January 20th, 2025
by Brent Walker
by Brent Walker
Scripture: Mark 6:45-56
Sermon Link: https://subspla.sh/yc6vxbk
Summary: Our sermon explored Mark 6:45-56, focusing on how Jesus works to soften the disciples' hard hearts. We saw how Jesus uses challenges, encouragement, and patient grace to reveal His true identity and deepen the disciples' faith. This passage reminds us that God often uses difficulties in our lives to teach us and draw us closer to Him.
Takeaways:
Day 1: Encountering Christ in Our Storms Reading: Mark 6:45-52, 1 Peter 1:6-7
Devotional: Just as Jesus sent the disciples into a storm, He sometimes allows us to face difficulties. These challenges aren't punishments, but opportunities for growth and deeper faith. Reflect on a recent "storm" in your life. How did Jesus reveal Himself to you during that time? Remember His words: "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." Today, practice looking for Jesus in your circumstances, no matter how turbulent they may seem.
Day 2: From Hard Hearts to Bold Faith Reading: Mark 8:27-30, Acts 4:13-20
Devotional: The journey from the disciples' hardened hearts to Peter's bold declaration, "You are the Christ," is a testament to Jesus' patient teaching and transformative power. Consider your own faith journey. Where have you seen growth? Where do you still struggle with doubt or misunderstanding? Take time to thank God for His patience with you. Pray for areas where your heart still feels hardened, asking the Holy Spirit to continue His work of transformation. How can you step out in bold faith today, declaring Christ through your words and actions?
Day 3: Overcoming Hardness of Heart Reading: Ezekiel 36:22-32
Devotional: The sermon mentioned the disciples' hardened hearts, which prevented them from fully understanding Jesus' identity and mission. This spiritual dullness is a common human condition, one that only God can overcome. In today's reading, God promises to replace stony hearts with hearts of flesh - to fundamentally change human nature from the inside out. This is the work of regeneration that happens when we come to faith in Christ. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Where do you see areas of hardness in your heart? Ask God to continue His softening work, making you more responsive to His voice and leading in your life.
Day 4: Recognizing Jesus as the Great "I AM" Reading: John 8:48-59, Exodus 3:13-14 Devotional: When Jesus declared "It is I" (literally, "I am"), He was claiming divinity. This profound truth should shape how we view and relate to Him. Meditate on the various "I am" statements of Jesus in John's Gospel. How do these declarations impact your understanding of who Jesus is? Take time to worship Jesus as the eternal, self-existent God who entered our world to save us.
Day 5: Enduring Patience and Grace Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-15, Exodus 34:1-9
Devotional: Jesus displayed remarkable patience with His disciples, continually teaching and revealing Himself to them despite their lack of understanding. This patience reflects God's heart towards us. Consider how God has been patient with you in your spiritual journey. How can you cultivate that same patience towards others who are still growing in their faith? Pray for someone you know who needs to experience God's patience and grace, and consider how you might be an instrument of that grace in their life.
Sermon Link: https://subspla.sh/yc6vxbk
Summary: Our sermon explored Mark 6:45-56, focusing on how Jesus works to soften the disciples' hard hearts. We saw how Jesus uses challenges, encouragement, and patient grace to reveal His true identity and deepen the disciples' faith. This passage reminds us that God often uses difficulties in our lives to teach us and draw us closer to Him.
Takeaways:
- God may send us into "storms" to teach us and strengthen our faith
- Jesus encourages us with His presence and identity, telling us to "take heart" and not be afraid
- Christ shows enduring patience and grace with us, even when we struggle to understand
Day 1: Encountering Christ in Our Storms Reading: Mark 6:45-52, 1 Peter 1:6-7
Devotional: Just as Jesus sent the disciples into a storm, He sometimes allows us to face difficulties. These challenges aren't punishments, but opportunities for growth and deeper faith. Reflect on a recent "storm" in your life. How did Jesus reveal Himself to you during that time? Remember His words: "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." Today, practice looking for Jesus in your circumstances, no matter how turbulent they may seem.
Day 2: From Hard Hearts to Bold Faith Reading: Mark 8:27-30, Acts 4:13-20
Devotional: The journey from the disciples' hardened hearts to Peter's bold declaration, "You are the Christ," is a testament to Jesus' patient teaching and transformative power. Consider your own faith journey. Where have you seen growth? Where do you still struggle with doubt or misunderstanding? Take time to thank God for His patience with you. Pray for areas where your heart still feels hardened, asking the Holy Spirit to continue His work of transformation. How can you step out in bold faith today, declaring Christ through your words and actions?
Day 3: Overcoming Hardness of Heart Reading: Ezekiel 36:22-32
Devotional: The sermon mentioned the disciples' hardened hearts, which prevented them from fully understanding Jesus' identity and mission. This spiritual dullness is a common human condition, one that only God can overcome. In today's reading, God promises to replace stony hearts with hearts of flesh - to fundamentally change human nature from the inside out. This is the work of regeneration that happens when we come to faith in Christ. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Where do you see areas of hardness in your heart? Ask God to continue His softening work, making you more responsive to His voice and leading in your life.
Day 4: Recognizing Jesus as the Great "I AM" Reading: John 8:48-59, Exodus 3:13-14 Devotional: When Jesus declared "It is I" (literally, "I am"), He was claiming divinity. This profound truth should shape how we view and relate to Him. Meditate on the various "I am" statements of Jesus in John's Gospel. How do these declarations impact your understanding of who Jesus is? Take time to worship Jesus as the eternal, self-existent God who entered our world to save us.
Day 5: Enduring Patience and Grace Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-15, Exodus 34:1-9
Devotional: Jesus displayed remarkable patience with His disciples, continually teaching and revealing Himself to them despite their lack of understanding. This patience reflects God's heart towards us. Consider how God has been patient with you in your spiritual journey. How can you cultivate that same patience towards others who are still growing in their faith? Pray for someone you know who needs to experience God's patience and grace, and consider how you might be an instrument of that grace in their life.
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