The Raging Sea
Notes
Transcript
Introduction: Play the sound of the Surf on sand and against rocks.
Have them imagine they are on the beach enjoying the sound of the surf.
Talk about the surf and how it is peaceful sounding however, it is very destructive.
(Story about sinking in the sand as the waves continued coming)
Talk about the difference of sand and rock.
This brings to mind the parable of the foundations. House on Sand and House on the Rocks. Matthew 7:24-27
The raging surf inside us creates a lack of peace and a double mindedness.
So what does this have to do with anything? It has a lot to do with our prayer life.
Read: James 1:2-8
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Transitional Sentence: How can we be so much like the ocean upon the beach when it comes to prayer?
Testing to Increase Faith
a. What is testing? Testing is: Revealing a person’s capabilities by putting them under strain; a challenge.
b. Endurance - when we endure we can see God’s hand at work. Continue on without faltering. Endurance is: the ability to endure an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way.
c. Be perfect - lacking nothing (Spiritual). Peace, love, faith, grace, wisdom, mercy, patience and forgiveness - all the wonderful fruits of the spirit.
2. Faith Without Doubting (Double-mindedness) So how many of you are double minded? James 1:6
6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
a. Double-mindedness is doubting. Doubting is - A feeling of uncertainty or a lack of conviction.
The surf of the sea is double minded - it can’t decide if it wants to stay or go. (play the audio clip again)
b. Faith without doubting is like a body of water with no motion. Have you ever seen one? (Tell about the lake Louise in Banff) Faith is - complete trust or confidence in someone or something.
c. Luke 8:40-48 tells about the woman with a hemorrhage for 12 years. All she did was touch the hem of His garment and she was healed Luke 8:48
48 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
3. Expectations
a. Double minded (doubting) NOTHING!! James 1:7-8
7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
b. Single minded (All faith) Everything we ask for!! Especially Spiritual things James 1:5
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
c. So be Perfect - lacking nothing.
Exit: Christ is the Rock, Have the faith to stand on Him no matter what is going on around you.
Compare this to the parable of the house on the sand and the rock. The house is our life.
Our faith must be entirely on Him. Total conviction. What would happen with our prayer lives if we were able to do this?