Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The struggles of the Disciples in cultivating faith were very real

2. Did they have genuine faith in the first place?

a) Yes, for they had given up all to follow the Lord Jesus

b) With the exception of Judas Iscariot

THE INSPIRING TEACHING OF THE LORD JESUS

1. He taught the Multitudes

1 And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea.

2 Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching:

Mark 4:1-2

2. He explained things to His Disciples

10 But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable.

11 And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables,

12 so that
‘Seeing they may see and not perceive,
And hearing they may hear and not understand;
Lest they should turn,
And their sins be forgiven them.’ ”

Mark 4:10-12

a) The Twelve asked questions

b) The Lord Jesus explained

i) They were privileged indeed to learn

ii) They can understand the mysteries of the kingdom

3. The responsibility lay with the hearers

“And He said to them, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear!’ ”

Mark 4:9

33 And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it.

34 But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.

Mark 4:33-34

a) The hearing part is the responsibility of the individual

b) Both the Multitudes and the Disciples must exercise responsibility to listen well

TESTING OF THE DISCIPLES

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”

36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.

37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.

38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Mark 4:35-41

1. The same day, when evening had come

a) The Disciples had learned many lessons

b) Their questions were answered

c) Did their faith increase with further knowledge?

2. A storm broke out when the Lord Jesus was in a boat with His disciples

3. A picture of stark contrast may be seen

a) The Disciples

i) They were fearful

ii) Their faith was not visible

b) The Lord Jesus

i) He was resting after a long day of teaching

ii) He was not in the least perturbed by the storm

THE QUERY OF THE LORD JESUS

But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

Mark 4:40

1. Two questions were raised

a) Why are you so fearful?

b) How is it that you have no faith?

2. These questions

a) They were pertinent

b) They were poignant

3. The response of the Disciples

And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Mark 4:41

a) They feared exceedingly

b) Their statement revealed that they did not fully know who the Lord Jesus was!

CONCLUSION

1. Failure to learn the needed lessons of faith

a) Knowledge is vital

b) But knowledge must be converted into Faith

2. Fear must be addressed and overcome

a) There was exceeding fear felt

i) Fear of the storm

ii) Fear of death by drowning

iii) Fear of the Lord Jesus

b) Faith should have been applied

i) But the faith in the Disciples was small

ii) It was like having “no faith!”

3. Faith must be sought and found

a) Learning from failure

b) Lessons from failure:

i) Recognition of weakness

ii) Realisation of what must be done

iii) Repentance from sinful cowardly behaviour

iv) Restoration to be sought