"Oh We of Little Faith" (Matthew 8:23-27)

Troubles Will Appear (v.23-24)

We are not immune to storms

False assumption of Christianity

Having Jesus means no more storms/ struggles/ difficulties/ hardships/ heartaches

Everything works out to our aspirations

Unfortunately this is preached from many pulpits.

Churches are selling this idea to people (literally selling it)

“Words that paint a pretty picture, but you won’t find them in the Scripture” — Casting Crowns (Book of Second Opinions)

People hear it from a “trustworthy” source, one who claims to study the Bible, and they believe it.

Following Jesus does not make us immune to storms.

2 Corinthians 12:10 “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions and hardships, for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Following Jesus may lead to storms

The passage starts with the Apostles having followed Jesus onto the boat and into the sea.

They could have not followed Him and been somewhere seemingly more safe on the shore instead of in the midst of the sea.

They were in the middle of great distress because they followed Him.

Storms are to be expected by those who follow the Christ

2 Timothy 3:12 “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.”

1 John 3:13 “Do not marvel, brothers, if the world hates you.”

John 15:18 ““If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you.”

1 Peter 3:17 “For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing good rather than for doing wrong.”

Storms are not the end

Storms do not mean we are abandoned by God.

Job’s friends thought as much when they witnessed him suffer so greatly.

(1 Peter 4:12) This could be a moment of testing from the LORD.

Easy to be crippled by fear and doubt when in the midst of a great storm

Fear Will Appear (v.25)

Storms cause fear

It is very natural to be feel fear

Throughout the story of David we see times where he was struck by fear.

We read about it even in his Psalms. Times he felt trapped on all sides by his enemies. Speaks of being afraid.

When times of hardships come upon us, we doubt many things.

Is our God still with us? Have we, in our sin caused Him to abandon us?

Is our God even able to save us? Is this too much for even Him?

Causes us to shout like the Apostles, “Save us, Lord; We are perishing!”

Faith does not eliminate fear

They call Him Lord

Recognizing His Lordship; His authority and power;

They have seen Him heal many and bring many back from death’s door

They submit to Him and His teachings and have faith enough to call Him Lord.

Still have a fear that they themselves are perishing.

They did not linger in their fear, but rather in faith, as small as it might have been, they called upon the Lord.

Like David in the 56th Psalm

Psalm 56:3–4 “When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, In God I trust; I shall not be afraid....”

Fear tests our faith

Where do we turn in our fear?

To others? To ourselves? Or to God?

Is our faith strong enough to remain even though a fearful storm be about us?

Will we be crippled by fear and doubt, so much so we cannot even call upon our God to save us when we feel as though we are perishing?

Some of the Apostles were experienced fishermen, did they turn to their experience to save them?

When fear appeared, they turned to their Christ, and their Christ appeared!

Christ Will Appear (v.26-27)

He is with us in the storm

The Apostles were not dealing with the storm alone.

The importance of a Church family; They had each other

Even more, they had Jesus with them.

He is never far off from any of us. (Acts 17:27)

(Deuteronomy 31:6 & Hebrews 13:5) He will never leave us nor forsake us

He is always ready to answer our call

Biblical basis:

Psalm 91:15 ““He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in his distress; I will rescue him and honor him.”

He who abides in the shelter of the Most High; Who abides in the shadow of the Almighty.

Isaiah 65:24 ““And it will be that before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear.”

The LORD speaks of those who are His chosen ones, blessed by Yahweh and inhabiting the new earth He will create at the end of the age.

Acts 2:21 “‘And it will be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

Peter’s sermon on Pentecost

2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 124:8; Joel 2:32; Romans 10:13; Acts 22:16 ETC.

Why would He mention in His Holy word so many times to call upon His Name if He was not ready and willing to answer those who do?

He has never failed those who call upon His Name.

He can handle any storm we find ourselves in.

He has power over the storm

“What kind of a Man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

With a word He can silence the roughest storms

Those world shattering hardships & earth quaking tribulations are no match for a command from the King of kings.

No amount of wind, rain, hail, thunder or lightning can stop Him

No amount of fear, dread, anxiety, confusion, despair or depression can hinder Him

The rain will stop in its tracks rather than fall another inch.

The wind would not dare blow a hair on your head when commanded to be still by the Most High.

And when He saves us we can sit back and marvel at what He has done before our very eyes

We can look back at the trials and say they are nothing compared to the glory that we have come to know in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Oh we of little faith, what a BIG God we have; What a mighty King we serve; Who is faithful all the days of our lives.

Why do we doubt the one who commands the seas and orders the winds to obey?

He is more than capable and in Him we are more than conquerors.

Have BIG faith in our BIG Savior; A mighty fortress is He!