Christ the Lord of Our Storms Jesus Walks on Water (Israel trip)

Introduction:

Jesus and his disciples have just left a crowd of 5,000 people after serving them a miraculous meal that Jesus provided from a small boys lunch of 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.

And as Evening comes Jesus tells his disciples to get into a boat and row across the sea of Galilee over to their home base in Capernaum

Look with me at John 6:16-21

“When evening came, Jesus disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.

When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.”

As we sit out here in the middle of the Same sea that the disciples where engulfed by I believe that there are a few truths about storms we can learn from their story

The first thing We can see from our story is that…

Jesus is the One who sent the disciples into the storm

Matthew 14: 22 -24 “Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.

Jesus who knows all things - including the fact that a great storm was about to come out of nowhere sent his disciples ahead of himself in a boat - straight into the heart of the storm.

Even though it didn’t make sense why Jesus wouldn’t go with them in the boat. the disciples simply obeyed.

They got into the boat and began to row across the sea.

• Jesus sent them in a direction that He knew a storm was coming that would test their faith because this is what was best for their lives.

• When it comes to our lives how well do we truly trust in the sovereign plan that God has laid out for us?

• too many times we think that we need to have a say in what God is doing in our lives Don’t we/ We think that we still know whats best for our lives.

We need to to simply follow trusting that God Soveringly knows whats best for our lives- including our storms.

• Transition: Our story goes on and we find .....

The disciples where engulfed by the power of storm

Listen to how Matthew describes the storm

Matthew 14:23-24 “...When evening came, Jesus was still there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.”

• the apostle John uses the greek word Diegeiro to descibe the storm which means to “wake up” He was saying The sea awoke around them....

• So here are the tired disciples in the middle of the sea caught in the middle of the storm that seemed insurmountable.

• Christians - Sometimes we find ourself in this type of predicament in our life.

• Life is going well, things seem good all around us. we are happy, we have peace, and then out of nowhere a storm comes into our peaceful lives and turns everything upside down, and we cannot seem to find a way to escape no matter where we look.

• If you are like me you have been through many of these storms in your life.

You have been where the disciples were in the middle of the storm

but we can know this. That just like the disciples- Every storm that comes into our lives is only there because that was God’s sovereign plan for us.

• As we continue on in our story listen to what Mark said in

Mark 6:47 -48 “And [Jesus] saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.”

Jesus saw their struggles and He came to their rescue.

• Jesus doesn’t abandon his disciples in the storm, he doesn’t leave them alone to fight the waves by themselves.

Jesus Came (to rescue the disciples) in the midst of the storm.

These men were exhausted physically and mentally from serving the crowds, and now They had been rowing and rowing for hours and getting nowhere stuck in the middle of the sea in the middle of the storm. I am sure that Fear and anxiety where already set in. and the sense of hopeless was upon them.

and as they are rowing trying to gain any momentum - one of them looks back out across the water and sees a figure of man walking towards them on top of the waves- getting closer and closer to them.

Matthew- As a man who would have been in the boat - describes their reaction to seeing Jesus in Matthew 14:26-27 “But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear”

Can you image the guy who saw Jesus walking towards them first? (act like your rowing- “Uhh guys- I know I’m tired but I’m pretty sure there is someone follow us on the water!”

just think about the conversations of fear they were having in that boat at that time. “He’s getting closer- Row harder!!!!”

Jesus heard their cry of fear and he Immediately spoke peace to them.

listen to what it says in Matthew 14:26-27 “But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

• Jesus told these fearful men to “have courage- Be strong do not be afraid because I am here in the midst of the storm with you.”

• Christians, As we go through storms in our life, the storm may look different than the disciple’s storm but the promise from Jesus is the same.

• God never leaves us in the middle of a storm to endure on our own. He is right there with us offering us His peace, if we will only put our faith in Him.

Our story goes on in Matthew 14 verses 26-32

Matt. 14:26-32 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.”

• I love Peter- I can relate to him in so many ways. Every time Peter speaks he seems to put his foot in his mouth Right? He’s quick witted, and many times acts before he thinks, but boy does this man have a heart to love and follow Jesus.

Peter wanted in on this miracle didn’t he… “ I want to walk on Water”

and so he jumped out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus,

but Notice- when his focus turned from Jesus and onto the storm around him his fear set in and he began to sink. He became overwhelmed with his surroundings and He cries “Lord, save me!!!”

Think about what has just happened.

When the disciples were in the middle of the storm and all they could see around them was the waves crashing up against their boat, their hearts were fearful because they couldn’t see any hope.

But when the saw Jesus the fear turned into peace, because they looked to Him instead of the storm.

And when Peter got out of the boat looking at Jesus He had no fear. But the second he took his eyes off of Him and focused on the storm He became engulfed with fear and cried out for help!.

Christian, How often are we just like the disciples when we go through trials in our lives?

Most trials don’t come in gradually they “wake up” around us like a great storm’

and when all we can see is the storm around us we let fear and anxiety overtake our peace.

You can not find peace in a storm without looking to Jesus!

Our story goes on to tell us that when they brought Jesus into the boat with them the storm Immediately STOPPED

That storm did not last 1 second longer than Jesus wanted it to last.

Jesus Had Power over the Storm and He delivered the disciples from the storm at just the right time.

The moment he was done teaching and growing their faith the storm immediately stopped.

Christian, Trials are what God uses in your lives to grow our faith.

and it’s in the midst of these trials that we are tempted to look away from Jesus and out at the storm.

Satan loves to make us doubt our faith in Jesus, He wants us to look at the storm and feel overwhelmed.

But instead of letting fear and anxiety creep in— cling to the truth that God will not let the storm last 1 more second then he has planned for you.

Finally, We read about the response of the disciples after Jesus Rescues them from the storm.

Matt 14:32-33 “And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

The disciples worshipped Jesus

When Jesus Brings us through the storms in our life our response should be to worship him and thank him for the storm.

Thank him that he is growing your faith, THANK HIM THAT HE NEVER LEFT YOUR SIDE.

Bring it Home

“When trials come into your life- and they will - Know that God is the one who is Sovereign over that storm and He wants to use it for your Good and His glory- look to Jesus- keep your eyes on him. Don’t let the storm tempt you to look away.”

And when the storm ceases remember to praise the One who is sovereign over that storm.

Pray