Awakening Christ

Scripture: Mark 4:35 – 41

Title: “Awakening Christ”

Introduction: The disciples had enjoyed a GREAT DAY with Jesus. They had listened to Jesus teach and share stories concerning the POWER of FAITH and the PRINCIPLES of the KINGDOM of God. As the day was coming to an END Jesus said, “Let’s go over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.”

Jesus was the ONE who suggested the “Boat Trip.”

Life is the same as with this incident. Life is a “Journey” with a STARTING POINT & a FINISHING POINT with a whole lot of things in between. Including “Storms” that we don’t understand. (“Don’t leave home without Him!”)

Have you ever FELT like God was asleep? – Have you ever felt like you were in a STORM?

Why does God allow us to experience “Storms” during our life?

This particular time Jesus was in the boat when the storm hit. – Everything had started out fine. – Jesus was even going with them on this trip. – But then the STORM hit.

I. FOLLOWING JESUS.

a. It’s not always an EASY TRIP when you are following Jesus.

b. Jesus was very CLOSE to His disciple and had SPENT the day together WALKING & TALKING with them.

c. Jesus had personally “Hand – Picked” these disciples Himself. (These men had not slipped in without Jesus’ knowing it)

d. Always REMEMBER, following Jesus doesn’t necessarily mean it will always be “Smooth Sailing.”

e. Some of the MOST DIFFICULT times of my life have come since I’ve been a Christian.

II. THE STORM.

a. It was a “Great Storm” that the disciples encountered.

b. It seems like the GREATEST STORMS that we encounter comes when we are the CLOSEST to Christ. – When we’ve been having a “Good Time” with Jesus.

c. These disciples were used to the WIND, but this WIND was more POWERFUL than in times before.

d. Sometimes God DELIVERS us a “Storm” great enough to cause us to CHANGE.

e. The WIND was a ‘Good Thing’ but this STORM was too MUCH of a Good Thing.

f. Never forget, STORMS are going to come into ‘EVERONE’S’ life at some POINT & and at some DEGREE. (Story of Jackie & I fishing and a storm came us suddenly)

II. A SLEEPING CHRIST.

a. Jesus was ON BOARD with the disciples, but He was ASLEEP.

b. How could this be?

c. Jesus had to KNOW the STORM was coming BEFORE they STARTED OUT.

d. What do YOU SEE here in the INCIDENT? – Why do think Jesus was asleep?

e. Jesus was living in a ‘NATURAL’ body – He was TIRED. – He KNEW He was ‘PREPARED’ for WHATEVER came His way.

f. Jesus had TAUGHT these disciples all day and now comes the time to PUT it into PRACTICE.

g. Jesus knew that KNOWLEDGE comes with a CHALLENGE.

h. Jesus knew these disciples had a lesson to LEARN that they could not learn SITTING on the SHORELINE.

III. AWAKENING CHRIST.

a. Jesus never does anything WITHOUT having a REASON.

b. Jesus never ALLOWS us to go through a STORM without there being a NEED for it to come into our LIVES.

c. Jesus couldn’t do them ANY GOOD until the AWAKENED Him. – He’s NO GOOD to us laying there asleep. – Jesus was DORMANT until AWAKENED.

d. They AWOKE Him. – It was a ‘Group Effort’ – All the disciples saw the DANGER.

IV. HOW DO YOU AWAKEN CHRIST?

a. You have to RECOGNIZE you NEED Him or you can’t SURVIVE.

b. You have to get CLOSE enough for Him to HEAR YOU.

c. You have to CALL OUT to Him. “For "Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) NLT

d. You have got to TOUCH him. – “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) KJV

e. ANYONE can AWAKEN Jesus if they WANT to BADLY enough!

V. AN AWAKENED CHRIST.

a. As soon as the disciples called on Jesus He woke up! – They said, “Don’t you care if we perish?” (Mk. 4:38)

b. These disciples didn’t really know who they had on BOARD or they would not have ACTED the way they did.

c. Jesus AROSE and SPOKE to the storm FIRST and TOLD it what to do! “Peace be still”

d. Then Jesus SPOKE to His disciples, “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” (Mk. 4:40)

e. They still didn’t UNDERSTAND. – “And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mk. 4:41)