Untitled Sermon

Fear? It can be a Boatload For Sure!—Matthew 8:23-27 CRCC 20240915

23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea so that the boat was being swamped by the waves, but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” Matthew 8:23–27

1. The Greek Word here for fear is δειλός: about being cowardly—‘cowardly, coward. For cowards and traitors, the place for them is the lake burning with fire and brimstone. Re 21:8. In some languages, a ‘coward’ is ‘one who always runs’ or ‘one who runs away at nothing.’ Louw 25.268

2. In Matthew 14 (Peter walking on the water) the word is phobia (fear-J. Lack of faith caused by fear)

3. Cowardice is not the feeling or emotion of fear. It is letting that emotion cause you to run away.

4. Jesus is not rebuking them for feeling afraid but for being COWARDLY!

5. “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. Proverbs 29:25

I. What Makes Us Afraid and then Cowardly

23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. Matthew 8:23–24

1. The Windstorm: Unexpected [PROBLEMS]

11 Again, I saw that under the sun, the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11

2. The Waves: Overwhelming [CIRCUMSTANCES] Heman the Ezrahite

3 For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. 4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength, 5 like one set loose among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand. 6 You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep. 7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah Psalm 88:3–7

3. The Boat: Inadequate [RESOURCES]

15 And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” Judges 6:15

4. Jesus Was Sleeping [God Doesn’t Care]

3 My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?” Psalm 42:3

II. What to Do to Brave and Fearless

25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” Matthew 8:25–27

1. Ask [FOR HELP]—“Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

2. Address your [FEARS]—“Why are you afraid?”

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:14–17

3. Add to your [FAITH]—“ you of little faith”

5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5–8

4. Acknowledge [GOD’S CONTROL]—“What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the

sea obey him?”

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:29–33