Jesus And The Storms Of Life

Jesus And The Storms Of Life

Chuck Sligh

January 2006

TEXT: Matthew 14:22-33 – “And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. ”

INTRODUCTION

In recent days, a number of us have found ourselves in the swirling waves of raging storms in our lives. Some like Jesse, Elias, Stacie Thompson, Susan, and myself have experienced physical problems. Others of you have been going through problems at work. Some have weathered storms in their marriage, or with one of their children.

As a pastor, it can become a heavy burden, because you see the suffering and the pain this life brings—and it makes it even more difficult when I myself am one of the ones going through a storm.

People think we have advanced so far in the twenty-first century—and we have. And yet, pain and suffering is still with us. Loved ones still choose destructive habits that can destroy and bring bondage.

And think of all the advances in technology and medicine that have eliminated many terrible diseases, but these have only exposed us to diseases almost unknown in days when people died much younger—heart diseases, cancers, etc. Here we in a new century, and yet there is still so much suffering.

Where do you turn when you face a storm? What can you do?

The answer today is the same as it was hundreds of years ago—GO TO JESUS!

Today, I want to encourage us all, for we all share the burdens that others are experiencing. That’s one of the blessings of a Christian fellowship. In Romans 12:15 Paul tells us to “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” Today as we weep with them that weep, let’s look at this story in Matthew 14. I want us to think on the subject, “Jesus and the Storms of Life.”

I. FIRST, NOTE FROM OUR TEXT THAT JESUS WILL TAKE YOU INTO THE STORM – Verse 22 – “And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. “

Note the word “constrained” in verse 22. Jesus knew what was going to happen. Trials do not catch God by surprise. God does not call an emergency meeting of the trinity to figure out what to do when we go through trials and troubles. In fact, sometimes it is THE LORD who leads us into storms.

Why would Jesus lead us into a storm? The Bible tells us four reasons Jesus might lead us into storms in our lives.

1. To chasten us

EXPAND AS LED ON THESE SCRIPTURES:

Hebrews 12:5-7 – “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?”

Hebrews 12:11 – “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

2. To bring glory to Himself – John 9:3 – “Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”