Faith During The Storms

John 6:16–18 ESV

16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.

John 6:19–21 ESV

19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

“Faith During the Storms: Trusting Christ When the World Doesn’t Satisfy”

Introduction

Have you ever felt stuck in the middle of something with no clear way forward, with the winds of life pushing against you? Maybe it's a health diagnosis, a strained relationship, financial hardship, or simply the darkness of uncertainty.

We all want faith—but many times, we only want it when things are going well. We love when God provides abundance: blessings, success, peace, prosperity.

But what about when life crashes in—when storms come?

In John 6, the chapter begins with Jesus feeding the 5,000, a moment of divine provision. The crowds loved Him when their fleshly needs were met. But Jesus withdraws from the crowds because He knew they wanted to make Him king by force.

Immediately after that, He sends His disciples across the sea—and they enter a storm.

Main Theme: Faith is tested not when we’re full but when we’re frightened.

True faith clings to Christ in the storm, not just when our fleshly desires are met.

1. Storms Reveal the Shallow Nature of Fleshly Faith

John 6:16–18 ESV

16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.

Context:

In verses 1–15, the people pursued Jesus for miraculous bread—a fleshly benefit.

But when He taught them hard truths later, many stopped following Him. We see this go down later in this chapter.

John 6:61–63 ESV

61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

John 6:64–66 ESV

64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” 66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.

That’s conditional faith—“I’ll believe as long as it benefits me.”

The Disciples’ Experience:

Jesus tells them to go on ahead without Him. Let’s look how Mark words this situation.

Mark 6:45 ESV

45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.

He made them get in the boat. He knew what they would face, but he also knew he could help them in the midst of the storm.

Sometimes He sends us into dangerous situations.

Think about what they experience. It’s dark, He’s not there, and the sea is violent.

They are not chasing after blessings now—they are in battle mode, and theses are guys that are no strangers to boats. Some of them were fisherman by trade.

Application: Think about these two situations. Food/Blessings and Waves/Storms

Do you only follow Jesus when He feeds your desires?

Money’s flowing? Job is stable? Relationships are good?

The storm reveals what we really believe about God.

Faith that only exists in comfort is not faith—it’s consumerism.

Do you get that what have you done for me lately attitude or do you remain faithful even in the face of adversity?

Look at some of these examples of people remaining faithful even in the storm.

1. Job

Adversity: Job lost everything — his wealth, health, and children — yet he did not curse God.

Faithfulness: Despite intense suffering and confusion, Job declared, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him”.

Result: God eventually restored Job’s fortunes and blessed him even more than before.

2. Daniel

Adversity: Daniel was taken captive to Babylon, served under pagan kings, and faced death for praying to God.

Faithfulness: He continued to pray openly to God three times a day, even when it meant being thrown into the lions’ den.

Result: God shut the lions' mouths, and Daniel was delivered unharmed. His faith became a testimony to the king and nation.

3. Paul (formerly Saul)

Adversity: After converting to Christianity, Paul faced imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, and constant threats to his life. Look at the way he describes it in...

2 Corinthians 11:23–25 ESV

23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;

2 Corinthians 11:26–27 ESV

26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

Faithfulness: He never turned back from his mission, famously saying, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

Result: Paul’s writings and life deeply influenced the spread of Christianity and the New Testament.

2. True Faith Endures When the World Fails

John 6:19 ESV

19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened.

They Were Rowing in Their Own Strength:

How often do we try and get by on our own strength?

Exhausted, fighting wind and waves for hours.

They weren’t trying to get rich or gain fame—they were just trying to survive.

Here’s the Key:

The same Jesus who fed the 5,000 is the One who walks into your storm.

He didn’t come immediately. He let them struggle. Why?

To reveal the depth of their faith.

To separate their faith from the crowd’s false faith.

Application:

When health breaks down, or the job is gone, or friends vanish—is your faith still alive?

We say Jesus is all we need—but sometimes He lets everything else be stripped away so we can learn that truth.

3. Jesus Confronts Our Fear With His Presence

John 6:20 ESV

20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”

Greek Phrase: "Ego eimi" — “I AM”

The same phrase God used in Exodus 3:14.

Exodus 3:14 ESV

14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”

Jesus isn’t just saying, “Hey, it’s me!” He’s declaring, “I AM God”.

He meets fear with identity: not a solution, but a Savior.

Why Were They Afraid?

Because Jesus came in a way they didn’t expect—walking on the storm.

Sometimes we’re afraid because Jesus doesn’t show up how we want. He doesn’t feed our flesh, He walks into our fear.

We have strange expectations. Sometimes we want worldly answers. That promotion, that relationship. Those things that feed the flesh.

Sometimes we want a flat out rescue. God if you just get me out of this situation… I said this in jail a lot!

But how often are we okay with Just His presence in the midst of the storm? Like God this is brutal but it’s okay cause you are here with me.

Application:

We pray for calm, and He sends Himself.

We want the storm gone; He wants our hearts grown.

Real faith says, “Even if the storm stays, I’ll trust because Jesus is with me.”

4. Faith Invites Jesus Into the Boat

John 6:21 ESV

21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

They Went From Fear to Joy When They Let Him In

The moment they received Him, things changed.

The storm didn’t need to be solved first—His presence solved it.

Compare That to the Crowd Earlier in the Chapter:

The crowd wanted Jesus on their terms—as a provider of bread.

The disciples received Him on His terms—as Lord over the storm.

Application:

Have you truly let Him into your boat? Or have you only followed Him when He gave you what you wanted?

Faith is not transactional—“I follow You so You bless me.”

Faith is transformational—“I follow You even when it hurts.”

5. From Flesh-Faith to Storm-Faith

Two Kinds of Faith in John 6:

Fleshly Faith: “Feed me, bless me, make me happy.” This is the type of faith that we see come from the prosperity gospel.

Storm Faith: “I trust You, even when I can’t see You.” This is the faith we see come from a relationship with Jesus. It’s this mindset that even if he never does another thing for us in this life it’s okay because what he’s already done is so huge nothing else matters. He died on the cross in our place and we get to go from death to life.

Jesus Wants to Transition You:

From just seeking miracles to believing in Him.

From seeking a kingdom on earth to desiring the King of Heaven.

Ask Yourself:

Do I trust Jesus when life is dark, and He hasn’t shown up yet?

Is my faith built on comfort, or on Christ?

Am I rowing alone, or have I invited Him into the storm with me?

Conclusion

As we come to a close today, let us remember that the heart of our faith is not found in the blessings we receive, but in the One who blesses. Too often, we chase after miracles, provision, and breakthroughs — all good things — but the deepest longing of our souls should be simply to be with Jesus. Like Mary sitting at His feet, choosing the “better part,” we are called to intimacy, not just intervention. When we seek Him for who He is — not just what He can do — we begin to experience the fullness of a relationship that transforms us from the inside out.

So let our prayer be, “Jesus, I just want You.” Whether in joy or sorrow, gain or loss, may our greatest desire be to dwell in His presence, to hear His voice, and to know His heart. Because at the end of the day, blessings can fade, and storms will come — but His presence remains. And in His presence, we find peace, purpose, and love that this world cannot offer. Don’t just seek His hand — seek His face. Don’t just desire the gift — desire the Giver. Amen.

Call to Response:

Maybe you’ve been chasing Jesus for what He can give you.

Maybe you’re in a storm and you’re rowing hard and getting nowhere.

Maybe you’re afraid, and Jesus is coming to you in an unexpected way.

Hear His words today: “It is I. Do not be afraid.”

Closing Prayer:

“Lord, we confess that we’ve often followed You for what You could give us. We’ve desired comfort more than character, ease more than endurance. But today we ask You to build in us storm-proof faith—faith that stands in the dark, faith that keeps rowing, and faith that finds peace not in the calm, but in Your presence. Lord Jesus, enter our boats. Calm our hearts. Be our God. In Your name we pray, Amen.”