Miracles: Calming The Storm Series

Do you ever feel like you are in the middle of a storm

The winds of circumstances- blowing out of control.

The disciples once found themselves in a storm- look at how they responded and God responded to them

Open Bibles to Mark 4- first in a series on Miracles.

As we look at the miracles- purpose- build our …

understanding of how God works and

faith in the God of the impossible.

Reading in Luke- story of Rich Young Ruler …

Lk 18:18-27 (tell story)

V27 In context- only God can save a man.

Lk 18:27 The things that are impossible with people are possible with God. NASU

As Lord of creation, God rules over all impossibilities

Further on in Luke- story of blind Bartimaeus …

Lk 18:42 And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight;

your faith has made you well." NASU

What about my faith, where does my faith stand?

How many believe God still works miracles today?

Who is willing to share- miracle- briefly (mic)?

I am absolutely convinced- God still works miracles.

Do I understand why …

He does some miracles and not others … NO!

I pray- some people healed/others not … NO!

My experiences do not point to the fact that God does not perform miracles- they point to the fact that …

I do not fully understand- heart/mind of God

I am still GROWING in my personal FAITH

God is sovereign over all circumstances

In the middle of the storm

Mk 4:35

Sea of Galilee- 680 feet below sea level- surrounded by mountains- weather changes quickly.

Mk 4:36-38

How many here- boat people? Afraid of boats?

Ill: Small boat going out of the Sebastian Inlet when tide is changing- pretty scary. Many a boat has been swamped- broken up on rocks.

Some of the disciples- experienced fisherman- yet they were afraid for their lives.

They might have said … I am in a boat w/Son of God-

this should not be happening,

I should be safe.

The fact that we are a Christian does not insulate us from going through scary or difficult times.

Being a Christian does not exempt us- storms of life.

Perhaps you are going through a storm in your life …

cannot stand your job,

another person saying at least you have a job,

serious financial struggles,

bad news from doctor for yourself or loved one,

marriage- breaking up on the rocks of life,

others battling with depression, oppression.

Many people are just trying to hang on to life.

Sometimes things happen that shake our faith in God.

As we look at this story- look at three things that can help us when life gets difficult.

1. You are in the storm by God’s appointment

God knew before you were born that you would go through this season in your life.

V35- Jesus said- get in the boat, go to the other side.

The trip was Jesus idea- He knew a storm would come

The disciples were not out of the will of God.

Sometimes when find ourselves in a storm of life we question whether we are in the will of God.

There are three possibilities for storms in our lives …

• Bad decision or decisions

It is easy to make a decision that turns out bad.

Pro 16:25 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. NASU

• The storm could be from the enemy

Satan, the prince darkness and his demonic host want to destroy you and hinder the work of God.

Jn 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. NASU

• You live in a broken world

We live in a fallen world, marred by sin, a world that affects Christians and non-Christians alike.

Mtt 5:45 … for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. NASU

Are you in a storm, remember God knows you are.

Jesus knew there would be a storm but said- get in!

V37

Storms can up suddenly in our lives, they can take us by surprise, but remember …

Rom 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. NASU

If we are doing what God told you to do, then we are right where God wants us to be.

You might be some place you wish you weren’t, and God may be taking you some place that He really wants you to go. “Let’s go to the other side.” Craig Groeschel

2. You are in the storm with His presence