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Series Code: BOLS
Program Code: BOLS000068S
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00:05 Sermon #S036 - Size Doesn't Matter- (Part 1)
00:20 Pastor Snell: Today we're going to go ahead and jump into the word is that all right? So do me a favor, 00:23 if you don't mind, stand to your feet as we go into the scriptures as we continue celebrating our Black History Month 00:30 and address some matters that affect our community and our racial unity in the world today. 00:37 I want to invite you to go with me and your bibles to the book of Mark chapter four 00:43 and we'll begin together at verse number 35, Mark chapter four. And we will begin together at verse number 35. 01:00 Mark chapter four in verse 35. When you get there, let me hear you say amen. 01:05 [ Congregation: Amen] 01:06 Amen. Is anybody glad to be in the house of the Lord today? 01:08 [ Congregation: Amen] 01:10 Amen. Amen. Mark chapter four in verse 35, A very familiar text to us today. 01:19 The Bible says on the same day when evening had come, he said to them, let us cross over to the other side. 01:31 Now, when he had left the multitude, they took him along in the boat as he was, and other little boats were also with him. 01:41 And the great windstorm arose and the waves beat into the boat so that it was already filling. 01:47 But he was in the stern asleep on a pillow and they awoke him and said unto him, teacher, 01:53 do you not care that we are perishing? And he arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 02:01 peace be still. And the wind ceased and there was great calm. But he said to them, why are you so fearful? 02:12 And how is it that you have what? No faith? And they feared exceedingly and said to one another, 02:22 who can this be that even the wind and the sea obey him? 02:28 But on a re-emphasis verse number 36 where the Bible says Now, 02:32 when they had left the multitude they took him along in the boat as he was and the Bible says, 02:42 and other little boats were also with him. Today's saint, 02:48 I want to talk to you for a little while under the subject size doesn't matter, 02:55 and I want to talk to you today about the problem with privilege. Let's pray together. 03:02 Father, in this little while, would you say much, Father, I pray that the same way a dish towel reaches its saturation point. 03:19 Lord, would you allow us to reach our saturation point with your spirit today? 03:26 So, Father, I'm praying that you would make your presence so dense that it would smother all rivaling principalities. 03:33 Father, I'm praying that faith will be multiplied in the hearing of the word. 03:38 Hide me in the shadows of the cross that Jesus alone might be seen, that Christ alone would be heard. 03:44 And at the end of our time together, may Jesus alone be praised. 03:47 We ask this and the name of him who is altogether lovely, it is in the name of Jesus that we pray. 03:52 Let those who believe say together. Amen and amen. You may be seated in the house of the Lord. 03:59 Again, we're talking today under the subject size does not matter. 04:07 You know, friends, about three years ago, my wife and I went down to Florida to spend a little time with my family. 04:19 And while there we left the kids with their grandparents and we slipped over to Destin to get a day at the beach. 04:28 And so while I was there on the shore allowing the rhythmic waves to massage the stress knots from my brain, 04:37 I looked out into the ocean and I saw two boats or ships crossing paths. 04:45 Now I'm not a nautical expert in any sense, but there was first what looked like a tiny fishing or recreational boat. 04:54 This tiny boat was buffeted and battered in the sea and it moved slowly through an agitated ocean. 05:03 The second boat was some type of cruise ship of some sort. It was larger in stature. 05:10 And it was interesting that this big boat moved seamlessly through this agitated body of water. 05:17 Its trip was so smooth that they had their drinks on the edge of the boat 05:22 because they had no fear of turbulence or disruption. And I marveled at the contrast of these boats on the water 05:31 and I could not help but think to myself that if you were to ask them about their experiences on the water, 05:38 they would describe two different events. Those in the little boat would say that today the water was choppy, it was rough, 05:47 it was hard, it was a difficult day on the water. But if you asked those in the big boat, 05:54 they would say today the water was great, the weather was smooth, and it was a great time for us to be out on the water. 06:03 And see, they would assume that because it was not hard for them that it was no difficulty on the water, 06:10 they would assume that because it did not disturb them, there would be no disturbance at all. 06:17 And this my friends is how privilege works where people of different people groups describe the same situation in different 06:27 terms because of their vantage point where people with superior positioning have superior experiences 06:37 and as a result they have an elevated assessment of how things are actually going. 06:43 And the problem with privilege is when people with superior experience deny somebody's inferior experience 06:52 and they act like you've actually made your experience up. And the fact is, 06:57 friends that many of us are afforded privilege in many ways, some are afforded privilege by their last name, 07:04 some get privileged by their family inheritance, and some get privilege based upon their gender. 07:11 And there are some that get privileges based upon the color of their skin. 07:15 And the problem with racial privilege is that sometimes those in the majority will not acknowledge the experiences of 07:23 those without privilege. And let me be clear that I'm not mad if you have privilege, 07:30 it's just going to be a problem when you act as if everybody has the same opportunity. 07:36 See, the problem is when those in the big boat complain because you are seasick in the small boat. 07:43 And see the issue of racial issues that we've had these last five years is 07:48 because in this country we assess things differently because we've got different positions in society. 07:56 In other words, those in the big boat don't see a problem with policing 08:02 because their young people are not being brutally killed when lethal force is not warranted. 08:08 Those in the big boat don't have a problem with the justice system 08:13 because their kids don't get double the penalty for the same drug infraction or offense. 08:19 Those in the big boat don't have a problem with Gender discrimination when you have women that get the same, do the same job, 08:28 and get less pay because they shave their legs instead of shaving their face, 08:34 those in the big boat don't see a problem with covid 08:37 because it wasn't killing 50% of the folk in the African-American community. 08:43 Those in the big boat don't see a problem with the economy, 08:47 even though the African-American employment rate is twice their white counterpart. 08:53 And see out of privilege comes the narrative that all is well, that if you just work hard and have personal accountability 09:03 and pull yourself up by your own bootstraps, that we can all have the same experience. 09:09 And see the problem with those with superior privilege is that some see themselves as superior beings 09:17 and see to acknowledge privilege is to disprove the long-held belief that my superior position is based upon my 09:27 inherent supremacy. And see how many of us understand that there is no work ethic, 09:33 that there is no hustle that can close the gap on the type of distance that's between us and other cultures. 09:41 Are you hearing me today? In other words, what privilege is like? 09:45 It's like running the hundred-yard dash against somebody that's got a 50-yard headstart. 09:51 And in other words, you may close the gap along the way, but they're still going to finish first 09:57 because they've got such a far head start. Are y'all with me today? In other words, let me say it this way. 10:03 I remember during the pandemic when my kids were at home, I was their bible and PE teacher, are y'all here in the pastor today? 10:09 And so there was a circle in our neighborhood and I would allow them to race against one another. 10:15 And so sometimes I wanted my youngest son to win. 10:18 And so I would give him a large head start in front of his two older siblings. And it's funny 10:25 because when he came around the corner and beat his siblings, I need you to know he ain't have no humility about his victory. 10:32 Listen, listen, that boy was pointing finger, he was dabbing and he was talking trash and the brother 10:39 and sister wanted him to know you didn't win the race because you were faster. 10:44 You won just because you got a large headstart. And, I guess what I'm saying is that sometimes in the black community, 10:52 we can be very critical of our colleges and our churches 10:57 and our businesses as so if we're supposed to be on the same plane with everybody else. 11:04 And the reason that some are performing better, is not because they have superior people. 11:10 They've just got a 50-yard head start. And what I'm saying is don't just curse our own. 11:16 We've got to learn to celebrate the progress that we've made thus far. 11:22 And I just want to take a moment to preach to those who are in tiny boats. 11:26 I want you to know that it doesn't matter how far you are at the back, 11:29 your latter day is going to be greater than your former day and that the end is going to be better than the beginning. 11:37 Are y'all hearing me today, Friends? 11:39 [ Congregation: Amen] 11:41 And so go back with me if you don't mind in your Bibles, go back to Mark chapter four and verse 36, 11:45 and let's unpack the word together. Mark four in verse 36. When you get there, let me hear you say amen. 11:51 [ Congregation: Amen] 11:52 The Bible says now when he had left the multitude, they took him along in the boat as he was 11:58 and the Bible says, and there were other little ships with him. Now, today friends, 12:05 I don't really want to focus here on the common details of the story. 12:12 Most of us have read this and we know that at the end of the story that Jesus is going to stand up 12:17 and he's going to calm the storm for which we are grateful. 12:22 But I want to preach to that person whose storm is not going to be over by the benediction. 12:29 I want to preach to that soul that is being overwhelmed by life 12:34 and struggling to find a sense of their personal significance in the Lord. 12:40 You see, the first thing that this story teaches us today is that there is no hierarchy of concern in Jesus. 12:49 I need somebody to leave with clarity that there is nobody that Jesus loves more than you. 12:58 Okay, let me preach to somebody on this side. 13:01 I need somebody to know that there is nobody more important to Jesus than the one you see in the mirror every day. 13:13 Is there anybody that knows that Christ is no respecter of persons 13:17 and he doesn't care more about the president or the pope or the pastor than he does about anybody that is created in his image? 13:27 Are y'all with me today? So, notice friends, what happens? Jesus says to them, let us go over to the other side. 13:36 Now notice the word says that they took him along in the boat as he was. 13:42 Now understand Ivan, that this is the disciples' ego at work here. 13:47 In other words, the Bible says that there, were a bunch of other boats that were getting ready to take the trip, 13:53 but what the disciples do is they grab a hold of Jesus. To make sure he doesn't get in the boat with nobody else 14:02 and they choose the biggest boat for themselves. So that on this journey, Eric, they've got the superior boat 14:10 and they're in the superior position of being in the boat with Jesus. Are you hearing me? 14:16 And notice that the Bible says that there were other little ships with him. Now this detail is given for a reason Malcolm 14:25 because too often we thought this miracle was about the saving of the 12. 14:31 But I need you to know the miracle is not just that he sustained those in the big boat. 14:38 The miracle is that we serve a God that can sustain people that travel in little boats. 14:45 In other words, friends, I need you to get that. If anybody should have been tripping and scared, 14:52 it shouldn't have been the disciples in the boat with Jesus. 14:56 The ones who should have been afraid are those that were in those little boats where they couldn't even see where Jesus was. 15:04 But see, I think y'all missed a point. Notice that the Bible doesn't say that the ships were with them. 15:11 The Bible says that these other little ships were with him. 15:17 What Mark is teaching is that these little ships were under his authority. 15:22 These little ships were under his protection. These little ships were under his watch care. 15:28 In other words, we rejoice not just because he kept those in the big boats, 15:33 but God was watching over those in the little boats. 15:37 And see, I want to talk to somebody who feels like they're lost in this big world. 15:43 There is somebody that feels like they're in a little boat financially. 15:47 There is somebody that feels like they're in a small boat emotionally. 15:51 There is somebody that feels like they're in a small boat socially. 15:54 And what the word is teaching us today is that there is no hierarchy of concern in Jesus that he loves folk in little boats 16:03 the same way he loves those in the big boats. Is there anybody thankful that at the foot of the cross, the ground is all level? 16:11 There are no big eyes and small youth, but we are all loved by Jesus 16:17 [ Congregation: Amen] 16:19 And see, I need us to know that in Christ there is no hierarchy of concern 16:23 because Jesus does not just end the storm for the elite. He ends the storm for those who are in the tiny boat. 16:32 And the reason I'm saying this is I want to encourage somebody to stop using your earthly circumstance as a measuring stick 16:41 of your value to God. See, I need you to know that the Bible says that he satisfies the desire of every living thing. 16:52 Jesus says, I dress Solomon, I dress the Lilly, better than I dress Solomon on his best day. 17:00 And you got to know that if his eye is on the sparrow, then that same Jesus is watching over you. 17:08 Are y'all with me today friends? And say, I need somebody to come to the complete conclusion that you've got value to God. 17:15 In other words, you've heard me say this often that if you want to know your value, don't measure how much you get paid. 17:23 Measure how much was paid in order to secure your salvation, y'all missed it. 17:30 In other words, your value is not in your bank account. Your value is in your price tag. In other words, 17:37 Christ didn't pray more for this President than he paid for the most common sinner. 17:42 He applied the same amount of blood to each sinner so that we might be saved. Oh, y'all hearing me today, friends? 17:51 And it's crazy because some of us have anxiety and fear 17:55 because we think those in the bigger boat are safer than those in a smaller boat. 18:00 But I need you to know that in Christ's size, doesn't matter. All that matters is that I'm with him. 18:08 [ Congregation: Amen] 18:09 Oh, God. See those in the little boats were safe because they were with him. 18:13 Those in the little boat were safe in the storm because they belong to Jesus. 18:19 And is there anybody that understands that even though I might be in a little boat, 18:23 I'm still with him and I'm going to be okay because I belong to Jesus. Okay. 18:30 Listen I remember friends probably about two years ago there was a mass shooting at this one particular mall area 18:38 and it was crazy Preston because there was a mother who was there with about eight or nine kids 18:43 and she was there in the mall when they start shooting. 18:46 And so what happens is her daughter is having a birthday party and about seven of her friends have joined them for the party. 18:54 And what the video footage showed, is that once the shooting began, 18:58 she didn't reach through the crowd and grab her daughter. 19:02 [ Congregation: Alright alright.] 19:04 What she did was, she just grabbed the closest child and she got all of the children to safety. 19:10 And when they interviewed her they asked why didn't you get your daughter first? 19:15 And she made something I'll never forget. 19:18 She says that when the parents put them under my care for those two hours they received adoption. 19:27 [ Congregation: Amen] 19:28 And if they are with me, I'm going to love them just like they're my children. 19:32 Can I suggest to somebody that when the shooting starts and when the mess hits the fan, 19:41 that you've received an adoption by God, and as long as you are under his care, he's going to love you as is you are his own. 19:51 Are y'all hearing the word today friends? 19:53 [ Congregation: Amen] 19:55 The word says to us here as we get into this text a little bit deeper, 20:00 the Bible lets us know that I need us to get this thing. So, the storm in this situation is about to take these folk under, 20:10 and see one of the things that teaches us is that our celebrations need to be corporate, not just individual. 20:20 Now the reason this may seem strange is 20:24 because in our minds the miracle was always about Jesus saving the boat with the disciples in it. 20:30 Are y'all still with me today? But as we said, the miracle is not just that he sustained the big boat in the storm. 20:38 The miracle is that he sustained all the tiny boats all night long. 20:48 So I'm trying to figure this thing out because when I look at Matthew's version, 20:53 Matthew says that the big boat was taking on so much water that the big boat was about to go under. 21:01 So if the big boat was about to go under, how have these little boats made it all night long 21:10 and what it shows is that not only does Jesus stop the storm, he moderates the storm in the position each boat is in. 21:21 So that he moderates where one boat is so that there is not too many ways to overtake the boat at one time. 21:30 Oh, y'all not with me today. In other words, he moderates that boat 21:34 and he moderates that boat so that the allowed amount of storm is in proportion with what the boat is able to handle. 21:43 [ Congregation: Amen] 21:45 And see, I need somebody to understand that Jesus has a way of not just stopping the storm, 21:52 but he tailors your storm and moderates your storm so that whatever touches you is not greater than your capacity to handle it. 22:03 See, he can moderate your storm in the middle of a storm. So that I need you to know that even when the economy is bad, 22:13 he can moderate your storm so that you don't get taken out, that even when the pandemic is bad, he can moderate your storm. 22:22 So it does not overtake you when they are laying off the job, 22:26 they can moderate your storm so that what touches them doesn't touch you. 22:32 Are y'all hearing the word today friends? 22:34 And see, and this is why friends, I suggest that you don't learn to stop envying people in big boats 22:44 because big boats have to go through big storms. But see he's put you in a boat that's commensurate with your storm. 22:56 And if you take your little boat over in the big storm, you might get taken out. And that's why you ought to just say, Lord, 23:04 I thank you for my boat and where you place me in the water. Are y'all hearing me today? 23:12 So the storm is about to take this big boat out. The disciples are in full panic mode. 23:22 And it's crazy because Jesus stands up, he rebukes the winds and the waves and it's crazy because after he does this, 23:29 he does not, Steven, comfort, and cuddle the disciples, he rebukes them. He's like, what's wrong with y'all? 23:39 Why don't you have any faith? So then I began a quest to say, when does their unbelief kick in? 23:54 What is the lack of faith here that Jesus is wrestling with? And it's funny 24:01 because I need somebody to know that you will always struggle with faith if you only celebrate your personal victories. 24:13 See, you'll miss 95% of the mercies and miracles of God if you only focus on how God is blessing you. 24:23 Are y'all with me today? See, remember I already told you that the disciples are in the privileged boat. 24:30 They've got Jesus in the boat with them. So if anybody should have been tripping, it should not have been them. 24:38 They're in the boat, they can see Jesus, the ones that should have been nervous and say, master, 24:46 don't you care that we perish are those that are in the small boats. 24:51 Now you need to get that this storm is growing progressively worse. 24:54 It is intensifying as the night goes on. 24:57 But one of the things that the disciples should have taken note of is that all night long whenever the lightning flashed, 25:05 they could look over and notice that not a single little boat has been lost. 25:11 Okay, y'all still hadn't here got here with me yet. In other words, every time they look over, 25:16 I don't know how many boats left with them from the other side. I don't know if it was 50 boats or if it was 30 boats, 25:21 but every time they look over the side, all those little boats 25:27 Are still above water. See, it would've been one thing. I could have understood them being afraid if they leave with 20 boats 25:35 and after one hour it's 17 boats after two hours, it's 12 boats after three hours, it's seven boats after four hours, 25:42 they're the last boat standing. I would be afraid if all the other ships have been taken out and we are the last ones standing. 25:51 But they should have got some strength when they looked over and saw that God sustained the tiny boats at nine 25:59 and at midnight and two in the morning. 26:02 And they should have come to the conclusion that if Jesus is keeping those in the small boats, 26:08 then God is able to keep me from going under. Are y'all hearing me today, friends? 26:14 Thank you so much for joining us for the Breath of Life Television Ministries broadcast with Pastor Debleaire Snell! 26:21 We hope and pray that you have been blessed by this fifth message in the sermon series entitled “On The Verge of Something.” 26:31 Join us next week for Part Two of the message entitled “Size Doesn't Matter” You don't want to miss it! 26:41 For the past 49 years, Breath of life has been presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 26:47 From a contemporary urban perspective, in 2023, we plan to grow our reach. 26:53 And your donations are what help make that possible. 26:57 This year, our major goal is to launch our Breath of Life weekly broadcast into five new cities. 27:04 In addition, we're excited to introduce our new Breath of Life Kids platform with original content created with your 27:13 little ones in mind. 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Revised 2023-05-08