Summary: Making the decision to go from where we presently are spiritually to a new level in Jesus...the other side!

“The Other Side Series---I”

Mark 4:35-41

MK 4:35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?" 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" 41 They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

MAIN TEXT

MK 4:35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.

INTRODUCTION

• I believe Jesus is making the same statement to each and every one of us this morning…“Let us go to the other side.”

• What is the “other side?”

Your prayer life

Your openness to the moving of God

Your battle against sin

Your discipline in the Word of God

Your approach in worship

Your walk with the Lord as a whole

• For some of us, the other side may look much different than it does or someone else.

• This wasn’t a suggestion from Jesus…it was a command. May I suggest that Jesus is doing more than “suggesting” that you cross over to the other side? That is His plan for you!

• But, I believe there are some questions we need to ask ourselves this morning if we want to go to the “other side” spiritually…

I. What will I FORSAKE? {vs 36}

36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.

• They had to be willing to leave the crowd behind in order to go to the other side

• Ask yourself a very honest question this morning…What do you need to leave behind if you are ever going to grow spiritually?

POSSIBILITIES:

1. SIN issue

 Is there a sin you are dealing with?

2. SCHEDULE

 Where does God fit within the priorities and the demands on your time?

3. A certain SOMEONE

 Is there someone close to you who is hindering your spiritual progress?

• Keep in mind what Jesus said to His disciples:

MT 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

• I will be VERY honest to you and tell you that spiritual greatness will cost you something…it always does!

Homeless Man

Let’s imagine a situation where a homeless man is begging on the streets of New York. A well dressed man in a long limousine pulls up next to him and offers him a job as vice-president of his company. You might say that is ridiculous; nothing like that would ever happen. But that is exactly what God has done for us. He rescued us from the gutter. We were homeless and he gave us a new home. We were the rejects of the world, but he gave us self respect. We had nothing, but he gave us everything. He asks us to be a part of his kingdom and work for it.

But, now, let’s say that the homeless man sneers at him and rejects the offer for several reasons. First, he will have to give up what is familiar to him. Obviously, it is a terrible life, but it is the only life he knows how to live. Secondly, he has a few possessions which he pushes around in a cart, and the few clothes he owns are on his back. And one of the conditions the man in the limousine makes is that the man must leave everything and get into the limousine. The third reason is that the man will actually have to work and accept responsibility. Life on the street was bad, but at least no one expected anything from him. No one expected him to be any different. So he turns from the man in the expensive suit and shuffles down the street hoping for a warm grate that he can sleep on for the night.

II. What will I TAKE? {vs 36}

36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.

• They took Jesus just as He was…He was probably absolutely exhausted!

• Sometimes, we take Jesus along and He is not exactly what we thought He would be.

 When you decide to follow Christ, you make a commitment to take Jesus with you just the way He is and nothing else:

Hates sin

Loves those who are hard to love

He forgives unconditionally

Aggressively looks to help those that are hurting

 Instead, we tend to accept a false idea of Jesus who:

Allows and excuses sin

Loves only people who are like us

Holds a grudge

 When you go where Jesus wants you to go, you take Him just the way He is!

III. What impact will I MAKE? {vs 36}

36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.

• Did you see what happened? Even though they left the crowd behind, they saw other boats follow along with them.

• The amazing thing is this, when you make the choice to go to the other side with Jesus, you will see other people following you.

Dr. John Geddie went to Aneityum in 1848 and worked there for God for 24 years. On the tablet erected to his memory these words are inscribed: “When he landed, in 1848, there were no Christians. When he left, in 1872, there were no heathen.”

• Church, keep in mind, people are watching you at some strategic times in your life:

1. In Your PURSUIT

• Whether or not you pursue a relationship with Jesus, others will be watching.

2. In Your PROBLEMS

• The way you handle your problems are being watched closely

3. in Your PERSECUTION {Acts 7:60-8:1}

7:60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep. 8:1 And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.

• Keep in mind, Steven, when those rocks are hitting you…there is a Saul waiting to become a Paul who is watching the whole thing take place!

RESPONSE

• Will you make the decision to go to the “other side” spiritually?

• If you do, there are some serious questions to ask yourself:

* What will I FORSAKE?

* What will I TAKE?

* What impact will you MAKE?