Facing The Storms In Life

FACING THE STORMS IN LIFE

Mk 4:35-41 , Mt 14:22-33

As I watched on TV as Hurricane Ian crashed into Florida and South Carolina, it reminded me how powerful and fearful that storms can be. I noticed afterwards that it hit all kinds of buildings and people of all walks of life. Some were prepared for the storms and some were not. Some sought shelter and some did not. But all that were in its path felt the same fear and danger.

As we examine God’s Word today about storms, I want us to think the storms that we face in life. And my hope is that you can learn to face life’s biggest storms with faith in our Savior and peace in our hearts.

1. JESUS IS WITH YOU DURING THE STORMS OF LIFE.

This is very early in the ministry of Jesus. They had listened to His wise and powerful sermons. Jesus had called the disciples by the lake after they had witnessed the miracle of the great catch of fish. They had watched him heal people, watched as He cast out demons. They were amazed as they watched Him come to the rescue of many people, but it’s quite another thing to have faith when you are the one that is in need of rescuing.

Mk 4:35-38a 35 On that day, when evening came, He *said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd, they *took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. 37 And there *arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. 38 Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion;

They’ve only been following Jesus a short while, and the disciples are still spiritually very weak. They have Jesus in their hearts and Jesus is certainly in the boat with them as this fierce storm blew in, but their faith is very small even with Jesus in sight of them.

* I don’t know what kind of storms you’re facing today. MAYBE

Finances, marriage, job, health, or any problem this world throws at U!

Mk 4:38-41 38 Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they *woke Him and *said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. 40 And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

What I notice about Jesus.

(1) Jesus was not afraid of the storm.

(2) Jesus had authority over the storm.

(4) Jesus was right there with them through the storm.

(5) Jesus used that storm to build their faith.

What I notice about the disciples.

(1) At first they had great fear of the storm.

(2) Afterwards, they had great fear of Jesus.

** Who is this that even the wind and the sea obey Him?

They would find out the next morning that not only did Jesus have authority over the storm that night, but He has authority over a legion of demons that had possessed 1 poor man living in a cemetery.

2. JESUS COMES TO YOU IN THE STORMS OF LIFE.

Fast forward a year or so into the ministry of Jesus. The disciples had come to a greater level of faith in Him, but they’re not quite there yet.

They have just watched as Jesus took a gift of 2 fish and 5 barley loaves and Jesus fed 5000 men and countless women and children. And when the people were through eating there was 12 baskets of leftovers remaining.

It is time for Jesus to increase their faith. The way that Jesus grows our faith is allowing us to go through faith-building experiences. So, back out into the sea they go, but this time Jesus doesn’t go with them.

Mt 14:22-25 22 Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary.

Notice:

(1) Jesus sends them out into the sea at night.

(2) Jesus knows that the storm is there, He may even had summoned it