In this passage we have several truths about the storms of life.
1. Between here and the other side are storms.
2. Those who get to the other side have come through
storms(see 2 Cor.11:23-28)
3. Those who come through storms successfully are
better able to help others.(v53-57)
a. They tend to be more anchored(v53)
"when they had crossed over, they landed at
Gennesaret and anchored there"
b. They more resemble Jesus(v54)
"As soon as they got out of the boat, people
recognized Jesus"
c. They stir others to greater faith(v55-56)
"They ran throughout that whole region and carried
the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.
And wherever he went- into villages, towns or
countryside-they placed the sick in the
marketplaces."
d. They help whomever they touch(v57)
"They begged him to touch even the edge of his
cloak, and all who touched him were healed."
4. The storms of life become a strain on our resources
(v48)
"He saw the disciples straining at the oars.."
5. The storms of life impede forward progress(v48)
"because the wind was against them"
6. The storms of life happen at the most unfavorable
times(v47-48)
7. The storms of life expose our theology(v49-50)
"but when they saw him walking on the lake, they
thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because
they all saw him and where terrified."
8. The storms of life expose our hearts(v51-52)
"Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the
wind died down. They were completely amazed, for
they had not understood about the loaves; their
hearts were hardened."
9. The storms of life finds Jesus praying for us(v46)
"After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside
to pray"
a. There is a truth found throughout scripture. That
truth is this. Prayer preceeds miracles.
10. The storms of life finds Jesus proving us(v47-48)
"When evening came, the boat was in the middle of
the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the
disciples straining at the oars, because the wind
was against them. About the fourth watch of the
night he went out to them, walking on the lake.He
was about to pass by them"
a. Notice Jesus did not immeadiately come to the help
of his disciples. Why? Such a question may trouble
us.But we cannot grow without storms. How could we
say God is faithful if there was nothing for him
to prove his faithfulness.
11. The storms of life finds Jesus present to help.
(v51-52)
a. He helped through a word of encouragement
b. He helped through causing Peter to do the
impossible(Matthew 14:28-29)
c. He helped through causing them to worship
(Matthew 14:32)
d. He helped through getting them to the other
side(John 6:21)
c
