SERIES: Miracles with a Message #5
TITLE Power and Peace in the Storm
TEXT: John 6:14-21
INTRO: Since he was a little boy, Bob had heard that his Father, Grandfather and Great-grandfather had all walked on water on their 21st birthdays. So, on his 21st birth-day, Bob his good friend Brian headed out to the lake. "If they did it, I can too!" he insisted. They got into a boat and paddled out to the middle of the lake. Bob stepped off of the side of the boat....and nearly drowned. Brian pulled him out of the water and they headed for home, embarrassed and soaking wet.
When Bob arrived back at the family farm, he asked his Grandmother, "Grandma, why can't I walk on water on my 21st birthday, like my Father, and his Father, and his Father before him?" His Grandmother took him by the hands, looked into his eyes, and explained, "That’s because you were born in July, dear. Your Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather were all born in January."
After the feeding of the 5,000, the crowd was so impressed by Jesus’ miracle that they were prepared to force Him to become their king, which was not in God’s timing. So, Jesus went up into a mountain to pray, while the disciples got into a boat to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.
I. THE PERIL OF THE SEA (15-18)
A. The Disciples on the Sea
1. Jesus sent the disciples out on the sea of Galilee
(Mar 6:45) ”And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people."
2. A great storm arose
The sea is nearly 700 feet below sea level. Around the sea, the hills of Galilee reach nearly 1,400 feet above sea level. This makes it subject to sudden and violent storms as the wind comes over these mountains and drops suddenly onto the sea.
3. Their boat was in danger of sinking
B. We Also Face Storms
1. We have never been promised a life of ease
(Job 14:1) Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
2. Someone once said:
-You are either in the midst of a storm,
-You've just come out of a storm, or
-You're headed into a storm!
3. Why the storms come:
-To strengthen our character,
-To teach a lesson about God's will,
-To allow us to experience God in a fresh, new way
# (Robert Hamilton)
"I walked a mile with pleasure; she chatted all the way.
But left me none the wiser for all she had to say.
I walked a mile with sorrow; not a word said she.
But oh, the things I learned from sorrow,
when sorrow walked with me.”
II. THE POWER OF HIS PRESENCE (19-21)
A. Jesus Appeared Walking on the Water
1. The crowd went by boat or walked on land...
2. Jesus took a short cut & walked on the water
-Job said that: "(God) alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea." (Job 9:8)
B. The Disciples Were Afraid
1. They thought He was a ghost
2. Then He spoke to them
(v.20) But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
C. Then They Took Him into the Boat
1. His presence makes all the difference...
2. The waves calmed and they were supernaturally
transported to their destination
3. Psalm 107 tells us:
“…see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. For He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof…Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still…so He bringeth them unto their desired haven.” (v. 23-30)
III. THE PEACE THAT PASSES UNDERSTANDING (v.21)
A. We Don't Have to Be Overwhelmed by the Trials of Life
1. We can withstand the storms because:
(Rom 8:28) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
2. Jesus promised us
(Joh 14:27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
B. God Gives Us Peace in the Midst of Storms
(Php 4:6-7) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
CONCL: Remember, Jesus is the Master of the storm.
When the storms of life are raging,
Stand by me
When the world is tossing me
Like a ship upon the sea
Thou Who rulest wind and water,
Stand by me.
Amen
