HOFC Sermon Archive: Gospel of Mark Part 35: Jesus Walks on Water

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SERMON TIMELINE

1. Introduction

2. John the Baptist

3. The Baptism of Jesus

4. Temptation of Jesus

5. The Preaching Ministry of Jesus I

6. The Preaching Ministry of Jesus II

7. The First Disciples

8. A Teacher with Authority

9. At the Home of Simon and Andrew

10. Jesus Cleanses the Leper

11. Jesus Heals the Paralytic

12. Jesus and the Tax Collector

13. Jesus Questioned About Fasting

14. Of Wine and Wineskins

15. Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath & Resurrection Sunday 2025

16. Hard Hearts and Hard Thoughts

17. Three Responses to Jesus

18. Jesus Appoints the Apostles

19. The Family of Jesus

20. The Unforgivable Sin

21. The True Family of Jesus

22. Parable of the Four Soils

23. How Well Do You Listen

24. Parable of the Growing Seed

25. Parable of the Mustard Seed

26. Benefits of Private Teaching

27. Jesus Calms the Storm

28. Who is Afraid of Jesus?

29. The Touch of Jesus

30. When Familiarity Breeds Contempt

31. Principles of Evangelism

32. Weakness in the Seat of Power

33. The Need for Rest

34. Feeding 5000

35. Jesus Walks on Water

Today is Sunday. September 21^st, 2025

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever felt alone as you battle the storms in life? Rowing frantically against the winds of hardship, waves of fear, perhaps, wondering where Jesus was when you needed Him most?

In the dark of night on Galilee, Jesus came to the disciples while they were in their boat. Walking on the waters.

From this passage, we will see three anchors of hope.

The prayer during the storms.

The peace of Jesus in His presence. (salvation)

The power of Jesus returning.

We see the record of Jesus walking on water recorded in Matthew, Mark, and John. Though we are reading through the Gospel of John, I will reference the other accounts for more details, as I always do, to gain a clearer picture of what it is the Holy Spirit wants us to learn from this record.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Mark 6:45-52
“And immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the crowd away. ⁴⁶And after bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray.

⁴⁷And when it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. ⁴⁸And seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch [3-6 a.m.] of the night He *came to them, walking on the sea; and He was intending to pass by them. ⁴⁹But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they thought that it was a ghost, and cried out; ⁵⁰for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and *said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” ⁵¹Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly amazed, ⁵²for they had not gained any insight about the loaves, but their heart was hardened.”

I. PRAYER DURING THE STORMS

a. Where they are at in the timeline

i. Jesus had told the disciples they needed much deserved rest (Mark 6:30)

ii. He instructed them to go to a desolate place for a while, however when they got in the boat people saw them, recognized them, and many ran ahead so there was a large crowd when they arrived on shore.

iii. Mark 6:34 tells us that Jesus had compassion on them and began to teach them.

1. The disciples, who were in much need of rest, on the other hand, wanted Jesus to send them all away.

2. But Jesus fed the 5,000 with a blessing of the offering and multiplied it to fit the needs.

iv. After this, Jesus instructs the disciples to return to the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side of Bethesda.

1. He would stay and send the crowd away.

2. After bidding them farewell, Jesus left for the mountain to pray.

b. As the disciples rowed the troubled seas

i. Jesus prayed

ii. Even in his busy schedule, Jesus found time to pray

1. When it comes to reading scripture, praying, studying, coming to church, and spending time in meditation on the word of God…one must make these things a priority!

2. Remember earlier in Mark, Jesus said the more you put into faith, the more you get out of it!

3. People give a small sliver to the Lord, but expect everything from Him in return.

4. When we read about Jesus rejecting people from heaven, He says, “I do not know you…”

5. You get to know people by spending a lot of time with them!

iii. Jesus left for the quiet place to pray, making time because it was important to Him.

iv. If the Son of God needed prayer, how much more the children of God today!

Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving;”

v. By evening, while the disciples were struggling with the sea, rowing, Jesus was on the mountain top, alone, praying.

IMAGINE

Jesus, alone on the mountain top, praying. His disciples were struggling with the sea.

c. Jesus prays as we are working!

i. Like the disciples rowing against the troubled seas, we are busy working against the troubles in life

1. Working out our salvation

Philippians 2:12 speaking on obeying, even when no one is looking (integrity) working out your salvation with fear and trembling.

2. Working for the Lord

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

ii. Meanwhile, Jesus is now in heaven (just like on the mountain) praying for us!

1. Scripture states Jesus makes intercession on our behalf!

Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

Romans 8:34 “who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.”

1 John 2:1 “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;”

2. Jesus is our High Priest

Hebrews 4:14-16 “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us take hold of our confession. ¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things like we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

IMAGINE

Jesus, praying in heaven. His disciples busy on earth.

II. PEACE IN THE PRESENCE OF JESUS (SALVATION)

a. Jesus coming brought them peace

i. We see in Matthew 14:24 the boat was being tossed about by the waves, and in Mark that the winds were against them.

ii. Jesus saw His disciples struggling (Mark 6:48)

iii. Jesus walked out on the water, and awaited their call…scripture says He intended to pass them by.

1. Jesus is always available, always near, ready to answer your call, however, you must call Him!

a. Knock…and it will be opened, Seek…and you will find, Ask…and it will be given. (Matthew 7:7-8)

b. You have not, because you ask not, and when you do ask, you ask for the wrong reasons. (James 4:2-3)

iv. It was a dark stormy night, between 3-6 AM

1. They thought Jesus was a ghost at first, they called out to Him…scared

v. And Jesus comforted them (Mark 6:50)

1. Mark says “immediately”

2. Jesus was waiting to answer, always listening.

Acts 2:21 “And it will be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

3. “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid”

vi. Jesus joined them on the boat, the wind ceased and they marveled.

Matthew 14:33 “And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are truly God’s Son!”

Jesus’ coming had brought great peace and comfort to His disciples!

b. Jesus’ coming will bring us peace

i. For now we are like His disciples, rowing this troubled life to the heavenly shores of eternity.

ii. Some times the storms come and maybe even challenge our faith.

1. Remember He is our High Priest

2. He is there for us!

Also, the greatest storm of all is yet to come!

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be found out.

¹¹Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, ¹²looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens burning will be destroyed, and the elements will melt with intense heat!” ~ 2 Peter 3:10-12

However, in the following verse, for those of us who belong to the Lord, this day will bring PEACE!

“But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.” ~ 2 Peter 3:13

Jesus’ Second Coming will bring great peace and comfort to those who serve Him!

CONCLUSION

The Bible Believer’s Commentary says, “The church has seen in this miracle a picture of the present age and its close. Jesus on the mountain represents Christ in His present ministry in heaven, interceding for His people. The disciples represent His servants, buffeted by the storms and trials of life. Soon the Savior will return to His own, deliver them from danger and distress and guide them safe to the heavenly shore.”

So while we may struggle at times in our service to the Lord, we can take comfort knowing that Jesus is praying for us during the storm, if we just call on Him!

We can take courage knowing that He is coming for us and will bring great peace!

But such comfort and courage will come only to those who are willing to serve Him now. Are you in the "boat" and "rowing" in the service of Jesus Christ, the Son of God...?

NEXT WEEK: “Part 36: Healing in Gennesaret”

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Thursday, September 25, 2025

Gospel of Mark Part 35: Jesus Walks on Water

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