Print

MARK 6:15

I. GREAT COMMISSION.
        A. "Go ye."
                1. Every Christian.
        B. "Into all the world."
                1. Christians personal world.
        C. "And preach the Gospel."
                1. "The good news of salvation."
        D. "To every creature."
                1. Individual work of every Christian.
        E. "Lo I am with you always."
                1. Throughout Christian.

II. THE POWER.
        A. Acts 1:8.

MARK 6:30-34

"THE COMPASSIONATE SHEPHERD"

Intro: The disciples were weary and tired. They had just returned from
       their busy missions.

I. THE NEED FOR ESCAPE.
        A. Jesus suggested they go to a deserted area across the lake.
                1. At this point, the demands of the crowds were so great,
                   not even time to eat.
                2. He desired to give the disciples rest.
                        a. He is always looking after the needs of others.
                        b. He knows our frame that we are but dust.
        C. He never requires more than we can give.
        B. As they left in boat, people watched the direction they were
           sailing.
                1. Capernaum is near the north end of the sea.
                2. Only around six miles across at this point.
                3. The air is clear, it is easy to see across the lake and
                   watch where they are going.

II. THE WAITING CROWD.
        A. A great number jogged around the north end of the lake to meet
           them as they landed.
                1. As they passed through the cities, the crowd swelled
                2. The crowd finally numbered about 5,000 men plus women
                   and children.
        B. It would have been easy to have been irritated.
                1. If it said, "He saw the people, He was upset", I could
                   understand that.
                        a. You are bone tired.
                                1. It's easy to get irritated when tired.
                        b. You are looking for privacy.
                        c. When you arrive at your favorite deserted
                           fishing hole, here are 10,000 people.
                        d. It's easy to be irritated when your plans are
                           upset.

III. LOOK AT THE ATTITUDE OF JESUS: "HE WAS MOVED WITH COMPASSION TOWARD
     THEM."
        A. We so often assume wrongly the attitude of Jesus.
                1. We think He responds as us.
                2. Had I been one of the disciples weary and tired,
                   looking forward to a few days to kick back:
                        a. I would have been upset.
                        b. "Oh no, what's wrong with them?"
                3. When we fail, we think "He must be disgusted with me."
                   For I am disgusted with myself.
                        a. In reality as He watched your failure, His eyes
                           filled with tears of compassion.
                        b. He said, "Oh My little lamb, how long is it
                           going to take you to learn to walk?"
        B. Our Lord has the heart of a true shepherd.
                1. He knows that sheep without a shepherd are lost.
                        a. If one strays, it is easily lost. No
                           instinctive homing ability.
                        b. No defensive skills, an easy prey.
                        c. Lack of good judgment - need still water.
                2. He is the good shepherd. His chief concern is the care
                   and protection of His flock.
                        a. He knows them all by name, and they know His
                           voice.
                        b. If one becomes lost, He seeks it until He finds
                           it.
                        c. If one strays and is injured, He will anoint
                           the wound a carry it back safely.
                        d. If a lion should attack, He will hazard His
                           life to rescue.
                3. It's so good to be a sheep of His pasture.