He is Astounding

Mark 6:45–52 (ESV) ⁴⁵ Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.

• This is just after the feeding of the
• Thousands of people saw the comparison to Moses and the miraculous provision of mana in the desert

Deuteronomy 18:15 (NIV) ¹⁵  The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.

(MULTILINE REVEAL BIG)

John 6:14–15 (NIV84) ¹⁴ After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” ¹⁵ Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

• The people were ready to start a revolution

(MULTILINE REVEAL BIG)

• This probably explains why Jesus sent his disciples away

Mark 6:45–52 (ESV) ⁴⁵ Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.

(MULTILINE REVEAL BIG)

⁵² for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

• “hardened” = completely unwilling to learn and to accept new information

⁴⁶ And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.

What do you think he was praying about? 

⁴⁷ And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. ⁴⁸ And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them.

• Don’t despise hard things.

Testimonies come from .

Maturity develops from meeting challenges.

God wants us to be .

James 1:2-3 (NLT2) ²  Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. ³  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 1:4 (MSG) ⁴  So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them,

• Why would he do that? 

⁴⁹ but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, ⁵⁰ for they all saw him and were terrified.

(MULTILINE REVEAL BIG)

But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

• Courage is a godly attribute. 
• Jesus is making a case for his divinity here.

Job 9:8 (CJB) He alone spreads out the sky  and walks on the waves in the sea.

⁵¹ And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 

⁵² for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

Matthew 14:33 (ESV) And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Ephesians 3 (ESV) ²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think,

• “ask” = with , even to the point of demanding or pleading

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

(MULTILINE REVEAL BIG)

Ephesians 3 (ESV) ²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:14–19 (NLT) ¹⁴ When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, ¹⁵ the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. ¹⁶ I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. ¹⁷ Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. ¹⁸ And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. ¹⁹ May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Amen.

Please be sure to email your notes to yourself (below) – or otherwise save your notes to your device.