Title: Upgrade of Faith (Mark 4:35-41)
Content Upgrade of Faith (Mark 4:35-41) - Rev. Il-guk Eom
[Mark 4:35-41]
[35] ♠ At sunset that day, he said to his disciples, "Let's cross over to the other side." [36] ♠ They left the crowd and took Jesus as he was in the boat, and the other boats were also with them [37] ♠ A great storm broke out and waves broke [38] ♠ Jesus slept on a pillow in the stern, and his disciples woke him up and said, “Teacher, do you not care that we are dead?” [39] ♠ Jesus awoke [40] Then he said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Why do you have no faith?” [41] ♠ They were very afraid of each other. He said, "Who is it that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
We who believe in Jesus Christ believe that we are the ones holding on to the thick fairy tale line. The disciples had met wonderful teachers. The disciples did not want to receive discipleship training, but as they followed Jesus, they did it naturally. Even if the discipleship training was not done voluntarily, if you receive training, you will go on the path of faith.
Through today's text, I would like to share with you three things you must realize while living as a disciple.
First, “let us cross over to the other side”
In verse 35, Jesus says, “Let us cross over to the other side.” They just tell you to go the other way. You haven't even decided on a location. It is important that we simply follow Jesus Christ. Because the key is in Christ. No matter what direction we want to go, we must trust and follow the Lord. Otherwise, you will miss his way. When we go as He leads, our life of faith will be successful. It is the right life of faith to go as God leads.
So where is “the other side”? I believe it is a very good place. We believe that our faith is leading us to upgrade. We just need to go where the Lord leads us.
“Therefore, we do not lose heart, for though our outward man perishes, but our inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).
We are upgrading day by day. This is our attitude in life.
Second, the boat carrying Jesus also met with a great storm and shook.
Even where the Son of God is, there is a storm. In retrospect, this is treason. However, I believe that God allows it and the storm is blowing. If you believe in Jesus and try to live your life well, does the storm of life begin to blow? The wind is the force that keeps us moving forward. It is faith that fights this and goes to a new level. It is Satan's purpose to prevent us from going to the other side and being upgraded. I am trying to fully believe in God, but have I met the storm of life? So, do I worry about whether the way I am going is in line with the will of God? Life isn't easy. God wants you to discover God's will in this environment and complete it to the end.
“You have struggled with sin, and you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood, and you have forgotten the exhortation to you as to sons, saying, “My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, nor lose heart when he rebukes you. For he chastises those he loves, and scourges every son whom he accepts. You endure discipline, because God treats you like sons. How can there be a son whose father does not discipline him? If he does not have him, he is an illegitimate son and not a true son” (Hebrews 12:4-8).
The true son is disciplined. Jesus was also disciplined. It cannot be avoided. Therefore, receiving well is an important part of our lives. How many storms are there in our life? It is grace to go through it well. One thing Satan and God have in common is that they want to kill us. Satan offers sweet things to keep us from entering eternal life, but God kills us at Golgotha and enters eternal life.
Third, we must learn through the response of Jesus.
How does Jesus respond to the storm? By watching this, we can learn. Jesus rebuked the wind. In the Gospel of Mark, there are many scenes where Jesus rebuked, and each time he rebuked Satan behind the scenes. Jesus knew that Satan was behind the phenomenon. It is Jesus' method to remove the cause and calm the phenomenon. It is a spiritual warfare against Satan. Satan is something we have to fight against. It is not something to be avoided. To avoid Satan is to be his servant, and Satan delights in it. Those who believe in Jesus must resist Satan. You must avoid the seat of temptation, but you must resist Satan. If you resist in the name of Jesus, Satan will flee. Victory comes when you resist in the name of Jesus. Please rebuke diseases and difficult circumstances with faith. Please use the authority in the name of Jesus Christ. This is how you win.