Fear and Faith - Three Questions

Mark 4:35–41 (ESV)

35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

What do you fear? The world is not a safe place. It is dangerous. In this morning’s passage (Mark 4:35-41) the disciples’ obedience to Jesus’ takes them into harm’s way. They respond with fear. Jesus asks, “Why are you so afraid?” The question is designed to teach the disciples (us) about the relationship to faith and fear.

1. A question about Fear

2. A question about Faith

3. A question about Identity

Context

· Mark 1-3 Jesus announces arrival of kingdom of God and demonstrates his authority.

· Mark 4:1-34 Jesus teaches the kinds of hearts that will or will not receive this kingdom.

· Mark 4:35-39 They encounter a life-threatening storm.

Mark 4:40a Why are you so afraid (timid, cowardly, lacking confidence)? The question is not being asked out of frustration. He is not asking so he can learn something, he is asking so they can learn something about fear and about faith.

· Obvious answer – because we all have an aversion to drowning.

o Definition of Fear - an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.

o Fear (at its core) is an instinct - It helps us respond to danger by fleeing, fighting, or fixing it.

· The Spirit and purpose of Jesus question – he is not impatient; he wants to teach them.

· Problem – is not the treat but how we process it. Mark 4:38 don’t you care…

o My Complaint 1998 – I got in the boat, so this should not be happening (Ryan’s illness).

o Your Complaint – what fear has prompted you to question God’s love. Gordon Lightfoot. “Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?

o Fear is not in and of itself the problem, the problem is their fear has led to mistrust.

Mark 4:40b Have you still no faith?

· The faith Jesus is questioning is not faith in faith – a nonsensical feeling that nothing bad will happen. Bad things happen. No, he is referring to their faith in him and the promises he has made. Unlike fear, faith is not a hard wire instinct it is a volitional choice to place your trust in a promise based upon your knowledge of the person’s ability to deliver on that promise.

· The promise – Mark 4:35 Lets go to the other side.

o Did I tell you there would be no storms? No.

o Did I not say we were going to the other side? Yes.

Mark 4:41 Who is this guy?

· The Storm is over. Why were they filled with great fear?

· Who is this guy? He is the Lord of the Storm. They have not lost their instinct to fear that which is dangerous. They guy in the boat is altogether good, but he is not safe.

· We cannot not fear. We will always fear something. The question is whether we fear that which is worth fearing.

Matthew 10:28 (ESV)28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

How can he say this? How can he be so sure? The sign of Jonah. Matthew 12 Jonah…. Jesus was thrown overboard. Jesus takes the sting out of death.

Questions for the Bible Study

Read Mark 4:35-41

1. What is fear?

2. Describe a time in your life when you were afraid?

3. What kind of things do you fear today (causes you anxiety, worry, etc.)?

4. What do the disciples accuse Jesus of before he calms the storm?

5. What two questions does Jesus ask the disciples after he calms the storm?

6. The disciples don’t answer his questions but why do you think they were afraid? Would you have been afraid? Why or why not?

7. Jesus asks the disciples why they are so afraid (timid, cowardly, lacking confidence) while the storm was raging. But after the sea is calm the disciples are said to have great fear (terror). Why do you think they are in great fear?

8. What question do the disciples ask that ends this story? How does that explain their new fear.

9. In one sense Jesus seems to be very approachable. Then in another sense his disciples are filled with fear when they consider who he is. How can he be both? (See Matthew 10:28)

10. On a scale of 1-10 how seriously to you take the Jesus’ words.

Sermon Outline

Fear and Faith – 3 Questions… What do you fear? The world is not a safe place. It is dangerous. In this morning’s passage (Mark 4:35-41) the disciples’ obedience to Jesus’ takes them into harm’s way. They respond with fear. Jesus asks 2 questions designed to teach the disciples (us) about the relationship to faith and fear.

1. A question about Fear

2. A question about Faith

3. A question about Identity

Context

• Mark 1-3. Announces and demonstrates his authority as King.

• Mark 4:1-34 Teaches on who receives the kingdom.

• Mark 4:35-39 Encounter a life-threatening storm.

Mark 4:40a Why are you so afraid (timid, cowardly, lacking confidence)?

· The Spirit and purpose of Jesus question – he is not impatient; he wants to teach them.

o Definition of Fear - an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.

o Fear is an instinct – fear of drowning is legitimate, that’s not the problem

· Problem – is not the threat but how we process it. Mark 4:38 don’t you care…

o My Complaint 1998 – (Ryan’s illness).

o Your Complaint – what fear has prompted you to question God’s love.

o Everyone is afraid at times; the problem is when fear leads to mistrust.

Mark 4:40b Have you still no faith?

· Not faith in faith (as in feeling nothing bad will ever happen).

· The faith Jesus refers to is trusting him to make good on his promises…

· Where is the promise? Mark 4:35 Lets go to the other side.

o Did I tell you there would be no storms? No.

o Did I not say we were going to the other side? Yes.

Mark 4:41 Who is this guy?

· The Storm (threat) is over but now they are filled with GREAT FEAR…

· Who is this guy? He is the Lord of the Storm. Jesus is good but not safe.

· Everyone fears something. Will your fear lead to life or death? Matthew 10:2828 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

· Matthew 12 and the sign of Jonah

Communion – 1 Corinthians 11:23-26