The Sea of Galilee vs the Dead Sea (Matthew 4:18-25)

The Sea of Galilee vs the Dead Sea (Matthew 4:18-25)

 

18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.

 

Intro)

1. In Israel, there are two vastly different large lakes: The Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. The two bodies of water are connected by the Jordan River. The strange thing about these two lakes is that although both seas share the same source, the Sea of Galilee is a fresh-water lake abundant with life while the Dead Sea is salt-water and is incapable of supporting any sort of life (hence its name).

 

Both lakes are formed by the water flowing down from Mt. Hermon and into the Jordan River. Yet one is lush with greens and fish while the other is aptly named "Dead." How can two bodies of water, originating from the same source, be polar opposites?

 

The answer is quite simple: both lakes are the lowest lakes in the world, both sitting below sea level. However, the Sea of Galilee sits at a slightly higher elevation, making the Dead Sea the lowest lake on Earth. This means that the Dead Sea has no outflow, so all of the salt that flows from Mt. Hermon down the Jordan River end up sitting in the Dead Sea. 

 

2. People making pilgrimage to Israel, the Holy Land, are able to swim in the Dead Sea, watch sheep graze in green pastures in Galilee, and gaze at the snow covered tops of Mt. Hermon in the north. 

 

Galilee is the central region of Jesus' teachings and travels. He grew up in Nazareth, a town in Galilee, and spread the Gospel primarily around this area. While the Sea of Galilee is frequently mentioned in the Bible, the Dead Sea is never referenced in the New Testament. Even in the Old Testament a "Salt Sea" is mentioned only a handful of times.

 

There is a reason why the Sea of Galilee is the central focal location of Jesus' teachings. There is a reason why Jesus, the head of our church, preached at the Sea of Galilee and not the Dead Sea. Today we will take a look at why Jesus chose the Sea of Galilee and what it teaches us about the church.

 

Body)

A) The Sea of Galilee vs. the Dead Sea

 

1. The Dead Sea not only collects the water, with no outflow, but much of the liquid evaporates under the hot sun, leaving behind an almost viscous lake that is five times saltier than the ocean. Even saltwater fish die in the Dead Sea. The water is so concentrated even people who can't swim are able to easily float. No plants or vegetation can survive around the Dead Sea, and there are even large clumps of salt on the shore.

 

2. But the Sea of Galilee is green with plants and sheep frolic in the nearby pastures. This water once brought life and joy to the Israelites. Unlike the Dead Sea, the Sea of Galilee has an outflow, it does not just collect the water, but also gives it away. Like this, it is never healthy to only receive. When one only lives to collect and receive things, they end up dead like the Dead Sea. If one gives as much as he/she receives, they not only bring life to others, but their own lives flourish.

 

B) The Lessons of the Seas

 

1. We can learn a valuable truth by looking at these two seas.

 

When we shop at open markets, sometimes there are vendors who give you a little extra when you make a purchase be it extra produce, a free sample, or just a more then what you paid for. There are shops or restaurants that pack down food into the container and give you as much as they can. It’s places like these that are packed with customers, have regulars, and are often revisited. It seems counterintuitive, but these generous stores, restaurants, and vendors tend to do better than the stingy ones.

 

2. This same concept needs to be adapted in the church. Even with churches there are those that are generous and others that are stingy. From the outside the difference may not be obvious, but the distinction becomes clear when one takes a look at how much love one church has and shares compared to the other.

 

Some churches have abundant funds. The numbers in their accounts increase weekly. Clergy members see these numbers and are delighted. Other churches aren’t as financially well-off. They donate most of their income to relief funds, education charities, and mission offerings, leaving just enough for the church to function. Which church do you think is the better church? I personally think the second church is better and a true church. A good church is a church that knows how to give.

 

No church can fulfill its duty of saving souls if all it is focused on are its numbers and funds and it ignores the needs of others. A church can only lead people to salvation when they spread and give with love. However, one thing everyone must remember when giving is that you cannot give with the expectation of receiving something in return. Matthew 6:3 says, “But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:” It is not truly giving if it isn’t selfless.

 

We must always be concerned about what we can do and how we can help those in need. We cannot ignore missions, charities, and relief efforts because a church is in its own financial crisis. A church must give as much as possible within their circumstance.

 

This is the testimony of Pastor Chang-soo Huh:

“A few years ago I had the opportunity to visit a special school in the city of Hunchun in China. The Chairman of the school was Korean with American citizenship. With donations and support from churches in the US, the Chairman was able to establish this special school for the disabled in Hunchun, build an orphanage in North Korea, raise sheep for milk for the children, and deliver bread to those in need.

 

A little while after, I received a letter from the Chairman with a photo of him and the orphans in North Korea. In the letter, the Chairman requested any sort of help so the children could eat. It isn’t difficult to offer and give help. It’s not a long process nor is it selective. Anyone who has the desire can help in any way, big or small.

 

Our church used to believe that we were in no situation for mission trips or donations. Missions were for large rich churches; a small church like this can’t do anything meaningful. But mission work doesn’t have to be elaborate or difficult. We went to a seminary in China and held lectures for a week. This is something no large church can do. And we were able to do it with little to no pressure.

 

We cannot use our circumstances as an excuse. We need to see every situation in a positive light and pray to God for guidance. When we welcome God’s work with joyful and grateful hearts, we will be given a way.”

 

A still body of water that is closed off needs to be opened up. We must dig a channel for the water to flow, otherwise it becomes a sea of death.

 

2. This philosophy equally applies to our relationship with others. If one is selfish and miserly, blessings will never come their way. It feels like holding on to what you have is the best way to gain wealth and blessings, but that could not be further from the truth. Stinginess only turns you into a nuisance and leads to you to become an outcast.

 

We once had a soldier attend our church. He joined the young adult group and was often a part of their outings, but soon people began to notice that while people often paid for him, he never paid for anyone but himself. This began to rub people the wrong way and slowly he was left out of group outings. Eventually he was all but cut out and he left.

 

Of course there are people with personal circumstances. But isn’t it only common courtesy to pay for a meal when others have paid for yours numerous times? At the very least, shouldn’t you offer?

 

Jesus tells us in Luke 6:38, “38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

 

There is a principle to giving. You must first give to your brothers and sisters in Christ. If you have an immediate church member in need, but you choose to only help those outside of the church, you are being neither wise nor Christianly.

 

Galatians 6:9-10 advises, “9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto them who are of the household of faith.”

 

Proverbs 19:17 also instructs us, “17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”

 

No good deed will pass unrewarded by God, and He will reward us bountifully. God does not just return to us what we give; He rewards us with so much more.

 

Con)

The Sea of Galilee was the main location of Jesus’ teachings and ministry. He called upon his disciples and trained them at that lake. It was on that lake Jesus walked on water through vicious gale, calmed the storm, and gave his disciples new strength. It was at the Sea of Galilee that Jesus revealed himself to be the Son of God.

 

The Dead Sea, as its name clearly depicts, is a cursed lake of death, and therefore Jesus never mentioned it. Our faith and our church should never become like the Dead Sea. We must become like the Sea of Galilee: giving life, training disciples, and breathing new life and meaning into the disenchanted.

 

We must be like the Sea of Galilee and give to grow as a church and be blessed as Christians. When we are like the Sea of Galilee, our neighbors around the church become blessed and even more churches who are giving and full of love are built. When these churches spread through the nation, the country prospers.

 

How is your faith today? Are you clutching on to what you have, refusing to let go? If so, take a moment to think about where your blessings and belongings come from.

 

Or are you willing to give as much as you receive? Do you take on global missions as your own? Will you obey today’s message? Let us all dedicate this week to thinking about these important questions.

 

 

102217 By Ik Sun Ahn