Sermon Central
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Peace In The Midst Of The Storm
Contributed by David Mende on Jul 8, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: I preached this sermon exactly 26 days after my Mom went to be with the Lord. Read this powerful sermon and experience the peace that Jesus gives even in the midst of a storm! I would be delighted if you could rate this sermon and give brief feedback.
Introduction: Prior to this passage, we see that Jesus taught few parables to His disciples about the Kingdom of God. Probably for the sake of privacy and relaxation, Jesus proposed a trip across the lake of Galilee. And in this passage, Mark, the Evangelist gives a graphic account of the stilling of the storm as they were crossing the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35-41).
Fallen Condition Focus: Just like these disciples, many times we find ourselves in the midst of storms, problems, and difficulties in our lives. But, this morning I want to remind you that:
Proposition: We can experience God’s peace even in the midst of the storm.
Interrogative Sentence: How can we experience peace in the midst of the storm?
Transitional Sentence: I want to give you four keys this morning through which we can experience peace even in the midst of the storm.
1. Trust the Word of God (verse 35).
Jesus did not say "Let us go into the midst of the sea and drown." He said, “Let us go over to the other side”. But the disciples didn’t trust the words of Jesus when they were caught up in a storm. This shows that the disciples still didn’t comprehend Jesus’ authority. They merely saw him as a Messiah who would set them free from the tyranny of the Romans. They didn't recognize that he had authority over the wind and the waves (cf. v. 41).
The words “Let us go over to the other side” had as much authority and power as the words, “Let there be light!” in Genesis 1:3. They were focusing on the wind and the waves instead of the words of Christ. They were focusing on the storm instead of the fact that Jesus was in the boat.
Saints, we need to trust the word of God even in the midst of a storm!
Somebody said that if you have only the Word, you will dry up; if you have only the Spirit, you will blow up. But if you have both the Word and the Spirit, you will grow up.
Prayer without the Word is like watering the ground without the seed. We need to read, meditate, and live in God's Word!
In 2 Peter 1:16-19: the Apostle Peter writes, “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”
ESV translates verse 19 as: “we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed” – and this is referring to OT Scriptures.
While some understand that Peter's experience of the transfiguration makes "the prophetic word more fully confirmed,” others teach that this phrase means that the prophetic writings of the Old Testament are more sure than Peter's amazing experience at the Transfiguration.
It is an amazing assessment of the validity of Holy Scripture that Peter declares it to be more dependable than a voice from heaven.
Many of us cry out to God for a word while our Bibles are lying in a shelf. God has already spoken to us through his Word! The written Word of God is a surer prophetic word than an audible voice! Stop looking for a supernatural, audible voice and start reading your Bible. God will speak to you through his Word.
Ps 119:165 says, “Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”
The Bible says in Isa 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”
The Word of God declares in Ps 119:92 that “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.”
Saints, in the storms, it is the Word of God that gives us peace, hope, and assurance and that’s why we need to trust the Word of God.
2. Do not stay in fear (verse 40).
Another thing that we need to remember when we are in a storm is that we should not stay in fear when a crisis hits us.
Let’s face it. All of us get afraid when we are in a difficult situation. But we must not stay in fear!
The cry of the disciples in verse 38 does not come as a request but as an expression of utmost fear. They felt that their Master didn't care about them.
