 Exhausting and exhilarating  Ends with Jesus… Protecting His disciples Protecting His disciples Praying to the Father Praying to the Father Persuading disciples to greater faith in Him as the Son of God Persuading disciples to greater faith in Him as the Son of God 2

 The multitude: Obsessed with physical purposes, John 6:15  Jesus: Driven by divine purposes, Matt 14:23  Disciples: Follow the Master’s will, Matt 14:22 3

 Feeding the multitude  Jesus walking on the water  Peter walking on the water  Jesus calming the storm 4

 Soothing and refreshing relief Multitude pressing upon Him with false conclusions, intentions and expectations, John 6:15 (Luke 9:11) Multitude pressing upon Him with false conclusions, intentions and expectations, John 6:15 (Luke 9:11) Eminent rejection by many disciples, John 6:60 Eminent rejection by many disciples, John 6:60 Disciples’ hearts still hard, Mark 6:52 Disciples’ hearts still hard, Mark 6:52 5

 Soothing and refreshing relief Continual training of the 12 apostles Continual training of the 12 apostles Daily appeals for help, Luke 5:15-16 Daily appeals for help, Luke 5:15-16 Daily conflict with and danger from opponents (incl. Herod) Daily conflict with and danger from opponents (incl. Herod) Daily trials and temptations, Lk 22:28 Daily trials and temptations, Lk 22:28 6

 Prayer: The Christian’s comfort and assurance, Phil 4:6-7 Suffering, joy, petitions, thanksgiving… Jas 5:16; 1 Ths 5:17-18; Psa 55:16-17 Suffering, joy, petitions, thanksgiving… Jas 5:16; 1 Ths 5:17-18; Psa 55:16-17 Do not lose heart, Luke 18:1; 11:5-8 Do not lose heart, Luke 18:1; 11:5-8 God will not forsake the righteous, Psa 55:22 God will not forsake the righteous, Psa 55:22 7

 Tossed (basanizo): “harassed, distressed, tortured”; struggling (toiling, KJV ) against a head wind The boat, Matthew 14:24 The boat, Matthew 14:24 The disciples, Mark 6:48 The disciples, Mark 6:48 8

 False Doctrines, Eph 4:14 Swept away with excitement, John 6:15; cf. Mk 6:52 (Acts 1:6-7) Swept away with excitement, John 6:15; cf. Mk 6:52 (Acts 1:6-7) Jesus made them leave, Matt 14:22 Jesus made them leave, Matt 14:22 The Lord’s commandments protect us from spiritual danger (Deut 10:13) The Lord’s commandments protect us from spiritual danger (Deut 10:13) 9

 False Doctrines, Eph 4:14 We can be swept away by error through excitement, emotion and false concepts, 2 Peter 3:16-18; 2:1-3 We can be swept away by error through excitement, emotion and false concepts, 2 Peter 3:16-18; 2:1-3  Plan of salvation, Acts 22:16  MDR situations, Matt 19:6, 9; Rom 7:2-3  Unity in diversity, Eph 4:3-4 10

 Compromise, Gal 2:5; 2 Cor 6:14-18 Promise of “smooth sailing” pushes many souls into rocks of destruction, Jude Promise of “smooth sailing” pushes many souls into rocks of destruction, Jude  World (1 Jno 2:15-17); False teachers (Jude 3-4); fellowship with error (2 Jno 10-11) 11

 Trials, Hebrews 12:1-3 Reproached for your faith, 1 Pet 4:14-16 Reproached for your faith, 1 Pet 4:14-16 Physical challenges, 2 Cor 4:11, Physical challenges, 2 Cor 4:11,

 Notable lessons… The Lord sees us straining against contrary winds, Mk 6:48 (Heb 13:5-6) The Lord sees us straining against contrary winds, Mk 6:48 (Heb 13:5-6) Strain can weaken flesh but strengthen spirit, Jas 1:2-4; 2 Co 12:7-10; 1 Pet 1:6-7 Strain can weaken flesh but strengthen spirit, Jas 1:2-4; 2 Co 12:7-10; 1 Pet 1:6-7 Lord did not rescue at the first sign of trouble – but He did come, Mark 6:48; Matt 14:24-25 Lord did not rescue at the first sign of trouble – but He did come, Mark 6:48; Matt 14:

 The word of Jesus calms fears, Matt 14:26-27 God’s word gives assurance and strength, 1 Jno 2:14 God’s word gives assurance and strength, 1 Jno 2:14 Trust the word of Christ to protect and save you, Jas 1:21; Eph 6:13-14 Trust the word of Christ to protect and save you, Jas 1:21; Eph 6:

 Go to Jesus for salvation, Matt 14:28-29; 11:28; Acts 22:16  Keep your eyes on Jesus, Matt 14:29-31 (Heb 12:2); Phil 4:13  Trust the power of Jesus, the Son of God, Matt 14: