In The Storm

In The Storm, Mathew 14:22-33

Introduction

In a storm one dark night some sailors were thrown by the sea upon a rock, to which they clung for their lives. Their first feeling was one of joyful gratitude. They were on a rock. Their second emotion was a sickening fear, for the tide might rise, and the storm and waves sweep over the rock and carry them away to death in the raging sea. Just then a flash of lightening overtook the darkness, and by its lurid glare they saw that the rock was covered with samphire, a plant which always grows above the level of the tide. Then were they greatly glad, for they were assuredly safe. So is it in our wildest storms, if we cast upon the rock Christ Jesus. If God loves us we shall live, for the love involves the life – life here, life everlasting.

Transition

This morning we will seek to answer but one question, “Are we alone in the storm?” When the violent waters of this life rage; when the seas roar and billow; are we alone? Are we like so many sailors lost in the raging seas of this life, or is there a rock to cling to when the troubles come our way?

I am reminded of the Marine Corps recruiting poster of old which has on it only the face of an angry drill instructor staring into the face of a much taller yet very intimidated recruit and the words, “We never promised you a rose garden!”

Exposition

We live in a fallen world. We see the affects of the curse, which sin brought upon the world, all around us. We are all filled with the natural sense that the world is not the way it is supposed to be. That is because it is not…

When sin entered into the world through the choices of Adam and Eve, it was as if a terrible virus was allowed to corrupt everything on the earth. Sin brought God’s judgment on the earth and humanity has been reaping the consequences of the choice to sin ever since.

But before you blame Adam and Eve for our unsavory inheritance, consider the words of David in Psalms 14:1-3, “… They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.” (NKJV)

This world is not all that it should be. When we listen carefully to what we hear all around us in this life, we can still hear the echo of the hissing of the snake in the garden… “Take and eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil… surely will you not die…” Genesis 3:4

Adam and Eve chose poorly. Rather than believe the truth that God had spoken to them; the truth of God’s word, they believed a lie and man has believed that lie ever since. Adam and Eve chose poorly and their sinful nature has been our inheritance. We have chosen poorly. Humanity still reaps the consequences.

The wonderful thing about the state that we find ourselves in, however, is that we are not left alone in the storms of this life. Sin brought about the winds which caused the storms but God’s grace is available even in the storms.

Adam and Eve had a choice to make; believe God’s word or the world’s lie. In this regard, little has changed. At the end of the day, we are still left the same choice to make; God’s word in this hand or the world’s lie in this hand.

Illustration

Last week Christina and I were in Florida visiting her father who has been ill. Besides the pollen wreaking havoc on our sinuses, and the Florida humidity reminding us of yet another reason we are so happy not to live there any longer, there was something that I saw which I must say, I am glad to have seen.

As we drove along Highway 54 near Zephyrhills, Florida I saw a sign advertising a local church. The sign had an overdone depiction of the stereotype of a grandma. She had blue curled hair, too much makeup, and a very loudly colored housedress. Next to the picture of the grandma was the words “Not Your Grandma’s Church!”

My wife Christina remarked, “Well, they’ve sure gone and offended Grandma!” Besides being merely offensive, however, I think the sign is indicative of so much more. The sign causes me to first ask myself the question, “If it is not my Grandma’s Church then why not? What is wrong with Grandma’s Church?”