"what To Remember, Because We're All In The Same Boat!"

Title: “What to Remember When We’re All in the Same Boat” Scripture: Mt. 8:23-27/Mark 4

Type: Expository Where: GNBC 2-28-22

Intro: This past week the world got a little more scary as Russia invaded Ukraine. There is a lot of uncertainty. Fears abounding. Many are wondering if a strong Russia and an anemic American response will embolden China to attack Taiwan. Many rumblings going on below the surface in the Middle East as well. Futures markets began get very jittery (Crude oil March 2020 was $32.20. Friday went over $100!). Well, in today’s passage we see that the disciples find themselves in a situation where they come face to face with a terrifying situation: storm on the sea. In English there is an idiom we use: “We’re all in the same boat.” “To be in the same boat” means to be in the same difficult situation as someone else. Most of the difficult situations we find ourselves in are not unique to us. Need to realize others have been in that same boat. Yet, in today’s passage we find the terrified disciples were both figuratively and literally in the “same boat”! Christ’s response is key.

Prop: Exam. Mt. 8:23-27, we’ll realize 3 important truths about ourselves and Jesus when facing the storms of life.

BG: 1. Events examining take place winter of 2nd year of Christ’s ministry in Final Galilean campaign.

2. I had planned to look at the beginning of Mt. 8 this week. But with what happened in the world

3.

Prop: Let’s exam Mt. 8:23ff to realize 3 important insights about ourselves & Jesus when facing frightening situations in life.

I. 1st Rem: Jesus Called the Disciples into the Boat that Took them into the Storm. Vv.22-23.

A. Never forget that important principle: Jesus called the Disciples into the boat that took them into the storm.

1. The disciples Came into the Boat where Jesus was.

a. V.22 – Jesus tells 2 potential disciples come and follow Him. We don’t know if they ever did. We do know that according to v.23, Jesus, wanting to go to the other side of the lake (v.18), got into the boat first, and His disciples followed Him. (Key point – Disciples follow Christ.)

b. Christ calls us to follow Him through thick and thin, thru good and bad, thru want and plenty. We need to be reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul: “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:11-13) Whatever Christ calls you and me into, even if it gets scary, He will give the grace and strength to persevere.

2. Christ set the events into motion to teach His disciples.

a. The lake is about seven miles across at its widest (it is shaped like a harp, which is what it is called in Hebrew: Kinnereth). At its deepest it is about 160 feet deep, depending on the fluctuation over the years. And the surface of the lake is about 600 feet below sea level. In our story Jesus must have gotten into the boat in the region of Capernaum, on the north west shore, because He got out of the boat “on the other side” near Kursi (on the eastern shore about half way down the coast).

b. I believe Jesus set the scene into motion when He called the disciples into the boat that day so as to teach these men several important truths about themselves and about Himself. Whatever the crisis or storms of life, we waste them if we do not learn something new about ourselves and our God. Illust: Several years ago John Piper wrote the book Don’t Waste Your Cancer. In other words, look and see what God is doing, wants to do both in and thru you in the hard and scary times of life.

B. The Sovereignty of God is a Comforting Doctrine in Times of Fear and Distress.

1. Never forget in times of distress: God is Sovereign. He is in control. He has Supreme Power.

a. Illust: The Prince of Preachers, Charles H. Spurgeon said the following: The householder says, "Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own?" and even so does the God of heaven and earth ask this question of you this morning. "Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own?" There is no attribute of God more comforting to his children than the doctrine of Divine Sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe troubles, they believe that Sovereignty hath ordained their afflictions, that Sovereignty overrules them, and that Sovereignty will sanctify them all. There is nothing for which the children of God ought more earnestly to contend than the dominion of their Master over all creation—the kingship of God over all the works of his own hands—the throne of God, and his right to sit upon that throne. On the other hand, there is no doctrine more hated by worldlings, no truth of which they have made such a foot-ball, as the great, stupendous, but yet most certain doctrine of the Sovereignty of the infinite Jehovah. Men will allow God to be everywhere except on his throne.” (May 4, 1856) Do, I know what God is doing in the midst of this pandemic crisis? NO! But I rest completely assured in knowing that HE DOES!