Facing The Storms In Life Series

Mark 4:35-41

Facing the Storms in Life

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side." Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 4:35-36

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 4:37

But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How [is it] that you have no faith?" And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!" 4:38-41

Introduction – Glenn and the truck driving test

Glenn (member in our church) was taking the State of Texas bus driving test recently. The State Trooper was verbally asking him possible scenarios and how he would respond to each one.

“You’re driving a semi-tractor trailer rig loaded down with 40,000 pounds of bananas. You are traveling through the mountains of Colorado and headed down a very steep grade on the final leg of your trip. It’s been a long day and trip. You are exhausted from driving. You’re brakes overheat and no longer work. You have just passed up the only emergency area where you can safely stop the truck. After passing through a series of sharp curves you see a railroad track ahead with a long freight train headed to the place where you will crash into it. What do you do?”

Glenn thinks for a moment and says, “I’d wake up David.”

“Wake up David? Who’s David and why would you wake him up?”

Glenn says, “David’s my brother asleep in the back. He ain’t never seen a wreck like he’s gonna see this time!” (BTW, not a true story)

Everyone will face a storm or trial in their life. It’s not if but when we face the storms. There are three things about the storms in life. You will either be going into one, in the middle of one or just now coming out of one. The storms in life will come!

Jesus has just told his disciples to load up the boat and head across the Sea of Galilee. He had a divine schedule to keep. He was doing His Father’s business and God the Father would see them through.

A Promised DESTINATION 35-36

When Jesus tells us to go, we are to obey. We don’t know what lies ahead but we do know we have Him with us! And He always keep His promises!

Completion

Jesus and the disciples had completed their ministry for that day. It was late afternoon and Jesus had an appointment. He simply told the disciples it was time to go.

Invitation given

Scripture doesn’t indicate that they knew where they were going, they were just going! The destination was unknown and uncertain. God invites us to join Him in what He is doing. It then becomes a crisis of belief on whether we will obey Him or not. Fortunately, they did.

No Preparation for food or clothing

They took nothing with them. They weren’t prepared for the events that were about to transpire. But God wants us to trust Him in all things.

Other’s wanted to be a part of the Excursion

You might notice that other little boats attended with them. People want to belong and desire to follow Jesus even if it is at a distance.

There was great Anticipation

The disciples were excited because of the day’s events. There was an element of anticipation and expectation coursing through their veins. They were ecstatic that Jesus was leading them.

Illustration – Sure Destination

I heard about an 83 year old man who had lived his entire life as a bachelor. One day this man gathered his four nephews and announced that he was planning to be married. His nephews were in shock.

One spoke up and said, "Uncle are you getting married because this woman is beautiful?" He said, "No."

Another nephew asked, "Uncle are you getting married because this woman is a great cook?" Again he said, "No."

The third nephew questioned, "Are you marrying this woman because she is rich?" "Of course not," was his reply.

The final nephew said, "Uncle if your not marrying this woman because she is beautiful, or because she is a great cook, or because she is rich, then why are you marrying her?" With a wink he said, "I’m marrying her because she can drive at night !"