Same Storm, Different Day

Same Storm, Different Day

Matt. 8:22-27

Oct. 30, 2005 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor

Introduction:

A In the film The Perfect Storm, a seasoned crew of fishermen aboard the fishing boat the Andrea Gail had gone out fishing for swordfish in beautiful, calm weather in the fall of 1991.

1 However, the Andrea Gail faced one of nature’s most powerful forces-the hurricane.

a The author of the book The Perfect Storm describes the intensity of this phenomenon of nature: "A mature hurricane is by far the most powerful event on earth; the combined nuclear arsenals of the U.S. & former Soviet Union don’t contain enough energy to keep a hurricane going for one day. A typical hurricane encompasses a million cubic miles of atmosphere & could provide all the electrical power needed by the U.S. for three to four years." (Sebastian Inga, The Perfect Storm, pr. 127-129).

b The Sea of Galilee is a microcosm of the ocean, where the disciples of Jesus faced their own perfect storm.

aa The Sea of Galilee is 13 miles long, 8 miles wide, 600+ ft. below sea level, and is known for quick-rising storms, especially in the spring & fall, that can send a small boat to the bottom very quickly.

bb The boat is large enough to carry 12-18 men with a load of fish.

2 The disciples get caught in this storm and are scared (it takes a lot to scare a seasoned fishermen, but this storm did it)!

B But Jesus said* to him, "Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead." 23 When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. 25 And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing!" 26 He said* to them, "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. 27 The men were amazed, and said, "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" Matt 8:22-27 (NASB)

1 Jesus delivered His disciples through the worst storm they’d ever experienced. (ETS)

2 A believer can confidently weather the worst storms that life has to offer. (ESS)

3 I want my listener to remember where your final destination is during the storms of life. (OBJ)

4 What gives you confidence to weather the storms of life? (PQ)

C Let’s look at two questions we must answer correctly in order to weather the storms of life with confidence.

I The first question we must answer correctly in order to weather the storms of life with confidence is...what boat are you on? When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him.

A The disciples were following Jesus

1 One would expect the disciples’ travel would have been safe, without incident, providentially guaranteed of safety.

a Jesus told the disciples in v. 22, "Follow Me." But Jesus said* to him, "Follow Me...

b These disciples were simply being obedient to Christ’s command.

aa Critical/cynical perception would say that if the 12 hadn’t followed Jesus onto the boat, they never would have faced the storm.

bb Argument is found in Jonah. The disciples acted in obedience & endured the storm; Jonah ran from God & endured the storm.

c The bottom line is that storms happen.

2 Jesus knew the storm was coming & He had them get in the boat anyway.

a It was even within Jesus’ power to squash the storm before they got in the boat...but He didn’t. Why?

b Although Jesus was exhausted from healing/teaching, He was going to hold one more lesson on what storm-facing faith looked like, & He was holding class on that little boat.

aa He wanted His 12 to hear the lesson

bb They wouldn’t have heard the lesson if they hadn’t been on the right boat.

B As believers we must constantly ask ourselves, "Am I where God wants me to be?"

1 Many times we mistakenly travel down a path of action & ask God to bless it.

a This puts all the responsibility for direction on us.

b Instead of following Christ we’re asking Christ to follow us.

2 I want us to be in the boat of Jesus’ choosing.

a Does not guarantee safe, calm waters.

b It does mean I’m exactly where Jesus wants me. Two benefits:

aa God rewards obedience

bb God is going to teach us something in the storm

C (IL) Sometime ago I was moving a desk at the office & Lake wanted to help.

1 He got in between my arms & we were moving it slowly, huffing & puffing.