Untitled Sermon (3)

English Standard Version Matthew 8:23–27

And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 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. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

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

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/Nida 25.26

In Matthew 14:30 (Peter walking on the water) the word is phobia (fear-J. Lack of faith caused by fear)

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

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

I.   What Makes Us Afraid/Worried and then Cowardly Matthew 8:23–24

1st  The Windstorm: Unexpected PROBLEMS Ecclesiastes 9:11

Unexpectedly you:

·        Lose your job

·        Find out you have Cancer

·        You are slandered

·        Incur an Accident,

·        World Events-wars

·        Misbehaving Relatives like kids.

2nd  The Waves: Overwhelming [Ongoing CIRCUMSTANCES]  Psalm 88:3–7

You are in a circumstance where:

·        You Have 6 months to live-

·        Your Bills are bigger than budget-

·        You are engaged in Marital Conflicts violence,

neglect, infidelity, drunkenness

·        Your Church member are in conflict, insisting on their way,

arguments over words, egotistic leaders

·        Work Conflicts-Self center boss, someone not pulling weight,

company going bankrupt

3rd  The Boat: Inadequate [Your RESOURCES to live] Isaiah 29:8

Your Material Resources can't keep you afloat

·        Your House is inadequate because it is to small for your family

·        Your two jobs, along with spouse's work are inadequate to pay your bills

·        Your Health insurance is inadequate to cover health costs

·        Your Social Security sometimes makes you choose between

eating and medicine

4th Jesus Was Sleeping so [Where is God/Doesn’t Care Psalms 42:9-10

My Problems, My Circumstances, and My Inadequate Resources

cause me to feel Abandoned, Unloved, and Without blessings

II. How to Be Brave, Unworried, and Fearless   Matthew 8:25–27

1st Ask [FOR HELP]—“Lord, save us! We are perishing!” Phil 4:4-7

Privilege of Prayer is a reason for Joy because X is at hand.

Command is not to be anxious but to pray and plead about everything.

Promise is peace (which includes courage).

Guard heart and mind in X.

2nd Address your [FEARS]—“Why are you afraid?” Romans 8:14–17

Remember you are Led by the Holy Spirit

He is not a Spirit of Slavery to bind you with fear. 2 Timothy 1:6-7

He affirms our Sonship in the midst of our Problems,

This how to claim our inheritance with Christ.

Circumstances, Inadequacies. SO, ADDRESS THEM IN PRAYER

3rd Add to your [FAITH]—“ you of little faith” 2 Peter 1:5–8

Make every effort to stress the Importance of these additions to faith.

1st Virtue: Moral excellence

2nd Knowledge: Of what? The word of God first.

3rd Self Control

4th Steadfastness: Refusal to give up

5th Godliness: The fear and respect due to God

6th Brotherly affection

7th Love Agape - Help one to be brave.

4th Acknowledge [GOD’S CONTROL]—“What sort of man is this, that even the winds and sea obey Him. Matthew 10:32-39

God is aware of every living thing on earth. His Spirit gives life to even the bacteria.

God Knows you well enough to count the hairs on your head. Easier for God than some.

God values more than sparrows.

Colossians 1:16-17

1st Jesus found courage for the cross in Gethsemane

The Cross is Putting Him first above all else-Painful and scary

Will you be brave today and take up the cross?

Prayer for us to be brave.

CONCLUSION

Why We need to be Brave Matthew 10:32-39