30 "The apostles *gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. 31 And He *said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) 32 They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves. 33 The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them.34 When Jesus went [a]ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things." Mark 6:30-34
The disciples were coming back from a mission trip Jesus sent them on.
I. Know that you will be held to account.
Everyone will have a different account. Account to Jesus for you've done with this life.
"For it is written,
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall [a]give praise to God.”
12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God." Romans 14:11-12
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for [a]his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." 2 Corinthians 5:20
You may not be accepted everywhere, but just keep going. Go to all peoplee and tell them. Share the Word of God. We are accountable for what we do with our salvation, our life.
II. Watch out for burnout -- set a pace.
It's easy to get burned out.
(Look at Jonah)
Rest and recover.
"And He *said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) 32 They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves." Mark 6:31-32
“Come to Me, all [a]who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is [b]easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
When we burn out it's about us. We are in the mode "I can't." There is a massive amount of burnout with pastors in the USA, especially in smaller churches.
"Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.
29 He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
30 Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
31 Yet those who [a]wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will [b]mount up with [c]wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 40:28-31
There will come a time when you're weary. God will be your oasis.
An oxen yoke is heavy. What makes Jesus's yoke light is that He is carrying it with us -- He takes the brunt of the load.
III. Be ready for the flood!
Is God holding back because we can't handle what He can do?
Maybe we need to prepare for it.
53 "When they had crossed over they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. 54 When they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him," Mark 6:53-54
"A voice [a]is calling,
“Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness;
Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.
4 “Let every valley be lifted up,
And every mountain and hill be made low;
And let the rough ground become a plain,
And the rugged terrain a broad valley;
5 [b]Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
And all flesh will see it together;
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 40:3-5
Be ready for the broken person.
IV. Ready for the call in the desert.
23 He said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”
Wilderness causes us to focus, to lean on God, to get strength from Him.
"if you [b]obey the Lord your God to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law, [c]if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.
11 “For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it [d]out of reach. 12 It is not in heaven, [e]that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ Deuteronomy 30:10-12
We gotta be listening for God's voice.
I didn't ask you to be good at it. I just told you to go.
Can you recognize His voice?
If you're listening you'll hear Him.
11 "So He said, “Go forth and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, butthe Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake a fire, butthe Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:11-13
What are we doing here?