FOR A SEASON AND A REASON

Luke 8:22-25

Quiet Time Devotion.

a. Title: For a season and a reason

i. The passage is from Luke 8

ii. The story is of Jesus in a boat with the disciples.

b. Tina and I have been on the Sea of Galilee

i. It was an awesome experience.

ii. Image.

iii. Picture of a fishing boat.

c. A little geography lesson.

i. 3D video.

ii. Because of the “sea” location it is prone to violent storms.

iii. It is 680 feet below sea level.

iv. Capernaum the home base of Peter John etc. and Jesus.

Jesus was tired.

a. Imagine the scene!

i. We are going to see both the humanity of Jesus as well as his divinity.

ii. No doubt Jesus had been teaching all day and was tired.

iii. Jesus wants to cross the lake.

Luke 8:22–24b NLT

One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.

v. One of those storms had come and was swamping the boat.

1. No doubt people had drowned in the lake.

vi. Jesus is taking a nap

b.Jesus as God the creator.

Luke 8:24–25 NLT

The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”

ii. Jesus calms the storm!

Where is your faith?

iv. That is the question of day!

Finding Peace in the Chaos!

The storms of life.

i. The metaphor is clear.

ii. As the disciples faced the stormy weather…

iii. We as children of God face storms in our lives.

iv. Every day there is a new challenge.

v. Around every corner is uncertainty.

vi. An enemy that shakes the very core of our faith.

The disciples fear.

i. These disciples were experienced fishermen.

ii. Yet they were gripped by fear.

iii. Despite their expertise in navigating the sea. They are powerless against the storm.

iv. In times of trouble.

Fear can cloud our judgment, making it difficult to trust God's plan.

Jesus’ Power and Authority.

i. In their distress, where do the disciples turn?

ii. To Jesus who was sleeping in the boat.

iii. When they awaken him, he rebukes the wind and the raging water.

iv. Miraculously, the storm subsides.

v. Demonstrating Jesus's power and authority over nature.

vi. Jesus, the Creator.

vii. This reminds us. That Christ is sovereign over all creation.

viii. Jesus can calm the storms in our lives.

The Call to Faith.

i. After calming the storm, Jesus turns to his disciples and ask.

ii. “Where is your faith?”

iii. What a great question to ask in our own struggles.

iv. This prompts us to trust God even when the circumstances seem dire.

1. Maybe you are at the end of the rope?

2. You can't see the light at the end of the tunnel.

3. You think there is no hope.

v. Trust in this, the power of God is greater than any storm we may encounter.

Finding Peace in the Storm.

For a season and a reason

i. Just like thunderstorms, all trials are passing in nature.

1. They are for a season and a reason.

ii. Do not make the mistake of thinking your circumstances will never change or that they will destroy you.

God is with you!

i. You do not have to give in.

ii. You do not have to sink beneath your struggles.

iii. You do not have to be defeated by your troubles.

iv. They are for a season.

They are for a reason.

i. You can face them, confront them, challenge them, deal with them, and—in the end—overcome them.

ii. You can have the victory because your all-sufficient God is with you!

iii. He is in the boat with you.

The hope of our salvation.

a. Allow that truth to give you hope.

i. To give you joy.

ii. To comfort your heart.

iii. He is in the boat with you.