Bible Study - Everything (3) - JESUS Rules - Mark 4:35-41 - December 17, 2017
Bible Study – Everything (3) – JESUS
Rules – December 17, 2017
This is lesson three (3) in our series
entitled “JESUS Changes Everything.”
Our focus scripture is Mark 4:35-41.
You can trust JESUS in the storm.
In last week’s study, JESUS told the
parable of the sower and the soil upon which the seed fell. The seed is the
Word of GOD and the soil is each person in the world upon which the seed falls.
JESUS continued teaching as we read on in Mark Chapter 4:21 ---.
It is vital that when a person sees a
flicker of Spiritual light when GOD’S Word is taught or he or she reads it,
follow that light.
JESUS is the Spiritual light, GOD’S
Word is light and the Holy Spirit is light. We live in a world of Spiritual
darkness and any glimmer of Spiritual light is readily seen. Each person has
the freewill to follow that light or not.
In my younger years, our young son and
I went spelunking with the Boy Scouts. We explored two caves, with a trained
guide, and we spent the night in the second cave we explored. Our guide had
told us, before our trip, to always have at least two sources of light. He
carried three sources. A person did not want to be in a cave without light.
While exploring one cave, the guide
asked us to extinguish our light sources for a few minutes just to experience
total darkness. We did. He asked that we bring our hand up toward our face. He
said you think you see your hand but it is your memory making you think that
you see it. Wait a few minutes and look again. Memory fades and you cannot see
you hand. You know where your hand is supposed to be but you cannot see it. In
total darkness, any glimmer of light is instantly spotted when we are in total
darkness. If we do not know which direction we need to go, any glimmer of light
offers hope and encouragement.
In essence, all of us live in a cave
of Spiritual darkness, so-to-speak and any glimmer of Spiritual light is
revealed instantly. What is a person to do when Spiritual light is revealed?
JESUS had much to teach about Spiritual
light as we read the following scripture.
Let’s read Mark 4:21-34: (Lead-in)
21 He also said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put
under a basket or under a bed? Isn't it to be put on a lampstand?
When the Holy Spirit reveals light what are we to do?
22 For nothing is concealed except to be revealed, and
nothing hidden except to come to light.
Spiritual light is to reveal that which has been hidden. How is
Spiritual light revealed?
23 If anyone has ears to hear, he should listen!"
Each person has ears to hear and he or she should listen. Is
this listening audibly? It could be but certainly listening occurs “in the eyes
of our hearts.” When we hear, we are to act upon what we hear e.g. still small
voice of GOD, or a stirring within us or a knowing. Discerning the voice of GOD
is important.
24 Then He said to them, "Pay attention to what you
hear. By the measure you use, it will be measured and added to you.
25 For to the one who has, it will be given, and from the one
who does not have, even what he has will be taken away."
As we hear and put into action what is revealed more is given to
us. Life is a journey to build the right relationship with GOD through faith in
JESUS. Once the seed of salvation is planted into our hearts and lives it is
destined to grow and produce a crop. The Spiritual seed in our lives can lie
dormant until the soil of our lives has been properly prepared to germinate the
seed. As with any plant, it requires good soil balanced with the right
nutrients, water, weeding, light, temperature, care, etc.
Does a person know that a Spiritual seed is going through its germination
process to produce a crop, while the process is taking place? Let’s read on ---
26 "The kingdom of God is like this," He said.
"A man scatters seed on the ground;
27 he sleeps and rises-night and day, and the seed sprouts
and grows-he doesn't know how.
28 The soil produces a crop by itself-first the blade, then
the head, and then the ripe grain on the head.
29 But as soon as the crop is ready, he sends for the
sickle, because harvest has come."
Often, Spiritual growth occurs ever so slightly that we do not
realize it until its roots sink deep into the soil of our lives. JESUS
continued to teach about the establishing of the Kingdom of GOD as we read on
---
30 And He said: "How can we illustrate the kingdom of
God, or what parable can we use to describe it?
31 It's like a mustard seed that, when sown in the soil, is
smaller than all the seeds on the ground.
32 And when sown, it comes up and grows taller than all the
vegetables, and produces large branches, so that the birds of the sky can nest
in its shade."
JESUS came to earth to be born 100% human, yet 100% GOD. HE
chose to live as a human and to be tempted, as humans are tempted, yet HE
remained without sin.
You may recall a lesson several weeks ago when GOD led me to
write about how the spirit world was brought under the full authority and
sovereignty of GOD, when the Kingdom of GOD was established upon earth. To the
spirit world GOD was being vulnerable when HE allowed JESUS to come to earth to
be born a human, live as a human and to be subjected to the temptations of a
human.
I do not know what the evil hierarchy in the spiritual realm
thought but there are clues that GOD’S plan for establishing HIS Kingdom,
through the death, burial and resurrection of JESUS was hidden from them. If
JESUS had failed by sinning, it would be proof that GOD was not sovereign but
the GOOD NEWS IS, JESUS WAS VICTORIOUS AND DEFEATED THE SPIRIT WORLD AND
ESTABLISHED THE KINGDOM OF GOD UPON EARTH! Those who accept JESUS as their
Savior, by faith, experience the miracle of rebirth in their spirit/Spirit are
born into GOD’S Family and their citizenship is in the Kingdom of GOD,
eternally.
JESUS willingly gave HIS sinless life to pay, in full, for the
sin of all who will place their faith in HIM. JESUS gave HIS physical life,
which is symbolized by the small mustard seed. On the third day following
JESUS’ death and burial, GOD raised JESUS from the physically dead to the
eternally alive with HIS New Glorified body. JESUS remained upon earth for 40
days and then ascended into Heaven to sit at the right hand of HIS Father, GOD,
to rule over the established Kingdom of GOD, which HE established.
When we accept JESUS as our Savior we are born into the family
of GOD and become citizens of the Kingdom of GOD. To help us better understand
these Spiritual truths JESUS used parables to help us glean Spiritual insight
as we read on ---
33 He would speak the word to them with many parables like
these, as they were able to understand.
34 And He did not speak to them without a parable. Privately, however, He would
explain everything to His own disciples.
We might think, “Oh, gee, wouldn’t that be great?” Well it is
great! Today, HE speaks to us through the indwelling Holy Spirit and reveals
truth. We must follow the light as HE reveals.
Now, let’s go to the scripture in our lesson. JESUS continued to
teach us as we ponder the scripture and what GOD desires for each of us to
learn and put into practice as we build our relationship with HIM. Who is
JESUS? HIS disciples walked with JESUS daily but did they fully know HIM? Were
the circumstances they faced each day designed to teach them and reveal truth
about HIM? Does GOD design the circumstances we face in life to bring salvation
to those who do not know JESUS as their Savior or for those of us who know
JESUS as our Savior to know HIM in a deeper way? Let’s explore!
Let’s read Mark 4:35-37:
35 On that day, when evening had come, He told them,
"Let's cross over to the other side [of the lake]."
36 So they left the crowd and took Him along since He was
[already] in the boat. And other boats were with Him.
37 A fierce windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over
the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped.
We know that Mark is a book of action. JESUS told HIS disciples
“Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” They obeyed HIS request and
shoved off from shore and there were other boats with HIM. What happened to the
other boats? We do not know. They may have turned back.
What we do know is that a “fierce windstorm” arose and waves
were breaking over the boat. The boat was taking on water such that these
seasoned fishermen feared that the boat they were in with JESUS was on the
verge of sinking. At least four of JESUS’ disciple were seasoned fishermen,
Peter, Andrew, James and John. They had done all they knew to do. There was one
thing left ---- What was it? What was JESUS doing? Where was HE? Didn’t HE care
about their plight? Let’s read on ---
Let’s read Mark 4:38-39:
38 But He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they
woke Him up and said to Him, "Teacher! Don't you care that we're going to
die?"
39 He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea,
"Silence! Be still!" The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
JESUS was asleep in the back of the boat. HE was stretched on
the stern which had a cushion on it. I understand that this cushion was for the
oarsman. This gives us a picture of faith and trust in GOD during the storms of
life. The divine meets the human. HIS
disciples woke HIM up in a panic “Teacher, Don’t You care that we’re going to
die?
JESUS got up, rebuked the wind and told the sea “Silent! Be
still!” and there was a great calm. JESUS
spoke and the wind obeyed. GO spoke and the world was created.
This was a teachable moment. Often, either during or after the
storms in life, we need to ask JESUS to reveal to us what we should learn from
the experience.
Let’s read Mark 4:40-41:
40 Then He said to them, "Why are you fearful? Do you
still have no faith?"
41 And they were terrified and asked one another, "Who
then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!"
Satan uses fear to make us doubt GOD’S ability. Notice, the
first area JESUS addressed was “Why are you fearful?” The source of their fear
was lack of faith in GOD to protect them and JESUS. JESUS was sound asleep. HE
knew Who was watching over HIM but HIS disciples didn’t. This was a wakeup call
for HIS disciples.
JESUS was physically with them in the boat. JESUS is with every
Christian during the storms of life. Fear leads us away from trusting in HIS
capability to see us through the storms of life. Faith in HIM during the storms
of life gets us safely to our destination. The storm may not go away that is
when faith is vital. Faith gets us through these times when the storm rages on.
I can tell you, weathering storms in our lives is not pleasant
but doing so builds our faith and trust in JESUS. GOD is interested in every
Christian building the right relationship with HIM through faith in JESUS. Look
for the reason we face issues in our lives and what we can learn from them and
build our faith in JESUS upon. JESUS is our eternal rock.
As written in Psalm 46:10 - 10 He says, “Be still, and know that
I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Blessings!!!
posted by Bible Study | 9:29 PM
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