Surviving The Storm Series

Surviving the Storm

INTRODUCTION

Years ago in West Texas I was about to board a small private airplane that belonged to a friend of mine, It was the first time I had flown on an airplane this small and I was a little nervous. My friend took note and talked me through everything he was doing to assure me that he was doing everything possible to be safe. One of the procedures he carried out was a ’pre-flight’ checklist, another was a ’pre-take off checklist’ he showed me a ’pre-landing’ checklist and he even had an ’Emergency checklist!’ He explained that all of these procedures had been written down and refined by many years of use and that they were there to insure our survival of each phase of our flight. I thought how good it would be to have such a document that would help us to survive the storms we will encounter.

The following is a sermon that I developed from not only that experience but from a sermon an evangelist friend of mine named Will Bridges preached.

Texts - (Mk. 4:37; Lk. 8:22) - 1st time Jesus calmed the Storm.

(Mk. 6:45; Matt.14:22) - 2nd time Jesus will calm Storm.

The disciples must have wondered if they had heard correctly what Jesus (The Word) told them to do! After getting into the boat and setting forth they found themselves in a real mess! Doing all they could in the natural (rowing) to escape disaster yet falling further, and further behind.

EVER BEEN THERE?...........YOU KNOW THAT YOU’VE HEARD FROM THE LORD.......Yet the storms rage around you? (THIS IS WHERE THE ENEMY CAN GET YOU INTO THE REALM OF DOUBT, AND FEAR, AND THEN DEFEAT YOU )

AS PILOTS WILL TELL YOU, IT IS GOOD TO HAVE A CHECK LIST FOR BOTH GOOD TIMES AND FOR WHAT TO DO IN TIMES OF TROUBLE.

Pilots have them and use them and they have helped to save many lives that might have been lost if they had not been available and if they had not been used.

All 4 Gospels tell of the Disciples and at least 1 storm they got into listening to Jesus’ instructions.

The following is a Storm Checklist for Christians; to help them through the Storms of Life.

I. TEXT: Matthew 14:22-33

22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

(KJV)

II. CALM DOWN

^Look at Disciples reaction to the sighting of Jesus (V26) - "thought it was a spirit" - they reverted to their old ’SEAFARING WAY OF THINKING’ {the sighting of a spirit on the water signaled death approaching}

Jesus had to say in V 27 " be not afraid"...... or in other words "calm down boys it’s me!"

A. WHEN IT’S IN THE LORD’S HANDS - THERE’S NO ROOM FOR FEAR

1.Psalms 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. (3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

2. Psalms 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?