Fear of Jesus
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction
What is your biggest fear?
What are you scared of?
Clowns?
Germs?
Flying an in airplane?
Getting sick?
Aliens?
Ghosts
The disciples were scared once - and it was recorded in three Gospels - let’s take a look at the account in John
John 6:16-21
Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
John 6:1
Let’s Pray
Background Information
Jesus walking on water is recorded in Matthew, Mark, and John
Each of the three gospels gives us details that we should know.
Matthew - Peter walks on water
And he said to them, ‘An enemy has done this!’ The slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them. ‘Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”
He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field;
Matthew 14:28-31
Matthew 13:
Matthew 14:
Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
a
Mark - Tell us that the boat was in the middle of the sea and Jesus was watching them.
Mark 6:47-48
When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them.
Mark 6:47-48
John - Tells us that they had rowed about 3-4 miles
John 6:19
Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened.
Keep these three details in mind as we work through our scripture today.
Let’s Begin with
Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
John 6:
Pictures of Capernaum and Sea of Galilee
13 miles long by 7 miles wide
You can see across the sea of Galilee and Jesus certainly could have seen them rowing their boat.
The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened.
The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing.
Because of the location of the Sea of Galilee being tucked into the Golan Heights the weather can pick up drastically - and that is what happened - a strong wind started to blow and the sea was beginning to toss their row boat around.
When they had rowed about three of four miles
John 6:19
This is interesting - because 3-4 mile would be about half way across a 7 mile lake
Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened.
John 6:
We read in Mark that boat was in the middle of the sea
Mark 6:47-48
When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them.
Mark
Jesus watched them straining at the oars
Jesus watches us too - how many times do we feel like we are rowing against the wind?
Working on our own power - to accomplish our own goals.
Mark’s account is interesting because it tells us that Jesus’ intent was to pass them by
Imagine that - you are straining against the oars - padding against the wind - and Jesus intends to walk on the water, right on by you.
When they saw Jesus - they were frightened
Who wouldn’t be!
It’s dark - your rowing against the wind, you are in the middle of a lake
And here comes someone or something walking on water
How much faster would you row?
They were scared - and yet Jesus was right there beside them.
What are you scare of?
https://blogs.chapman.edu/wilkinson/2016/10/11/americas-top-fears-2016/
In 2016 - Chapman University conducted a survey on American’s across the United States on Fear. This is what they found.
Picture of Results
Biggest Fear - Corrupt Politicians - 60% of the people responded that this was their fear.
Followed by Terrorist Attack, Inadequate Funds for the Future, Being a victim of terrorism, Gun Control, Losing a loved one, Financial Collapse, Identity Theft, Loved ones becoming ill, Affordable Care Act/Obama Care
Can you relate to one of those fears?
25% responded they were afraid of bugs or spiders
7% responded they were afraid of people gossiping about them
We live in a culture of fear
Justin is deathly afraid of snakes
a culture filled with anxiety
Pastor Tommy is scared of dogs
I am scared of aliens - the green guys from mars
And yet - Jesus is with us - He is walking with us - For believers we have the Holy Spirit in us - Look at what Jesus says to those in the boat.
But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
They were literally afraid of Jesus - they didn’t recognize Him
They were literally afraid of Jesus - they didn’t recognize Him
How many times in life are we scared and don’t recognize the hand of Jesus in our circumstances
And yet Jesus said, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
In addition to the 365 times the Bible says “Do not fear” - there are an additional 33 verses on fear.
Isaiah 41:10
‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
2 Timothy 1
Psalm 94:19
When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,
Your consolations delight my soul.
Psalm
Deutronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”
Deuteronomy
John 6:21
So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/debbie-mcdaniel/33-verses-to-remind-us--we-do-not-have-to-fear.html
Conclusion
With Jesus we have nothing to fear.
Any of these 33 verses would be good verses to memorize, pray over, meditate on.
Jesus walked on water and the disciples were afraid.
What are you afraid of?
Cast those fears at the foot of the cross.
If you are afraid of becoming a Christian - what is there to be afraid of?
Come forward and find out why being a follower of Jesus is nothing to be afraid of.
Let’s Pray