6-23-24 Sermon "Calming Storms" - 18 Minutes

Mark 4:35-41

This morning I'll be reading Mark chapter 4 verses 35 through 41. And I'll be reading from the Holman Christian Standard Bible. Mark 4:35-41 Jesus ended verse 34 explaining things to His disciples privately. And as we see in these verses,,, the disciples,,, still need help,,, "just like us",,, as we struggle with the storms that come our way! Mark 4:35–41 (HCSB) 35 On that day, when evening had come, He told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the sea.” 36 So they left the crowd and took Him along since He was already in the boat. And other boats were with Him. 37 A fierce windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38 But He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him up and said to Him, “Teacher! Don’t You care that we’re going to die?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 Then He said to them, “Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?” 41 And they were terrified and asked one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!” The word of God for the people of God,,, thanks be to God! God bless the reading and the hearing of your word this morning. Let us pray: Dear Lord,,, as we begin this morning,,, with everyone here today and all that are listening and watching by video,,, we ask that you open our ears to hear and our hearts and minds to receive the message that you have for us today,,, In Jesus' name I pray,,, Amen. ___________________________________ Last Sunday we looked at 2 Corinthians 5:6-17,,, and we learned that we must have faith in Jesus Christ since we have a "court date" ahead of us. And when we appear before Christ on that day,,, we will be judged by what we have done in our present bodies. We will be judged by what we have done,,, whether it is good or bad. I told you that our actions do not save us,,, but if we are saved,,, our actions,,, will let everyone know,,, that we are saved! We are saved,,, by the grace of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit,,, But,,, our good works,,, demonstrate that we are truly alive,,, that we have really been born again. And those who do such good works will be raised from the dead. We will go home to be with the Lord. I reminded you that we need to live a life that is confidant in the fact that God is in control,,, we don't have to worry about anything. And,,, if we lived each day like someone was recording everything that we did all day,,, how different would our lives be? How much would that change the way we interact with each other? We need to remember that one day we will face that judgement seat of Christ,,, and He knows everything that we do,,, even our thoughts. Because of that,,, we must rely on the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit to get us to that day. And through the saving grace made available to us through Jesus Christ,,, our "court date" will be successful. This morning we will look at these verses in Mark 4:35-41,,, and see how they help us in our walk with God this week. ___________________________________ Verses 35-36 said: 35 On that day, when evening had come, He told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the sea.” 36 So they left the crowd and took Him along since He was already in the boat. And other boats were with Him. It appears that the disciples had not made any prior preparations for this trip across the Sea of Galilee,,, since they were already in the boats,,, maybe it was just easier to head in that direction. That would allow them to get away from most of the crowds for awhile,,, except for those that followed them. Maybe Jesus had decided to cross over so that all of them could rest. It’s also possible,,, that He just wanted to change the area and the people that He was ministering to. We aren’t told the exact reason why,,, just that it seems to be a sudden decision. Jesus’ disciples,,, several of them being experienced fishermen,,, take charge of the voyage. This apparently allows Jesus the chance to rest,,, as they go across the Sea. ___________________________________ Verse 37 said: 37 A fierce windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. The Sea of Galilee was known for storms that would appear out of nowhere,,, without warning. Since it was surrounded by high hills and narrow valleys that functioned as wind tunnels,,, it was very dangerous,,, and apparently they could be especially dangerous when they happened in the evening. The disciples have either,,, forgotten,,, or,,, never truly understood,,, who was in the boat with them! We know that,,, because as the boat is filling up and possibly getting close to sinking,,, they become frightened. Apparently they wonder where Jesus is,,, and why that He isn’t concerned about what is going on at the time. And of course we see where He was,,, by the next verse. ___________________________________ Verse 38 said: 38 But He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him up and said to Him, “Teacher! Don’t You care that we’re going to die?” Jesus,,, was needing to rest,,, possibly because of the work that He has been doing all day,,, so He is found asleep on the cushion,,, which is probably a sailor’s rowing cushion,,, according to my Bible Knowledge Commentary. I’ve always been very concerned when we have storms like bad thunderstorms,,, tornado warnings,,, or hurricanes,,, especially if they happen at night. I am usually awake most of the time,,, trying to keep up with what is happening. Even though I’m usually tired,,, I can’t sleep. I know that I can’t change anything that might happen,,, but still,,, I am awake,,, keeping watch! Even though I know that God “will take care of me” no matter what happens,,, I still can’t truly relax and go to sleep. Yet,,, here is Jesus,,, right in the middle of a terrible storm out in the Sea of Galilee,,, sound asleep! While the disciples are doing all that they can to keep the boat from sinking,,, possibly trying to keep the boat heading into the waves to help minimize the water coming into the boat,,, whatever they can think of to do at this time. Remember,,, some of the disciples were experienced fishermen,,, they made their living from the sea,,, they knew and understood what needed to be done during these types of storms,,, and,,, they also knew,,, the dangers from them. So they have worked tirelessly through the storm,,, doing everything humanly possible to keep them safe,,, until finally,,, after they have done all that they can do,,, they wonder about Jesus! And where is Jesus during all of this commotion,,, because,,, surely it would have been hard to stay asleep with all of the wind,,, rain,,, thunder and lightening going on,,, not to mention the loud cries of the men as they tried to save themselves,,, ?? He’s asleep in the stern of the boat,,, calmly getting His rest,,, while they are scared that they are going to die! The disciples find Him,,, and it says,,, So they woke Him up and said to Him, “Teacher! Don’t You care that we’re going to die?” How many times,,, have we done the same,,, how many times will we continue to do the same,,, when we should be like Jesus,,, ,,, ,,, ,,, yet,,, ,,, normally whenever I look at this passage of scripture I can only see that we should be asleep like Jesus,,, but,,, what would have happened if the disciples had done the same thing that Jesus was doing,,, gone sound asleep,,, notice,,, ,,, the storm is still going on,,, they are still in danger,,, if they would have stayed asleep,,, like Jesus,,, during the storm,,, they might would have been swamped. So,,, does that mean that we are to remain awake during all of the terrible storms that we will or are going through? No!!!! Unlike the disciples,,, we need to find Jesus first,,, then truly give our problem,,, our storm,,, our whatever is bothering us,,, to Him,,, and then,,, we can rest as well! That’s where the disciples made a mistake,,, they should have called on Jesus first,,, not last! Nothing could be done,,, until they gave Jesus a chance to fix what was wrong! Notice what happens in the next verse,,, after the disciples have found Jesus. ___________________________________ Verse 39 said: 39 He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. After the disciples have found Jesus and woke Him up,,, Jesus commands the wind and the sea,,, “Silence! Be still!”,,, and they obey. Just as God spoke and the world was formed and all that we know of today,,, Jesus spoke,,, and the storm obeyed. ___________________________________ Verse 40 said: 40 Then He said to them, “Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?” Even though the disciples have been with Jesus during His teachings,,, healings,,, and confrontations with the religious leaders,,, they still don’t understand who Jesus is,,, and what power is available to them,,, and consequently,,, us today as well! Jesus questions them,,, Do you still have no faith?” Do “we”,,, have faith? Do “we”,,, truly understand what is available to us today? ___________________________________ Verse 41 said: 41 And they were terrified and asked one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!” We can see from this verse,,, and of course we have the rest of the story before the resurrection,,, to show us as well,,, that the disciples really don’t understand who Jesus is at this point. But we know that through their personal revelations from Jesus,,, and the Holy Spirit,,, after Jesus’ ascension,,, that their faith grows to remarkable,,, unbreakable,,, proportions. ___________________________________ We need this reminder again to help us to realize the "Mighty God" that we serve!

Just as the disciples were with Jesus,,, each and every day,,, taught by Jesus,,, traveled with Jesus,,, had private instructions from Jesus,,, yet,,, here they are,,, in the middle of a storm,,, and they don't go to the "One" that can solve their problem first!

They,,, of all people,,, should have realized that from the beginning!

They had all that they needed to calm the wind and sea,,, but they tried to solve it their way first.

No matter what was happening around them,,, Jesus was right there,,, in their presence,,, available to fix everything!

You must remember that Jesus was with them,,, but never helped them until they called out to Him!

Remember that God cannot help us until we are "broken"!

The disciples have tried everything that they know to do,,, and it's not working!

Again,,, you must remember,,, these are experienced fishermen that are on this boat,,, but they can't save themselves!

They have exhausted all of their energy trying to accomplish this and they have hit rock bottom,,, they can't see a way out,,, when they finally go to Jesus!

And Jesus shows them the way to stay afloat!

___________________________________ Are you like the disciples in the boat,,, thinking that you know what you need to do to keep your head above water,,, but it's not working?

When you have tried everything that you can,,, and almost ready to give up,,, then you are in a position to allow God the chance to truly give you the help that you need!

Remember the way that the disciples went to Jesus for help,,, and remember the feeling of helplessness that they must have felt at that time!

Also remember the amazing,,, but scary way that they felt,,, when Jesus showed them His power over the wind and sea!

That same power is available for us!

We just have to turn to Jesus,,, let go of anything that is holding us back,,, and fully turn it over to Him,,, so that He can calm,,, whatever storm,,, we are facing today!

___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Hymn: 337 - Oakdale Hymn: 337 - Seminary Benediction -----------------------------------------------------------