(1)
(In this phrase is the promise of divine presence) Let us- Jesus has said: I will never leave you nor forsake you but go with you all the way even to the end of the world.
(2)
(They launched forth) Eagerness, willingness, zeal, enthusiasm
They started out with Jesus-the word in the boat, Their fellowship was sweet.
(3) (As they sailed) This speaks of life as usual, calm, peaceful, predictable, comfortable.
He-The Word fell asleep) We know that Jesus the living word never sleeps, but it is possible for the word to become un important to us, we all face the danger of treating the word lightly, and if we are not careful that living vital word can become dormant in our lives.
(Notice that it is when the Lord, the Word is asleep That the storm comes down)
When the prodigal son had spent all he had, then the famine came upon him.
One of the first lessons we learn is that storms are a part of life. we are not going to get through this life without facing the storm.
2nd: satan is always watching for us to become slothful and carless concerning the Word of God.
(satan knows the only thing that can defeat him is the word of God, it is written)
This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith: But there is no faith w/o the Word of God.
It is one thing to admire the Word of God, Appreciate the Word of God, and even mentally assent to it’s validity, but it is another thing entirely when the Word of God is the only thing that stands between you and destruction.
(Isa 53:1 KJV) Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
In every situation There are two reports, (1) There’s mans report (2) God’s report.
(4) They were filled with water and were in jeapordy. (they are believers)
It’s sad that many times, the word doesn’t become important to us until it’s a matter of life or death, or you’re faced with losing your home, or your marriage is on the rocks.
Storms come to everyone, no one is exempt from the storm. The only question is how will you face them?
(5) Everything depends on your attitude toward the word of God
Jesus said: My mother and my brethren are they who hear the word and do it
The lesson Jesus would have us all learn is (The word works, but you have to work it)
The disciples had seen Jesus = the Word heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils.
But this day Jesus wanted them to learn how to do the word for themselves.
To do the word is to live beyond the dictates of circumstances, to do the word is to act like God told the truth even when it looks like he didn’t. doing the word does not ignore the circumstances, it just looks beyond them to something greater = (the Word).
Let us go over to the other side.
If they had been doing the word, when the storm came they would have just lifted their hands and their voices and said Praise God We’re going over (come hell or high water we’re going over, )
Jesus said we’re going over and it’s settled, So the storm can either get out of the way, or we’ll just go through it, but one things settled: We’re going over.
(6)
(They woke up Jesus) = They woke up the Word, they stirred up the word,
For you and I today, that means to stir up that Word, began to read the word, and to confess the word, to praise God according to his word.
(7)
(Jesus= the Word) Arose and rebuked the wind and raging water and they ceased and there was a great calm.
(8)
Where is your faith?
What Jesus was saying was: I told you we were going over to the other side, you had everything you needed to deal with anything that got in your way, you had my word. If you had really believed my word you would have rebuked that storm yourself.
Where is your faith?
*Is it in the fair weather ? *Is it in the boat ? *Is it in your own abilities ? * Is it in other people?
People that believe the Word are peculiar to the world, While the world is crying about going under they are praising about going over.
Our destination is determined, But we must be determined to reach our destination.
Let us go over to the other side.
