The Gospel of Mark #12 – “Safe in the Storm”
Mark 4:35-41
Intro –
1. ILL – October 1991 a fishing boat named the Andrea Gail sailed from a New England port to fish for swordfish. On their return, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean they faced a hurricane named Grace. Waves that measured 10 stories high, winds up to 120 mph. Meteorologist called this hurricane, Grace the “Perfect Storm”. Their decision to travel through the hurricane would cost them their lives.
2. Many times in our lives, unbeknownst to us without any warning a storm occurs. We all will face storms in our lives. No one has a life without storms.
3. This passage gives us the perfect example of our lives in the storm.
4. Mark 4:35-41 (read)
5. There are so many lessons from this story that we will not be able to discuss them all.
6. The disciples of Jesus were involved in a busy day of ministry & instruction. In fact, the Bible says in vs. 35, “that day.” Storms come during busy days of life, sometimes in the middle of our best days we face storms.
7. The storm that these disciples faced came to them while they were living in obedience to God's Word. Jesus instructed the disciples to pass over to the other side of the lake.
8. Disobedient Christians face chastisement. Obedient Christians must learn to live through the trials of life.
9. James 1:2-4 “2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
10. This trial or storm was not exclusively restricted to the disciples in Jesus' boat. Vs. 36 says that there were other little ships with them. We should keep in mind we are not the only people with problems. Many people go through what we experience.
11. 2 Cor. 10:13 “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
12. Also, it is important to note the trial or the storm occurred while the disciples were in the presence of Christ. The creator of the universe was sound asleep in the back of the ship.
13. Life is often filled with storms. We must learn to find Christ as our “safety in the storm!”
I. Identify the Storm – Vs. 37 “A furious squall came up”
A storm on the Sea of Galilee was not your average storm. It is situated in a basin surrounded by mountains & is particularly susceptible to sudden violent storms. Cool air from the Mediterranean is drawn down through the narrow mountain passes & clashes with the hot, humid air lying over the lake.
A. The storm was an unexpected event – vs. 37
1. It was a disruption! Life is filed with them.
a. Disruptive moments of crisis – the things in our life we cannot control.
b. Disruptive moments of wonderment – the things you cannot explain.
c. Disruptive moments of aging – the process we cannot avoid.
d. Disruptive moments of discipline – the thing most of us would rather not do.
e. Disruptive moments of death – usually referred to as “untimely.”
2. Often those things which take us by surprise are the things that bring the most pressure into our lives.
3. The storms on the Sea of Galilee are like the storms of life, they come quickly & can take you by surprise.
B. The Storm was an unexplained event – vs. 37-38
1. The disciples looked at what was happening & Jesus sleeping in the boat & must have wondered, “what in the world is going on? Why is this happening?”
2. This begs the question…
C. Why do storms come into our lives?
1. Sometimes, it is our own faults.
a. Jonah faced a severe storm that was caused by his own disobedience. He was thrown overboard.
b. Jonah 1:10-12 “10This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the LORD, because he had already told them so.) 11The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” 12“Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”
2. Sometimes, they come as testing from God.
a. This storm in vs. 35-41 came as a result of God trying to teach the disciples more about Himself.
b. In every storm we can & should learn a lesson from God.
c. Ps. 119:71 “It was good for me to be afflicted, so that I might learn your decrees.”
3. Sometimes, they come from the enemy.
a. The devil is a skillful enemy to the believer & desires to defeat us.
b. Eph. 6:10-11 “10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
c. 1 Pet. 5:8 “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
4. The pressure of this storm caused the disciples to turn to the Lord.
5. ILL – A woman was seated next to a minister on an airplane during a storm. She said, “Can't you do something about this awful storm?” He said, “Madam, I'm in sales, not management.”
II. Inside the Ship – Vs. 37-40
The disciples were in their "comfort zone" being on the ship. They were skilled fishermen. They knew the lake. They were fully confident in both the ship and their own skill.
*Sometimes, God permits the storms to come that are bigger than our boats & greater than our skills.
*The waves were beating the ship & the water had filled it to capacity. Their confidence in the ship was now gone, they now had their major weakness exposed.
A. The disciples were afraid - vs. 40
1. No training they had ever received could have prepared them for this storm!
2. ILL – A little boy had diligently rehearsed for his role in the Easter play. His one line was, “It is I, be not afraid.” He kept saying it over and over again to himself. “It is I, be not afraid.” On the day of the program he was a nervous wreck. His stomach churned as his teacher reviewed the line with him one more time backstage. Finally he stepped in front of the glaring spotlights and peered out at the silhouettes of dozens of faces. He panicked, and his mind went blank. Finally he blurted out, “It’s me, and I’m scared to death.”
B. The disciples lacked faith – vs. 40
1. Sometimes fear can paralyze us & our lack of faith can hinder God's work in our life.
2. Matt. 13:58 “And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.”
3. So the question is…
C. Can fear & faith co-exist? Yes!!
1. I know we have heard it said many times that fear & faith cannot co-exist.
2. For some time I quoted the same words in an attempt to expel the fears that come up in my life. However, let me share with you another perspective...
3. Someone said, “Faith is the courage that allows us to walk through our fears.”
4. We can walk through our fears, because of our faith.
5. As we walk through the fear our faith deepens. It is only when we allow fear to immobilize us or paralyze us into non-action that we get hindered from living by faith.
6. I can choose to hibernate and close myself off from the storms of life or I can choose to walk through it & increase & deepen my faith.
7. ILL – For 2 years, scientists sequestered themselves in an artificial environment called Biosphere 2. Inside their self-sustaining community, the Biospherians created a number of mini-environments, including a desert, rain forest, even an ocean. Nearly every weather condition could be simulated except one, wind. Over time, the effects of their windless environment became apparent. A number of acacia trees bent over & even snapped. Without the stress of wind to strengthen the wood, the trunks grew weak and could not hold up their own weight.
8. With that in mind, let’s look a familiar verse with a new perspective…
9. Isa. 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
10. Jesus doesn’t promise that we’ll never face fearful circumstances. Instead, He teaches that God is greater than whatever we are facing & He is in control.
11. Faith means trusting that we never have to face our fears alone! Knowing God is present keep fear from paralyzing us.
III. Initiate the Savior – Vs. 38 “the disciples woke him”
I find it interesting & even humorous that this is the only time in the Bible where Jesus slept & the disciples woke Him.
*The disciples lived with Jesus, but they underestimated Him. They did not see that His power applied to their very own situation.
*Jesus has been with His people for 20 centuries, & yet we, like the disciples, underestimate His power to handle the storms in our own lives.
A. Jesus is sufficient for every storm – Vs. 39 “Quiet, be still!”
1. The Bible teaches that Jesus is the calmer of the storm.
2. Ps. 107:29 “He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.”
3. Jerry Vines said, “No waters can overcome a ship when Jesus is present.”
4. What had caused the disciples to panic, the fury of the storm, was absolutely no concern to the Lord.
5. Jesus was sufficient for the disciples' problems. In verse 37, “a furious squall cam up” & in vs. 39 “He got up.” It does not matter how high your problems arise, Jesus is sufficient to overmatch them.
6. 2 Cor. 12:9 “But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.”
B. Jesus is sufficient for every sin –
1. The result of the death of Christ was that all sin has been paid for in full & God no longer holds it against those who trust Christ as their Savior.
2. Heb. 7:25 “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”
Conc. –
1. Although storms can be destructive – they are always temporary!
2. ILL – William Dean Howells & Mark Twain were coming out of church one morning, as it commenced to rain heavily. “Do you think it will stop?” asked Howells. “It always has,” answered Twain.
3. Rom. 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
4. The disciples panicked because the storm threatened to destroy them all & Jesus seemed unaware & unconcerned.
5. Think about the storms in your life. You have 2 options…
a. You can worry & assume that Jesus no longer cares.
b. You can put your trust in Christ & walk through your fears & storm with Him.
Video & Invitation to prayer – “Praise You in this Storm” by Casting Crowns
Benediction – Isa. 40:28-31
