Welcome to this new edition of the Weekend Sermon. I am so glad to be able to post the sermon today, and I hope that this day finds all of you doing well.
I just want to begin by thanking the Lord for all that He has done for me this week. I am feeling pretty well, and things are going pretty good at work. I am thankful for the fact that I was able to get some additional writing work this week, and the book that I am working on is progressing nicely.
In prayer this week, let us pray for those who are in the path of the terrible hurricane that is near Mexico. I heard that this is one of the strongest hurricanes meteorologists have ever recorded. Let us pray for the safety of all who are threatened by this storm. Let us also continue to pray for peace in the world and pray for those who have been displaced by the conflicts around the world.
We have been praying over the weeks for those nations where there are not that many Christians. Let us pray this week that the message of Jesus will reach Cambodia, Laos, Sudan and Mauritania.
Today in the sermon, we are continuing with our series of messages on the signs in the Gospel of John that point to the divinity of Jesus Christ. In our message last week, we examined the account of the feeding of the 5,000. This is such an important miracle that it is recorded in all four Gospels. It was a turning point in the earthly ministry of Jesus. As we saw last week, many stopped following Jesus after the teaching Jesus gave after performing this great and awesome miracle.
Right after Jesus performed the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, The disciples went down to the Sea of Galilee and set sail for the city of Capernaum. Jesus did not go with the disciples. Jesus had withdrawn by Himself up into the mountains to pray and have some solitary time.
When the disciples were about half way across the sea, darkness had overtaken them, and a strong wind began to blow making the waves treacherous. About this time, the disciples saw a figure walking on the water in the distance. They were greatly afraid and thought that they were seeing a ghost. At this point Jesus said, "It is I, don't be afraid."
This account does not record this, but another Gospel says that when Peter saw that it was Jesus, Peter asked to come out to Jesus on the water. Peter stepped out and started walking on the water too. However, at some point, Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, and Peter sank. Of course, Jesus rescued His friend.
When Jesus entered the boat, the wind and waves settled, What is most stunning about this miracle in my view is that when Jesus got in the boat, the boat immediately transported to the shore. It went three miles instantly.
This miraculous account has a lot to teach us about life and the divine nature of Jesus. First, let us look at the lessons we can apply to our lives today. One thing that really strikes me is the metaphor of the storm and how Jesus brings peace. This same idea occurs in another account when Jesus stilled the storm. This time, Jesus was in the boat with the disciples. A great storm churned the sea, and the disciples thought all was lost. All the while Jesus was sleeping. The disciples came and woke Him saying don't you care that we are about to drown. Well, of course Jesus cared about their predicament. He rebuked the storm saying, "Peace, be still." All was well.
The life we live on planet earth is filled with rough times. All of us have or will face very difficult times. These are the storms that disturb our existence. Unfortunately, some people have more than their fair share of storms.
In these rough patches of life, we must turn to Jesus as the one who calms the raging storm. He is the only one who has the power to make a difference in our lives.
When we are facing financial difficulties, poor health or broken relationships, Jesus says to us, "Be not Afraid". Jesus is right there with us in all of the hard times of life. I know this from first hand experience. As I've said here on the blog many times, If I didn't have Jesus in my life, I would not be able to exist. Knowing that He is with me has kept me going through sorrow and times of deep depression. When I have been in great fear over circumstances in the present and when I have been worried about the future, I can hear the voice of Jesus say, "Be not Afraid."
The reason that we do not have to fear is that Jesus is the one who is in our hearts and He is the one who holds our future. One minister whose sermons I like to listen to puts it this way, he says that with Jesus the worst thing is never the last thing. What he means is that when our life is in Christ, no matter what problem we face, we have the assurance that we will one day be with Jesus for all of eternity in His land where there will be no more sorrow or mourning and all will be at at peace.
One other lesson that we can learn from this account is that in all of all storms in life, when need to keep our eyes on Jesus. As it says in Hebrews chapter 12, we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus who is the author and perfecter of our faith.
Peter was actually walking on the water and defying the storm as long as his eyes stayed on Jesus and not the storm. As soon as Peter's focus left Jesus, Peter was in trouble. This tells me that in order to make it through life, Jesus needs to be at the center of my life. He needs to be the focus of all that I do. To me this means that I pray and commune with Jesus throughout the day. I read about Him and His teachings in the Bible, and I meditate on His goodness and love.
Part of keeping Jesus at the center of my life also means putting into practice His teachings and commandments. It means asking what would Jesus do in each circumstance of my life.
If we look to Jesus for the answers, He will see us through. The answers to life's problems do not rest in worldly ideas and philosophies. The answer to all of life is Jesus.
Let me also point out one other thing. When Peter did take His eyes off of Jesus, Jesus didn't just let him drown. Peter cried out to the Lord, and the Lord lifted him out of the waves. Jesus does not give up on us when we make a mistake or commit a sin. He is always there to help us and forgive us when we call upon His name. He is our friend, and He always wants to help us and come to our aid.
Now, how does this sign demonstrate the divine nature of Jesus. It does so in two ways. First of all, Jesus demonstrates His complete control over the natural world. Jesus was able to stop a storm by willing it to be so. Also, Jesus defied all the laws of nature by walking on the water. Only God come in the flesh can have that kind of awesome power.
Also, Jesus by His miraculous power transported a ship with twelve men in it half way across the Sea of Galilee in an instant. This is not the work of a mere man.
When we look at Jesus, we see His compassion, goodness. love and power. Jesus is amazing and wonderful. I am so glad that He is my Savior, Lord, guide and friend. I hope that you will consider turning to Jesus if you have not made Him the Lord of your life.
Next week, we will continue our series in the signs from John. I will post the verses on Monday and the review on Wednesday. May God bless you all, Amen.
PS -- Lord, please keep those in the path of the hurricane safe. Amen.
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