“The Perfect Storm”
Mark 4:35-41 (KJV)
And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Allow me to expound on the history of this specific book in the bible the Book titled Mark. The writer of this book name is John Mark. John was his Jewish name and Mark is a Roman name in Latin the name Mark is a derivative of Marcus which means hammer now this suited Mark because he was thought of as being a forceful and direct speaker. Understand that his complete name represents his full connection with both cultures Jewish and Roman. Now if we take the time to think back to our younger days in our lives and reference the storms we have faced. Think about some challenges we faced in the 50', 60's, 70's 80's, 90's and current times when a situation or circumstances was challenging our journey in life. Think about it the situation can be viewed as a storm raging in our lives yet we managed to overcome such a storm. It is clear that each of us have faced certain storms in our lives as we transitioned from infants to toddlers to childhood to preteen to teens to young adulthood to mature adulthood. At each of these stages we walked through storms but still found PEACE in the midst of it all. Looking at how Mark shows us a different character of our Jesus as a mighty worker where in the other gospels he is shown as a servant. This is evident in this scripture we have read where he calms a storm and amazes those around him. In this particular scripture there are 3 questions being asked which my key points in this message are.
1. Why are you Afraid?
2. Where is your Faith?
3. What manner of man is this?
Let us proceed deeper in this word is verse 37 and there arouse a great storm wind and the waves beat into the ship, so at it was now full. Which takes me to the first question why are you afraid; the disciples and others that where traveling with Jesus live and in color where afraid to perish in the storm as they traveled to the other side. For in the word of God he has not given us the spirit of fear but he has given us power. Yet many times when a storm arises in our lives we allow doubt and fear to intervene as we walk through the storm. There is an old song titled Never Walk Alone and the words go like this “When you walk through the storm hold your head up high and don't be afraid of the dark, At the end of the storm is a golden sky; And the sweet silver song of the lark. So we have to remove doubt and fear and allow the love of God to shine brightly in your life by just simply walking on. As the chorus for the song states walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain for you’re never walk alone. In order to achieve removing the doubt and fear we must have faith see in the same chapter Jesus taught about having the faith the size of a mustard seed. For when we exemplify such faith is when doubts and fears pass away. For in Hebrews faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. See when our faith is stronger than our storm we can praise him anyway. For that is when he works unusual miracles on our behalf. For example have you ever had a situation arise and you allowed doubt and fear to overcome you yet when we take a moment to pray and simply allow God to answer the prayer at his timing by elevating him in our prayer is when we begin to praise him in advance. See when we just praise him no matter what is happening in our lives is when God steps in and releases your blessings. So the next time a storm rises in your life anchor your soul in Christ Jesus and when we do that is when we will have that unsurprising PEACE.
Follow me to the next verses 38 - 39 and he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow; and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carets thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace Be Still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. See let us think about it why did the disciples have fear when they had Master with them. Yet we today have the same fear even thou we profess that we are saved. Therefore we must know without a doubt that the God we serve has our back in every stage of our life, for he created each of us uniquely for his glory. So I must encourage each us to speak to that storm the same words as Christ spoke to the storm. And I can say by the power of those words your storm will cease and miracles will begin to unfold. Now in the next verse Jesus asked them where your faith is and why do you fear. For let us keep in mind again they had Christ with them and still had fear and lack of faith. So my challenge to every adult in the room be a spiritual example to the youth for we display fear and lack of faith it gives them the mindset that we are completely trusting in our God.
Now in the final verse in this scripture the people surrounding Jesus had an awe look as to “What type of man is this that can cause such a great reaction? Everywhere He went, He drew a crowd. Everybody wanted to get a glimpse, a touch of this man named Jesus. Through the years, many people have been beaten for this man. Others have even paid the ultimate sacrifice of their lives for Him. What manner of man is this, that He causes such a reaction? I want you to notice some things about Him this morning that will show us exactly why He causes the reaction that He does. I am preaching on this thought, what manner of man is this?
First of all, let me say that He is a saving man. The Bible says in Acts 4:12, neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. The only one that can save your never dying soul this morning is Jesus. Let me tell you friend that your salvation is not depending upon your good deeds. It is not in baptism. It is not in your good looks or your money. The only way that you will ever see heaven is through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 14:6, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. The first thing that I see about this man is that He is a saving man. Jesus said I am the way. He did not say that He was a way; He said He is the way.
Secondly, He is a sheltering man. We see in the verses we read this morning how Jesus takes care of His own. Nothing can get to us unless it comes through Jesus first. His shelter protects us and keeps us safe. There is not a thing in the world that can happen to us unless Jesus first approves it. You may be here this morning and you may be facing the darkest days of your life. You may be wondering where in the world Jesus is and why has He forsaken you. Don’t worry, that is only a human way to be sometimes. We may be in the storm right now, but I can assure you that Jesus knows exactly where you are at. He knows exactly what you are facing and He is already walking on the water coming toward you. He may already even be in your boat and you may not know it yet. Just keep this in mind, just because the storm is raging, does not mean that He doesn’t care. He simply says to you, Be not afraid. Look to Him and He will give you rest and shelter. Look at the Psalm 91. The Bible teaches that Jesus is our shelter. He is my refuge and my fortress.
Thirdly he is a Satisfying Christ understand that God the father has never been disappointed in Him. For he worked diligently just as he did with the woman at the well, who came looking for a simple bucket of water, yet left the well with living water springing up within her soul, I looked all over this world for satisfaction. Let me say though, there is no satisfaction in the sin of this world. I didn’t say that there wasn’t pleasure, the Bible says that in Hebrews 10:25, that Moses was willing to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin but for a season. You will find some pleasure in the things of this world, but it will be short lived, and your heart will still be searching for that longing that it needs to make you feel complete.
Fourthly our Jesus is our Supplying Christ as it is stated by The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:19, But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now, it is important to keep in mind that the church at Philippi was a church that supported missions. Because of their support for missions, Paul wrote to them that God would supply their needs and take care of anything that they needed. He will do the same thing for us. I don’t know what you may be in need of today, but I know a Man who is able to supply all your needs and that Man is Jesus Christ.
So church family though you may face many storms in your life; know that when you delight yourself in The Lord and anchor your soul in him, he will never leave you nor forsake you. For you when you walk strongly in Christ Jesus there is no weapon formed against you shall prosper. Keep King Jesus closer and whatever it may be today, he waits with arms open wide ready to calm the raging storms. Understand that in order to gain PEACE we have to realize that Jesus was in the beginning and the beginning was the word; therefore Jesus is in the Past, Present, and Future for all generations so we have to clearly be grounded in the word of God to weather any storm that rages in our lives. For this Journey called life is not easy but with Jesus as the Captain, Pilot, Driver and Shepherd of your life nothing can separate us from his Love. Keep in mind that the key in this statement of “PEACE BE STILL” is not in the word PEACE your assurance is in “BE STILL” for his word clearly says Stand Still and know that I AM that I AM. Therefore the main key to overcoming the storms is to PRAISE him in the middle of the storm. With tears rolling down your face and your heart feels like it’s gone break and your earth feels like it’s about to shake. And you've taken all that you can take. Just remember where your help comes from realizing you got somewhere to run. Don't worry about what you’re going through instead of worrying here's what you can do just Praise him anyway in the middle of the storm.
So I want us all too simply follow the example that our Savior has given unto us walk in faith not by sight and speak to your storm Peace Be Still. And rest assured that it has already been calmed. With that said “Let the Church Say Amen” for the doors of the church are now open to anyone who is seeking a new life in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
