1. Pessimist: A farmer had a neighbor that was just absolutely negative, no matter what. If it was raining, the farmer would say to his neighbor, "Boy, look at it rain, we sure need it." The neighbor would say, "Yeah, but if it keeps up it’s gonna flood." Then the sun came out and he’d say, "If it keeps that up, it’s gonna just scorch the crops." After a while the farmer thought, "What am I going do to help change this guy’s negative attitude?" So he searched high low for something that would be hard to find negative. Finally, he found it – a duck hunting dog that had been trained to walk on water. He bought it but didn’t tell his neighbor, he just took him duck hunting. They shot some 23
2. ducks out of the sky, and said to his dog, "Go get ’em." The dog walked across, picked them up, and hopped back in the boat, nothing wet just his paws. The farmer said, "What do you think of that?" The neighbor said, "What’s the matter, he can’t swim?"
3. Jesus’ miracles – helps people in need; identifies him as Messiah; and gives glory to God
4. John 6:16-21 (also in Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52)
5. The Reality of Storms in Our Lives – COVID19 et al
I. Truths About Storms
A. Storms ARE Coming – Suddenly
1. Disciples got into the boat in calm winds but the storm came SUDDENLY
2. Wind was against them – but reached “point of no return” 3-4 miles (John 6:19) – Sea of Galilee is about 7 miles at the widest point – no turning back
3. Our lives are interrupted SUDDENLY – finances; health; rebellious children
a. Rescue not by human ability
b. Only God
4. Jesus “Gets It” – Hebrews 4:15 – For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
B. Storms ARE Frightening
[Darkness; Sea; Storm and Waves – Jesus Boat
II. Types of Storms God Sends/Allows (Which Do You Think This Is? – BOTH!)
A. Corrective – Jonah Needed to Change Course
B. Perfective – Aid Our Growth in Faith (Jonah needed to Grow)
1. Disciples were doing the will of LORD, not rebelling
2. “I didn’t sign up for this!” “I don’t deserve this.”
3. Previous Boat/Storm Test (Matthew 8:23-27) – he was in the boat with them; this time out
4. Remember, doing God’s will is not always about “Smooth Sailing”
III. In the Midst of Storms There is Good News:
A. Jesus Prays for Us – Matthew 14:23-24 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.
1. As Apple of His Eye – Psalm 17:8 8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,
2. Knowing Our Issues – Mark 6:48a 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them.
3. We see the storms, he sees US!
B. Jesus Comes to Us – Isaiah 43.2a When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
C. Jesus Ministers to Us Matthew 14:26-27 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
1. May not “feel” or “see” his presence but believe!
2. Disciples did not recognize him because they weren’t looking for him
3. Shows His Power in His Presence – It is I = I AM; (Exodus 3:14)
a. Don’t Fear in Our storms/issues – He is unstoppable
b. Life is a series of problems – Times for God to show HIS power
4. Comes to Us in the Thing We Fear – Water [Laura’s dream about Linda talking with Jesus when she died
5. We are closest to Him in our storms
IV. At the End of Storms – John 6:21 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
A. Cry for Help (God had seen and heard the cries of his people in Egypt – Exodus 3:7)
B. Jesus Got Into the Boat (with Peter)
1. Winds Ceased (Matthew 14:32)
2. Disciples Worshiped (Matthew 14:33)
3. Arrival at Destination – Immediately
Psalm 107:28-30 28 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.
a. Sometimes God ends our storms
b. Always God walks with us in our storms
c. Always God brings us to our destination – BTW, It seems life passes VERY quickly and we arrive at our eternal destinations
1. Charlie Brown builds a beautiful sandcastle, works on it for hours. Finally he stands back, looks at it. Just
as he’s admiring it, a storm comes up and blows over all of his sandcastle. Now, he’s standing where his beautiful masterpiece was, on level sand, saying to himself, "I know there’s a lesson in this, but I’m not sure what it is."
Every one of us has our sandcastles blown away. Every once in a while we back up and say, "Why am I being hit with this storm of life?"
2. Crossing the Sea of Galilee reminds us of our life’s journey
a. There is a Beginning and an End
b. There are Storms in between
3. Jesus didn’t call his disciples just to drown them. Nor does he call us just to cast us aside.
4. They/we felt alone and afraid but they weren’t/aren’t.
5. LORD loved them/us and was with them/us – PERIOD.
