Sermon Central
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Were All In The Same Boat
Contributed by Brian Menear on Jan 4, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: As followers of Jesus Christ we are all in the same boat, with the same destination. God and Jesus Christ watch over us during the journey.
We’re All In The Same Boat
Jesus Walks on Water
45 Immediately after this, Jesus made his disciples get back into the boat and head out across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. 46 Afterward he went up into the hills by himself to pray.
47 During the night, the disciples were in their boat out in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. 48 He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning he came to them, walking on the water. He started to go past them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the water, they screamed in terror, thinking he was a ghost. 50 They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “It’s all right,” he said. “I am here! Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were astonished at what they saw.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we have been directed/commanded the direction for our life(Verse 45-The Disciples)
17 “The Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good and leads you along the paths you should follow.
Have these commands been enforced upon us? No it is because of our love for Christ
14 Whatever we do, it is because Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for everyone, we also believe that we have all died to the old life we used to live.
We should rejoice that we have been given direction-because it is right!
Psalm 119:47,86,98,172
47How I delight in your commands! How I love them! 86All your commands are trustworthy. 98Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for your commands are my constant guide. 172Let my tongue sing about your word, for all your commands are right.
As Christians, what is our greatest commandment?
37 Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
The Church Body(Verse 47-The Boat)
One Body with Many Parts
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into Christ’s body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit.
Each part of the Body has it’s role. All of the gifts present in the Body are for the benefit of 1)The Kingdom 2)The Body itself
27 Now all of you together are Christ’s body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it. 28 Here is a list of some of the members that God has placed in the body of Christ:
first are apostles,
second are prophets,
third are teachers,
then those who do miracles,
those who have the gift of healing,
those who can help others,
those who can get others to work together,
those who speak in unknown languages.
29 Is everyone an apostle? Of course not. Is everyone a prophet? No. Are all teachers? Does everyone have the power to do miracles? 30 Does everyone have the gift of healing? Of course not. Does God give all of us the ability to speak in unknown languages? Can everyone interpret unknown languages? No! 31 And in any event, you should desire the most helpful gifts.
Apostles-Furthering the advancement of the word and the mission
Definition-One sent on a mission. Has a message and is authorized to act on behalf of the sender. Jesus himself, was an apostle sent by God
3 And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are bound for heaven, think about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s Messenger and High Priest. 2 For he was faithful to God, who appointed him, just as Moses served faithfully and was entrusted with God’s entire house.
Prophets-Bring Gods message to earth
Teachers-Teach the Word of God
Miracles-Show Gods power and glory. The disciples performed miracles all through the Book of Acts
Healing-Reveal Gods glory to believer and unbeliever alike
Why would God heal a unbeliever? So that they may know him
(Acts 9 Pauls conversion on Rd to Damascus)
Help others-Spiritual mentors
Administration/Organization-Getting the Body to work together
