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.