HOPE RISES US UP!

Hope Encourages Us In Storms
November 15, 2020

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Hope is theological; hope is personal trust in God. Hope is what you think God can do.

• Miracles are to BUILD my FAITH which increases my HOPE.

Mark 6:45-52 - Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. 47 When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

I feel like I’m sinking when:

Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, John 6:15-21

• I can’t see MY way.

John 6:17a - By now it was dark…

• I feel I’m on my OWN.

John 6:17b - Jesus had not yet joined them

• I feel I’m out of my COMFORT zone.

Mark 6:47 - the boat was in the middle of the lake

Matthew 14:24 - They were a long way from shore

• I feel a strong FORCE against me.

Matthew 14:24b - tossed around and battered by waves

John 6:18 - the waters grew rough!

Mark 6:48 - the wind was against them

• I’m struggling, but I’m FAILING.

Mark 6:48 - He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them.

What does Jesus do when I’m sinking?

1. He NOTICES my struggles.

Mark 6:48 - He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them.

2. He COMES at my moment of desperation.

Mark 6:48 - “About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake.”

• Jesus is making a point here: I just want you guys to know that whatever is over your head is under my feet.

3. He SHOWS me His true identity.

Mark 6:49-50 - but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

What should I do if I’m sinking?

1) Have courage because JESUS is with me.

Mark 6:50 – “Jesus said to them ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid!’”

2) Take a RISK in faith.

Matthew 14:28-29 - “‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water!’ 29 ‘Come,’ Jesus said. So Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”

• It is safer to be with Jesus out of the boat than in the boat without Jesus.

3) Stay FOCUSED on Jesus.

Matthew 14:30 - But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

4) Don’t DOUBT.

Matthew 14:31 - “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘Why did you doubt?’”

5) Praise God.

Matthew 14:32-33 - And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Take home truths:

• That Jesus can do anything.

• That Jesus is all you need.

• That faith is the answer to a sinking life.