“Running on Empty” – Mark 6:30-51
Have you ever found yourself running on empty?
There are some obvious warning signs in our life that can let us know we are on empty:
- We are impatient
- We lack compassion
- We are more vulnerable to temptation
- We are critical
- Our insecurities are more prevalent
- We feel distant from God
The Request from Jesus – 30, 31
The Responses to Jesus – 32-34
The Reactions by Jesus – 35-56
The good news is despite all the circumstances and difficulties that life brings our way, Jesus has overcome it all and He satisfies the soul!
I. Jesus Can Provide in Your Life
Mark 6:30-32 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
This represents His
Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Wisdom – He grew mentally
Stature – He grew physically
Favor with God – He grew spiritually
Favor with Man – He grew socially
When we do life and ministry in God’s way He equips us with His power and resources along the way to bring about the results only He can produce.
II. Following Jesus Provides for Your Life
Mark 6:35-36 And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.
Mark 6:41-44 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.
This represents His
When the disciples saw the obstacles, Jesus saw an opportunity
When the disciples saw the quantity of the meal, Jesus saw the quality
When the disciples saw the tension, Jesus saw the truth!
We will never accomplish anything for God if all we can see are obstacles and impossibilities, but when we discover God’s will and trust in His power we’ll discover just how capable He really is!
2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
III. Following Jesus Provides to Your Life
Mark 6:45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
This represents His
Sometimes we can find ourselves in the middle of a storm, not because we were disobedient, but because we were obedient.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Psalm 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
Some storms are for correction and others are for perfection.
IV. Following Jesus Provides for Your Life
Mark 6:46-52 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.
This represents His
Sometimes Jesus calms us before he calms the storms in our lives.
Psalm 121:1-3 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
I Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.