INTRODUCTION
• Our country has been hit by some rough hurricanes lately. Those hurricanes left a path of pain and destruction for those who lived in the areas that were affected.
• When the weather service warned us that the storms were coming, people took precautions and many had to leave their homes.
• If you watched some of the interviews with those who lost everything, you can feel their pain as you saw everything they had be washed and blown away.
• It was heartbreaking to see.
• For those in the path of the storm, there was not much they could do other than to prepare and leave until the storms finished doing their thing.
• Life can feel that way sometimes and can be very difficult at times. For some it is a constant struggle.
• The good thing about the hurricanes is the fact that we knew they were coming; however, it is not always that way in life.
• Today as we continue with our Deep Thoughts with Jesus series, we are going to examines some issues pertaining to a storm that Jesus and His disciples were going to face.
• Today, we are going to look at three, yet profound issues pertaining to the storm that we can cling on to as we face the storms of life.
• The context of this event is that Jesus has been healing people at Capernaum, and the crowds were growing by the moment.
• By the way, this event takes place before Jesus walking on water that we covered a few weeks ago.
• Nonetheless, the crowds were getting large, so Jesus knows they need to get away from the crowds.
• Let’s turn to Matthew 8:23-24 to begin this morning.
• SLIDE #2
• Matthew 8:23–24 (CSB) — 23 As he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly, a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves—but Jesus kept sleeping.
• SLIDE #3
SERMON
I. Jesus sent these men into the storm.
• Ok, here is a simple, but a deep thought to ponder, Jesus sent these men into the storm.
• These men did nothing to cause the storm they were going to face, they simply did what Jesus asked them to do.
• Now, I do not want to imply that Jesus leads us into all the storms of life we face, but sometimes He does.
• SLIDE #4 Sea of Galilee
• The Sea of Galilee is located in the north of the valley of the Jordan, is about thirteen miles in length and seven and one-half miles in width.
• It lies approximately six hundred eighty feet below the level of the Mediterranean.
• Its bed is a depression surrounded by hills, especially on the east side with its steep cliffs.
• It is understandable that when the cool currents rush down from Mt. Hermon (9,200 feet) or from elsewhere and through narrow passes between the steep hills collide with the heated air above the lake basin, this down rush is sudden.
• The violent winds whip the sea into a fury, causing high waves that splash over bow, side rails, etc., of any vessel that happens to be plying the water surface. In the present instance the small fishing craft, swamped by towering billows, was becoming the toy of the raging elements. Baker NTC: Matthew.
• The storm the disciples found themselves in the midst of was no ordinary storm.
• Some of the disciples were fishermen, they knew how to handle the sea of Galilee
• This storm was so strong that Matthew uses Greek word SEISMOS.
• In Matthew, the term is translated EARTHQUAKE in the depiction of Jerusalem’s downfall in Matthew 24:7 and the crucifixion on Matthew 27:54.
• The word is also translated Earthquake at the resurrection in Matthew 28:2.
• The fishermen on the boat would be used to the sudden weather shifts on the Sea of Galilee, but his one was different, and it was especially violent.
• Why were the disciples on the Sea? It was because Jesus told them to get in the boat. Do you think the storm caught Jesus be surprise?
• SO why did Jesus lead them into the teeth of the storm?
• I believe this is an issue of faith building.
• The disciples had been watching Jesus do as this great, yet, it really did not involve them.
• Jesus wanted them to have a full picture of faith. He wanted them to be able to test their faith under duress.
• SLIDE #5
• James 1:2–4 (CSB) Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
• Faith that does not get tested is a faith that is weak.
• Sometimes Jesus will lead you into a storm so that you can build your faith.
• When you taught your child to ride a bike, eventually you let go of the back so they could learn how not to fall.
• So, when you are in the storm, do not let it destroy you, in a moment I will give you another thing to think about as to why you do not have to let the storm destroy your life.
• But for now, let’s get back in the boat with the disciples.
• The storm was getting so bad that the possibility of ending up being fish food was a real possibility to the disciples.
• It is a good thing Jesus is taking care of it. Oh, wait, what is Jesus doing?
• Suddenly, a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves—but Jesus kept sleeping.
• SLEEPING!
• Do you ever feel that Jesus is sleeping when you are in the storm?
• Let’s look at verse 25.
• SLIDE #6
• Matthew 8:25 (CSB) — 25 So the disciples came and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to die!”
• SLIDE #7
II. We are not alone in the storm.
• Jesus these guys into the storm, and He was with them, but He is SLEEPING!
• What in the world is going on?
• Even though it appeared Jesus was with them, HE IS SLEEPING!
• How many storms of life have you be in that you felt alone.
• Alone is a bad feeling because alone makes us feel vulnerable.
• Jesus was in the boat with them, the disciples were in panic mode because they thought Jesus was simply going to let them all die.
• In the version in Mark, listen to what is said.
• SLIDE #8
• Mark 4:38 (CSB) He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher! Don’t you care that we’re going to die?”
• IT LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE ACCUSING JESUS OF NOT CARING ABOUT THEM.
• I am sure NONE of us have ever felt that way.
• The original text indicates that the disciples were in the process of dying, “we are about to die” is the plea.
• At this point the disciples are terrified. See, Jesus is with them, He is in the boat, even if He had been sleeping, He was with them.
• The word
• Here is the problem, they did not know that Jesus could control the forces of nature at this point.
• Our souls are troubles when we face a situation that we do not know if Jesus can handle it.
• Think about the last time you were scared of something, you know Jesus was with you, correct?
• Then why did you or why did I fear? If God is for me, who can be against me?
• We fear because we really do not know if Jesus can handle the issue.
• The word Jesus will use for fear in verse 26 is the word for COWARDLY fear.
• It is like they had no confidence in Jesus when it came to Him helping them.
• Let’s turn to verses 26-27
• SLIDE #9
• Matthew 8:26–27 (CSB) — 26 He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him!”
• SLIDE #10
III. There is no storm Jesus cannot calm.
• I can see Jesus waking up, I am sure He is exhausted from all the work He had been doing.
• Why was He able to sleep? It was because He was not worried, He knew the Father had His back.
• I wonder what Jesus is thinking as these men was scared to death.
• I cannot believe there was not at least a tinge of frustration on His part.
• The disciples had seen Jesus do a number of miracles, yet they had not had to take their knowledge and power and apply it to THEIR storm.
• When we truly understand who God is, however, we will realize that he controls both the storms of nature and the storms of the troubled heart.
• Jesus’ power that calmed this storm can also help us deal with the problems we face. Jesus is willing to help if we only ask him. Never discount his power even in terrible trials. (LAB)
• Jesus simply asks the men where is their faith?
• Let’s think about this, is Jesus being too hard on them, after all, they thought they were going to die!
• These men are being rebuked by Jesus because they thought their problem was larger than their Lord!
• Here is the deep but simple thought in this point. THERE IS NOT STORM TOO LARGE FOR JESUS TO CALM!
• Notice after Jesus asks them why they doubted.
• What does He do, He calms the winds AND THE WAVES?
• This is the miracle in the miracle. Usually when the wind stops, it takes a while for the waves to stop. What really impressed the disciples was the fact that not only did Jesus stop the wind IMMEDIATELY, the waves stopped IMMEDIATELY!
• Notice we are told there was a GREAT calm!
• What looked impossible was possible with Jesus!
• The Life Application Bible offers some good insights concerning dealing with the storms of life.
• In the storms of life, Jesus is still the master. He shares our boat. Sooner or later, the wind and waves will offer us several key lessons:
• Sometimes, no one but Jesus can do anything.
• No matter how bad the circumstances, God is in control.
• When we reach the end of our resources, Jesus has not even started.
• Hopeless situations make the clearest occasions to trust in God’s preserving power.
• Jesus was trying to get these men to dive deeper into their faith.
CONCLUSION
• When you face the storms of life, you are not alone. Jesus is in the boat with you. He will help you get through it.
• The storms of life will either kill us or make us stronger. Jesus will help them make you stronger!
