John 6:16-26

John 6: 16-26 (NLT), ¹⁶ That evening Jesus’ disciples went down to the shore to wait for him. ¹⁷ But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn’t come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum. ¹⁸ Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough. ¹⁹ They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, ²⁰ but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!” ²¹ Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination! ²² The next day the crowd that had stayed on the far shore saw that the disciples had taken the only boat, and they realized Jesus had not gone with them. ²³ Several boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the Lord had blessed the bread and the people had eaten. ²⁴ So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went across to Capernaum to look for him. ²⁵ They found him on the other side of the lake and asked, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” ²⁶ Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs.

Three Things to Learn from John 6

1. Be Assured Storms Will Come.

Matthew 14:22 (ESV), Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.

1 Peter 4:12 (ESV), Beloved do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Psalm 34:1 (ESV), I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

1. The Storm Reveals the Maturity of Our Faith.

John 6:19-20 (ESV), ¹⁹ When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. ²⁰ But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”

• The maturity of our faith will be revealed by our reaction to the storm.

• True faith doesn’t strive, it surrenders to the Holy Spirit.

Mark 6:48-50 (ESV), ⁴⁸ . . . about the fourth watch of the night, he came to them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified . . .

Matthew 14:29-30 (ESV), ²⁹ He said, “Come.”  So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord save me.”

• Convincing ourselves that we have faith is not real faith.

• It is the word of God that produces faith, not will-power. 

2. The Solution . . . Allow Jesus in Our Boat.

John 6:20-21 (ESV), “It is I; do not be afraid.”  Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

Questions:

1. What did you hear from the Holy Spirit? 
2. What will you do because of it? 
3. How can we pray for you?