This was my second time preaching for the Young Adult Ministry of the The Lord’s Church of Waco (a Korean Church) in Waco, Texas, on 6 April 2025. With all the things that are going on in our lives (and in my life) the fact that Jesus saw the disciples stood out to me and I shared it to the people (and with you here) today. May it encourage you in your season.

As usual, scroll to the end of this blog to watch my after-sermon ‘preaching tips’ video recorded when I got back home. I share my preaching tip to share how the Holy Spirit is using you in the moment as I openly shared my response to their time of worship to start off my sermon. It was unplanned. And also I shared what I realize I did not like about providing pulpit supply at this church but wanted to have more of.

I am always hopeful that these offerings would bless and encourage you in your own journey with God and in your ministry of service to others. Feel free to reach out to me or leave a comment below, anytime. Blessings and peace!

Mark 6:45-56 (NIV)

⁴⁵ Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. ⁴⁶ After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

⁴⁷ Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. ⁴⁸ He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, ⁴⁹ but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, ⁵⁰ because they all saw him and were terrified.

Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” ⁵¹ Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, ⁵² for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

⁵³ When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. ⁵⁴ As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. ⁵⁵ They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. ⁵⁶ And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

Sermon Summary (according to ChatGPT!)

Your message centers on Jesus walking on water (Mark 6) and how both the disciples and the crowd respond to his presence differently. You highlight how the disciples, though close to Jesus, still struggled to fully recognize him, especially in moments of fear, exhaustion, and confusion. Even after witnessing miracles like the feeding of the 5,000, their hearts were hardened, and they didn’t understand.

You explore how Jesus sees them in their struggle, comes to them with compassion—not condemnation—and reassures them with his presence. In contrast, the crowd on land recognizes Jesus immediately and responds with expectation. You draw parallels between their reactions and our own, encouraging the listeners to reflect on how they respond when life gets overwhelming.

Drawing from your own recent season of grief, loss, and transition, you share how Jesus saw you, met you in your need, and reminded you of his presence—even through small signs. You encourage the audience to reflect on how they’re doing, to notice how Jesus might be meeting them in their struggles, and to seek community and space for healing. Jesus sees us, comes to us, and is present—even when we don’t fully recognize it. And like growing fruit, sometimes understanding and transformation take time, but Jesus remains patient and purposeful throughout our process.

Preaching Tips Background Video

I share my preaching tip to share how the Holy Spirit is using you in the moment as I openly shared my response to their time of worship to start off my sermon. It was unplanned. And also I shared what I realize I did not like about providing pulpit supply at this church but wanted to have more of.

You can find the rest of my sermons here! https://sejanashines.com/preaching