Newburg Christian Church

11-23-2008 Sermon

Focused Faith

Mark 6:45-52

Have you ever seen someone you know very well but not recognized them? Not long after I moved to Louisville, back in 1990, I was at the zoo with Andrew. It was a nice sunny Saturday afternoon and we were really enjoying ourselves. All of a sudden I hear a woman’s voice calling my name. I turned around and I see this woman waving her arms at me and there are two other ladies with her who are also waving.

I thought, who in the world are those women and how do they know my name. Then I looked a little closer and I realized I knew them, but what were their names? They were smiling as they walked over to Andrew and me. By the time they got there I remembered. They were ladies I knew from my hometown, once that clicked in my head I remembered their names. The problem was that I wasn’t expecting to see them and they were in a place where I wouldn’t have expected to see them. But there they were at the zoo.

The disciples have that kind of experience with Jesus. Jesus sent them off in a boat while he took some time to pray. He planned to meet them on the other side of the lake. He may have said, “Go on ahead and I’ll catch up with you later.” Everything was just fine. The disciples headed across the lake in a small boat. But then a storm came up and the little boat was taking on water from the splashing waves. They were afraid. Just about that time Jesus, walking on water, comes to reassure them.

When the disciples see Jesus coming they think it’s a ghost. They didn’t recognize him. No one expects to see people from Irvine at the Louisville Zoo. The disciples didn’t expect to see Jesus walking on water in the middle of the lake. Their fears mixed with confusion in the midst of a storm.

Mark may have included this story in his gospel because he knew there would be times when the church would feel like Jesus was nowhere near. Every congregation has this experience from time to time. There are growing pains, conflicts, change, and just plain distractions that can make Jesus seem distant. If we’re really on a journey with Jesus then we have to expect the trip is going to be a little bumpy from time to time. I believe Mark wants us to know what Jesus wants us to know, we are never on the lake in a storm alone.

The last sentence in the Gospel of Matthew says, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” With those words of Jesus we can be completely confident of Jesus’ presence with us today and every time we come together as a family of God. He is with us “always.” Always. The question isn’t, “Is Jesus with us?” The question is, “Are we expecting him?”

You’ve heard the story of Jesus walking on water many times before, most often you’ve heard Matthew’s version which focuses on Peter. Mark tells us the response to Jesus walking on water from the perspective of all on board that little boat. It says they were straining at the oars, they saw Jesus walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost, they cried out, they were terrified. Jesus’ response is simply, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” In reality what Jesus is saying is, “Why did you doubt that it was me? Why didn’t you know I would be coming to rescue you on the water? Weren’t you expecting me?”

Are you expecting Jesus to show up in this church? Do you believe he know about Newburg Christian Church? Do you believe he cares about Newburg Christian Church? Do you believe he can get this ship through any storm that may come up? If you are going to continue on a journey with God you have to expect Jesus to show up. He will show up every time we show up. We just have to open our eyes and hearts to see and experience him.

We’re concluding our 40 Days of Prayer and Faith Sharing today. As I’ve read the meditations and all the books that are a part of this E-vent I’ve learned two things that must take place if we are to effectively keep the church on course and share our faith with others. We must be alert to God’s presence in our personal lives each day. And, our eyes must be open and receptive to what God would have us do next. As individual and as a family of God we must expect God to use us in unexpected ways. If you want to do effective ministry you have to expect Jesus to show up.

Jesus is always with us. Like I said before, the question isn’t “Is Jesus with us?” The question is, “Are we expecting him?” So how can we keep our eyes open to see Jesus? If we get in the habit of looking for him, we will see him. Look for him in a quiet moment. Look for him in a song. Look for him in the eyes of a child. Look for him in the eyes of a Dare to Care client. Look for him in school. Look for him at work. Look for him at the store. If you will intentionally look for Jesus you will see him. The more you look the more you will find him.

Seeing Jesus is no accident. It is a cultivated habit. A little change, consistently implemented, can keep our eyes expecting Jesus. Jesus is with us always; when we pray alone or with others. Jesus is with us always; as we light a candle to focus on him. Jesus is with us always; each day we take a moment to hear His voice. Jesus is with us always; as we sit around the table this Thanksgiving. Jesus is with us always; as we open our hearts to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is with us always. Seeing Jesus is no accident. It is a habit.

Close your eyes and use your imaginations for just a moment to picture that boat load of disciples on the lake in a storm. Can you see Jesus walking toward them on the waves? Now, open your eyes and see Jesus right here, right now in this sanctuary. Jesus is in this church boat with us if you will only open your eyes to see. Jesus is always with us.

When Jesus is with us he takes us to places we never could have imagined. He took the disciples to a new place for them to minister. Jesus is in the boat with Newburg Christian Church and is taking it into new places for you to minister. He’s taking you to places where people need to feel the touch of Jesus’ love and mercy. He’s taking you to places where people need his healing touch. He’s taking you to someplace new.

Are you up for the ride? Trust him with all your heart and do not forget his teachings. Ride the waves with Jesus at the helm of this church ship and see where he takes you.

(Adapted from Dawn Darwin Weaks)

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