The Miracle in the Storm

Luke 8:22 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.

Luke 8:23 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.

Luke 8:24 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.

Luke 8:25 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!”

Introduction

In Luke, chapter 8 versus 22 through 25 we witnessed the remarkable account of Jesus commonly violent storm well ceiling on the sea of Galilee. This event teachers as valuable lessons about faith, trust, and the power of Jesus Christ. I want us to explore these key lessons at the miracle of the storm.

Luke 8:22 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.

Title: The Miracle in the Storm: Finding Hope and Peace in Jesus

Text: Luke 8:22-25

INTRODUCTION

We lived in South Carolina for a year and a half. During that time we encountered some pretty fierce rain storms. There were time the rain was so bad that we couldn’t see. I have never had to face a physical storm where our lives were in danger. We have faced many personal storms that we felt like God was not in control.

EXPLAIN THE VERSE

Notice two things in this verse leading up to the account of the disciples’ encounter with a stormy sea.

First, they obeyed Jesus by getting in the boat and were thus in the middle of God’s will.

Sometimes he sends trials when we are in the center of his will because he has something bigger for us to experience. Second, as the following verses show, the disciples soon forgot Jesus’s word.

He told them, Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake. Thus, whatever happened along the way, they were going to reach the other side.

I. Everyone of us will face storms.

- 1: Storms are inevitable in life.

John 16:33 - "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

What storms are you facing? What trials are testing your face.

God never promised that we wouldn’t have troubles.

2004 we faced a crisis as a family. 2005 my mom was diagnosed with cancer. 2007 my mom and dad divorced. 2008 My mother passed away…huge loss…daughter faced a personal crisis that impacted our family… 2018 faced a storm as a church and lost over 2/3 our congregation. Storms are a part of life.

- 2: Storms come in various forms.

James 1:2–3 “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”

Financial, Medical, Residential, Relational, emotional, spiritual.

For every storm there is an outcome.

- 3: Storms can leave us feeling overwhelmed and fearful.

Psalm 69:1-2 - "Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold."

God won’t take you into something that He doesn’t have control over. He is with you in EVERY STORM.

No matter what you may be facing. Jesus is with us!

II. It’s not how you survive the storm, but who you have with you in your storm.

Explain verses 23-24.

- 1: The presence of Jesus in the storm makes all the difference.

Matthew 28:20 - "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Its in times of hardship that we forget that we have Jesus on our side. The miracle in the storm is that we have Jesus. As long as I have Jesus…

I could lose everything…as long as I have Jesus

I could face death …. as long as I have Jesus

- 2: Jesus is not only with us, but He cares for us deeply.

1 Peter 5:7 - "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Cast - epiripto - To cast or heave as in a load on to a beast of burden.

Matthew 11:28 ““Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

- 3: Having faith in Jesus enables us to find peace amidst the storm.

Isaiah 26:3 - "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you."

Perfect Peace -

The word "shalom" is a Hebrew term that is often translated as "peace" in English.

However, it encompasses a broader and deeper meaning than just the absence of conflict or turmoil.

Shalom carries a sense of wholeness, well-being, and harmony in various aspects of life - spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically, and relationally.

In its fullest sense, shalom describes a state of completeness, prosperity, and thriving that comes from being in a harmonious and right relationship with God, others, and oneself.

It signifies a state of flourishing, where everything is in proper order and alignment according to God's intended design.

III. Jesus has authority over every storm you face.

Luke 8:24 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.

Luke 8:25 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!”

- 1: Jesus demonstrated His power over the natural elements.

Mark 4:39 - "He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm."

John 1:1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:2 He existed in the beginning with God.

John 1:3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.

This was a demonstration of the creator taking authority over the creation. The one who made God’s word manifest.

There are things that happen that are part of nature and there are things that are out of divine order.

God has authority to set what is out of order back into right order.

If the wind and the waves obey Him how much more will your situation come into

- 2: Jesus has authority over the storms within us.

Psalm 107:29 - "He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed."

What storms are raging right now in your life?

Its in these storms that we panic and throw caution to the wind.

- 3: Trusting Jesus means surrendering control over our storms to Him.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

We may not understand the why the storm comes, but we can trust Him in the storm.

Closing:

As we face the storms of life, let us remember that we are not alone.

With Jesus by our side, we can find peace, hope, and the assurance that He holds authority over every storm we encounter.

Trust in His power and let Him bring you through the storms to a place of calm and victory.