Gtcotr/ss072025
- · Wars and rumors of wars
- · Nation will rise against nation
- · Earthquakes in various places
- · Famines
- · Troubles
- · Persecutions
- · Brother against brother
- · Father against son
- · Children against parents
- · Worldwide hatred of Christianity
- · 1st Night Watch = The Evening – 6pm until 9pm
- · 2nd Night Watch = Midnight – 9pm until 12am Midnight
- · 3rd Night Watch = Cockcrowing – 12am until 3am
- · 4th Night Watch = Morning – 3am until 6am
- · Jesus and His disciples had just finished feeding more than 5000 people with only 3 fishes and 5 barley loaves. 12 baskets full of fish and bread were left over after the miracle Jesus performed that day.
- · Jesus was tired and burdened by the death of John the Baptist and He really wanted to be alone. (vs. 10 - 13)
- · But when He saw the multitudes, He had compassion on them and gave them His attention. He healed and fed them all.
- · After Jesus met their immediate needs, (which were only temporary needs), He wanted to spend time with His Father and talk to Him. So, Jesus sent His disciples and the multitudes away.
- · The 1st Nightwatch = Evening – 6pm until 9pm
- · By 6pm Jesus was already alone in prayer and the disciples were in the middle of their journey and caught in a storm.
- · The 4th Watch of the Night = The Morning Watch – 3am until 6am
- 1. Open your ears to the voice of God.
- a. They heard His voice.
- b. Jesus is always saying, “Take courage. Do not be afraid.”
- c. He will never say “I don’t know what you can do …”
- d. The Word of God will always bring us comfort and direction.
- 2. Ask Him for a miracle.
- a. If this is really You Lord, show me something impossible …
- b. Ask me to do something I cannot possibly do without you …
- c. Give me the miracle I am asking for.
- 3. Take a step of faith.
- a. Get out of the boat …
- b. Take a bold and courageous step …
- c. Remember, the storm is still raging … you are however no longer limited by tiredness, trouble or fear …
- d. You have the promise and the presence of the Son of God.
- 4. Keep your eyes on Jesus!
- a. Which is something Peter failed to do …
- b. Peter got distracted by the storm and became afraid again.
- c. Fear wants to get in the way of your miracle.
- · Doubt = Distazo (Gk) – Think twice; have second thoughts.
- · Get your eyes off of Jesus and entertain second thoughts and you will begin to sink.
- · But he cried out to Jesus … “save me!”
- · Immediately Jesus lifted him up!