UNWAVERING FAITH- MARK 4:35-40

UNWAVERING FAITH - MARK 4:35-40

INTRO: birthday celebrations cause reflections. Good times; stormy times. THE STORM OF 1986.

Jesus had been using many parables to teach about the Kingdom.

The reason Jesus used parables was for the 2 groups present at His teaching…believers and unbelievers.

Believers have UNWAVERING FAITH in God.

Mt 21:22 “You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.””

Mk 11:22-24 “Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”

Hebrews 11:6 “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

YES! Believers have UNWAVERING FAITH in God. Yet our faith must be perfected. Not just words, but real FAITH.

BELIEVERS HAVE UNWAVERING FAITH IN HIS WORD - 35-37

Jesus said “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”

DEFINITE!

He didn’t say “Possibly” Maybe” Let’s try.” DEFINITE!

Many times the Lord is directing us to “the other side”...

...of our comfort zone; unfamiliar cultures-AFRICA.

The Disciples started but suddenly, a storm broke out.

Life is funny like that…all of sudden, a storm.

Storms are frightening. You think “I won’t survive”...“Lord, take me now”...that God doesn’t care.

And if that’s how you are feeling right now, take courage…BECAUSE JESUS IS IN THE STORM WITH YOU.

BELIEVE HIS WORD AND NEVER FEAR.

THAT’S UNWAVERING FAITH.

BELIEVERS HAVE UNWAVERING FAITH IN HIS PRESENCE (RELY ON HIM) - 38-39

The disciples exhausted all their efforts BEFORE they going to Jesus.

THEY HAD FORGOTTEN WHAT HE SAID. The Storm became the focus.

Jesus wouldn’t lead you into the storm to destroy you. What sense does that make?

In the storm we cry “LORD DON’T YOU CARE?”...About MASS SHOOTINGS (Louisville bank, Tennessee 6); DISHONEST SUPREME COURT JUSTICES; DECEITFUL POLITICIANS.

When we focus on those things we are focusing on the storm and relying on human abilities…NOT THE POWER OF HIS PRESENCE.

<AS BELIEVERS WE SHOULD BE STANDING FOR GUN CONTROL; STANDING AGAINST POLITICAL INJUSTICE.>

SEE, THE STORM IS NOT WHERE YOU FACE YOUR DOOM, IT’S WHERE YOU MEET YOUR GOD.

How long before you turn to Jesus? BEFORE YOU HAVE UNWAVERING FAITH IN HIS PRESENCE?

EX 33:14 “The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you,...I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”

JAM 4:8 “8 Draw near to God, and God will draw near to you...purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”

SO, TRUST in His PRESENCE to be with you in the storms of life.

BELIEVERS HAVE UNWAVERING FAITH IN HIS POWER - 39-40

The storm’s purpose was to place the focus where it rightfully belonged...Not on the winds or the waves BUT the One who has POWER over the storm...

Jesus stood up and spoke to the storm...rebuked the winds and waves. “Peace. Be Still.”

JESUS STANDS UP AND SPEAKS TO THE STORM OF MARRIAGE; CHILDREN; FAMILY DISCORD.

Because On the “other side” there IS ministry (the demonic). That’s Jesus’ purpose.

LET YOUR FAITH REST IN HIS POWER.

POWER to SAVE...Jesus came to save sinners not to calm storms. Lk 5:32 “I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

POWER to HEAL…Ps 147:3 “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.” Life hurt/Church hurt.

POWER to DELIVER…Mt. 6:13 “but deliver us from the evil one.”

CLOSE: The enemy useS the storm to make you anxious, afraid, hurt, distracted and discouraged.

God INTENDS for you to be fearless, secure, and UNWAVERING.

Jesus will calm the storms in your life. But even if he does not, you can believe that He will transform you, because He loves you.

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 “16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.

17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!”

I pray your UNWAVERING FAITH will keep you focused on His WORD, His PRESENCE, and His POWER!