How deep is your Faith?

Luke 8:22–25 NKJV

22 Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. 23 But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”

I was recently on a flight back from Denver, Colorado. A red-eye flight that left Denver at Midnight and scheduled to land in Boston at 5am. As any other flight you board the aircraft, and if you are like me, you begin to take an account of the people around you. I knew that based on my schedule that I would be exhausted and need every bit of rest I could possibly get. 24 hours prior to my flight I checked in online and chose my seat. My intent was that I would do everything I would to not have 3 people in my row- as to say I wanted to sit alone so I could stretch out. Well, I boarded and what do you know, I sat by the window and a very nice lady sat at the aisle seat, but noone in between us. She kindly leaned over and asked, “Did we get this lucky?” As the flight was about to depart from the gate she began to ask about what I do and who I am. A moment when I wanted rest- someone wanted to talk!

As the flight took off this lady kept asking me “was that noise normal?” While over Wisconsin, the captain gave over the PA and explained we would be experiencing moderate turbulence. Turbulence I guess! It was so bad, perhaps some of the worst I have seen. The woman gently leaned over again and asked, “What is your opinion on this?”

I had a choice at that very moment :) As an aviator and aircraft mechanic I could have either exaggerated the situation or seek to keep her calm. The seats were shaking, the wings were wagging like a dogs tail, and I chose to keep her calm.

My question for you when a storm is brewing and the clouds begin to darken...

“How Deep is your Faith?”

Who are we?

Vs 21 sets us up with who we are in Christ. Sometimes in storms we can get disoriented. Spatial disorientation is the cause of 10% of aircraft crashes, however the fatality rate is almost 90%. I believe it is important to revisit who we are in Christ often, in preparation for the transition into and throughout various storms. It is amazing how days can go by. We make so many decisions and choices throughout one given day. We either seek to include God in that process, or we totally exclude Him. Preparing ourselves for these moments and who we are produce a cohesiveness through the rough waters.

While on my outbound flight to Denver I was sitting on a very full flight, a small peuro Rican between myself and another large man. _Example- “The man began to talk about His faith and how he is a Baptist Minister_ I thought- this poor Poerto Rican is wedged between two 250 lbs + baptists.

2. We must launch out

Spiritually; Locally and Globally, Financially, Intellectually

Why did they seek to go to the other side?

3) We should expect storms to arise.

If we are with Christ, why wouldn’t we expect to experience tumultuous storms in life? This is a good indicator that we are with Him. IE. of the Son who asked the dad why is that when we begin to get serious about following Jesus that it gets tough?

While at blueberry MTN Bible camp I spoke about storms to the 7-9 year olds. What I didnt expect was who may be going through the storms- the helpers! Example!

4. We embrace Who He is because of the storm.

In our perspective He is more of a Savior in hard times than smooth times. This is because we realize we actually need Him.

Throughout the storm we sometimes listen to other voices that interfere with the still small voice that actually calms everything. Vs 35 explains that man after being redeemed from Demon Possession was now “clothed and in his right Mind”. One of the best things we can do throughout the storm is to listen to the right voice (Vs 21).

Sometimes these storms break out in the worst time. He was tired from a full day of ministry, but His Spirit had the power! This storm was a “great” windstorm”. This type of storm surely would have made it on one of those chasing tornado storms”. Weather is impressive, and this storm seems to be impressive enough to scare experienced shipmates. Mark 4:35-37

Mark 4:35–37 NKJV

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.

These voices can stem from what we see in verses 14 that hinder the seed from taking up residents or root up in our lives.

I love what Steve Lawson says, “Sanctification is progressive. We are like a flower just waiting to turn and look towards the Son, seeking the water that provides life so that growth may take place. How did is our Faith? How is our root system? Do we seek to launch into the deep with Jesus?

Can we look back on our experiences and see the difference of how we handle the impact of a storm differently from previous encounters? We should!

Some of you are considering taking a trip to Israel. Can you imagine being on that journey with Jesus? I mean, what an experience!

Can we all realize tonight that He is with us on our journey each day? What do these verses explain?

Throughout our time in the book of Luke more recently we have seen encounters of people being proven by their faith (vs. 48). The woman at Jesus’s feet was released of her storm because of her faith. Many who were healed had faith. The ministering that would happen on the other side of the lake, a women who touched Jesus in the crowd, would be recognized by her faith. Their faith in who He is.

It explains that our God seeks to see us grow. It explains that He is our refuge and strong tower in the midst of a store. It explains that all the elements around us proclaim that we are perishing, but He provides life! And in the end, there is a calming Spirit and presence surrounded around who He is. We see here the power of Jesus is spoken through God. Jesus Himself trusted God that He could even command the sea and waves to obey His voice. To calm the situation. Isnt that what our God seeks to do in our present day? In essence, isnt that what God sought to do through His son on the cross?

“He often puts us in the storms of life in order that we might come closer to Him and learn what manner of Man He really is”- Mcgee

Through the storm we must keep the faith! We cant look to the left or the right- but keep the faith! Faith has an interesting association with water in our Bibles. We have plenty of examples of storms and situations that people face and the need for Jesus to be on their boat!

1)Moses’s mother at the river- Faith during a storm.

2)Noah and the Ark- Faith-

3) Elijah’s message to Ahab at the alter- water to fire- an act of Faith to proclaim who God is!

4) Jonah fleeing Nineveh- Lack of Faith- He didn't want to launch.

5) Peter walking on water- Faith- With Jesus- but not trusting fully.

6) Woman at the well- Faith- in a difficult situation where she had to be identified with who she was in Christ.

Rooted Lyrics:

You plant me in the meadows Where my desert heart can bloom You break the fields of fallow ground And my spirit begins to grow in You

And I will ever be rooted in You, God Ever be rooted in You, Lord Ever be rooted in You

Oh I will ever be rooted in You, God Ever be rooted in You, Lord Ever be rooted in You

You lift these broken branches Graft me into the vine Oh God of second chances I know You're leading me into harvest time Yeah, You're leading me into harvest time

And I will ever be rooted in You, God Ever be rooted in You, Lord Ever be rooted in You

Oh I will ever be rooted in You, God Ever be rooted in You, Lord Ever be rooted in You

No, I won't be moved when the world tries to bend me I'm firmly grounded in truth that has saved me Jesus, You save me