THE STORY OF JESUS #3: WHEN JESUS IS IN YOUR BOAT
INTRO TO THE STORY OF JESUS:
The four Gospels are full of the stories of the signs and wonders and healings and miracles of Jesus, how He healed the sick, forgave the sinners, and transformed people’s lives.
• My hope and prayer is that you would be fascinated with the awesomeness of Jesus.
• If you’ve never given your life to Jesus, surrender your life to Him today!
• Take time over the next few weeks to join with us in reading through the story of Jesus.
• Do you know Jesus? Do you want to know Him more? (Phil. 3:10: “To know Him…”).
OPENING STORY:
“1 In those days, the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, 2 "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar." 4 Then His disciples answered Him, "How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?" 5 He asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven." 6 So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. 7 They also had a few small fish; and having blessed them, He said to set them also before them. 8 So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments. 9 Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away, 10 immediately got into the boat with His disciples, and came to the region of Dalmanutha.” (Mark 8:1-10, NKJV).
• Philippians 4:19 says, “My God shall supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Jesus will give us our daily bread and provide for us!
“14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. 15 Then He charged them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." 16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have no bread." 17 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? 18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?" They said to Him, "Twelve." 20 "Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?" And they said, "Seven." 21 So He said to them, "How is it you do not understand?” (Mark 8:14-21, NKJV).
THE BIG IDEA: It’s not what’s in your boat, but who’s in your boat that makes the difference. When Jesus is in your boat, He is everything you need.
1. JESUS IS IN OUR BOAT:
“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side.” (Mark 4:35).
• As Christians on the journey of life, it’s helpful to remember that Jesus is in our boat.
• The disciples were in this boat being obedient to Jesus when they encountered a storm.
2. STORMS ARE INEVITABLE:
“Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow…” (Mark 4:36-38a).
• “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have PEACE. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
o We need to realize that storms will come – they are inevitable!
o However, if you have Jesus in your boat, you can have peace in those storms.
• What storm are you facing in your life?
o Relationship storm? Financial storm? Health storm? Emotional storm (no peace)?
o Whatever your storm, don’t forget who’s in the boat with you – Jesus!
3. WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF IN A STORM – GO TO JESUS:
“And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing? Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:38b-39).
• Don’t we normally say the same thing when trouble comes in our lives?
• Just because we’re in a storm doesn’t mean God doesn’t care about us.
4. AFTER THE STORM WE RECEIVE A NEW REVELATION OF JESUS:
“But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” (Mark 4:40-41).
• After Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples had a new revelation of the Prince of Peace.
• Jesus will visit us in our storms and troubles, too!
HOW CAN WE EXPERIENCE THE PRINCE OF PEACE?
“Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” (Philippians 4:6, NLT).
• How can we experience His peace in our lives?
1. DON’T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING:
“25 "So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not. 28 "And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! 31 "So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. 32 Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, 33 and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. 34 "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:25-34, NLT).
2. PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING:
• What did the disciples do in their storm? They went to Jesus. This is wisdom!
• Peter writes: “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7).
o If you give your cares to God, then who has them? Leave them with Him!
o Illustration: Put your prayer requests in a bag by the top of your door.
3. THANK GOD FOR ALL HE HAS DONE:
• We usually start to worry when we focus on our problems and not on God.
• Take the time to write out a Blessing List of all the good things God has done for you.
WHEN WE DO THESE THINGS, WHAT IS THE RESULT?
“If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7, NLT).
• Storms will come, but they don’t have to overcome you.
CLOSING: Pray for people to experience God’s peace and joy.
Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor’s Blog: http://pastorchrisjordan.wordpress.com/
