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
V38
Disciples- scared/feared for their lives- Jesus- asleep.
There is no emergency from God’s perspective- storm did not take Him by surprise- God does not panic.
Psa 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me … NASU
No matter what you experience, God is with you.
3. You are in the storm for God’s purposes
Why does God allow us to enter into storms?
To do a work in us He cannot accomplish another way
Disciples- facing one of man’s greatest fears- death.
Mtt 26:35 Peter said to Him, " Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You." All the disciples said the same thing too. NASU
Yet Peter would deny knowing Jesus to save his life.
This storm- one of many steps- to bring the disciples to the place where they would die for Jesus Christ.
Eventually many of the disciples would die for Jesus.
They did not want to be on the lake in that storm, but God was preparing them for things to come.
When things like this happen- how do we respond?
God I have seen you work- why not now?
Where are you? Do you really exist?
If you do not save me, are you really good?
Do you still love me?
God, if you are able-why do you not deliver me
Ja 1:2-4
Joy is not- we are happy we are in a difficult place.
Joy is knowing God is using the situation we are in for His purpose in our lives.
In storms, we want God to do a removing job, but He wants to do an improving job. We want Him to remove the storms. Maybe He wants to improve something in us that He couldn’t do any other way.”
Conclusion
Mk 4:39-41
Jesus got up and said- Hush, be still!
There are those God is going to speak to in their storm
He is going to heal you/save your marriage or
miraculously provide for you financially,
He is going to quiet your storm.
For others, your storm will continue to rage about you, but He will say to you heart- Hush, be still!
Ps 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God!
Regardless of how God deals with us, can we say …
no matter what happens I will love you,
I will worship you, I will praise you.
I know the character of my God- He is a good God even if he does not remove the storms in my life.
In time of difficulties- might be tempted to let go of
God- remember He has your best interest at heart.
Remember you are there by His appointment, with His presence, and for His purpose.
(many thoughts taken from a sermon series called Miracles given by Craig Groeschel, lifechurch.tv)
