Riding Out The Storms Of Life

Riding out the Storms of Life

Matthew 8:23-27

May 6, 2001

Introduction

A group of golfers were approaching the fourth hole on the golf course one afternoon. Suddenly the sky turned ominous, and it began to rain amid claps of thunder. They rushed to shelter in a gazebo near a metal fence. As the storm grew in intensity, a bolt of lightning hit the long fence and lit it up like a neon sign. It was a while before any of them could speak. Then one player turned to his opponents and said, "You know that five I had on the first hole-it really was a seven."

Storms have a way of making us focus on what really matters in life. We tend to set everything straight and put our lives back on the right path. This morning I want us to look at another story of a storm and discover how we can ride out the storms of life.

23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!" 26 He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" Matthew 8:23-27

Body

I. There is a cost in following

A. The disciples followed Jesus

1. The simple fact that the disciples followed Jesus reveals their commitment, faith and love

2. Following Jesus is a privilege and an honor

a.) The disciples gave up everything to follow Him

b.) The disciples gave Jesus the control of their lives

B. What is the bottom line?

1. You have to give up to go up in life – John Maxwell

2. Following Jesus requires you to make certain sacrifices

a.) You must give up your will

b.) You must give up your “rights”

c.) You must make a complete commitment – This is an all or nothing deal. Christ wants to be the Lord of your entire life

3. Tough questions

 Are you willing to follow Jesus wherever He leads you?

 Are you willing to pay the price to follow Jesus?

II. There is a caution in fear

Years ago a military officer and his wife were aboard a ship that was caught in a raging ocean storm. Seeing the frantic look in her eyes, the man tried unsuccessfully to allay her fears. Suddenly she grasped his sleeve and cried, "How can you be so calm?" He stepped back a few feet and drew his sword. Pointing it at her heart, he said, "Are you afraid of this?" Without hesitation she answered, "Of course not!" "Why not?" he inquired. "Because it’s in your hand, and you love me too much to hurt me." To this he replied, "I know the One who holds the winds and the waters in the hollow of His hand, and He will surely care for us!"

A. You will face storms in life

1. The disciples faced their storm and responded in fear

a.) There were plenty of good reasons to be afraid that day. Fear shortcuts faith

b.) There are good reasons for your fear

 You fear that you are too far gone to recover

 You fear that no one really cares about the trials you face and the pain you endure

 You fear that there is no reason for living

2. The storms of life

a.) The storms of life are real – Crises arise in life, tragedies take place and difficulties abound

b.) The storms of life are common – These happen on a daily basis and they happen to every person.

c.) The storms of life are powerful – They hit us fast and furious with no respect for any person.

d.) The storms of life are swift – Often they come upon us with little or no warning and they devastate us

Q – How do you deal with them?

B. We learn some valuable lessons

1. You are not in control of your life

2. You need help to make it through life because you do not have the power to do it on your own

3. You need to ask for help to receive it

a.) Swallow your pride and admit the fact that you can not make it on your own

b.) Believe that Christ can and will help you through the storms that you face

4. Once you ask don’t stop until you are answered