WEBVTT 00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:12.720 This sermon was recorded at Faith Evangelical Free Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota. 00:00:22.399 --> 00:00:26.719 I feel so insignificant behind this pulpit. 00:00:27.679 --> 00:00:37.600 Dear brothers and sisters, we're going to open up the scriptures in John 6 and going to pick off where Jason left off last week. 00:00:37.759 --> 00:00:53.600 Him and I decided for the time that he's on some family vacation to preach through John chapter 6, a very monumental passage in John's gospel. 00:00:54.000 --> 00:01:02.960 And this, of course, follows what Jason preached on last week, the feeding of the 5,000. 00:01:03.200 --> 00:01:05.599 And we're going to pick up there in verse 15. 00:01:05.760 --> 00:01:09.359 I'm going to ask God to grace our time here together. 00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:15.680 And ask him to just open the word for us. 00:01:16.079 --> 00:01:24.079 Heavenly Father, I pray that you will give us clarity to the meaning of Scripture, what you intended it to say to us. 00:01:25.040 --> 00:01:35.680 May God we not only hear, but may we introspectively process and apply the word as needed. 00:01:35.920 --> 00:01:40.879 May we not leave today the mirror of scripture and be forgetful years. 00:01:41.519 --> 00:01:45.120 I pray that you will guide me, that you give me clarity of speech. 00:01:45.359 --> 00:01:47.519 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:01:50.079 --> 00:01:54.480 The title of my message today is Christos Pantocrator. 00:01:54.560 --> 00:01:56.159 And you're like, what's this all about? 00:01:56.319 --> 00:01:57.519 Just hang in there. 00:01:58.079 --> 00:02:00.879 Um I'm a I like art. 00:02:01.120 --> 00:02:14.960 I enjoy going to art galleries, and I remember the catacombs in Rome where I could see early artwork of Christianity. 00:02:15.120 --> 00:02:16.000 Very, very amazing. 00:02:16.080 --> 00:02:28.000 And there's one portraying a picture of Christians being persecuted, and there's a picture of Christ being the Good Shepherd. 00:02:28.319 --> 00:02:29.840 Beautiful picture. 00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:41.599 But starting in the fourth century, all through the Middle Ages, Christian artists portrayed Jesus as Christos Pantukrator. 00:02:41.759 --> 00:02:54.719 Pantucrator, or Pantucrator, depends where you grew up, is literally translated from two Greek words all plus mighty. 00:02:55.520 --> 00:03:04.080 Christ, the Almighty One, the all-powerful Christ, ruler of all. 00:03:05.360 --> 00:03:17.439 These paintings often depict Jesus as one who draws the circle of the earth and measures the depths of the ocean. 00:03:19.599 --> 00:03:24.800 This was the case all through the ages. 00:03:26.639 --> 00:03:37.919 But by the time of the Renaissance, Jesus is portrayed as an infant sitting on his mother's lap. 00:03:38.400 --> 00:03:43.680 Just a change in culture as picked up by the artist. 00:03:43.919 --> 00:03:52.000 Artists are very good at portraying what culture thinks and what churches think. 00:03:53.280 --> 00:04:08.639 As we look at John 6, the Gospel writer is portraying Jesus as Christos Pantocrator, Christ the Almighty, the all-powerful ruler of all things. 00:04:08.800 --> 00:04:10.879 And John paints a picture here for us. 00:04:10.960 --> 00:04:13.120 It's a very dramatic scene. 00:04:13.360 --> 00:04:28.639 Two scenes, one on a mountain that is unshakable, one man, one unshakable mountain, and then a group of men on a stormy sea, a very contrasting picture. 00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:32.959 Let us read from verse 15 and John 6. 00:04:35.040 --> 00:04:46.240 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. 00:04:46.720 --> 00:04:58.720 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. 00:04:59.040 --> 00:05:05.199 It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:10.800 The sea became rough because of a strong wind blowing. 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:22.000 When they had rowed about three or four miles they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 00:05:22.639 --> 00:05:27.439 But Jesus said to them, It is I, do not be afraid. 00:05:28.079 --> 00:05:31.759 Then they were glad to take him into the boat. 00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:38.079 And immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. 00:05:38.720 --> 00:05:41.360 What a dramatic story. 00:05:41.680 --> 00:06:02.639 And at several points through this portion of Scripture, John is making several connections to the Old Testament, reminiscent of Moses in the wilderness and the manna, the preceding context, there the feeding of the five thousand. 00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:14.560 John connects Jesus with the prophecy given to Moses in Deuteronomy 18 verse 15. 00:06:19.360 --> 00:06:27.040 Deuteronomy 18 verse 15, where it speaks about this prophet, this coming prophet, a better Moses. 00:06:28.639 --> 00:06:31.759 And this better Moses will be a prophet. 00:06:33.759 --> 00:06:38.959 And they are told that the people must listen to his voice. 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:49.439 And no doubt they conclude that Jesus is the prophet prophesied about in Deuteronomy 18. 00:06:49.519 --> 00:06:50.959 Look at verse 14. 00:06:51.279 --> 00:07:03.920 He says, Therefore, when the people saw the sign which he performed, they said, This is truly the prophet, speaking of the Deuteronomy 18 prophet, who is to come into the world. 00:07:04.079 --> 00:07:13.279 And the way that John is structuring these stories for us, he connects us with the Old Testament. 00:07:15.120 --> 00:07:23.519 And he is going to do the same in this dramatic display on the Sea of Galilee. 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:26.079 There's many Old Testament connections. 00:07:26.160 --> 00:07:31.680 And in fact, the passage really comes to life once we see these connections. 00:07:31.920 --> 00:07:33.199 Look at John 6.20. 00:07:33.279 --> 00:07:35.920 I'm just orientating you through the passage here. 00:07:36.160 --> 00:07:43.199 John 6.20 it says, but he said to them, It is I, do not be afraid. 00:07:43.439 --> 00:07:49.199 That phrase is anchored in the Old Testament. 00:07:50.480 --> 00:08:08.319 We can think of Genesis 17.1, where God appears to a very fearful Abraham, and he says to Abraham, I am God Almighty, I am Al-Shaddai. 00:08:10.319 --> 00:08:14.319 I am the mighty one, and he calms Abraham's fears. 00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:27.439 Yahweh appears to Moses on Mount Horeb and likewise comforts Moses, telling him to say to the Israelites that I am sent you. 00:08:27.759 --> 00:08:33.600 I am is the memorial name of God, Exodus 3.15. 00:08:35.039 --> 00:08:51.440 Yahweh says to the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 41, 13, for I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, who says to you, do not fear, I will help you. 00:08:51.600 --> 00:09:00.720 And once again, the very presence of the I Am sends this message, do not be afraid. 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:08.480 John deliberately connects divine attributes with Jesus. 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:19.360 He takes the attributes of Yahweh, God Almighty, El-Shaddai, the great I Ham, and he connects it here with Jesus in John 6 very powerfully. 00:09:19.440 --> 00:09:27.200 And in fact, this entire section of John 6 cannot be unhitched from the Old Testament. 00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:35.120 John did not such Kool-Aid as to separate the Old Testament from the New Testament. 00:09:35.279 --> 00:09:36.720 Neither should we. 00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:50.000 And so as we study this passage, I want to show you three divine attributes displayed in Christ and how John connects it is very comforting to us. 00:09:50.320 --> 00:10:03.440 You know, we all know from a very young age the three O's omnipresence, omnipotence, and omniscience. 00:10:03.600 --> 00:10:04.559 We know that. 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:08.000 And I would say to you, so what? 00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:10.559 Whoopi, what does that mean? 00:10:10.799 --> 00:10:12.879 What does that mean to us practically? 00:10:12.960 --> 00:10:14.399 And John will show us that. 00:10:14.720 --> 00:10:21.919 This is what it means for us very practically, especially when we are in chaos in life. 00:10:22.159 --> 00:10:30.080 In fact, John 6 is a story of how Christ brought calm to chaos. 00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:33.679 And he connects it with the attributes of God. 00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:41.120 And the three ways in which he connects these attributes is one, omniscience is connected with intercession. 00:10:41.440 --> 00:10:45.360 Omnipotence is connected with comfort and consolation. 00:10:45.519 --> 00:10:48.799 And omnipresence is connected with redemption. 00:10:48.960 --> 00:10:50.960 I'm going to work through each one of these. 00:10:51.519 --> 00:11:07.759 But I hope you will leave here today thinking about the attributes of Christ, the divine attributes, in a different way, and that they are very practical and very comforting to us when our lives are somewhat in chaos. 00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:20.879 When I counsel people, I often bring in the attributes of Christ, the divine attributes to comfort people. 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:23.039 They're very reassuring. 00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:27.840 So let's see how John connects the different attributes. 00:11:28.080 --> 00:11:31.759 The first one is the omniscience of Christ. 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:35.840 And he connects that with prayer and intercession. 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:39.519 Look at verses 15 to 18. 00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:54.799 Then John 6 he says, so Jesus, perceiving, Jesus perceiving that they were intending to come and take him by force to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain by himself alone. 00:11:55.200 --> 00:12:04.799 Now, when evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. 00:12:05.200 --> 00:12:09.519 It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:11.440 He had not yet come to them. 00:12:11.679 --> 00:12:16.639 The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. 00:12:16.960 --> 00:12:20.720 Chaos is breaking out here. 00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:26.240 The scene is becoming more and more chaotic, and Jesus is not with them. 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:28.480 Jesus is where? 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:31.039 He's up on a mountain. 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:35.840 What is he doing on top of a mountain, you would say? 00:12:39.600 --> 00:12:42.320 We'll see what he does a little later on. 00:12:42.399 --> 00:12:43.840 What is he doing on the mountain? 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:53.840 But for now, the divine attribute of omniscience is becoming very clear because it says there that he is perceiving the intentions of the heart. 00:12:54.080 --> 00:12:58.399 They're not saying and blabbering here, we want to make you king, we want to make you king. 00:12:58.720 --> 00:13:05.759 He is sensing it because he knows the hearts and minds of human beings. 00:13:06.320 --> 00:13:10.080 This is not the first time we read about this in Luke 5.22. 00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:13.679 He says to the Jews, why are you reasoning in your hearts? 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:18.080 In the Bible, whenever it speaks about the heart, it speaks about the human mind. 00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:22.000 And so Jesus knows what's on our minds. 00:13:22.320 --> 00:13:25.200 He knows it, and he knows it perfectly. 00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:35.840 One author says his supernatural knowledge of their intentions to make him king is clear to Jesus. 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:41.840 It is clear to him what their intentions are, and they haven't even acted on it. 00:13:44.320 --> 00:13:49.120 John is probably thinking of Psalm 139 verse 2. 00:13:49.840 --> 00:14:01.279 You know when I sit down, and you know when I rise up, you understand my thought from afar. 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:05.440 Jesus knows our thoughts from afar. 00:14:05.759 --> 00:14:09.840 He knows every intention of our hearts from a distance. 00:14:10.320 --> 00:14:10.960 Why? 00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:12.960 He's omniscient. 00:14:13.440 --> 00:14:15.279 Because of his omniscience. 00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:22.799 He knows the darkest thoughts in everyone's hearts here today. 00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:26.240 And yet he shows himself kind of benevolent. 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:30.720 He knows what you're thinking, and he shows himself kind of benevolent. 00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:32.399 Look at verse 15 there. 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:38.960 He withdrew again to the mountain by himself alone. 00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:40.879 Very emphatic. 00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:43.039 What is he doing on the mountain? 00:14:43.200 --> 00:14:44.720 Have you thought about that? 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:48.960 Somebody says pray. 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:53.200 You absolutely right. 00:14:55.440 --> 00:15:02.480 Just like Moses retreated to the mountain to be with God, so Jesus retreated to be with God. 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:07.919 A parallel account is Mark 646. 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:14.639 He says there after bidding them farewell, he left for the mountain to pray. 00:15:14.799 --> 00:15:18.480 So we know for a fact he was up on the mountain praying. 00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:36.879 But at this point, his disciples left the safety of the shoreline of Bithsida, and they started rowing across the Sea of Galilee to the west to Capernaum, about five or six miles as the crow flies. 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:44.159 Capernaum means village of consolation or village of grace. 00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:55.840 They were going from Bethsaida to the village of grace, all alone by themselves, Jesus on the mountain, and they are now on a stormy sea. 00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:59.679 Darkness overcame the disciples. 00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:03.360 The winds were blowing from the mountains. 00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:07.440 The journey has become precarious. 00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:16.720 Verse 17 says, It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:18.559 It's dark. 00:16:19.120 --> 00:16:20.720 Where is Jesus? 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:23.519 He's got to be here with us. 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:24.799 We need him. 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:28.559 He's on a mountain all by himself. 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:30.240 What is he doing? 00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:33.919 He's interceding for them. 00:16:34.559 --> 00:16:39.759 Dear brothers and sisters, do we not at times have a similar experience? 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:42.320 We feel things are chaotic. 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:45.919 It has become dark into our in our lives. 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:47.679 And where is Jesus? 00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:49.120 We can't find him. 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:55.039 We've prayed, we've opened our Bibles, and we're growing nervously impatient. 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:56.480 Where is Jesus? 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:58.799 Has he forgotten about us? 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:14.960 But Matthew Henry says of this passage, he says, they were Christ's disciples and were now in the way of their duty, and Christ was now on the mountain praying for them. 00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:17.680 And yet they were in his distress. 00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:21.279 And yet they were in this distress. 00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:33.039 The perils and afflictions of this present time may very well consist with our interest in Christ and his intercession. 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:38.000 How can Christ intercede for us properly? 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:44.720 He can only do that if he knows everything perfect. 00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:49.680 For all we know, he could be facing the other direction. 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:53.680 There to his back. 00:17:53.920 --> 00:17:56.960 He's on a mountain, they're on a stormy sea. 00:17:57.359 --> 00:17:58.720 It's dark. 00:17:59.359 --> 00:18:01.920 They didn't have lights on the boats. 00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:04.240 He doesn't even see them. 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:07.200 And yet he knows, and he intercedes. 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:09.920 He knows everything. 00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:11.680 He knows everything perfect. 00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:15.440 He knows of the drama unfolding on the Sea of Galilee. 00:18:15.680 --> 00:18:21.359 And he knows perfectly how to pray for them. 00:18:22.880 --> 00:18:28.000 Christ has perfect knowledge of all things at all time, and he knows everything. 00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:35.359 And he uses that knowledge for the benevolence and benefits of his beloved saints. 00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:37.440 Romans 8.34. 00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:40.000 Romans 8.34. 00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:41.680 Who is the one who condemns? 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:44.000 Christ Jesus is he who died. 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:52.559 Yes, rather, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 00:19:04.640 --> 00:19:06.559 At the throne of God. 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:14.160 Christ, in fact, continuously makes intercession for us as believers before the Father. 00:19:17.599 --> 00:19:28.400 Even when we think he does not know about our situation, maybe even before you and I think of praying, Jesus is already praying for us, interceding for us. 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:36.079 And we might think it is dark and Jesus is not come yet to our rescue. 00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:37.599 He is at work. 00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:43.279 He is at work ceaselessly praying for us. 00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:48.319 I find this thought mind-blowing. 00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:57.839 He knew perfectly what was in the minds of the disciples, and no doubt they had some weird thoughts about Jesus. 00:19:58.000 --> 00:20:01.440 Maybe they even wanted to make him king by force, right? 00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:03.039 Who knows? 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:09.440 And yet he intercedes for them. 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:25.279 It says in Hebrews 7.27, therefore he is able to save forever those who draw near to God through him, since he always loves to make intercessions for them. 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:26.400 Who is the them? 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:27.920 The saints. 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:46.480 But Jesus will soon come to their aid. 00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:54.160 One author says the Son of God who made the world was in control of all the forces of nature. 00:20:54.400 --> 00:21:00.960 And in this case, he will soon suspend the law of gravity. 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:05.440 Look at verse 18 to 20. 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:11.839 The sea began to be stirred up because the strong wind was blowing. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:27.279 Then when they had rowed about three or four miles, now think of this: three or four miles, the wind blowing, these guys are no doubt, off course, the entire lake has a surface area of 84 square miles. 00:21:27.599 --> 00:21:28.799 84 square miles. 00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:31.519 That's a lot of real estate, right? 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:38.799 I try to calculate this with my limited abilities of math. 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:46.480 I did not do well at school in math, but I I figure it is about a 12 square mile area that they potentially could be in. 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:48.000 It's dark. 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:51.920 The waves are all over the place. 00:21:53.119 --> 00:21:56.640 And Jesus sets a course for them. 00:21:58.799 --> 00:21:59.839 How did he find that? 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:01.759 He's like, where are you? 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:13.119 I don't get the picture that he's like, okay, he's not succumbing to the waves, he's not fighting the waves, he's not fighting the wind. 00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:15.680 Look at verse 19. 00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:21.839 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea. 00:22:22.640 --> 00:22:24.319 This is like a greenway. 00:22:24.400 --> 00:22:25.519 He's in spring. 00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:27.440 He's like just walking. 00:22:28.079 --> 00:22:30.559 And he drew near to the boat. 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:35.680 And you would think that they're like, whoa, great news, Jesus is here. 00:22:35.920 --> 00:22:37.680 But what is happening? 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:40.960 They were frightened. 00:22:42.640 --> 00:22:45.359 You think they'll be freaked out by the waves and the wind. 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:48.240 They freaked out, Jesus is coming to them. 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:51.119 What a powerful display of what? 00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:57.200 Not only omniscience, he knew where to find them because he knew exactly where they were. 00:22:57.599 --> 00:23:00.880 This is a display of divine omnipotence. 00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:07.599 You're as the creator, a Christos Pentacrator, suspending the laws of gravity. 00:23:09.920 --> 00:23:11.200 And it comes. 00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:15.839 And it brings comfort and consolation. 00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:20.319 Jesus walks out on the water. 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:23.680 He's not straining himself. 00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:27.519 The winds and the waves are not opposing him. 00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:31.680 The darkness of night is not confusing him. 00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:36.880 He walks straight up to the boat. 00:23:37.440 --> 00:23:40.400 Because he's Christos, Pontucrator. 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:43.359 He is Christ, the Almighty. 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:48.400 And they were frightened. 00:23:49.839 --> 00:24:04.480 This next scene, developing year, displays divine omnipotence, but it captures this moment here of the omnipotent one bringing comfort and consolation. 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:11.200 There's something to be said here of fear. 00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:13.519 And a rightful fear. 00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:16.319 God is not tame. 00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:18.559 He is not tame. 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:19.920 He's a lion. 00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:22.480 But he's good. 00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:29.440 And then he says to them, It is I in verse 20. 00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:31.680 This is a culminating verse here. 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:37.119 He said to them, It is I, do not be afraid. 00:24:37.839 --> 00:24:39.359 Now we got to slow down here. 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:41.200 This is very, very amazing. 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:46.160 And I got kind of excited about this, okay? 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:57.519 Because what Jesus is literally saying here is, I am, fear not. 00:24:58.720 --> 00:25:00.480 I am, fear not. 00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:04.240 You can go online to these interlinear Bibles. 00:25:04.400 --> 00:25:07.200 You can check the Greek and the English is below that. 00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:08.640 Take my word for it. 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:11.839 He is saying, I am, fear not. 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:14.240 Or stop fearing. 00:25:14.880 --> 00:25:17.039 He doesn't say, hey dude, it's me. 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:19.279 Hey, chill out, I'm here. 00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:22.880 He's saying, I am, fear not. 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:29.039 He is intentionally using a very familiar Old Testament phrase. 00:25:29.359 --> 00:25:31.680 I am, fear not. 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:37.279 They like, whoa, didn't didn't Yahweh say that to Abraham? 00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:40.799 Did Yahweh not say that to Moses? 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:44.079 I am, fear not. 00:25:45.119 --> 00:25:47.680 Genesis 26, 25. 00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:53.599 Genesis 26, 25. 00:25:53.680 --> 00:26:01.680 The Lord appeared to him the same night and said, I am the God of your father, Abraham. 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:04.000 Do not fear. 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:06.400 I am with you. 00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:09.599 I am, plus, fear not. 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:14.079 Exodus 3.14. 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:18.400 God says to Moses, Moses is like intimidated. 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:20.319 He's like, yeah, I'm scared. 00:26:20.400 --> 00:26:26.319 These people are gonna just kick me out, these Israelites, they they they difficult people. 00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:31.759 And God says to him, I am who I am. 00:26:32.319 --> 00:26:36.640 John's gospel is saturated with these I am statements. 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:41.680 There's numerous of these I am statements. 00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:49.039 John 18 verse 6 is probably the culminating of those statements. 00:26:49.440 --> 00:26:52.079 What happened in John 18, 6? 00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:55.839 The arrest of Jesus, a mob comes. 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:59.839 And they they come to arrest Jesus. 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:06.000 And and they and they say to Jesus, are you Jesus? 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:09.200 Let me take you there. 00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:10.720 Very cool. 00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:16.240 John eighteen sixteen. 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:23.599 Sorry, eighteen six. 00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:28.640 I thought for a moment somebody retyped my Bible. 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:38.880 So when he said to them, I am he, you see the he is italics? 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:41.200 Means it's not in the original language. 00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:44.559 What's there in the original language is I am. 00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:51.200 And Judas also was betraying him, was standing there. 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:54.400 Okay, so he says to them, I am. 00:27:55.519 --> 00:27:57.039 And what happens? 00:27:57.519 --> 00:28:02.400 They drew back and they fell to the ground. 00:28:03.119 --> 00:28:12.400 Because for a moment there he displayed himself as Al Shaddai, Yahweh, God Almighty. 00:28:13.359 --> 00:28:17.200 A great display of omnipotence. 00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:21.759 But it's a comforting thing for his people. 00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:31.920 Omnipotence, divine omnipotence, should scare the daylights out of the unbeliever. 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:37.359 But for the believer, it says, fear not. 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:39.599 Fear not. 00:28:44.400 --> 00:28:53.039 How many irrational fears do we not have on an ongoing basis? 00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:54.319 People fear. 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:59.359 People fear to the extent that they do not even want to leave their homes. 00:29:00.400 --> 00:29:17.599 The NIH says that up to 31% of Americans experience at some point in life some form of anxiety or panic or fear disorder, which leaves them incapacitated. 00:29:20.319 --> 00:29:29.119 There are no doubt many Christians who have an excessive fear about life in general. 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:41.759 They lack peace, they lack joy, because they succumb to relentless fear, worry, and concern about just about everything. 00:29:43.680 --> 00:29:53.200 And yet, Jesus is greater and more powerful than anything we can fear. 00:29:53.359 --> 00:29:55.279 Think of your worst fear. 00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:56.799 Think of it for a moment. 00:29:56.880 --> 00:29:58.480 What's your worst fear? 00:30:00.079 --> 00:30:00.400 Okay. 00:30:00.880 --> 00:30:02.720 Jesus is bigger than that. 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:05.039 Jesus is bigger than that. 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:07.680 He is all powerful. 00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:09.680 I mean, that's cool. 00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:12.720 You know, this is almost like a movie, right? 00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:19.599 It's like guys are shaking and they're fearing, and here comes Arnold Schwarzenegger in his good old days and punches. 00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:22.319 You know, Jesus is just powerful. 00:30:23.839 --> 00:30:29.200 And and no matter what the fear, he's bigger than that. 00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:48.400 We as Christians, we really need to think about anxiety, fear, and worry in terms of divine omnipotence. 00:30:49.359 --> 00:30:57.680 The fact that we are God's beloved people, we should not fear anything. 00:30:57.920 --> 00:31:08.160 First John 4 18 says, There is no fear in love, but perfect fear casts. 00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:09.359 Sorry. 00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:22.000 Perfect love casts out fear. 00:31:22.319 --> 00:31:25.920 We are perfectly loved by Christ. 00:31:27.200 --> 00:31:29.920 We ought not to fear. 00:31:30.160 --> 00:31:39.200 Romans 8, 15 says, for you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again. 00:31:39.680 --> 00:31:43.039 Why do we not fear anything? 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:50.079 Look, if you fear something, just remember there's one who you have to fear, that is God. 00:31:51.119 --> 00:32:00.720 Because he is Almighty God, all powerful God, and yet Romans 8.15 says, we call him what? 00:32:01.599 --> 00:32:03.039 Abba Father. 00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:12.160 At this moment, back to the drama on the Sea of Galilee. 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:24.079 The waves, the wind, the darkness, worn out. 00:32:24.160 --> 00:32:26.799 I mean, I've not roaned for three or four miles. 00:32:26.880 --> 00:32:28.480 I don't think I've ever done that. 00:32:28.559 --> 00:32:35.680 But but when I'm at the rower there at the at the gym, that tires me. 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:40.000 So these guys are tired, they worn out, and here comes Jesus. 00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:44.079 And he tells them not to fear. 00:32:44.400 --> 00:32:47.119 That reminds us of Isaiah 41.10. 00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:49.680 Maybe that's what John had in mind. 00:32:49.839 --> 00:32:51.440 Isaiah 41.10. 00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:57.759 Do not fear, for I am is with you. 00:32:58.559 --> 00:33:04.400 Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. 00:33:05.119 --> 00:33:06.400 I will strengthen you. 00:33:06.559 --> 00:33:07.839 Surely I will help you. 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:13.599 Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 00:33:13.920 --> 00:33:22.000 The only reason why that boat did not sink was because he held that boat in his right hand. 00:33:26.160 --> 00:33:30.880 Jesus is the all-powerful and almighty Pantocrator. 00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:42.240 And therefore, you, brothers and sisters, like the disciples, we should take comfort at that the omnipotent one, the all-powerful one, is with you. 00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:46.960 Oh, for a thousand tongues we sing. 00:33:47.680 --> 00:34:00.640 Jesus, the name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrow cease, its music to the sinner's ears, its life and health and peace. 00:34:04.079 --> 00:34:10.239 If Christ is for us, nothing can be against us. 00:34:12.480 --> 00:34:14.719 So what have we learned this far? 00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:17.360 Hopefully, we've learned two things. 00:34:18.559 --> 00:34:26.159 Christ is omniscient, because he knows everything perfectly, he can intercede for us. 00:34:26.960 --> 00:34:34.880 Number two, he is omnipotent, and because he's all powerful, nothing can go against him, nothing can work him over. 00:34:36.639 --> 00:34:43.760 He is all-powerful, and therefore we can draw great comfort and calm from this. 00:34:44.400 --> 00:34:47.039 But here's one more thing I want to share with you. 00:34:47.360 --> 00:34:49.199 Hope we've got enough time. 00:34:52.239 --> 00:34:58.960 And this is the very fact that Christ is omnipresent. 00:35:00.159 --> 00:35:05.519 He is the very present help in all our trouble. 00:35:05.679 --> 00:35:07.039 Look at verse 21. 00:35:07.119 --> 00:35:15.760 And this is where our minds are going to be stretched a little bit, I hope. 00:35:17.519 --> 00:35:22.800 Verse 21, so they were willing to receive him into the boat. 00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:25.840 They were willing to receive him into the boat. 00:35:26.320 --> 00:35:32.639 And immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. 00:35:34.079 --> 00:35:35.599 You think that's fast. 00:35:36.079 --> 00:35:36.400 Okay? 00:35:36.960 --> 00:35:39.840 Star Trek, warp speed. 00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:43.440 It's faster than warp speed. 00:35:44.000 --> 00:35:46.239 When the Mandalorian, what does he go through? 00:35:46.400 --> 00:35:49.519 Warp speed or who say that? 00:35:49.760 --> 00:35:51.440 Truly, you watching Mandalorian? 00:35:51.519 --> 00:35:52.960 I thought I heard you say that. 00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:54.880 But but the Mandalorian is fast. 00:35:55.039 --> 00:36:01.840 When he hits that button, this is faster than warp speed. 00:36:02.400 --> 00:36:04.239 It's like immediately. 00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:06.880 Okay, well, what is going on here? 00:36:07.199 --> 00:36:09.039 This is a spelling error? 00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:17.599 Think of how this could have played out. 00:36:19.440 --> 00:36:24.880 The disciples recognized Jesus, but now they freaked out. 00:36:25.440 --> 00:36:28.719 He says to them, don't freak out, I'm here. 00:36:29.440 --> 00:36:30.800 Okay, I am. 00:36:31.199 --> 00:36:33.679 I am whom I am. 00:36:34.639 --> 00:36:38.000 They're comforted and they consoled, and they're like, oh, okay. 00:36:38.239 --> 00:36:40.480 And they invite them on the boat. 00:36:41.199 --> 00:36:46.079 Now, what John doesn't tell us here is that the sea was calm. 00:36:47.440 --> 00:36:48.719 He doesn't tell us that. 00:36:48.880 --> 00:36:50.960 But what does he say to us? 00:36:52.880 --> 00:36:59.599 The boat gets in an instant where it was supposed to go. 00:36:59.840 --> 00:37:02.079 I think that is monumental. 00:37:04.480 --> 00:37:13.519 Because in Christ's omnipresence, he is able to rescue and redeem. 00:37:15.840 --> 00:37:25.039 For John, the greater miracle was probably not the calming of the sea or the wind in an instant. 00:37:25.360 --> 00:37:33.440 What was the greater miracle for John here was that Jesus rescued them and brought them home safely. 00:37:33.599 --> 00:37:37.920 He brought them to the village of comfort and grace. 00:37:38.159 --> 00:37:43.840 The NIV, I just thought, let's check another translation just in case I'm not reading this right. 00:37:44.000 --> 00:37:50.880 The NIV says, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading. 00:37:54.559 --> 00:38:00.400 So these are puzzling words. 00:38:00.880 --> 00:38:14.320 And whenever there's puzzling words in the Bible that stretches our intellectual abilities and our understanding of science and physics, all of a sudden, a lot of Bible commentators, there's crickets. 00:38:14.719 --> 00:38:20.719 I'm like, I'm reading one Bible commentary after another, and it's like silence. 00:38:20.800 --> 00:38:23.760 It's like, why are you not explaining to me what happened here? 00:38:24.000 --> 00:38:26.239