Mark 4_35_41 saftey in the storm - reduced outline

Test: Mark 4:35–41.

Title: Safety during the storm

Intro: Wang Ming – Dao

20th Century Chinese protestant pastor – Imprisoned for his faith in 1955 for failure to join the communist state-controlled church along with his wife and 18 church members. After several months in Jail and brain washing and other mistreatments, he signed a document professing to be a “false prophet,” and was released from prison. After suffering from a possible nervous breakdown Wang recanted, convinced that he had betrayed Christ, he repeated over and over, "I am Peter. I am Judas." When his mind returned, he and his wife agreed that he must tell the authorities that his statement had been made under duress and did not represent his true feelings. The pastor was immediately returned to prison and his wife was sentenced, too. Rearrested in 1957 He would spend the next twenty-three years in a Chinese prison.

In 1972 the U.S. reestablished diplomatic relations with China and human rights organizations began to pressure China to release Mr. Wang. In 1979 they tried to release Mr. Wang but he refused to leave until his name was cleared. 1980 China forced Mr. Wang out of prison

Arrested for faithfully proclaiming the word of God.

Jesus had been in the boat at the seashore teaching in parables, saying “the Sower sows the Word.” Last week – responsibility of the Sower- reliability of the seed -receptivity of the soil. Jesus is teaching the disciples, getting them ready for their ministry. They leave the shore line and soon will encounter a great storm.

CPS: Our obedience to the Lord will not keep us from the storms of life but we can find peace in knowing that He is going through the storm with us.

Directions of Jesus vs.35-36

NB) the disciples received direction from Jesus – let us go to the other side. They obeyed and they set out in their boat going to the eastside of the Sea of Galilee

Going to the region of the Gadarenes Mk 5:1.

Who are the Gadarenes?

Why would they go there? Out cast

-The disciples were being obedient – they were in the center of God’s will! They had Jesus physically with them, going to partake in ministry! (peace and harmony)

Transition: Chapel speaker “to be in the center of God’s will is not the safest place to be but it is the best place to be.”

Difficulty with Jesus vs. 37-38

•Weren’t very large boats

The Sea of Galilee is infamous for sudden squalls

-700 feet Hills 1500ft Mt. Gilead 3000ft

Hills cool and dry - other side semi tropical warm moist air

Air pressure move from high to low creating wind - greater the pressure greater the wind.

Winds funneled through hills creating tempest (violent storm)

subject to sudden storms - 10ft waves recorded

Illustration: Have you ever been in a storm on the Ocean? First time I went Deep Sea fishing – Seas – holding on for dear life – awful afraid

Many of these men were fishermen – they had spent many nights on the Sea of Galilee

Vs. 37 Great Storm (Megas) Loud/great – Paint a picture of loud winds – waves crashing over the boat – Boat filling up with water! Appeared to be sinking THEY HAD NOT BEEN IN A STORM LIKE THIS BEFORE!

Disciples are anxious – they are afraid for their lives.

Vs. 38 Jesus is in the back of the boat asleep on a cushion

woke Him up

asleep shows confidence - time hadn’t come - purpose

Faith - appointed time.

Transition: Belonging to Jesus isn’t going to keep us exempt difficult times.

The Display of Jesus vs. 39-41

Rebuked and be still – same words used in Mark 1:25 - conducted exorcism

-Could imply a demonic element to the storm – it was a bad storm

Regardless – Jesus does what only God can do

Stopped the great winds and - 10 feet or greater to smooth like a mirror.

He brought peace

Jesus asked why were you so afraid, how is it you have no faith!

They should have had faith rather than fear

He had taught with authority and acted with authority (healings, casting out demons)

Didn’t they know Who was with them?

At Jesus’ display of power they became terrified and question who is He that even the sea obeys Him?

The Bible tells us!

Ps 107:28–32. 28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, And he bringeth them out of their distresses. 29 He maketh the storm a calm, So that the waves thereof are still. 30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; So he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

God was in the boat with them!

Application: Original audience persecution – dispersion from homes and cities (Rome) many lost their lives

NB) The display of Jesus as He calmed the sea shows that He is the Sovereign Son of God.

God the Son – God in the flesh

To the original audience – they could find peace and comfort that Jesus was with them and they should have faith rather than fear!

Following Jesus’ directions doesn’t exempt us from difficulty

Jesus is with us every step of the way.

Things may not end the way we want but we know the outcome of God’s will is always good for us.

Romans 8:28

NB) If Jesus doesn’t make it calm around us, He will make it calm in us

Are you committed to Jesus Christ?

If you are you will go through storms

The only place you will find comfort is in Jesus

The only place you will find peace is in Jesus

Be Proactive not Reactive!

Sit down and talk to the Prince of Peace and you can sit down and let the Prince of Peace talk to you.

1st Plead you case to God in faith – Disciples pled to God, but not in faith – “don’t you care that we are about to perish”

2nd open the Scriptures! Read in faith: God will speak to you! Be proactive – Live to read and meditate on the Word of God.

Personal Devotions be consistent and meaningful

Practically apply God’s Word to your life everyday

NB) I don’t have to win – God wins

The Only way Wang Ming-Dao could survive 23 years in prison was by the peace of the Lord.

Conclusion: Christians find great storms in life, even if you are being obedient to Jesus. Even while He gives directions or assignments, callings this does not exempt us from great storms we will have to endure.

Invitation: