| 2 Pet. 1:12-13
|
"Therefore I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know them, and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you."
 Note: An Israel teaching by Pastor George Shafer.
Listen to the study. |
| Pastor George: |
Tells his congregation that he believes in all the gifts, but he doesn't have the gift to live it. |
| Mark 6:35-39 |
"And when the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, 'This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat.' But He answered and said to them, 'You give them something to eat.' And they said to Him, 'Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them sometyhing to eat?' But He said to them, 'How many loaves do you have? Go and see.' And when they found out they said, 'Five, and two fish.' Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass." |
| Pastor George: |
Notes that the people were not complaining here. "But there was some murmuring and bellyaching from the disciples themselves." |
| Mark 6:42-44 |
"So they all ate and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish. Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men." |
| Pastor George: |
Says, "The people were caught up in what the Lord was doing, and didn't say they were hungry." |
| Mark 6:45 |
"Immediately He *made (strongly urged) His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away." |
| Pastor George: |
Instructs us to back up to Mark 4 here. "Days prior to this event." |
| Mark 4:35-40 |
"On the same day, (the same as immediately) when evening had come, He said to them, 'Let us cross over to the other side.' Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great (mega) windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling, ..." |
| Pastor George: |
"Immediately; they have on the job training! Storms do not last." |
| vs. 38 |
"...But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. ..." |
| Pastor George: |
"The pillow was the promise of going to the other side. We have to enter into His rest."
"...And they awoke Him and said to Him 'Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?' Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still!' And the wind ceased and there was a great (mega) calm. But He said to them, 'Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?' "
See (Still The Storm - In Jesus' Name) |
| Pastor George: |
"When you rest on the promises of God it will look like you don't care." He instructs us to go back up to Mark 6 to continue. |
| Mark 6:46-52 |
"And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. ..." |
| Pastor George: |
"Oh, they're in trouble again. He just gave them the power to do this." |
| vs. 48 |
"...And about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. ..." |
| Pastor George: |
"They were caught up in what they were doing." |
| vs. 49 |
"...But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled. And immediately He talked with them and said to them, 'Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.' Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.' |
| Pastor George: |
"They were amazed! 'Well, God, You paid my electric bill, but my phone bill is so much higher.' It seems we get in a mold that we say 'God, You have to do it this way, and no other.' Don't put God in a box! You have been given the measure of faith that has to be built upon. Paul says (in Phil. 2:12) we have to 'work out our own salvation.' Everybody has muscles, but some are stronger, because they exercise their muscles. Their hearts were hardened because of tradition." He says; "The Lord says, 'We're going to do it 'till we get it right.' " |
| Mark 8:1-21 |
"In those days, the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, 'I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar.' Then His disciples answered Him, 'How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?' He asked them, 'How many loves do you have?' And they said, 'Seven.'..." |
| Pastor George: |
"They have been eating on the miracle bread!" |
| vs. 6 |
"...And He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. And they had a few small fish; and having blessed them, He said to set them also before them. So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments. Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away. ..." |
| Pastor George: |
"What difference does it make how many were fed? Don't miss the point." |
| vs. 10 |
"...And immediately He got into the boat with His disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha. And the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him. But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, 'Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.' And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. ..." |
| Pastor George: |
"Another day or so has gone by and they are down to one loaf." |
| vs. 15 |
"Then He charged them, saying, 'Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.' So they reasoned among themselves, saying 'It is because we have no bread.' And Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, 'Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened?' " |
| Pastor George: |
"They have experienced phenomenal things! Praise God for feelings; but learn to harness your emotion. Use it for Him! Meekness is nothing but power under control." |
| vs. 18 |
" 'Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?' They said to Him, 'Twelve.' 'And when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?' And they said, 'Seven.' So He said to them, 'How is it you do not understand?' " |
| Pastor George: |
Admonishes: "Remember your experience in Israel. Bring it back with you and live it! There are no shortcuts to matureness. They are giving the N.T. out, but our heritage is in the O.T. People, Christians, are selling out. Prostituting the Gospel! Let's be creative for Jesus! Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Don't forget being in Israel."
Note: I believe this teaching that was learned in Israel is just as important today, and as pertinent for our present times as it was back then. |
