Fear in the Unknown

How many of you have ever been scared of something?

fear of heights, spiders, enclosed spaces, being alone, flying, snakes, needles, shots, etc.

Story of fear of being kidnapped

Tonight we are going to walk through this story of Jesus calming the storm and the reminders that it gives for us today.

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”

Jesus just finished teaching large crowds of people. I’m sure tired from the long day. He had massive crowds following like he was a celebrity where he says earlier in Mark 3 that the disciples need to have a boat ready incase he needs to escape being crushed.

it goes on…

36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.

To this day the sea that Jesus was on in this story experiences quick sudden storms because of the ways in which it is situated.

38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

We see here the humanity of Jesus. He was exhausted from a day of teaching.

But we learn something simple here by the disciples response. “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

These disciples have seen Jesus do some crazy things (heals a paralytic, a man with leprosy, a man whose hand is cripled, etc.) Yet they still panic.

THAT leads us to our first point this evening…

We cannot allow fear to panic us

I’m sure this moment was extremely stressful and I can’t imagine what they were dealing with, but even after all they had seen they still panic. Because ultimately fear does some crazy things to us. it.

Fear breeds anxiety

You guys are known as the anxious generation. About 38% of our battle anxiety to some extent and my guess is that it is based on some sort of fear. because…

Fear allows lies to creep in

When I was fearful of being kidnapped It was because I allowed the fear to settle in my heart, cause a panic and then believe the lie that this was a real possibility.

Which leads accusations

Fear leads to accusations

The disciples in their fear and panic accused Jesus of not caring, not being present and questioning his authority.

We do this a lot. When we pray and the prayer isn’t answered exactly how we wanted we can become fearful of what might happen and that leads to us questioning him. Rather than trusting in his plan for our lives.

The passage goes on and says this,

Mark 4:39

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.

I love what Jesus does here. He doesn’t spend time arguing with them about who he is, but rather his first step is to calm the disciples and the waves.

Jesus exercised his authority over creation in his moment. This was a different kind of miracle. This wasn’t just healing someone, but it was a moment where he proved his divinity, proved that he was God in the flesh by commanding the waves and wind to be still.

In the same way..

Trusting in Jesus calms our fears

Rae Rae in the hospital as a kid

My first thought was panic, what is going to happen? is she going to survive? Am I going to get to watch her grow up? All very real questions that many parents experience on a daily basis.

But it wasn’t until prayer and the reminders from some of my buddies who love the Lord that Jesus is in control and he has a plan. Right away it reminded me that no matter what, good or bad, easy or hard, the Lord has a plan for my life, my daughters life and each of your lives.

We must simply be reminded of three things…

Jesus is in control

There is not a moment that God is not in control. He is an all-powerful, all-knowing, always present God.

Jesus cares deeply about you

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Maybe you have heard this before and maybe not, but God loves you so much that he sent JEsus to die for you. To take the penatly that you and I deserved and he bore that on the cross.

Jesus desires for you to trust him

Jesus simply desires that you would trust him. Not trusting the things of this world, the friends you have, the career you want or the money you desire, but to trust in him as your provider, protector, sustainer and your Lord.

It really is that simple. Jesus desires a relationship with you. He is not distant, but he is close.

Finally we wrap the passage up where it says…

Mark 4:40-41

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

We combat fear with Faith

Maybe you are sitting here and have a realtionship with God that seems to go up and down. Maybe some have yet to trust in Jesus. Where ever you are at, my hope is that you would remember this simple truth as we leave here tonight.

We combat our fear with Faith in Jesus.

Wifi router example.

Too many of you are trying to stay connected to the router “Jesus”, but you are running in the opposite direction of him.

The closer we are in proximity to the router the better connection we have.

We must simply have…

Faith in Jesus’ life

Jesus came, was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, performed many miracles and claimed to be God.

Jesus was not simply a wise man or Good teacher. Bono once said that Jesus is either who he says he is, the savior of the world. or he is an absoulte nut-case. There is no inbetween.

We must also have..

Faith in Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection

Our entire faith is dependant on Jesus’ ressurection 1 corin 15:12-19 Paul tells us that if Jesus hasn’t been risen our preaching and ministry is useless, but we know that Jesus did infact raise from the dead and made himself physically present to hundreds of people.

Finally we must have..

Faith in his unwavering love for us

Not sure if you have quite grasped his love for you. Maybe you struggle to love or be loved because of some human relationship.

But God in his amazingness has such an unwavering love for you and wants you to know him.

Rather than fearing the things in your life, he wants you to rest in his unwavering love and care for you.

This doesn’t mean you won’t experience some sort of trial in your life. We live in a world full of sin, but what it does remind us is that, not matter what he is there.