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When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered 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 it to them to eat?” And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”

How many times do we think to ourselves “someone should do something…” or “my church really needs a ministry that does…” well guess what… YOU are ‘someone.’ Jesus was teaching, His disciples weren’t ready to do that themselves, and it started to get late. “Jesus, you need to do something!” was their response, and He basically said “well, why do I have you here?” We are the instruments God uses to accomplish His will in the world. The church is the answer for the world. We have been given this ministry of reconciliation. The next time we think “someone should…” let’s remember we are someone. Your pastor, your Sunday School teacher, your deacons, your momma, can’t do everything… we’re all in this together! God has given you everything you need to do everything you’re called to do, and that’s an encouraging idea.

Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Jesus was walking on the water, He’s different than other teachers. Not only did Peter believe in Jesus, he wanted to be like Him. That’s what a disciple should do, step out on the water! Yes, Peter fell short, he began do doubt, and so will you, yet he did the right thing. We need to GET OUT OF THE BOAT. Think about how Jesus would respond to people, and you do it! Peter didn’t doubt Jesus, He was standing (ON THE WATER!) right in front of him. No, Peter doubted himself, but Jesus didn’t. Jesus called Peter to come to Him. Don’t doubt your ability to follow Jesus, because we don’t follow Jesus in our own strength, we have the Holy Spirit. It’s the Spirit of Christ who lives in your heart, trust Him, don’t doubt yourself. Get up and go… you CAN do it!

“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

As a Christian, you have nothing to fear. Not even death can rob us of our security, we follow the one who has conquered death. The worst thing our enemy can do is to end our life, yet, to live is Christ, to die is gain! We need to be shouting the gospel from the rooftops. God cares for you, yes, you! There is no one to small, there are no insignificant people, you matter to Him! Trust that truth and let that give you the confidence to remove all fear.

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Jesus didn’t stand still, He moved… he spread the word… He saw the people who needed Him, and he realized the harvest was more than ready! Many times, we want to just sit back and see what happens… I can tell you what happens when you just sit back, nothing is what happens. Kingdom ministry takes work, you have to get “out there” in the same way Jesus did. Sure, Sunday morning is the “big deal” each week, but Sunday is the RESULT of ministry, not the “lets just see what happens.” You have to come ready for the harvest, you have to plow the field, remove the weeds, put in the fertilizer, do the work of the evangelist… Go to all the cities and villages.

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She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “ If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.

Jesus was busy, really busy. There was a crowd around him but she reached out to Jesus. She didn’t sit back and wait for him to address her, to stop by her home, to give her a call… she knew he was called to minister to many many people, so she made it happen. She made it to him. She didn’t demand a lot of his time or feel like she deserved “equal time” with Jesus… she simply had heard what Jesus could do, and she acted on it. What have you heard? Have you heard what all God is doing through your church? I can tell you this, he’s moving here. He’s changing hearts and drawing people to himself. No place is perfect. She could have complained “well, he never even talked to me until I tried to reach out to him… the Apostle Mark didn’t even remember my name(!)” None of that is the point… she reached out in faith. She believed what Jesus could do, and she acted on it. God can change you, God can fill you, God can make your life an adventure!!!! Reach out to him and go for it!