JESUS’ WORDS STILL OUR STORMS (Outline)
MARK 4:35-41 - June 19, 2005 - PENTECOST 5
INTRO: Once again today we are vividly reminded that our trust and confidence is placed our almighty God. In a society that emphasizes self-trust and reliance on no one else—trust in God is sometimes a very rare commodity. It is all the more important to closely examine the blessings you and I and every believer possesses because of God’s grace. "He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe"(PROVERBS 28:26). This text from Mark reveals the power of Jesus to control nature itself, all for the benefit of his followers.
JESUS’ WORDS STILL OUR STORMS
I. God’s Law could easily overcome us
II. God’s Gospel constantly preserves us.
I. GOD’S LAW COULD EASILY OVERCOME US
A. It is interesting to note that Jesus and his disciples left at night. Verse 35. Night travel was dangerous.
1. Jesus simply says, Let us go over to the other side. The disciples do not question, but go.
2. There is not too much preparation for the trip. Verse 36 says there were also other boats.
B. There was no lighting at night as there is today. The shore was hard to see, no motors, no radar.
1. Verse 37 points out that a furious squall came up. All were caught unaware.
2. The disciples were very concerned and a bit frightened. The boat was nearly swamped.
C. Jesus was confident of his Father’s divine care. Jesus slept in the back of the boat.
1. The disciples woke Jesus asking; don’t you care? Verse 38. The disciples were scared.
2. Jesus’ disciples felt swamped by the storm. They did not know what to do.
D. Sin can easily have the very same effect on each one of us. When we honestly look at our thoughts, words and deeds we see countless sins against our Lord. They continue to add up day after day after day, every day. There is no escaping sin. The world may try to explain it away. The world may even deny sin. Sometimes the world even changes sin into a sickness or disease. Sin is still sin. God’s Law re-minds us of that fact. "For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son--both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die"(EZEKIEL 18:4). People cannot and do not escape death because sin is alive and well in this world.
E. God’s Law shows us our sin. Sin is not pleasant to look at. Sin is simply a slap in the face of God. The truth it, no one really wants to slap God in the face. But every terrible thought, wicked word and evil action is just that—slapping God in the face with our wickedness and rebellion. It is the law of God that reminds mankind there is no escape. "Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed"(GALATIANS 3:23). God’s law holds us prisoners to our sinful nature.
F. We dare never think that we have sinned just a little. We dare not think that there is such a thing as a small sin or big sin. Sin is sin. Worst of all, we are reminded that our sins are numerous. Every waking moment our lives are completely tainted by the effects of sin in this world. Reread the first few chapters of Genesis to see the devastating consequence of sin. "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away"(ISAIAH 64:6). God’s law is very, very clear. ALL of are unclean. ALL our righteous acts are like filthy rags. Our sins sweep us away like a powerful wind blowing a dried up leaf every which way.
TRANS: JESUS’ WORDS STILL OUR STORMS. It is all too true that God’s Law could easily over-come us just like a furious squall can easily swamp a boat. It is also true that II. God’s Gospel preserves.
II. GOD’S GOSPEL CONSTANTLY PRESERVES US.
A. It is very interesting to notice how quickly the attitudes of the disciples changed.
1. Jesus’ disciples get into the boat to sail to the other side, at night, without question.
2. When the furious squall threatens to swamp the boat they ask Jesus, Don’t you care?
B. Verse 39 details just how much Jesus cares. Jesus wakes up from his slumber.
1. Quiet! Be still! Once again everything changes. The storm stops, the sea is completely calm.
2. Verse 40. There is no reason to be afraid. They have faith and they are to use it—trust.
C. In verse 41 the disciples were amazed. They ask in wonder, just: Who is this?
1. The disciples knew Jesus was from Nazareth. They knew he was Joseph and Mary’s son.
2. To control nature meant Jesus was far more than another mere mortal. Jesus is God’s son.
D. This is the simple Gospel message: Jesus is the Son of God. God’s Law shows us our sins. God’s Gospel shows us our Savior. There is no other place to discover this precious truth than in the word of God itself. God’s saving message is just as miraculous as Jesus stilling the storm. Condemned by our sin-ful thoughts, words and deeds God provides us forgiveness, freely. "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding"(EPHESIANS 1:7,8).
E. Our gracious God saves us the precious blood of Christ. Our works or good deeds do not save us. We are not saved by our wealth, honor or glory. God’s Gospel preserves us by the precious work of our Savior, Jesus Christ. "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the king-dom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins"(COLOSSIANS 1:13,14). Yes, we were lost but now are saved. Yes, we were drowning in a sea of sinfulness but now we are res-cued by the life preserver of God’s Gospel.
F. God’s free forgiveness is part of God’s most amazing grace. We who do not deserve to be saved are saved. God’s Gospel message is a miracle of God’s power like no other. When Jesus performed a mira-cle of healing on the Sabbath he was challenged by the religious leaders of the day. Jesus asked them which was easier—to heal or to forgive sin. The leaders did not answer because they did not want to be-tray their own unfaithfulness. God’s forgiveness as expressed in God’s Gospel is truly miraculous. "If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; there-fore you are feared"(PSALM 130:4,5). When our loving Lord forgives he forgets – completely and for-ever. Jesus’ blood makes our scarlet sins as white as snow. Thank you, Jesus!
CONC.: There are many storms that you and I and every believer face in this life. Sometime these squalls are physical tribulations. The Lord also wants us to remember that the spiritual storms we face are not to overcome us. At times we misplace our confidence and trust in others or ourselves in order to suc-ceed. Self-trust and self-confidence simply does not always work. We honestly look at ourselves and see only wickedness, rebellion, and sin. God’s Law condemns our sinfulness and could easily overwhelm us. In spite of our sinful nature, God’s Gospel forgives and constantly preserves our souls. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God"(1 CORINTHIANS 1:18). Jesus’ words still our storms. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
PENTECOST 5 Readings (ILCW–A) = JEREMIAH 20:7-13; ROMANS 5:12-15; MATT. 10:24-38
(Following is the confirmation questioning used in place of the first half of the sermon = God’s Law.)
EXAMINATION SUNDAY - CONFIRMATION QUESTIONING
I.
1. Who wrote your catechism?
2. Why did Martin Luther write such a book?
3. What are the 6 chief parts of the Catechism?
4. From did Luther take all of these statements in the Catechism?
5. What is the Bible?
6. Into how many parts is the Bible divided?
7. What are those two parts called?
8. What is a Bible passage that tells us who wrote the Bible?
9. Who were the holy men who wrote the Old Testament?
10. In what language is the O.T. written?
11. List the O.T. books of the Bible.
12. Who were the holy men who wrote the New Testament?
13. In what language was the N.T. written?
14. List the N.T. books.
15. If men wrote the Bible, why do we call it God’s Word?
16. What does it men when we say that God inspired these men?
17. Why did God give us such a book?
18. What are the two teachings found throughout the Bible?
19. How do we define the Law?
20. Where / when was the law first given?
21. Where is a summary of God’s law, given a second time, now written?
22. Why did God have to write down his law for mankind?
23. What is the first commandment and its meaning?
24. What are some things that can become false gods?
25. What is the second commandment and its meaning?
26. How is the name of the Lord taken in vain?
27. Give the third commandment and its meaning.
28. What does it mean for a Christian to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy?
29. How does God sum up these first three commandments?
30. What is the fourth commandment and its meaning?
31. What is the fifth commandment and its meaning?
32. What is the sixth commandment and its meaning?
33. What is God protecting in the sixth commandment?
34. What is the seventh commandment and its meaning?
35. What is the eighth commandment and its meaning?
36. What is God protecting in the eighth commandment?
37. What are the ninth and tenth commandments?
38. How does God sum up all of these commandments perfectly?
39. Have you kept all of these commandments perfectly? Has anyone?
40. What is the one thing the law can never do? Why?
41. Who is the author of all sin and evil?
42. Who is the devil?
43. What is his goal?
44. How did God create Adam and Eve?
45. What did Satan do to wreck God’s perfect creation?
46. Why is sin such a terrible thing?
Transition: We learn that the Bible is God’s holy word. By the law God’s word reminds us that we are sinners and that we are destined for hell. If that were the only teaching our situation in this life and in eternity would be utterly hopeless. There is another great teaching in the Bible which does not leave us without hope or eternally condemned.
