take heart. 562 00:36:19,900 --> 00:36:27,900 It is I 3 English words, right? those three English words are 563 00:36:27,900 --> 00:36:33,600 two in the Greek ego and my Do you know what? 564 00:36:33,600 --> 00:36:36,600 That translates. As take heart. 565 00:36:37,300 --> 00:36:42,300 I am. Take heart. 566 00:36:43,600 --> 00:36:49,200 I am don't doubt that that is a direct reference to how God 567 00:36:49,200 --> 00:36:51,500 revealed his personal name to Moses. 568 00:36:51,500 --> 00:36:56,000 In Exodus 3:14, when Moses was to go to the people of Israel. 569 00:36:56,000 --> 00:37:01,300 God told him, tell those people I am sent you to them. 570 00:37:03,400 --> 00:37:10,700 And here's Jesus passing by and as he passes by and they cry 571 00:37:10,700 --> 00:37:16,100 out, he Comforts them with this Revelation, take Heart, The 572 00:37:16,100 --> 00:37:16,900 Great. I Am. 573 00:37:18,200 --> 00:37:22,600 I am was walking on those Waters and in job, 98. 574 00:37:22,600 --> 00:37:26,100 We are told that God Alone is the one who spreads out the 575 00:37:26,100 --> 00:37:29,500 heavens and who tramples on the sea. 576 00:37:30,500 --> 00:37:33,700 I am. Is it no wonder that in Matthews 577 00:37:33,700 --> 00:37:35,500 version? They fall down and they worship 578 00:37:35,500 --> 00:37:40,900 him in that boat. This is what Jesus is doing. 579 00:37:40,900 --> 00:37:45,300 He's revealing his glory. he's revealing his glory and he did 580 00:37:45,300 --> 00:37:49,300 in indeed reveal it but that's not how the disciples 581 00:37:49,300 --> 00:37:54,700 interpreted as first. They didn't see Glory at first. 582 00:37:54,700 --> 00:37:56,600 You know what? They saw a ghost. 583 00:37:58,400 --> 00:38:01,400 You saw Glory. I hope and me explaining this. 584 00:38:01,800 --> 00:38:03,900 That's what, that's what we perceive. 585 00:38:03,900 --> 00:38:06,100 They didn't they thought they saw a phantom. 586 00:38:07,200 --> 00:38:10,300 Isn't that what we see here? Verse 49. 587 00:38:11,100 --> 00:38:13,600 But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a 588 00:38:13,600 --> 00:38:17,300 ghost. And cried out. 589 00:38:18,400 --> 00:38:23,400 They thought it was a ghost. Wonder if this is exhaustion 590 00:38:23,400 --> 00:38:26,800 playing with their minds, you wonder if there is superstition. 591 00:38:26,800 --> 00:38:28,700 What was it? I mean, it's not common that you 592 00:38:28,707 --> 00:38:30,600 see rabbis Walk on Water. I get it. 593 00:38:30,600 --> 00:38:36,300 But a ghost of all things. They were terrified and we might 594 00:38:36,300 --> 00:38:38,500 feel the right to criticize these men because they didn't 595 00:38:38,500 --> 00:38:41,400 put the pieces together, but be very slow with your criticism. 596 00:38:44,500 --> 00:38:47,900 Can we be humble this afternoon? Can we be humble? 597 00:38:47,900 --> 00:38:51,800 And admit that what happened to them is often what happens to us 598 00:38:52,600 --> 00:38:55,200 when it comes to our perception of Jesus during our trials and 599 00:38:55,200 --> 00:39:01,000 our tribulations? How often do we discern Christ 600 00:39:01,000 --> 00:39:02,000 in our troubles? Come on. 601 00:39:02,000 --> 00:39:03,900 Be honest. Be honest. 602 00:39:03,900 --> 00:39:05,700 This is church. You have to be honest. 603 00:39:07,000 --> 00:39:14,700 How often do we calmly? Consider The Sovereign God. 604 00:39:16,300 --> 00:39:22,500 In our storms. You know what, Christians are 605 00:39:22,500 --> 00:39:26,300 more quick to do, oftentimes acknowledge and confess the 606 00:39:26,300 --> 00:39:30,600 presence of Satan and demons. In their trials and 607 00:39:30,600 --> 00:39:34,900 difficulties. It's very rare to hear a 608 00:39:34,900 --> 00:39:39,600 believer that I praise God. It's not rare here for them to 609 00:39:39,600 --> 00:39:41,300 assess. What is going on in the lives 610 00:39:41,300 --> 00:39:43,500 and be able to say. But Christ is here. 611 00:39:45,600 --> 00:39:50,400 God is here. I know that he is here, I may 612 00:39:50,400 --> 00:39:55,300 not fully understand it. I might be very tired but I know 613 00:39:55,300 --> 00:40:00,400 that he is here. Some good hearted believers. 614 00:40:02,100 --> 00:40:07,200 Unfortunately don't. They are more willing to admit 615 00:40:07,200 --> 00:40:09,400 that they are being harassed by Satan. 616 00:40:10,800 --> 00:40:14,200 But listen, if you're walking in obedience like these disciples 617 00:40:14,200 --> 00:40:19,700 were, he can't harass you and he can't haunt you. 618 00:40:20,200 --> 00:40:24,500 And whatever Affliction might be upon you you know that Christ 619 00:40:24,500 --> 00:40:31,200 permitted it to sanctify you Know when you're in the boat, 620 00:40:31,200 --> 00:40:34,100 the boat that Jesus told you to be in it to go, where Jesus told 621 00:40:34,100 --> 00:40:36,900 you to go, you don't have to be afraid of ghosts. 622 00:40:39,000 --> 00:40:40,800 You don't have to be afraid of anything. 623 00:40:41,600 --> 00:40:46,200 There are many Believers in 2023 who are Unfaithful churches, who 624 00:40:46,200 --> 00:40:48,300 believe that they can have a curse placed on them. 625 00:40:49,700 --> 00:40:52,400 They believe in the power of witches and warlocks. 626 00:40:55,100 --> 00:40:58,700 They believe that the devil can have his way with their lives 627 00:40:58,800 --> 00:41:01,600 and that he's in charge of the direction of their boat. 628 00:41:03,000 --> 00:41:06,100 And all they do is live with fear seeing ghosts. 629 00:41:07,900 --> 00:41:10,900 Thinking that Satan has somewhat the same level of power, and 630 00:41:10,900 --> 00:41:12,900 there's a tug, of war happening in The Invisible realm. 631 00:41:12,900 --> 00:41:15,200 No, no, no, no. God has all the rope and Satan 632 00:41:15,200 --> 00:41:17,000 has on the end of it, like a leash. 633 00:41:19,800 --> 00:41:23,500 They saw a ghost. No, it's Christ. 634 00:41:23,500 --> 00:41:27,700 It's not a ghost. We see are suffering and we see 635 00:41:27,700 --> 00:41:30,600 Satan and we see a forgetful God and we see all these different 636 00:41:30,600 --> 00:41:36,100 things. When in fact, it's Jesus And 637 00:41:36,100 --> 00:41:39,100 he's on top of the water, the very same water that you're 638 00:41:39,100 --> 00:41:43,800 afraid of. And he is standing still. 639 00:41:43,800 --> 00:41:47,100 Those waves seem to and those winds seemed to push you from 640 00:41:47,500 --> 00:41:50,800 left to, right? Can I give you a life verse? 641 00:41:52,300 --> 00:41:56,600 Let me give you a life first and Isaiah, 50 verse 10 and I would 642 00:41:56,600 --> 00:41:59,700 love to hear those Bible Pages turning to Isaiah 50 10. 643 00:42:00,700 --> 00:42:05,200 There it is. What a Sweet Sweet Sound. 644 00:42:07,400 --> 00:42:09,200 Because I want you to see with your own eyes. 645 00:42:12,400 --> 00:42:17,000 Isaiah, 50 verse 10. Make this a banner over your 646 00:42:17,000 --> 00:42:19,900 heart, make this a banner over your future. 647 00:42:21,100 --> 00:42:25,000 Isaiah 52:10 declares who among you fears? 648 00:42:25,000 --> 00:42:29,300 The Lord and obeys, the voice of his servant pause. 649 00:42:29,500 --> 00:42:33,000 I hope you can read that. And save me, I do. 650 00:42:34,300 --> 00:42:37,600 Who among you fears the Lord. Lord, I fear you who among you 651 00:42:37,600 --> 00:42:41,200 obey the voice of his servant. I tried to I desire to you 652 00:42:41,200 --> 00:42:46,900 should stop at verse 10 and say me if you were questioning that 653 00:42:46,900 --> 00:42:49,600 then the rest of this doesn't apply to you but if you can 654 00:42:49,800 --> 00:42:54,000 confidently say my conscience is clear, I do want to fear God. 655 00:42:54,000 --> 00:42:56,100 I do want to make my life of obedience to him. 656 00:42:56,400 --> 00:43:00,500 Then the next part is for you. Let him who walks in darkness 657 00:43:00,500 --> 00:43:02,900 and has no light. Hold on. 658 00:43:03,800 --> 00:43:08,000 You just ask from the readers who fears, God, and who obeys 659 00:43:08,000 --> 00:43:10,400 the voice of his servant. Why are you talking about 660 00:43:10,400 --> 00:43:12,900 darkness and not having light? Isn't that for the person who 661 00:43:12,900 --> 00:43:15,400 doesn't fear God and who doesn't obey? 662 00:43:15,400 --> 00:43:18,900 No. This darkness is not talking 663 00:43:18,900 --> 00:43:21,200 about the darkness of Disobedience or sin or being in 664 00:43:21,200 --> 00:43:24,400 the Dominion and the domain of Satan, that's not the darkness 665 00:43:24,400 --> 00:43:28,600 that we're talking about here. He already clarified and 666 00:43:28,600 --> 00:43:31,100 screamed the Audience by saying, okay, let's just determine this 667 00:43:31,100 --> 00:43:33,400 first. Who your fears God, who hero, 668 00:43:33,400 --> 00:43:35,500 boys, the voice of a servant good. 669 00:43:35,500 --> 00:43:38,600 So you can expect something in your walk and as you fear Him, 670 00:43:38,800 --> 00:43:40,800 you might find some Darkness along the path. 671 00:43:42,800 --> 00:43:44,900 Meaning, what you may not perceive? 672 00:43:45,400 --> 00:43:48,200 You may not know. You may feel a sense of lack of 673 00:43:48,200 --> 00:43:50,900 Direction, may not understand what is happening. 674 00:43:50,900 --> 00:43:54,000 You may not have light on the current circumstance that can 675 00:43:54,000 --> 00:43:57,300 happen to those who fear God and obey the voice of his servant. 676 00:44:00,400 --> 00:44:03,300 and so when you do come to that season, where there doesn't seem 677 00:44:03,300 --> 00:44:07,700 to be light somebody switch the light off, And they're all your 678 00:44:07,700 --> 00:44:10,700 aimless or you're stuck or there's something there, that's 679 00:44:10,700 --> 00:44:13,800 frustrating you and your progress and your advancement in 680 00:44:13,808 --> 00:44:16,300 your confidence of what tomorrow will bring, what are you going 681 00:44:16,300 --> 00:44:18,300 to do? Trust In The Name Of The Lord? 682 00:44:19,400 --> 00:44:22,500 And rely on his God. That's what you do. 683 00:44:25,900 --> 00:44:29,500 I can't tell you how much, how many times this verse has 684 00:44:29,500 --> 00:44:33,700 consoled, my soul and I give it to you if you haven't heard it 685 00:44:33,700 --> 00:44:37,700 before. To lock it deep down inside and 686 00:44:37,700 --> 00:44:41,100 realize even for those who fear Him and Obey him, you might walk 687 00:44:41,100 --> 00:44:45,900 in some season of darkness and what are you supposed to do? 688 00:44:45,900 --> 00:44:50,700 See ghosts, no trust in the name of God and rely on him. 689 00:44:51,900 --> 00:44:56,500 He'll pull you through, he can come and everything can change 690 00:44:56,500 --> 00:45:01,100 in one moment. That's what happens. 691 00:45:01,100 --> 00:45:02,700 Here. Everything changed in one 692 00:45:02,700 --> 00:45:06,400 moment. Verse 51 of Mark 6 and he got 693 00:45:06,400 --> 00:45:09,800 into the boat with them and the wind ceased. 694 00:45:11,300 --> 00:45:14,700 He got into the boat and the wind ceased and they were 695 00:45:14,800 --> 00:45:18,700 utterly astounded. You know what? 696 00:45:18,700 --> 00:45:23,500 John tells us that not only did the wind cease but right away 697 00:45:23,500 --> 00:45:26,000 the boat was transported to shore. 698 00:45:28,200 --> 00:45:31,000 There is this like form of teleportation that happened, the 699 00:45:31,000 --> 00:45:34,100 moment Jesus got in the boat, not only did the waves and the 700 00:45:34,100 --> 00:45:37,500 wind quiet down, but within a blink sigh, they show up on the 701 00:45:37,500 --> 00:45:41,900 dock. That's for another time. but 702 00:45:41,900 --> 00:45:45,000 what's interesting here is we expect this reaction but look at 703 00:45:45,000 --> 00:45:50,100 the commentary of Mark about their astonishment in verse 52 704 00:45:50,200 --> 00:45:53,800 for they did not understand about the loaves but their 705 00:45:53,800 --> 00:45:58,700 hearts were hardened That's interesting. 706 00:45:59,700 --> 00:46:03,100 You know, what this tells me they were utterly astounded, 707 00:46:03,200 --> 00:46:04,700 rightfully so. But you know what? 708 00:46:04,700 --> 00:46:08,300 Mark says. In some sense, where was this 709 00:46:08,300 --> 00:46:10,600 reaction, when Jesus multiplied, the bread and the fish? 710 00:46:12,000 --> 00:46:18,300 It wasn't there. When Jesus did that, they were 711 00:46:18,300 --> 00:46:21,500 not utterly astounded. The way they are here though. 712 00:46:21,500 --> 00:46:24,100 That Miracle demanded this kind of recognition. 713 00:46:24,100 --> 00:46:28,300 It was missing. It was missing. 714 00:46:30,200 --> 00:46:33,900 And this shows me at least the patience of Jesus Christ. 715 00:46:35,000 --> 00:46:39,200 The absolute steadfastness of his love that even when he made 716 00:46:39,200 --> 00:46:43,800 himself known so powerfully, the disciples didn't give him. 717 00:46:43,800 --> 00:46:46,800 What was his due? And he did not give up on them. 718 00:46:47,200 --> 00:46:55,100 Nonetheless, he worked in a way to soften those hardened hearts 719 00:46:55,100 --> 00:46:57,300 and this is an extremely important point that I want to 720 00:46:57,300 --> 00:47:01,000 make. Your heart and mind. 721 00:47:02,100 --> 00:47:06,500 Can be hardened even in the midst of God doing amazing 722 00:47:06,500 --> 00:47:08,100 things. Isn't that a sad reality? 723 00:47:09,300 --> 00:47:11,900 God can place you in an amazing. Local church. 724 00:47:11,900 --> 00:47:13,900 God, can put wonderful people in your lives. 725 00:47:13,900 --> 00:47:17,700 He can bless you through and through, and he can make things 726 00:47:17,700 --> 00:47:21,500 appear when they were not there. And still what I see here is a 727 00:47:21,500 --> 00:47:23,200 commentary. What's possible with us? 728 00:47:23,500 --> 00:47:28,100 Our hearts can still be indifferent, we still don't get 729 00:47:28,100 --> 00:47:31,900 it and we don't give the Lord, the worship that is his due and 730 00:47:31,900 --> 00:47:35,500 we don't offer him the Zeal that he deserves and we don't commit 731 00:47:35,500 --> 00:47:37,400 ourselves. The way, we should be committed 732 00:47:37,400 --> 00:47:41,000 despite all that he did. Plays, we still can remain 733 00:47:41,000 --> 00:47:43,800 hardened. And what I see here is that 734 00:47:43,800 --> 00:47:47,500 those hardened Hearts were obviously softened. 735 00:47:48,500 --> 00:47:51,300 And God knows exactly what to do with our hardened hearts. 736 00:47:53,300 --> 00:47:55,400 You know what he doesn't do? He doesn't give up on us. 737 00:47:56,000 --> 00:47:57,200 You know what? He doesn't do this and put us on 738 00:47:57,200 --> 00:48:00,600 the shelf and recruit more disciples for your place. 739 00:48:00,600 --> 00:48:05,100 No, he doesn't. He works on you but here's the 740 00:48:05,100 --> 00:48:07,000 part that some people don't get you ready for this. 741 00:48:07,700 --> 00:48:11,000 Listen. Sometimes it requires a storm. 742 00:48:15,400 --> 00:48:16,900 You know what I learn about some Christians. 743 00:48:19,100 --> 00:48:20,700 Blessing doesn't do them very good. 744 00:48:23,800 --> 00:48:25,700 Blessing doesn't really keep them closed. 745 00:48:26,900 --> 00:48:29,100 They appreciate it. And the spontaneous moment of 746 00:48:29,100 --> 00:48:31,100 receiving it but afterwards, they go their own way. 747 00:48:32,000 --> 00:48:35,300 And the hearts are hardened. You know, how God's often the 748 00:48:35,300 --> 00:48:39,700 hearts of these hardened men. He put him on a boat and he sent 749 00:48:39,700 --> 00:48:43,300 him into the sea and he allowed waves and wind to come. 750 00:48:44,700 --> 00:48:50,100 To wake them up. That might be true of you 751 00:48:51,100 --> 00:48:54,300 because as you sit here and you've been sitting here week 752 00:48:54,300 --> 00:49:01,300 after week, nothing has changed. You know what's going to happen. 753 00:49:01,800 --> 00:49:04,800 If God loves you, he's going to realize that the hundred 754 00:49:04,800 --> 00:49:06,400 sermons. You've heard haven't worked. 755 00:49:07,800 --> 00:49:12,900 So, here comes a storm. And when that storm comes and 756 00:49:12,900 --> 00:49:15,200 you realize that you are not standing on Solid Rock as you 757 00:49:15,200 --> 00:49:18,200 thought and things Begin to Fall Apart all around. 758 00:49:18,200 --> 00:49:21,400 You can I give you a word of suggestion cry out to him. 759 00:49:23,000 --> 00:49:25,100 If you forgot anything with the sermon, remember that? 760 00:49:26,500 --> 00:49:32,100 Cry out to him. When the storm comes. and when 761 00:49:32,100 --> 00:49:34,500 the storm comes and you cry out to him and he reveals himself in 762 00:49:34,500 --> 00:49:40,900 his grace and mercy, stay with him, Matthew gives us a 763 00:49:40,900 --> 00:49:43,800 different angle on this and this is how we're going to end. 764 00:49:44,900 --> 00:49:54,600 Go to Matthew chapter 8. Matthew's way of teaching is a 765 00:49:54,607 --> 00:49:56,900 little different about what happened with the disciples but 766 00:49:56,900 --> 00:50:00,200 it's encouraging still. Now, do you remember when the 767 00:50:00,200 --> 00:50:02,000 disciples went through the first storm? 768 00:50:03,200 --> 00:50:06,500 Do you remember the response? If you don't, look what Matthew 769 00:50:06,500 --> 00:50:10,500 826 says and he said to them. Why are you afraid o? 770 00:50:10,500 --> 00:50:14,300 You of little faith, then he arose and rebuked the winds and 771 00:50:14,300 --> 00:50:16,400 the Sea and there was a great calm. 772 00:50:16,800 --> 00:50:18,100 It's not the same incident, he this is it. 773 00:50:18,100 --> 00:50:21,900 This is the first one and look what happens in verse 27 and the 774 00:50:21,900 --> 00:50:27,900 men marveled saying, what sort of man is this that even winds 775 00:50:27,900 --> 00:50:32,000 and sea obey him they marveled. And rightfully so. 776 00:50:33,700 --> 00:50:37,000 But what happened when they underwent the second storm, what 777 00:50:37,000 --> 00:50:41,100 happened with The Following episode, the spirit of God, 778 00:50:41,100 --> 00:50:44,800 records for us, their reaction in that, as well. 779 00:50:45,300 --> 00:50:47,400 And you will notice the difference. 780 00:50:48,300 --> 00:50:52,000 Matthew 8 is the first storm, Matthew. 14 is the second storm. 781 00:50:52,200 --> 00:50:56,800 And in Matthew 14, I want you to see here in verse 32 What 782 00:50:56,800 --> 00:51:02,600 happened after Jesus got on the boat. and when they got into the 783 00:51:02,600 --> 00:51:07,900 boat, the wind ceased and those in the boat worshipped him, 784 00:51:09,900 --> 00:51:13,700 Saying truly you are the Son of God. 785 00:51:14,700 --> 00:51:18,200 The first time they marveled and they questioned his identity. 786 00:51:18,200 --> 00:51:22,200 This is different. I've never seen a Pharisee, do 787 00:51:22,200 --> 00:51:24,300 that. I've you Andrew know I've never 788 00:51:24,300 --> 00:51:27,600 seen a Sadducees do that know? This Rabbi is different. 789 00:51:27,600 --> 00:51:31,100 Who is this man? And they left it at that the 790 00:51:31,100 --> 00:51:34,400 second time. You're the son of God. 791 00:51:36,200 --> 00:51:39,400 And it isn't just marvel, they praised him. 792 00:51:39,900 --> 00:51:41,800 They worshiped him. And guess what? 793 00:51:41,800 --> 00:51:46,900 Jesus didn't deny their worship. He received it the first time 794 00:51:46,900 --> 00:51:50,300 they Marvel. The second time they worshipped. 795 00:51:50,600 --> 00:51:52,100 Do you want? You know what, you see here and 796 00:51:52,100 --> 00:51:56,200 increase in their faith? Growth, and their understanding. 797 00:51:57,500 --> 00:52:02,300 And I love how the Holy Spirit teaches that in the context of 798 00:52:02,300 --> 00:52:06,800 storms. Because that's what storms do. 799 00:52:07,500 --> 00:52:11,300 That's what trials do they stretch your soul. 800 00:52:12,400 --> 00:52:14,200 They help you see. Who Christ? 801 00:52:14,200 --> 00:52:18,500 Is they train, you? They bring you to a clear 802 00:52:18,500 --> 00:52:24,200 understanding of his person. And if you respond correctly, he 803 00:52:24,200 --> 00:52:29,400 receives more Glory from you. They marveled. 804 00:52:30,500 --> 00:52:36,400 And then they worshipped. Truly we go from glory to glory. 805 00:52:38,200 --> 00:52:41,100 And truly, our paths are determined, no matter how unique 806 00:52:41,100 --> 00:52:43,900 they might look in comparison to the person sitting beside you. 807 00:52:44,600 --> 00:52:49,500 The goal is the same. To take you into greater 808 00:52:49,500 --> 00:52:53,500 understanding of who he is and to take you from one degree of 809 00:52:53,500 --> 00:52:56,600 Glory to another and for him to receive greater glory from one 810 00:52:56,600 --> 00:52:59,900 degree to another. This is Christ. 811 00:53:00,600 --> 00:53:02,200 He doesn't just see you in your service. 812 00:53:02,200 --> 00:53:04,400 He sees you in your struggle as you serve him. 813 00:53:05,900 --> 00:53:07,900 And perhaps you are in a place today. 814 00:53:09,000 --> 00:53:14,700 Where you're tired and the last, you looked you're here because 815 00:53:14,700 --> 00:53:20,200 you've been following Jesus. and you're wondering, Lord, I 816 00:53:20,200 --> 00:53:23,100 remember the early days where it wasn't really like this. 817 00:53:26,200 --> 00:53:32,000 He sees you. he sees you, he knows you, he perceives you, he 818 00:53:32,000 --> 00:53:35,500 studies you and at the right time, he'll pull you through 819 00:53:36,100 --> 00:53:39,600 those who walk in darkness and have no light trust in the name 820 00:53:39,600 --> 00:53:44,000 of the Lord, and rely on his God Lord, we thank you for these 821 00:53:44,000 --> 00:53:55,600 glorious truths but we pray Strengthen our stride. 822 00:54:03,500 --> 00:54:07,800 Thank you for not giving up on us when our hearts become hard. 823 00:54:09,500 --> 00:54:13,400 And we don't give you what you deserve and we eat from your 824 00:54:13,400 --> 00:54:19,200 hand. And we're blessed by your power. 825 00:54:21,000 --> 00:54:25,800 but we don't give you the honor and that moment thank you that 826 00:54:25,800 --> 00:54:30,800 when we walk with calloused hearts, You know how to deal 827 00:54:30,800 --> 00:54:33,800 with us, accordingly to soften us again. 828 00:54:35,400 --> 00:54:38,000 And yes it is true that your goodness and kindness leads us 829 00:54:38,000 --> 00:54:42,300 to repentance but Lord, it is also true that you afflict us 830 00:54:42,300 --> 00:54:49,200 for our good. Although we love you. 831 00:54:51,800 --> 00:54:56,200 You are an awesome God lord of prayers for the people here. 832 00:54:58,100 --> 00:55:02,000 That they may know you. and perhaps some have come here and 833 00:55:02,000 --> 00:55:04,900 they Marvel about you and they Marvel about sermons about you 834 00:55:04,900 --> 00:55:08,900 but they have not yet worshipped you We asked for that the Holy 835 00:55:08,900 --> 00:55:10,400 Spirit would bring into that place. 836 00:55:11,600 --> 00:55:14,700 And they would confess, he is the son of God. 837 00:55:15,700 --> 00:55:17,100 And I want to give my life to him. 838 00:55:18,000 --> 00:55:20,600 Only you can do that in Jesus name. 839 00:55:21,200 --> 00:55:32,200 Amen. Can we stand worship mark?