Peace In the Storm
Mark 2026 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Introduction
Introduction
In our passage this morning, we encounter one of the most amazing miracles that Jesus performed. A storm in the sea is calmed. Together with the disciples, we are faced with a test of our faith.
Mark was likely the first Gospel written. Under the inspiration of God, he writes with an intent to point his readers toward the Cross and the Empty Tomb. Those who read are faced with a question: who is this Jesus?
As we grow in our walk with God this year, we want to be Following in the Life of Faith. That means that we must begin with the correct Person to put our faith in. Mark gives us the message of Jesus to all people.
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Will you commit each day to believe God and His promises? Will you confess your sins and choose to grow in relationship to Him? If you have not yet, will you believe in Him for salvation? Let’s Follow in the Life of Faith this year and see God do what He says He will!
Faith is something that we must develop and strengthen in the storms of life. Jesus is with us each step along the way as He has promised. We can be sure of this truth.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
At the beginning of October 1822, a ship was sailing south along the Atlantic coast. This ship was named the Enterprize and was carrying a cargo of wood, kitchen dishes, and other items, lime among them. Traveling from Bristol, Rhode Island, to Charleston, South Carolina, brought the ship and its passengers past the North Carolina coast, later known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic”. This stretch of coastal islands would become notorious for the many ships that would wreck there.
Early in the day on October 27, the ship ran aground. Because the sky was still dark, there was no way for Captain Eldridge to know where they were. The passengers and crew came up on the deck as the waves began to crash over the stranded ship. After a while, the crew began to try to pump out the water. But, in the process, the lime caught on fire. Fearing for their lives from either the fire or the water, panic set in.
In the midst of this chaos, David Stick, author of Graveyard of the Atlantic, records the words of one of the passengers. “I told them not to despair, that the Lord was a prayer hearing and prayer answering God, and that I still cherished the hope that we should escape.” (pg. 12) At these words from William Gardiner, the people began to pray. Some had likely not been in the habit of praying before. Yet, in danger, they were calling to the only One who could help them.
William Gardiner knew this truth that he told those others onboard: God is in control of the storms of life. Whether physical or spiritual, whether in the darkness or in the daylight, God is still the Lord of storms. He controls the weather and He brings the storms along with the sunny days. In our passage this morning, we find the first story of Jesus and the disciples in a storm. Let’s answer some questions that we find in this passage as we remember the loving care of God even in storms.
Declaration
Declaration
Jesus is in control of even the weather. When the disciples were afraid, Jesus had the authority and power to care for them. Today, we ought to have the growing faith in Jesus for peace in the storms of life. Three questions are found and answered in this passage.
Read v. 35-38 before changing slide.
1. Does Jesus Care in the Storm?
1. Does Jesus Care in the Storm?
And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
The first question that we find in this paragraph is asked by the disciples. They wake Jesus up and ask Him, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” In other words, Does Jesus Care in the Storm?
The disciples had been with Jesus for a long day of teaching. It seems, based on the way that Mark introduces this passage, that this was the same day that at least one of the previous parables had been used by Jesus. Jesus, tired from the teaching, gives them a veiled command. “Come with me and we will together go to the other side.”
After they send the people away, the disciples and Jesus begin the journey across the lake in the gathering darkness. Jesus falls asleep in the rear of the ship. Suddenly, the wind blows up and the waves begin to grow to the point of filling the ship. There is danger and fear in the hearts of these men. The darkness and the weariness add to the terror that they experience. In this emotional state, they come and wake Jesus. “Master, carest thou not that we perish?”
Such are the actions of the disciples in the storm. But not Jesus. Jesus was asleep with the trust that God the Father was in control of all that was happening. Together, He and His disciples were going to the other side of the lake. When Jesus speaks, He always and only speaks the truth. Paul tells us,
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
While we cannot sleep because we have to figure out a way out of our storm, Jesus, the One who keeps everything in motion, could sleep knowing that His Heavenly Father cared for Him and them. The same word that is found in the question of the disciples is used by Peter later in his first epistle. He writes to those believers scattered abroad,
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
In the midst of the storm, Jesus shows us the correct response of a disciple. He allows God to be God and He rests in His perfect Sovereignty. It seems that this storm came up suddenly as was common on the lake. This was a storm of wind that caused great waves to crash over the sides of the boat with a danger of filling it. But, part of a life of discipleship is facing the storms that come upon those who are traveling with Jesus.
Does Jesus care in the storms of life? Jesus care about His disciples to go with them into a storm that He had planned. The storm was not something that Jesus was surprised by. Instead, He chose it to develop their faith. Challenges, trials, storms-all prepare us for greater faith. Jesus cares about each person in a storm. He brought them there and He will bring them out.
James writes,
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
No matter the storm, Jesus cares. No matter the trial or temptation, Jesus is there. Through the trial of faith, we find patience. The answer to the question of the disciples is yes, Jesus cares!
Frank E Graeff writes:
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song;
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?
Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?
O yes, He cares- I know He cares!
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
2. Why Fear Not Faith?
2. Why Fear Not Faith?
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
The storm is raging around them. Jesus rises to the call and question of the disciples. And what happens next? Jesus calms the storm. He asks them the next question. Why fear not faith?
Jesus is the center of this story of the storm. He commanded them to come with Him across the lake. He is the only one that is recorded as sleeping in the ship. When the disciples come to Him, He is the One who calms the storm. Jesus must be the center of the storms in our lives as well. Jesus is the Creator of the Universe, the wind and the sea. He is the authority!
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
The next thing that happens after the speech of Jesus is the complete ending of the windstorm. There is not longer the wind and the waves are calm. The authority of Jesus has been used to bring peace. This peace is what happens when someone stops speaking. There is silence. Think of "there was a great calm." This calm means no ripples on the surface of the lake.
In the midst of this silence, Jesus asks two questions of His disciples: “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” The contrast of fear and faith is a clear mirror of the panic of the disciples and the restfulness of Jesus during the storm. Fear shows us the lack of faith that the disciples had. The lack of Jesus’ fear is because of His faith in the Father. Wiersbe says,
The Bible Exposition Commentary Mark 4:35–41
Our greatest problems are within us, not around us. This explains why Jesus gently rebuked them and called them “men of little faith.”
What can be said of how we act in our storms? Is there fear or is there faith? Why do we chose to be afraid instead of believing that God will take care of it? Jesus could sleep knowing that whatever happened, God is still on the throne. I cannot tell you how the Son can sleep when the Father is still awake. But I can tell you that today, the Father, Son and Spirit are awake and they know exactly the storms that we are going through. The answer to the second question is our sinful nature.
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us.
We are afraid because of our sin. We are concerned because we want to rely on ourselves. We worry because we think we can control our lives. Yet, the truth is that when Adam and Eve ate of the fruit, all mankind lost control. We fell into sin and our sin nature keeps us from trusting God each and everyday!
The good news today is that Jesus wants us to see who He is and to rely on Him. The disciples came to the right person. They were now moving toward understanding who Jesus is.
3. Who is this Jesus?
3. Who is this Jesus?
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
The final question in this paragraph is central to the message of the Gospel of Mark. Who is this Jesus? The disciples ask this to one another in the ship on the calm sea.
Who is this Jesus? We know from the passage that He is fully man. He is tired from the day’s teaching. He sleeps in the boat.
We also know that He is fully God. The storm is gone. The wind is calm and the waves are settled. There is silence filled with the wonder of who this all-powerful One is. One commentary helps us understand the significance,
Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament Mark 4:38–41
The ability to calm a storm is absolutely unprecedented in the entire history of redemption. No OT prophet had ever done such a deed with a simple word of command. Jesus does so, and this still leads a person to ask, “Who is he?”
So who is Jesus? Who did He claim to be? In the Gospels, we find that Jesus claimed to be God! He is either telling the truth, He is lying or He is confused or crazy. What do we learn in the Old Testament about the control of weather?
For who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord? God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. O Lord God of hosts, Who is a strong Lord like unto thee? Or to thy faithfulness round about thee? Thou rulest the raging of the sea: When the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.
For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, Which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: Their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits’ end. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, And he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, So that the waves thereof are still.
By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; Who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea: Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; Being girded with power: Which stilleth the noise of the seas, The noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
The disciples ask, Who can do such things? The answer is clear that Jesus is God. He is in control. He has come to earth for a reason. In the midst of the fear of the disciples, there is a call to faith in Jesus. How can someone who has seen Jesus do the impossible of controlling the wind and waves doubt the power of Jesus in the regular needs of life?
Jesus is the same today as He was then. He is in control in our trials and storms. We need and He provides. We doubt and He promises. We fail but He never does.
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
The answer to the final question is that Jesus is God. The same person who was in control in that storm is control in the storm today. Where is your faith? Why do you fear that God will not come through? Faith is believing everyday that God will come through for you!
Conclusion
Conclusion
Jesus is in control of even the weather. When the disciples were afraid, Jesus had the authority and power to care for them. Today, we ought to have the growing faith in Jesus for peace in the storms of life.
The storm was very personal to these disciples. They have seen Jesus do things for others. Some miracles that He has done were unbelievable demonstrations of power. Yet, here He does something for them. He saves their lives. The storms of life are a personal encounter with the Lord of the waves. Jesus brings calm because, even when it seems like He is asleep in the boat, He is still in control. Jesus taught the disciples who He was and what amount of faith they should develop.
What is your answer to the question of who Jesus is?
Is He God? If He is God, surely He is in control of the storms today. Each time we face uncertainty, He is certain. Each time we pray, He hears. Each time we doubt, He keeps His promises. Where is your faith today? Will you trust Him today?
Is He God? If He is, He keeps His promises. He has promised that He has saved you from your sin. All of us are sinners. We have all chosen to follow our own sinful desires. We have disobeyed God and His Word. We have lied, cheated, stolen, and hated. We are all sinners as Romans 3:23 tells us. Yet, Jesus offers a home in heaven to those who will repent of their sin and believe in Him. Will you do that today? Will you choose salvation instead of trusting in your own good to get you to heaven? Today, anyone who will come in faith to Jesus can have a home with Him for eternity.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Is He God? If He is, He cares about you. Wherever you are, whatever you might be facing-Jesus cares. He wants to hear from you! He wants you to have faith in Him. He wants to come through for you.
Where can we find peace in the storm? We can find it in Jesus alone. He brings peace in the storms of life.
Following the prayer of those on the Enterprize, an idea occured to those aboard. A lone horse, also on the ship, was sent overboard to try to swim to land. He was able to wade ashore the short distance. At this revelation, all of the remainder of the people were able to safely arrive on shore. Local men that were soon met onshore told them that they had arrived on Hatteras Island. All of the passengers had been kept safe by the power of God. They were shortly transported to another town to continue their journey.
The prayer of these men was a clear acknowledgement of the truth found in Mark 4. Jesus, alone, has the power over the wind and the sea! He is the peace in the storm!
