Meet me in the storm
John 6:15-21
Intro: have you been in a storm lately?
1: properties of a storm
a) Rain- so much rain you can’t see.
b) Wind- wind so fierce it knocks over trees and peels roofs back.
c) Thunder- the sound so deep and rumbling it shakes the ground you stand on.
d) Lighting- the most fascinating and terrifying part of a storm, it lights up the sky with beauty, but also has the ability to set fire and destroy anything in its path.
Point: we’ve all been in at least one severe storm we understand that there is danger in these storms. I would like to show you how at times in our lives God allows us to get right in the middle of a storm. And how he delivers us and keeps us safe through it all. Sometimes right in the middle of the storm you’re the safest.
2: God’s work God’s will
a) they had just fed the multitude with five loaves and two small fishes
b) 5,000 men, if you add women and children it was probably more like 9 to 10,000 people
c) what we have here was a mobile mega church, phenomenon that people just flocked to
d) they followed Jesus because he could perform miracles and heal sickness
Point: the disciples were surely taken by this movement and felt as though they were truly serving the messiah. These people though they only followed Jesus because he was meeting a physical need that they had John 6:2. God’s men the Disciples of Christ had to feel empowered and as though nothing could beset them or the work they were doing. As quick as the sun sets the storm can rise.
Body: Jesus departs
1: Back to the mountain
a) they wanted to make Jesus king because he fed them
b) they wanted to lift him up
c) little did they know he would be lifted up on a cross at Calvary
d) his throne was not of this world, but at the right hand of the Father in heaven
e) he left, went back up into the mountain
Point: he went there to pray, we should do as the savior does. At times we should retire in solitude to have commune with God in prayer. Jesus a little talk with Jesus makes it right. There are times when we need one on one time with the Lord, where it’s just me and the Lord. Find your mountain and go there from time to time.
2: The disciples go down to the sea
a) Matthew says he constrained them to get in to the ship
b) He sent them over the sea
c) It was dark as they sailed to Capernaum
d) That would seemingly make it more dangerous
Point: I don’t always understand the why or the how or even the when, of what God does. But I do believe that God’s will, won’t carry me where God’s grace can’t keep me. They got into the ship surely with some reservation, but the Lord commanded that they go ahead. So they went, and probably questioned within themselves what or how or why Jesus decided to stay behind, how would he get back, why did stay, the bible says to send the multitude away, but what was he doing? Jesus was praying.
3: the sea arose
a) it got angry
b) it got violent
c) it was dangerous
d) waves crashing into the boat
e) water filling the boat
f) the wind howling, thunder and lighting
Point: every aspect of this physical storm had the ability to engulf and destroy these men in this boat. The actual boat they were in was wooden with a sail cold probably hold up to 15 men, this was no commercial fishing boat or some big coast guard ship it was a boat with oars. It was common in the 1st century for people to travel across the sea in these boats. So the disciples really didn’t think anything about getting into the boat right at sunset.
4: sea of Galilee
a) sits 680 feet below sea level
b) it is bounded by hills and mountains some reach up to 2000 feet high
c) in the heights the air is cool and dry
d) around the sea the climate is semi tropical with warm moist air
e) Because of the difference in height between the surrounding land and sea it causes large temperature and pressure changes.
f) The sea is only 150 feet deep in it’s deepest portion, and has a total area of 64 square miles
g) The winds drop down from the hills and hit the center of the sea and because it’s shallow it churns and stirs the sea up very quickly and very unexpectedly
Point: storms were a thing that happened all the time on the sea, and they happened quick and unexpectedly. Before you even realized it you could be in a life or death situation. One minute enjoying the beauty of the surrounding the next face to face with angry seas and powerful winds. The disciples were in a storm and were fighting for there very lives.
5: they rowed
a) When we get into trouble we do the same thing we try to get out of it
b) I’m sure they thought were is Jesus
c) Have you ever been in a jam or in a tight spot?
d) Sure you have, we all have trouble and trials in our lives
e) Job 14:1man that is born of a woman is of a few days and full of trouble
f) We all get into things sometimes unexpectedly or suddenly, human nature is to fight or in their case row.
Point: this was a dire situation for the disciples just earlier before the sun set they were ministering with Christ and helping to feed the multitude. They heard the sermon on the mountain, and had seen the miracles right before their eyes. Now here they are in a boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee seemingly about to meet their end in this storm.
6: When they had rowed
a) furlong- is equal to 220yds
b) 25 to 30 furlongs would be 3 to 4 miles roughly
c) they were fighting for their lives, let us just get to land
Point: is that not how we are at times. Just let me get land in sight I’ll be ok. There is no doubt they were afraid and overtaken by their current situation, what we see is a group of men who want to live.
7: They saw Jesus
a) walking on the sea
b) Jesus revealed himself as more than just an earthly ruler with limited power; he showed the disciples his supreme authority by walking on the water.
c) One day he will show the world his supreme authority by stepping on the clouds when he comes back to carry his church home.
Point: they were afraid, the sight of Jesus waling across the stormy raging sea would be enough to frighten any of us I’m sure. Could you imagine what most have been going through their minds, one Gospel says they believed it to be a ghost or phantom.
Closing: It is I
1: Be not afraid
a) Jesus said don’t be afraid of me
b) Nor be afraid of the storm
c) When trouble is near, Christ is near
Point: they had rowed a good distance out into the sea, and when the storm rose up they rowed even farther out, only to see Jesus walking on the water to meet them. They were in the middle of the storm when Jesus met them.
2: Storms rise up
a) quickly and unexpectedly in our lives
b) we can choose to fight and struggle in our own power
c) we can attempt to get out of it ourselves
d) sometimes they just blind side us
Point: if you haven’t been through a storm it’s on the horizon, trust and know its coming. It will rise quickly and unexpectedly before you know it you’ll be right in the middle of it. It can toss you too and fro wash you up wherever it may. There is a way to have refuge and safety in the middle of the storm.
3: They willingly received him
a) they let Jesus in the boat
b) when they realized who it was
c) yes Lord please help us, save us
d) when they done this what happened?
Point: immediately the ship was at land. Immediately- grk eutheos it means straight or speedily, straightway, directly suddenly. The moment you call on the name of Jesus he’s there. The second you accept him you’re saved, when they let him in the boat they were at land where they were so desperately trying to get. When you let him the boat the storm will stop and salvation will be delivered.
They were right in the middle of the storm and Jesus came too them to deliver salvation and refuge. Where are you today are the waves rising up and the winds howling in your life and heart. Jesus is right there waiting for you to let him in the boat.
I know that storms will rise in my life and times will be troubling, but I also know that the Lord will meet me right in the middle of the storm and offer deliverance and safety.
