Navigating the storms of life.

Intro: A few summers ago while scalloping we saw rain on the horizon but figured we had anther 40 minutes before it hit us. So we dove some more. I popped out of the water a few minutes later and decided we best leave because the rain was coming faster than expected. By the time I got the boat fired up and the anchor in we got nailed with the worst wind and rain I’ve ever experienced while on the water. We were about 7 miles from the mouth of the Steinhatchee river and we couldn't see 6 feet in front of us. The waves were crashing against us, we were tossed to and fro, and water was pooling up in the back of the boat in spite of the bilge pumping. We were all white knuckled as we held on to whatever rail was close by. Even with tee-tops and windshield I had to squint my eyes from the rain just to be able to see the GPS and all I could do was trust it to get us back to the boat docks. When we pulled up to the slip we standing in near ankle high water but praising Jesus because we arrived safely.

Our text is an eyewitness account about Jesus and His disciples getting caught in a sudden and fierce storm as they crossed the Sea of Galilee. The words used to describe the storm, “great storm of wind” implies that it was like a hurricane and their little boat appeared to be sinking. The Sea of Galilee is notorious for such storms as the cool mountain air above meets the low tropical air below. The disciples thought they were about to die so they woke up Jesus who had been sleeping at the stern. He awoke and rebuked the storm and the wind and waves died leaving the lake as smooth as a babies bottom.

This reminds us that The Christian life is not easy, we often encounter various storms of life. It has ben said that “We are either currently in a storm, coming out of a storm or about to enter a storm.” It could finical issues, health issues, family issues, oppression, and even persecution. Marks audience were no strangers to storms, they were being madly persecuted as they carried out Jesus’ mission across the known world. This eyewitness account has encouraged and strengthened disciples across the ages as they found themselves in storms of Life, teaches us to trust God completely as we navigate through them.

CPS: When you encounter storms in your life simply trust God. His promises, His presence, and His power are with you as you navigate your storm and they will see you through to the other side.

I. Trust in God’s Promises. (35)

It had been a long day of ministry as Jesus taught about the kingdom of God and how it grew. It grows through faithful seed planting. It had become evening and Jesus said take them us to the other side. The lessons were not complete, there was a test to pass and a soul to save. Along the way was a great storm and on the other side was a demonic who needed deliverance.

When Jesus said “Let us pass over unto the other side.” It was a promise! “Let us pass over” is the Greek verb Dierchomai in means to simply cross over. However, it is in the Aorist tense, implying the action has already happened. Implying that, though physically they had not reached the other side it was as good as already being there.

That’s how it is with God’s promises! You can deposit each of them in the bank. A promise from God can be depended on with absolute confidence. His Word Contains 8810 promises.... I will never leave thee (Heb. 13:5), I am thy shield (Gen 15:1), I will strengthen thee (Is. 41:10), I will help thee (Is. 41:10), I will go before you (John 10:4), I will give you rest (Matt. 11:28), I will forgive your sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). He has kept or will keep them all. That day He promised, “you will reach the other side.”

What storm are you facing? While in it remember God’s promises to you and stand upon them in faith! We are not promised a smooth trip but a guaranteed arrival! And by grace through faith even if we perish during the storm Jesus has seen to our safe arrival on the other shore.

ILL: I recall the words of Russel Carter: Standing on the promises that cannot fail. When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail. By the living Word of God shall I prevail. Standing on the promises of God.

II. Trust in God’s Presence (36)

The storms of life often come suddenly but they always come purposely. They teach us great truths about God’s faithfulness, and when the storm comes you must remember that He is with you! Verse 37 says, “They took Him along with them in the boat.” If you are indeed a Christian you are never alone, God is always with you! We can have comfort and peace as we navigate the storms of life because God is with us! * When we were children we always found comfort and peace in the presence of our parents!

ILL: One summer night during a severe thunderstorm Little Johnny’s mother was tucking him into bed. She was about to turn the light off when he asked in a trembling voice, “Mommy, will you stay with me all night?” Smiling, the mother gave him a warm, reassuring hug and said tenderly, “I can’t dear. I have to sleep in Daddy’s room.” A long silence followed. At last it was broken by a shaky little voice saying, “The big sissy!”

There is one with us who is greater than our mom and dad! He is the Lord of lords and King of kings! The Bible tells us that He is always with us! Deut 31:6, Josh. 1:5, Matthew 28:20.

The storms of life will come but you can have peace in them because of God’s presence. Peace is not the absence of trouble it is the presence of Jesus! Psalm 23:4.

Regardless of how scary and difficult your storm may be, when the waves are crashing over the side of your boat and your boat is filling up with water, when you can’t see what lies ahead of you due to the wind and rain. When it appears you are sinking and can’t go any further remember God loves you and is with you. When we recognize His glorious and mighty presence then we too can be found peaceful asleep at the stern of the boat.

III. Trust in God’s Power (39)

We are often anxious and troubled, afraid and desperate during the storms of life. I guess we don’t understand who our God is … He is the Sovereign of the universe who is seated on the throne and holding all power over the animate and inanimate. He is in complete control of the the universe, including the storms of life.

Mark portrays Jesus as the strong Son of God who does what only God can do! In Mark 2, He forgave sin while healing a paralytic In Mark 5 He delivers a man from 2,000 + demons, He brings a dead young girl to life, and stops the 12 year hemorrhage of a desperate woman. He is sovereign over the animate. Here we see Jesus is sovereign over the inanimate too. Only God can command the wind Sea… Ps. 107:23-30

This storm was fierce indeed. at least 4 of these disciples are experienced fishermen and they were scared to death. Once Jesus was awake He simply commanded the storm and sea to be quite and still! Peace be still simply means He muzzled the storm and sea and it remained so. Its the same thing He told the unclean spirit of Mark 1:25. Implying that perhaps this storm had been an attempt of Satan to destroy Jesus and His disciples. But, no power on earth, under the earth, or in heaven can match that of Jesus. He told the storm to be quite and still and it ceased and there was a great calm. Great is the Greek Adjective megas it used 3 times to describe the fierceness of the storm, the quietness of the wind and sea, as well as the fear of the disciples after witnessing Jesus power. *The sea was more calm that it had been violent and the disciples were in more awe of their Savior than they had been of the storm.*

CON: This is the secret of navigating the storms of life, being in awe of God’s promises, presence, and power to the point of resting all your weight on them. That is having a healthy fear of the Lord and faith.

ILL: Uncle Oscar was apprehensive about his first airplane ride. His friends, eager to hear how it went, asked if he enjoyed the flight. “Well,” commented Uncle Oscar, “it wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be, but I’ll tell you this. I never did put all my weight down!” That to often describes us, put all your wight down especially while navigating the storms of life. Trust Him, You have His promise, His presence, and He is in control!

John 3:26 “And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him.””