Sermon Outline:
THE DISCIPLES HAD:
his promise (vs 35)
his presence (vs 38)
his person (vs 41)
Sermon Content:
Ill:
• Two explorers were on a jungle safari;
• When suddenly a ferocious lion jumped in front of them.
• “Keep calm” the first explorer whispered.
• “Remember what we read in that book on wild animals?
• If you stand perfectly still and look the lion in the eye, he will turn and run.”
• “Sure,” replied and his companion.
• “You’ve read the book, and I’ve read the book. But has the lion read the book?”
Fear is something we all have or will at times experience:
• Most of us experience it in mild form,
• Some folks experience it in extreme forms.
Ill:
• Aerophobia: fear of drafts.
• Porphyrophobia: fear of the colour purple.
• Chaetophobia: fear of hairy people.
• Levophobia: fear of objects on the left side of the body.
• Dextrophobia: fear of objects on the right side of the body.
• Auroraphobia: fear of the northern lights.
• Calyprophobia: fear of obscure meanings.
• Thalassophobia: fear of being seated.
• Stabisbasiphobia: fear of standing and walking.
• Odontophobia: fear of teeth.
• Graphophobia: fear of writing in public.
• Phobophobia: fear of being afraid.
Quote:
• Researchers at Johns Hopkins University;
• Reported that 30 years ago, the greatest fears of school children were:
• Animals, (2) Being in a dark room, (3) High places, (4) Strangers, (5) Loud noises.
• Today, kids are afraid of the following:
• Divorce, (2) War, (3) Cancer, (4) Pollution, (5) Being mugged.
Question:
• Fear is something we all have or will at times experience:
• So how do we handle our fears?
Answer:
• This Passage gives us some good principles to apply.
• When fear comes our way!
Notice: The reason why fear came into the lives of the disciples.
• Verse 35:
• “That day when evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”
• The first two words in the verse are important links; “That Day” or “That same day”;
• Refer to the teaching Jesus had been giving the disciples;
• You looked last week at some of that teaching contained in chapter 4.
• Jesus taught them on the subject of the ‘Parables of the kingdom’.
• Now he wanted them to move out of the classroom and into the real world;
• Jesus was going to give them an opportunity to put his teaching into practice;
• This was an ideal opportunity to see how much they had really learned.
• Quote: ‘You don’t catch fish in a classroom, you catch them at the riverbank’;
• Learning the theory in the classroom is only ever half the battle,
• The real test comes on the riverbank – when we have to apply it in life!
One of the reasons God allows trials and difficulties into our lives:
• Is for our development and growth as Christians;
• Often it is through difficulties and trials that we grow up and mature in our faith;
• I would suggest that we cannot grow up in our faith without them.
Ill:
• A wise bird knows that a scarecrow is simply an advertisement.
• It announces that in this field or garden or allotment;
• There are some very juicy and delicious food ready for the picking.
• To the foolish bird it appears to be dangerous and they stay away.
• And remain hungry.
• The wise bird knows that a scarecrow is simply an advertisement.
• Saying; ‘Grub up!’
• Application:
• If I am wise - I too shall treat the scarecrow as though it were an invitation.
• “Faith is a bird which loves to perch on scarecrows.”
ill:
Cartoon Peanuts.
• Linus and Charlie Brown are walking along and chatting with one another.
• Linus says,
• "I don’t like to face problems head on.
• I think the best way to solve problems is to avoid them.
• In fact, this is a distinct philosophy of mine.
• No problem is so big or so complicated that it can’t be run away from!"
In this passage of scripture;
• Jesus is going to teach the disciples a lesson;
• That they did not even know they needed to learn.
• The lesson is you don’t run away from problems,
• With Christ we are able to go through the storms of life!
• No matter how terrifying those storms seem to appear;
• This passage gives us three principles, three pieces advice;
• In handling life’s storms,
(1). His Promise (vs 35).
“That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 3
• The journey across the Sea of Galilee was about 6 to 8 miles;
• It was one these experienced fishermen had often made,
• It should have been straight forward and not taken very long.
• Storms are not unusual on the Sea of Galilee;
• In fact it is notorious for its storms,
• They come out of the blue with shattering and terrifying suddenness.
Ill:
• Because the Sea of Galilee lies in a basin,
• And is subject to storms caused by atmospheric pressure which,
• In turn is created by the surrounding mountains.
• As a result storms are not unusual on the Sea of Galilee;
• They come out of the blue with shattering and terrifying suddenness.
• The disciples however were not expecting a storm;
• They no doubt expected a tranquil crossing - after all it was Jesus’ idea!
Note:
• If you want to know how violent the storm was you need to read Mathew’s account;
• In chapter 8 verse 24 he describes it using the Greek word ‘Seismos’,
• Which translated means ‘like an earthquake’.
Ill:
• A number of years ago when I was in Israel we experienced an earth quake;
• It was a mild one – didn’t even make the news over here.
• But the feeling of powerlessness is quite incredible!
For the disciples you can almost smell the fear as the waters crash over the boat;
• You can imagine the futility of them trying to bail out water;
• That just kept coming back f aster than they could bail it out
• They are powerless, unable to overcome their circumstances,
• And as the wind blows, the boat creaks, the disciples panic!
• The point is these experienced, sea-hardened fishermen,
• Had never experienced anything like this storm before!
Question:
• Let me pause to ask you - how do you handle storms in your life?
• Because as sure as eggs are eggs they are going to come!
• And remember the Christian gets additional storms;
• As a result of being in the will of God!
• It was because the disciples were obedient to the command of Jesus in verse 35;
• That they had to face this terrifying storm!
Ill:
• Chippie the parakeet never saw it coming.
• One second he was peacefully perched in his cage.
• The next he was sucked in, washed up, and blown over.
• The problems began when Chippie’s owner;
• Decided to clean Chippie’s cage with a vacuum cleaner.
• She removed the attachment from the end of the hose and stuck it in the cage.
• The phone rang, and she turned to pick it up.
• She’d barely said "hello" when "ssssopp!"
• Chippie got sucked in.
• The bird owner gasped, put down the phone,
• Turned off the vacuum, and opened the bag.
• There was Chippie -- still alive, but stunned!
• Since the bird was covered with dust and soot,
• She grabbed him and raced to the bathroom, turned on the tap,
• And held Chippie under the running water.
• Then, realizing that Chippie was soaked and shivering,
• She did what any compassionate bird owner would do;
• She reached for the hair dryer and blasted the pet with hot air.
• Poor Chippie never knew what hit him.
• A few days after the trauma, the reporter who’d initially written about the event;
• Contacted Chippie’s owner to see how the bird was recovering.
• "Well," she replied,
• "Chippie doesn’t sing much anymore -- he just sits and stares."
• I guess it is not hard to see why!
• Sucked in, washed up, and blown over!
‘It times like these’ you and I need to hold on to the promises of God:
• The promises of God and the words of Jesus are like:
• ill: They are like anchors for the soul;
• Replacing fear and anxiety with faith and trust!
• Jesus had said they would make it!
• They needed to take him at his word.
• He did not say it would be plain sailing;
• But he did promise they would arrive on the other side.
(2). His presence (vs 38)
“Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
• With the waves frantically crashing over the sides of the boat;
• Jesus oblivious to the upheaval just slept on!
• In the midst of all this chaos - Jesus is at peace:
• Sleeping with his head resting on the helmsman’s cushion.
• Exhausted from a busy period of ministry.
• With the waves frantically crashing over the sides of the boat;
• The disciples were soaked and shivering,
• The men at the oars strained to keep the boat headed into the wind,
• But the heavy vessel insisted on sloshing and listing to one side.
• At any moment it felt like it would keel over into the commanding sea.
• In a panic, the disciples woke up Jesus, yelling out against the noise of the storm,
Notice:
• The disciples words are short and sharp (vs 38):
• “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
• The rudely awaken him and take him to task;
• For his apparent negligence and disregard for their safety.
• The Bible scholar Moffatt translates this expression as;
• “Teacher, we are to drown, for all you care?”
• What a question to ask their Lord and master!
• “Don’t you care”
• It is a petulant cry full of criticism and annoyance.
• The very reason he had come to planet earth was because he cared!
• He left heaven on our behalf not his!
• He came to save us not himself!
Ill:
• A monk who lived in medieval times, announced to the people;
• That he would be preaching next Sunday evening on “The Love of God.”
• The following Sunday evening the congregation gathered.
• It was the end of the day & the light no longer came in through the cathedral windows,
• In the darkness of the altar,
• The monk lighted a candle and carried it to the crucifix.
• First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns,
• Next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound.
• In the hush that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel.
• There was nothing else to say!
• Listen: If ever you doubt the love of God;
• Just look at the cross – and see at the cross the extent if God’s love!
The disciples ask a question: “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
• Sometimes it might seem that way;
• But never forget he cares! Boy does he care!
• The point is: Jesus wanted the disciples to trust in him even when he was asleep;
• And even in the heart of a storm.
• His presence should have been all the assurance they needed.
Notice: How Jesus responds (vs 39):
• With a word of command Jesus calms the storm;
• “Quiet! Be still!”
• It is an authoritative order meaning literally “Be muzzled!”
• Notice the effect is immediate as the storm is stilled!
Ill:
David Telford on hearing his Dad preach on this passage laughed out loud;
• Later when his dad asked him why he laughed out loud during the sermon,
• He replied because you told a joke;
• His dad said, “I tell lots of jokes but not a the moment you laughed”.
• “Yes you did!” said David, “You said Jesus spoke to the sea and it obeyed him.
• David was spot on in his understanding:
• Either these miracles of Jesus are pure fantasy, made up nonsense;
• Or they are incredible events, miracles performed for a reason!
Ill:
• King Canute (1065-1035AD);
• Was the King of England, Norway & Denmark.
• Canute’s reign was a strong and effective one.
• He brought with him security from foreign invasion and he ruled justly and well.
• He was considered a friend of the English church and was generous toward it.
• At his death, he was buried in Winchester Cathedral.
His claim to fame or what most people know about him is:
• He was the king who sat on his throne at the waters edge;
• Commanding the sea to go back. And of course the sea doesn’t take any notice of him!
• Most people who know or read the story;
• Think what a fool! I could have told him that would happen.
Ill:
• In English history the story of King Canute has been greatly misunderstood:
• He was not some egocentric fool trying to hold back the sea by his command,
• But was in fact a very modest.
• King Canute lived in an age;
• When it was traditional for people to be "subjects" and to pay homage to the monarch,
• And his followers worshipped him and would say things like
• "Oh great majesty, the very sea obeys your mighty command".
• He was a humble man who wanted to prove to his courtiers;
• That even though he was a powerful king, the sea would NOT obey his commands.
• King Canute stayed on the beach until his courtiers admitted that fact!.
• He risked himself & his court being drowned rather than allow the nonsense to continue.
Quote:
• A twelfth-century manuscript (Henry Huntingdon’s Historia Anglorum);
• Records King Canute’s words:
“Know all inhabitants of earth, that vain and trivial is the power of kings, nor as anyone worthy of the name king save Him whose nod heaven and earth and sea obey under laws eternal”.
Canute was wise enough to know:
• That only God has the power to control nature;
• Only God has the authority to still the sea!
• Therefore if Jesus is able to do it then he must be…
• That leads us on to our third and final point.
(3). His person (vs 40-41).
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this?
Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
• The disciples are awe-struck with the person of Jesus,
• Before they were terrified of the storm,
• But now they are terrified, petrified, scared stiff;
• By the person who is with them inside the boat!
What this passage shows us are the two natures of Jesus:
• Man as though he were not God.
• God as though he were not man.
Quote: Charles Wesley’s hymn: Hark the herald angels sing:
“Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel”
• i.e. Man as though he were not God.
• i.e. He was tired, hungry, vulnerable – truly human.
• i.e. God as though he were not man.
• i.e. As in Genesis chapter 1 – with a command nature obeyed its creator!
• i.e. The Psalms remind us again and again only God can command the sea!
Notice:
• Having got their full attention;
• In verse 40 Jesus then asks a question:
• “He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?””
• It is a rhetorical question that Jesus asked;
• He was not asking for a verbal comment;
• But was asking the disciples to exam their hearts.
Punch line:
• Jesus asks the same question: “Do you still have no faith?”
• In other words, ‘what is stopping you from believing?’
• Notice that Jesus said to the disciples, “You of little faith. Why are you so afraid?”
• Jesus told the disciples two things:
• One, the root of your problem is fear.
• Two, the solution to your problem is faith.
• The greatest threat to the lives of the disciples was not the storm.
• It was their unbelief and refusal to trust Jesus.
• The secret of their survival was faith.
• And remember it’s not the amount of faith that you have.
• It’s what you put your faith in that makes a difference!
