The Restoring Of God’s Peace
Mat 8:23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him.
Mat 8:24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.
Mat 8:25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!"
Mat 8:26 But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
Mat 8:27 So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?"
Everyone of us fall victim to anxiety and worry.
Someone said, “I have so many troubles that if anything happens to me today it will be two weeks before I can get around to worrying about it.”
Someone else said, “Worrying about the past is like trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube.”
What do people worry about? Here are the results of a national poll: Industry Week Magazine
Own health and fitness - 73%
Lack of time for family or leisure pursuits - 49%
Their children’s problems - 43%
TIE - Job related stress - 43%
Personal investments - 39%
Estate planning - 37%
Relationship with children - 34%
Aging - 30%
Income Level - 22%
Their marriages - 21%
Quote: “Worry is a thin stream of fear that trickles through the mind, which if encouraged, will cut a channel so wide that all other thoughts will be drained.”,
Worry corrodes and corrupts the mind – removes our focus in life
Worry will erode the good and positive thoughts and replace them with negative and damaging thoughts
I read about fog the other day… A dense fog - covering 7 city blocks, 100 feet deep, contains less than one full glass of water.
Worry is much like fog… there’s not as much in as we though, it causes perspective to be clouded, it causes difficulty in maneuvering the roads of life, it slows us down to get where we really want to go in life.
Worry effects our…
Health
- High Blood Pressure
- Heart Disease
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Lack of Energy
It strains our relationships. They say that financial stress is the #1 marriage killer.
It disrupts our productivity. It destroys careers, etc.
Proverbs 12:25 - "An anxious heart weighs a man down." (NLT)
1 Pet 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you. (NLT)
Anxiety is a direct attack from Satan. It paralyzes us from being effective Christians.
A recent study found out…
• 40% of worries are about things that never happen
• 30% are about past things or things that cannot be change
• 22% were over petty, needless things
• only 8% were legitimate concerns.
A mouse living in a cage with a wheel will travel 9,000 miles in his lifetime....and he’s still in the cage! Worry is that same way. You can worry 24/7 and guess what...your still in the cage.
Perhaps I should of titled this… Don’t Worry-Jesus is Sleeping!
I’ve come to give you good news this morning – Whatever it is that has you stressed this morning –hasn’t knocked God off His throne!
I love this story from the Gospels. It is a great example about how we respond to situations and circumstances in our lives and how God seems them.
How many would agree with me that people are more stressed out than ever before.
But the good news today is that despite the stress factors we face in our lives - God has a plan to help us face those stressful times with a peace that passes all understanding!
1. DON’T WORRY – JESUS IS IN YOUR BOAT – VS. 23
Mat 8:23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him.
I want you to see this important truth here today. Jesus was in the boat with the disciples.
Hear me this morning… when Jesus in your boat it doesn’t matter what comes your way!
Storms aren’t an unusual experience – especially for fishermen.
Yet this storm has them worried.
How many know that we have a way of making the storms we face in life seem worse than they really are.
In fact the storm you’re going through right now always seem worse than the last one.
But for the disciples… this is the best place for them to be right now.
• Not because they are in a storm.
• Not because it is a terrible storm.
• Not because their lives are at stake.
• BUT BECAUSE OF WHO IS IN THE BOAT!
Look what God’s Word declares…
1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Jesus was in their boat!
Observations:
1. Just because Jesus was in their boat – it didn’t exempt them from the storms.
• Just because you’re a Christian doesn’t guarantee that you won’t have problems or have things to worry about.
Psa 34:19 The righteous face many troubles, but the LORD rescues them from each and every one. (NLT)
2. Just because Jesus was in their boat – it didn’t exclude them from His intervention.
• In the same way Jesus’ presence didn’t exempt them from troubles neither did it exclude them from His intervention.
Hear me today; this is a very important truth that you need to take hold of today!
Jesus is ready and willing to deliver you – to set you free – to come to your aid in the storm that you face today!
Psa 37:25 Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly forsaken, nor seen their children begging for bread. (NLT)
I have come to remind you today that you are His child and the Father knows how to take care of His children.
Mat 7:11 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Jesus in the boat figuratively speaks of Jesus being in your heart.
It is an expression used to associate how when Jesus is in your heart and life - He will direct your steps and stands ready to assist you at every turn.
Let me ask you this morning – did Jesus know that storm was going to come?
Of course he did!
Then why did Jesus allow them to go through that storm even though He was in the boat?
Take notice at the response of Jesus when they woke him up – v.26 “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith”
Jesus is trying to instruct them and teach them to stretch their faith.
He was more than able and willing and indeed did save them – but he wanted them to learn a lesson in faith here.
Jesus didn’t rebuke them for disturbing him with their prayers but with their fears.
He was unhappy with their fears. What was the cause of their fear? It was their lack of faith.
Faith allows us to see through the storm to the other side – to the greater purposes that lie ahead.
Fear, stress and a lack of faith cause us to only focus on the present.
That is exactly what the enemy wants to see happen in our lives because that is what will defeat us.
Hear me this morning – when Jesus is in your boat – regardless if you are in a storm or not, you are right where you need to be.
Say after me… Don’t worry – Jesus is in your boat!
2. DON’T WORRY – STORMS ARE NORMAL – VS. 24-25
Mat 8:24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.
Mat 8:25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!"
So here they are - out in the boat.
They are out on the lake and this terrible storm comes up.
The waves are crashing into the boat and they are fearful for their lives.
Yet as I stated before, storms out on the lake are common occurrences.
Sure… this one is bad, but so were the others.
Have you ever met the type of person whose problems are always bigger, badder, worse than anything you’ve ever heard before?
A storm comes their way and they think that they are they are the only ones in the world with a problem.
Observations:
We should have these Biblical responses to storms
1. We Should Have Joy In Adversity
James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.
This is not my normal response.
When I allow it to be an opportunity for joy – I KNOW THAT I’M DEPENDING ON GOD.
You see… the disciples were in the midst of a natural occurrence and it was met with a supernatural response.
Hear me this morning – God desires to intervene in your life in a supernatural way! God is waiting in to intervene with a supernatural deliverance!
2. We Should Give Thanksgiving In Our Sufferings
1 Pet 4:12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.
1 Pet 4:13 Instead, be very glad--because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world.
Thanksgiving along with joy are both supernatural responses to the stressful trials and difficulties that come our way.
In the natural… it doesn’t make sense and it is certainly not our natural inclination.
Yet, the Bible says that… God inhabits the praises of His people.
The hand of God is released through our praise and thanksgiving.
It is what releases the supernatural intervention of God in our lives.
And… it also reminds me of whatever hard time I may have – God is faithful and his faithfulness endures forever!
Don’t worry – storms are normal
3. DON’T WORRY – JESUS HAS ALL AUTHORITY – VS. 26
Mat 8:26 But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
In this storm… Jesus arises from his nap and speaks.
He rebukes the wind and waves and suddenly things calm down.
Notice something important here – Jesus always brings peace. God always brings peace.
If what you are trying isn’t bringing peace then God isn’t in it!
But I have really good news for you also today – not only does Jesus have authority but He has empowered us also.
Observations:
1. Jesus Gave Us A Comforter
John 16:5 "But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ’Where are You going?’
John 16:6 "But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
John 16:7 "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
Jesus said it was best that he leave so that the Comforter could come – the power of the Holy Spirit.
And it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we overcome the trials and adversity that we face in our lives.
In our own strength and power we can’t respond to natural circumstances in a supernatural way – that only occurs through the power of the Holy Spirit.
2. Jesus Gave Us A Sign
Mark 16:17 "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
Mark 16:18 "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Let me tell you today that you are empowered through the Holy Spirit and indeed are commissioned to be an over comer!
He has empowered you and He has commissioned you – therefore you should be overcoming!
Not only does Jesus have the authority but also He has passed on that authority to us!
IN OVERCOMING WORRY… KNOW…
• We Have The Upper Hand.
We can fight back - and win.
o Eph. 6:13-17 Put on the armor of God
Helmet of salvation
Sword of the spirit
Shield of faith
o 1 Peter 5:9 says that Satan is like a roaring lion – but he doesn’t have any teeth.
o James 4:7 – “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
• Set Our Minds To Overcome Worry
A person was explaining why they are happy today and not the other day: "Today I pushed my thoughts around, and the other day I let my thoughts push me around.”
Abraham Lincoln - "I have been about as happy as I have made my mind to be."
Prov. 4:23 - "Watch over your heart with all diligence."
2 Cor 2:11 so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are very familiar with his evil schemes. (NLT)
• Be In Right Relationship With God
Phil 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Phil 4:7 If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (NLT)
The word guard is a military term - like guarding a city.
Isa 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
Psa 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
• Live one day at a time
Does not neglect planning ahead but includes God:
James 4:15 - "If the Lord wills"
• Stay Busy For God
Engage in purposeful work.
You won’t have time to worry.
A wise man once said he didn’t have time to worry. He was too busy during the day and too sleepy at night.
Ever been really busy? Chances are you weren’t worrying at the time.
Idle hands are the devil’s workshop. Idle minds, too!
Mat 6:33 - "Seek first the kingdom" and God will take care of us.
Don’t worry about tomorrow’s stress.
"I’m an old man and I’ve known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened. -Mark Twain)
Don’t worry about yesterday’s mess.
(Forgive yourself of yesterday’s failures. God has.)
Don’t worry about yesterday’s success.
Don’t worry about yesterday’s distress.
Psa 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God;
If we are living in defeat, stress, with worry with the cares of this world then we are living beneath the means with which we have been empowered.
I am here today to tell you – don’t worry!
Jesus is in your boat!
Jesus has empowered you!
And if Jesus can sleep during your storm then certainly you can have peace!
Mat 11:28 Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
