Bible Study - Fear (5) - Courage in Place of Fear - Matthew 14:22-33 - January 1, 2023

 

Bible Study – Fear (5) – Courage in Place of Fear – January 1, 2023

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled, “Putting Fear in Its Place.”

Our focus scripture is Matthew 14:22-33.

Courageously follow JESUS, even in fearful circumstances.

It is said that Nelson Mandela stated, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”

I have found that often GOD does not lead us as Spirit-born people, over, under or around issues in life but right through the middle. When we emerge on the other side of the issue, we may well know that we have been through an ordeal but we are stronger and know that GOD is our victor.

Many times, we think that since we are Spirit-born we should be free from trouble. But often, GOD uses issues in our lives as teaching moments and to draw us into a closer relationship with HIM.

When we fear something, often we need to face it or confront it. We should confess our fear (s) to our LORD and ask HIM to help us to face it or them. But I suggest that you do so silently in your mind, in prayer to JESUS and not out loud. Why? Satan cannot read your mind but when we speak, Satan can hear.

Let’s explore!

Background – Matthew 14:15-21: (Feeding of the 5,000)

¹⁵ When evening came, the disciples approached him (JESUS) and said, “This place is deserted, and it is already late.^[e] Send the crowds away so that they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”

¹⁶ “They don’t need to go away,” Jesus told them. “You give them something to eat.”

¹⁷ “But we only have five loaves and two fish here,” they said to him.

¹⁸ “Bring them here to me,” he said. ¹⁹ Then he commanded the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them. He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. ²⁰ Everyone ate and was satisfied. They picked up twelve baskets full of leftover pieces. ²¹ Now those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Notice, JESUS said, “Bring them here to me.” When we face issues in life that are too big for us, we should automatically take it or them to JESUS. Often, after a miracle we will often face a test.

JESUS’ disciples had just witnessed the miracle of JESUS multiplying a small amount of food to feed a crowd of people with twelve baskets of food leftover. A basket representing each tribe of Israel. The miracle of multiplication. Often, we may think that our small help with something is insignificant but in GOD’S hands it ministers to multitudes.

JESUS was always teaching HIS disciples. The disciples only found a meager amount of food. That was nothing compared to the crowd that needed to be fed. Did their lack of faith prompt JESUS to know that HIS disciples needed to increase their knowledge of WHO HE was and their faith in HIM before continuing as HIS disciples?

Immediately following the feeding of the 5,000 men plus the additional women and children ----

Notice that GOD prompted JESUS to insist that HIS disciples get into the boat and for them to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee without HIM as we read verse 22 ---

Let’s read Matthew 14:22-26:

Walking on the Water

²² Immediately he^[f] made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³ After dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Well into the night, he was there alone. ²⁴ Meanwhile, the boat was already some distance^[g] from land,^[h] battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. ²⁵ Jesus came toward them walking on the sea very early in the morning.^[i] 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and they cried out in fear.

JESUS dismissed the crowd and went up on the mountain to pray. John 6:19 reveals that the Apostle John estimated as to how far they had traveled out in the sea, we read in John 6:19: ¹⁹ After they had rowed about three or four miles,^[c] they saw Jesus walking on the sea. He was coming near the boat, and they were afraid. ²⁰ But he (JESUS) said to them, “It is I.^[d] Don’t be afraid.” ²¹ Then they were willing to take him on board, and at once the boat was at the shore where they were heading. This is the Apostle John’s record of the event.

Let’s add another piece of information found in Mark 6:48:

⁴⁸ He (JESUS) saw them straining at the oars,^[h] because the wind was against them. Very early in the morning^[i] he came toward them walking on the sea and wanted to pass by them. 

When I first read this, I broke out laughing. JESUS had a sense of humor. In another translation. It reads, “HE acted like HE was going to pass them by.” I can see JESUS walking on the water and HIS disciples are struggling to row to shore and JESUS waving to HIS disciples and saying something like, “Hey guys, I can get to the shore quicker than you just walking.”

Four of JESUS’ disciples were fishermen – Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. It is interesting that Simon Peter wanted to join HIM by walking on water.

Let’s read Matthew 14:27-30:

²⁷ Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Key words are, “Don’t be afraid.”

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter answered him, “command me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ He said, “Come.”

And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the strength of the wind,^[j] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Notice that Peter verified what he and the other disciples were witnessing. It was JESUS and not some figment of their imagination walking on the stormy sea. There is nothing wrong with confirming what we see. JESUS confirmed it was HIM and HE told Peter to come.

Peter had to leave the security of being in the boat and get into the stormy water. That took courage and faith. But does it last?

Peter, in fact, walked on the water until? “When he saw the strength of the wind,^[j] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out—“Lord, save me!”

When we take our eyes off JESUS and start looking around us, doubt sweeps in and that is when we begin to sink. What are some of the things do you think went through Peter’s mind as he walked on water? What are we to do when we realize that we are sinking? Peter cried out to whom? JESUS! What did JESUS do? JESUS reached out and lifted him up.

Most often, what do we do first? Fix the blame on someone else or sometimes ourselves?

Calling out to JESUS is exactly what we are to do when we realize we are in trouble. Peter was physically close enough to JESUS for HIM to reach HIS hand out and JESUS caught Peter.

As Spirit-born children, JESUS is always available to give us a hand.

When Peter cried out for help, what did JESUS do? Let’s read on ---

Let’s read Matthew 4:31-33:

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

JESUS immediately identified why Peter cried out. It was because Peter had little faith and doubt had raised its head.

³² When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ Then those in the boat worshiped him and said, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

When they got into the boat the wind ceased. Calm and peace came. The test had achieved its purpose - “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Notice, only Peter experienced walking on water but all the disciples were influenced by what happened.

Peter had this great experience of walking upon the stormy waters, yet later in JESUS’ ministry GOD still had to work on Peter. What are some of the thing’s GOD did along Peter’s Spiritual journey?

We read in Matthew 16:19:

I (JESUS) will give you (Peter) the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.”

Peter was present to witness the Transfiguration of JESUS - 

Matthew 17:1 - After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. They experienced the transfiguration of JESUS and witnessed the presence of GOD, Moses and Elijah and the commissioning of JESUS to complete HIS mission upon earth.

Yet after all of this what else do we know about Peter?

John 13 ³⁷ “Lord,” Peter asked, “why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

³⁸ Jesus replied, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly I tell you, a rooster will not crow until you have denied me three times.

How did Peter respond to his denial of JESUS?

Matthew 26: ⁷⁴ Then he (Peter) started to curse and to swear with an oath, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed, ⁷⁵ and Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Peter realized what he had done and repented. Spirit-born people can get notions about who JESUS is and when we think HE does not measure up to our expectations we get disappointed, until we realize that we had the wrong idea of who JESUS is and what HIS mission is.

What else do we know about Peter?

We read in Acts 5: ¹⁴ Believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers—multitudes of both men and women. ¹⁵ As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. ¹⁶ In addition, a multitude came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

God had to work in Peter’s heart to change some of his notions about ministering to the Gentiles as recorded in Acts 11: 9-15:

⁹ The next day, as they were traveling and nearing the city, Peter went up to pray on the roof about noon.^[b] 10 He became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing something, he fell into a trance. ¹¹ He saw heaven opened and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the earth. ¹² In it were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, and the birds of the sky. ¹³ A voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.”

¹⁴ “No, Lord!” Peter said. “For I have never eaten anything impure and ritually unclean.”

¹⁵ Again, a second time, the voice said to him, “What God has made clean, do not call impure.” ¹⁶ This happened three times, and suddenly the object was taken up into heaven.

GOD offered Peter non-kosher food which is food not approved for the Jews to eat according to the Old Testament. GOD was making it clear to Peter that he had to expand his ministry to include all people, and not just the Jews. Plus, GOD’S desire was for Peter to expand his ministry to the Gentiles.

JESUS gave HIS sinless life for all people. The shed blood of JESUS removes the sin barrier for all who will place their faith in HIM. JESUS is the true Son of GOD WHO takes away all of our sin the instant we place our faith in HIM.

We read in Revelation 3:20: See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

JESUS stands at the door of every unsaved person’s heart and knocks. The artist who painted a picture of this event does not show a door handle on the outside of the door. The door can only be opened from the inside. We must make the decision whether or not to open the door to our hearts.

Is JESUS knocking on your heart’s door; will you open the door to your heart and let HIM in? It is your decision to make and now is that time!

If you have not already done so, there is no better way to begin this New Year than to place your faith in JESUS. Ask HIM to forgive you for your sins and ask JESUS to come into your heart and save you.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Blessings!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bible Study - Fear (4) - Submission to GOD in Place of Fear - Luke 1:26-38 - December 25, 2022

 

Bible Study – Fear (4) – Submission to GOD in Place of Fear – December 25, 2022

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled, “Putting Fear in its Place.”

Our focus scripture is Luke 1:26-38.

GOD’S desire to work through us is no cause for fear.

Just imagine young Mary who was in her early teens being called by GOD to be the mother of HIS only Son, JESUS. Especially, when she was engaged to be married and she lived in a small town, Nazareth. What often takes place in a small town? Everyone likely knows all that is going on – the gossip line is efficient.

GOD calls many, at various stages in their lives, to special tasks for the sake of building HIS Kingdom upon earth. Building a building is one thing but carrying GOD’S Only SON is quite another calling.

Put yourself in Mary’s place for a moment. Even the men folks can put themselves in Mary’s place and most certainly all the ladies can imagine Mary’s concerns. When GOD calls, HE also equips and comforts.

Let’s explore!

So, how did GOD let Mary know of her calling?

Let’s read Luke 1:26-29:

Gabriel Predicts Jesus’s Birth

²⁶ In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin engaged^[c] to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.”^[d] 29 But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 

Bible scholars tell us that most young girls knew that GOD’S promised Messiah would be conceived by a virgin and they hoped they would be the one chosen by GOD.

At first reading one may think we can calculate from the sixth-month and add nine-months to it and come up with the approximately time of JESUS’ birth. The problem is that Bible scholars read, “In the sixth month after Elizabeth’s conception, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth.”

So, what do we know? We know that GOD planned for John the Baptist or John the Baptizer to be the herald who would go before JESUS and announce the coming of the promised Messiah. John the Baptist would be about six-months older than JESUS.

There are several histories that postulate when JESUS was born. What I generally lean toward is, in 325 A.D. that Constantine the Great, the first Christian Roman emperor established Christmas as an immovable feast on December 25. December 25 was also during a pagan festival. However, Bible scholars believe that JESUS was born either in the spring or the fall of the year because shepherds were in the field. The most important thing we need to keep in mind is JESUS’ birth fulfilled the Old Testament scripture. Why do I put this in this lesson? I was an adult before I knew this. GOD is magnificent and it is a delight and a joy to see GOD’S redemptive plan for all people in action.

What prophecy had GOD given through HIS prophet, Isaiah, regarding the coming of the promised Messiah? Let’s read on ----

In Isaiah 7:13-14:

¹³ Isaiah said, “Listen, house of David! Is it not enough for you to try the patience of men? Will you also try the patience of my God? ¹⁴ Therefore, the Lord himself will give you^[c] a sign: See, the virgin will conceive,^[d] have a son, and name him Immanuel.^[e]

To be chosen by GOD to carry HIS Only Son would be awesome, or would it? We fast-forward 700 years from Isaiah 7 to the birth of JESUS.

Let’s read Luke 1:30-33:

³⁰ Then the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. ³³ He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.”

Who told Mary about her calling by GOD? It was “the angel Gabriel that was sent by God.” What do we know about Gabriel? Gabriel is an archangel. He spoke to Daniel, Zachariah (the husband of Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin) and Mary.

Gabriel immediately put Mary at ease, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. ³³ He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.”

The statement by Gabriel, “for you have found favor with GOD” is awesome. It meant that Mary’s sins had been forgiven and she could personally enter into the presence of GOD! This is the same status those of us who have asked JESUS to forgive us for our sins and to come into our hearts and receive salvation, thus Spirit-born. WOW! Gabriel said a mouth full. At that instant Mary had been purified of all sin and her body became the temple for the Holy Spirit to come upon her so that conception could take place in the twinkling of the eye. Now, that is something to shout about – Praise be to our GOD and FATHER.

Gabriel told her to listen. In essence, Mary you need to listen to what I am about to tell you because it is vital. You are going to be pregnant with GOD’S only SON and here is how that is going to take place. You will name your SON, JESUS.

I think this next scripture reveals so much about Mary, as we read on--

Let’s read Luke 1:34-38:

³⁴ Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?” ^[e]

To me, Mary had a very practical question and revealed that she was not intimidated by Gabriel. She asked a very important question. Gabriel gave her the answer. GOD never wants those HE calls to be in the dark about what HE is calling them to do. Yes, some are called to respond in faith and trust. In this case, Mary needed to know and GOD knew that she needed to know.

³⁵ The angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God.”

³⁸ “See, I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

When Mary heard Gabriel’s explanation, she agreed to be the birth mother of JESUS. This is very important because GOD does not override a person’s right to choose. This also includes salvation.

We get to understand what took place in the conception of JESUS. We marvel but it is also a picture of the Spiritual birth of every person upon earth. The divine sperm, The Holy Spirit, came upon Mary and “overshadowed her.” It was a Holy moment and she conceived JESUS.

There was another “overshadow moment in the life of JESUS” as we read in Mark 9:7 when JESUS was transfigured - ⁷ A cloud appeared, overshadowing them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my beloved Son; listen to him!” JESUS was on HIS way to the cross and all had been fulfilled, except JESUS death on the cross. JESUS gave HIS sinless life to pay, in full, for sin for all who place their faith in HIM.

When a person repents of his or her sins, the Holy Spirit, the Divine Sperm, unites with his/her human spirit, that person is Spiritually born into GOD’S Family, never to be unborn. Thus “born-again.” The same Holy Spirit, that resulted in the conception of JESUS, is the same Holy Spirit that brings about the Spiritual birth of all who place their faith in JESUS.

Notice, Gabriel told Mary the Good News about Elizabeth, Mary’s first cousin. Elizabeth had been pregnant for 6 months before Mary. Do you think since, Gabriel had told Mary that Elizabeth was pregnant she was checking the authenticity of what Gabriel had told her? What do we learn from scripture about the first meeting of Elizabeth and Mary, since they were pregnant, as recorded in Luke 1:39-56:

Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth

³⁹ In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah ⁴⁰ where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² Then she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and your child will be blessed!^[f] 43 How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me. ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what he has spoken to her!”

Elizabeth confirmed what Mary already knew.

Mary’s Praise

⁴⁶ And Mary said:

My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ because he has looked with favor
on the humble condition of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations
will call me blessed,
⁴⁹ because the Mighty One
has done great things for me,
and his name is holy.
⁵⁰ His mercy is from generation to generation
on those who fear him.
⁵¹ He has done a mighty deed with his arm;
he has scattered the proud
because of the thoughts of their hearts;
⁵² he has toppled the mighty from their thrones
and exalted the lowly.
⁵³ He has satisfied the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering his mercy
⁵⁵ to Abraham and his descendants^[g] forever,
just as he spoke to our ancestors.

⁵⁶ And Mary stayed with her about three months; then she returned to her home.

Mary confirmed what the archangel, Gabriel, had told her was 100% true. There is nothing wrong verifying what GOD reveals to us. Mary breaks into a song of praise to GOD for being chosen to carry HIS only SON, JESUS.

This is a great example of GOD calling a person to accomplish HIS will and purpose. When GOD calls it is always according to HIS time and not ours. The key is when GOD calls, how will we respond? Just keep in mind that GOD never calls without also equipping. Our part is to agree and proceed. There is nothing wrong with asking questions or checking it out either.

Mary had to overcome her fear of being a bride betrothed to Joseph and being pregnant. The good news is that GOD revealed to Joseph, through an angel, as we read in Matthew 1:18-25:

The Nativity of the Messiah

¹⁸ The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged^[g] to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ So her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.

²⁰ But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

²² Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

²³ See, the virgin will become pregnant
and give birth to a son,
and they will name him Immanuel,^[h]

which is translated “God is with us.”

²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her ²⁵ but did not have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son.^[i] And he named him Jesus.

GOD clears the path for HIS will and purpose to be done!

Trust GOD when HE calls you to do the impossible, because all things are possible through HIM when we have the faith the size of a mustard seed.

Merry Christmas! GOD is awesome and so is being Spirit-born!

Blessings!!!