How You Sleep Through It, Is You Speak to It.

Mark 4:35-41 (NLT)

"As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, 'Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.' So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, 'Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?' When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Silence! Be still!' Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, 'Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?' The disciples were absolutely terrified. 'Who is this man?' they asked each other. 'Even the wind and waves obey him!'"

Let us pray…

If I had to tag this message with a title I would tag it, "How You Sleep Through It, Is You Speak to It."

Point 1: Following Jesus Means Leaving The Crowd. v.35-36

Following Jesus means leaving the crowd and the comfort of conformity. It requires us to leave the safety of familiar surroundings and venture into the unknown, trusting in Jesus to guide us. The crowd is not just people but may represent societal norms, pressures, and expectations that can pull us away from living a life of faith and obedience to Christ. The crowd may also symbolize the distractions and temptations hindering our spiritual growth and intimacy with Jesus.

You will find that during Jesus's ministry, he was often followed by large crowds. Even though large crowds followed Him, large crowds didn't follow Jesus. Jesus was the thing that was trending, stories of the healings, and raising of the dead had gone viral. Many in the crowds were after what they could get from Jesus, not how to live for Jesus. John 10:27 tells us when Jesus says, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."

Jesus took his disciples away from the crowd and led them to the other side of the lake. Leaving the crowd behind demonstrates the importance of prioritizing our relationship with Jesus above all else. It reminds us that following Jesus may mean standing apart from the crowd, walking a different path, and making choices that are not always popular or understood by others.

Leaving the crowd to follow Jesus requires courage, faith, and a willingness to surrender our own desires and ambitions. It means setting aside our own agendas and preferences to fully embrace God's will for our lives. It means being willing to go against the flow, to swim upstream, and to follow the narrow path that leads to life.

As we follow Jesus and leave the crowd behind, it is then we can experience a deeper intimacy with him, a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment, and freedom from the pressures and cares of this world. It is in leaving the crowd that we can truly find ourselves and discover the abundant life that Jesus promises to those who choose to follow him wholeheartedly. Are we willing to leave the crowd and follow Jesus wherever he may lead us?

Point 2: Even in Church Storms Happen. v.37-38

When we come and give the preacher our hand and give Jesus our heart we become a member of the church. Becoming a member of the church does not prevent you from going through some storms! Even in church, storms happen. Despite being in the presence of Jesus, the disciples found themselves in the midst of a fierce storm that threatened to overwhelm them. Even when we are in the church, surrounded by fellow believers and following Jesus, challenges and difficulties can still arise. Just like the disciples, we may find ourselves facing storms. I am in church every Sunday, but my marriage is in trouble. I sing in the choir, but things in my home are going wrong. I stand as an usher on the doorpost, but I am suffering from depression. I stand in the pulpit and preach Your word Sunday after Sunday, but I feel lost!

These storms can shake our faith, test our resolve, and challenge us, not only personally, but as a body of believers. However, it is during these storms that our faith is truly tested, and our need for Jesus becomes even more evident.

The storm in the text also teaches us that even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, Jesus is with us. Just as Jesus calmed the storm and rebuked the wind and the waves, he is able to bring peace and calm to the storms in our lives and in the church. He is our anchor in the midst of the storm, our rock and refuge when the waves of adversity threaten to overwhelm us.

As we navigate through the storms that inevitably come our way, let us remember to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Hold fast to the words of wisdom found in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." Let us trust in his power to calm the storms, his wisdom to guide us through the challenges, and his love to unite us as a community of believers. Even in church, storms will happen, but with Jesus as our foundation, we can weather the storm and emerge stronger and more resilient in our faith.

Point 3: Suffer In Silence or Speak In Faith v. 39

In Mark 4:39, we witness Jesus speaking to the storm that had arisen while he and his disciples were crossing the sea. With a simple command, Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" This powerful act of speaking in faith not only calmed the physical storm but also revealed the authority and power that Jesus possessed over the forces of nature.

This passage challenges us to consider how we respond to the storms in our own lives. Do we suffer in silence, feeling overwhelmed and helpless in the face of adversity? Or do we speak in faith, trusting in the power of God to bring peace and calm to the chaos around us? See, Jesus was in the storm with them. He was in the same danger as them. Jesus was 100% God, yet and still, 100% man! In that He was sleeping shows two things 1. Just like you and I need sleep because we are human, He needed sleep too. 2. When we fully trust in the power of God as Jesus did, we can have peace enough to sleep during the storm because we trust God is working the storm for, our, good! Jesus teaches us that we have the authority to speak out in faith and command the storms in our lives to be still.

Suffering in silence can lead to feelings of isolation, despair, and hopelessness. It can prevent us from seeking help, support, and comfort from others. On the other hand, speaking in faith can bring healing, restoration, and breakthrough. It opens the door for God to work in miraculous ways and demonstrates our trust and reliance on him to see us through the storms we face.

When we speak in faith, we release the power of God into our circumstances. We declare his promises, his goodness, and his sovereignty over every situation. We invite his peace to reign in our hearts and minds, even in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty.

As we encounter the storms of life, let us choose to speak in faith, echoing the words of Jesus, "Quiet! Be still!"

Point 4: You Still Don't Get It. v 40-41

Throughout their time with Jesus, the disciples witnessed numerous miracles. Jesus healed many people who were suffering from various illnesses and disabilities, demonstrating his compassion and ability to bring physical wholeness. They had seen Jesus cast out demons from individuals who were oppressed or possessed, showcasing his power over the spiritual realm. Jesus miraculously fed thousands of people with just a few loaves of bread and fish, revealing his ability to provide for the needs of the multitude.

Despite witnessing these and many other miracles, the disciples still struggled with doubts and fears at times. Like the disciples, we too may find ourselves wrestling with doubts and uncertainties, even after experiencing God's power and faithfulness in our lives.

The message of Mark 4:40-41 challenges us to examine our own faith and trust in Jesus, especially in moments of uncertainty and fear. It reminds us that even when we may still struggle to fully understand or believe, Jesus remains constant in his power and authority to calm the storms of our lives. May we take comfort in knowing that, despite our doubts, Jesus is always there to bring peace, assurance, and revelation of his divine nature.