Surviving the Storms.

Mark 4:35-41

Introduction:

- 38 years ago, I received and invitation by the Great Commander to navigate with Him the waters of La Habra and neighboring cities. Just as He instructed Noah to build the ark, he also led me to build a boat. The boat was baptized IBF.

- During most of those years, it’s been an easy ride, but I must confess that we have gone thru a few storms. Storms that threatened to sink the boat but, thanks to Christ, the boat is still afloat.

- For you, the boat may represent your marriage, your family, your business, or something else. The storms want to sink it!

Background:

- According to Matt, right after He told them to get into the boat, 2 men came (one scribe, one disciple) and the first one said, “I’ll follow you wherever you go”. Jesus answered, “foxes have holes and birds have nests…” Are you sure you want to follow me? It will not be an easy ride! The second one, “Let me bury my father first…” Is your father more important than me?

- A tempestuous wind. The area is famous for that. Topographical configuration…

Storms last only a while.

They’re very short in comparison to times of calm.

- When I think of these 38 years, I realize that 3 storms are nothing in comparison with the years of peace and blessing.

- Think about your life. Review the tape and you’ll see that God has been kind to you; that the sufferings are nothing in comparison with the blessings.

The problem is that man tends to focus only on the difficult times instead of good times.

Only as to fulfill their purpose.

- God has a purpose in every storm He allows. We all need them. Recently, So Cal needed a lot rain. God sent enough rain, to the point that, the following year, Californians were afraid of floods when the snow would melt.

I see 3 purposes of the storms:

- To replenish the earth.

- To drag the accumulated debris.

- Make us better navigators.

Storms must be seen as opportunities.

To test or exercise our faith.

- It is in difficult moments of life that our faith is tested by God and examined by ourselves. Then is when you ask, “Do I really believe?”

- Jesus rebuked the storm, but He also rebuked the disciples: “Do you still have no faith?”. With all the miracles they had witnessed, it was about time to believe in Him and that they were safe with Him.

To seek our Commander’s help.

- The disciples made the mistake everybody does: to depend on their abilities first, and to go to Jesus at last. Maybe they did not want to bother Him. He never gets bothered when we seek His help. He’s always available.

Matthew 11:28 NASB95

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

John 6:37 NASB95

“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.

To see God’s power.

- Only the Creator, Jesus Christ, can rebuke and make the storms still. He made it, He brought it, and only He can make it disappear!

- As the Creator, there’s no illness so grave He cannot cure, there’s no financial need so big He cannot supply, and there’s no emotional wound He cannot heal.

Storms help us realize who we are.

Some are just passengers.

- These are the ones who ride the boat for the fun of it. Just as the name indicates “passenger”, they are just passing by. As long as the water is calm, they’ll remain in the boat. As soon as the water gets choppy, they want to get down ASAP. Some jump overboard; others cry “take me to shore…” These people abandon the boat in the next port.

- They’re not prepared to fight the storms, and never will. Some got drown; others will never ride a boat ever again. They’ll never become sailors.

Some are part of the crew.

- The crew is made up of those who work in the boat. They pull the rigs, set the sails, move the oars, drain-off the water. They are there to stay because they have learned to trust in the Great Commander.

- Yes, storms scared them a little, but did not scare them away, storms did not make them flee.

- These are the ones who make it to their destiny, to the other side.

- Are you a passenger or a crew member?

Storms will not sink the boat if Christ is in it.

- No matter how tempestuous the storm is in your life, let Christ take control and your boat will not capsize.

Place the rudder of your boat in His hands and let Him guide to safe ports. Your finances, your marriage, family, career, studies, etc.