Surviving Storms Series

Surviving Storms

Mark 4:35-41

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

1. WHAT WERE THE STORM’S CAUSES?

A. A Diversified Pressure Contributed To The Storm.

1) The pressure came from the foes of Jesus. (Mark 3:1-6) His foes were church leaders.

2) The pressure came from the friends of Jesus. (Mark 3:21)

3) The Pressures came from the family of Jesus. (3:31-35)

4) The pressures came from the followers of Jesus.

B. A Difficult Period Contributed To The Storm. (Mark 4:35b) “even was come”

1) The disciples’s condition did that. They were not able to handle their ship and that exposed to faithlessness, fear, and failure.

2) The day’s closing did that. (Mark 4:35b)

C. A Divine Person Contributed To The Storm. (Mark 4:35c)

1) Jesus decided who would go. (Mark 4:35) “Them” and “Us”

2) Jesus decided where to go. (Mark 4:35) “The other side”

D. A Demanding Place Contributed To The Storm. (Mark 4:36)

1) They did something about the multitude. (Mark 4:36) “Sent away the multitude”

2) They did something for the Master. (Mark 4:36) “They took Him as He was”

a) His needs demanded it.

b) His nature demanded it.

3) They did something without the multitude. (Mark 4:36) “There with them other little ships”

a) What about a difficult period contributing to storms? Storm will make us bitter or better.

b) What about a Divine person contributing to storms? Storms create doubt about the presence and power of Jesus.

c) What about a demanding place contributing to storms? Storms occur in places where it is just you and Jesus.

2. WHAT WERE THE STORM’S CHARACTERISTICS?

A. Distressing Dangers Characterized The Storm. (Mark 4:37)

1) Furious wind brought on distressing dangers. “A great storm of wind”

2) Filling waters brought on depressing dangers. “Waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full”

B. Dishonoring Disbelief Characterizes The Storm. (Mark 4:38)

1) Unbelieving concern dishonored Jesus.

a) When did Jesus sleep?

b) Where did Jesus sleep?

c) Why did Jesus sleep?

2) Unreasonable complaints dishonored Jesus.

a) It questioned Jesus’ concern.

b) It questioned Jesus’ character.

3. WHAT WERE THE STORM’S CONSEQUENCES?

A. The Storm Promoted Growing Experiences. (Mark 4:39-40)

1) Things the storm demonstrated promoted growth. (Mark 4:39)

a) The storm revealed things about His conduct. “He arose”

b) The storm revealed things about His character. “He rebuked the wind”

+ The character of His rebuke did that. “He rebuked the wind and said to the sea”

+ The consequences of His rebuke did that. “Peace”

2) Things the Saviour desired promoted growth. (Mark 4:40)

a) When Jesus spoke revealed His desires.

b) What Jesus said revealed His desires. “Why are ye so fearful”

+ Could property damage disturb Him?

+ Could personal discomfort disturb Him?

Two things about the disciples’ fear that disturbed Jesus:

- What did the disciples not have faith in?

- Who did the disciples not have faith in?

B. The Storm Produced Glorifying Expressions. (Mark 4:41)

1) What was the character of their expressions? “They feared exceedingly”

2) Who was the center of their expressions? “What manner of man is this”