Jesus Is Lord Over Nature
John 6:15-21
Calming the Storm
“Therefore, when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them. Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. So, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going” (John 6:15-21).
1. Why did Jesus not want to be king?
a. They wanted a military king.
b. Jesus wants to rule our hearts.
c. Jesus is building a spiritual kingdom.
2. Why does the Lord send you into the storm?
• His purpose is not to keep you from storms (trouble) but to grow you in the storm.
• He wants to be glorified through troubles. “The wind ceased. Then they . . . worshiped Him” (Matt. 14:32-33).
• Storms are a part of everyday life. Everyone has different kinds of storms.
3. What does Jesus do when you are in the storm? He prays. “When He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray” (Mark 6:46).
4. When you fight the storm, Jesus sees and knows. “He saw them straining at rowing” (Mark 6:48).
5. What promise can you claim in the storm? His presence. “He came to them walking on the sea” (Mark 6:48).
• He comes when you are terrified. “They cried out for fear” (Matt. 14:26).
• He comes when you think you are alone in your struggles. “Now when evening came, He was alone there” (Matt. 14:23).
• He comes in your darkest hour. “Now about the fourth watch of the night” (Mark 6:48).
• He comes when you think He has forgotten. “And would have passed by them” (Mark 6:48).
• He comes when you misunderstand His presence and purpose. “And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out” (Mark 6:49).
6. Jesus reveals Himself to you in the storm. “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid” (Mark 6:50).
• He will give you confidence. “Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God’” (Matt. 14:33).
• He will overlook your failing. “For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened” (Mark 6:52).
7. Jesus gives us courage in the storm before the circumstances are changed. “For they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased” (Mark 6:50-51).
8. Jesus will get you through the storm. “Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going” (John 6:21).
9. Jesus wants you to recognize and worship Him for getting you through the storm. “Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God’” (Matt. 14:33).
10. When we successfully go through the storm, we help others in trouble. “And when the men of that place recognized Him . . . brought to Him all who were sick . . . that they might only touch the hem of His garment” (Matt. 14:35-36).
11. Everyone has storms. And since life is a choice, you must choose to become humble, mature and godly. You choose what you will learn from a storm.
12. Since everyone has storms, give Christ the Lordship of your experience to understand His purpose in your troubles.
13. Since Christ is your Lord, you must accept every storm because that is what God wants for your life.
14. Successful living through storms requires you to live with a sense of destiny.
15. Storms allow you to see your weaknesses and needs.
16. Things are not where they are supposed to be after a storm passes. Storms mess things up.
17. You get very close to those who protect you when you go through the storm. Usually you don’t see what God is doing in the storm until it is over. “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Heb. 12:11).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
