Jesus calms the storm
Gospel of Mark: Jesus a life to serve • Sermon • Submitted
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· 264 viewsMore than a story, it's a promise! Jesus will calm the storms of our life
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Peace in the storm(s)
Peace in the storm(s)
After teaching the disciples the Word, teaching about the kingdom, now He gives them His Word. May that word give us peace in the midst of the storms we may face.
Jesus was going to teach them a lesson they did not even know they needed to be taught. Has that ever happened to you?
So let’s look at this passage and then will break it up.
35 On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him.
37 And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. 38 Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39 And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. 40 And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? How is it that you have no faith?”
41 They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
What did you see, what did you notice, what sticks out to you?
What we can see clearly in this passage
After a day full of ministry, teaching, Jesus and the Apostles set sail for the other side (vv.35-36)
Another thing to notice, they were not alone, there were other boats (v.36)
A storm arose (v.37); while Jesus slept (v.38)
Jesus rebuked the storm (v.39); reproached the apostles (v.40)
Apostles were afraid (v.41)
I mentioned Jesus taught them the Word (Mk4:33) and now gives them His Word (Mk4:35)
33 With many such parables He was speaking the word to them, so far as they were able to hear it;
and now
35 On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.”
What is the promise given (v.35)?
The promise was they were going to make it to the other side
The lesson was about faith, faith that would be tested
See the Word is to bring faith (Rom10:17) and Faith that is tested, is proved faith (Jam1:3)
A couple more little things, I mentioned other boats, on that day and today there are other boats, other people that are in the same storms that we go through. (1Cor10:13)
Mark’s gospel is only one that mentions the other boats. Jesus salvation, Jesus mercy, Jesus intersession is for more than the Apostles, His scope is bigger, His love is stronger and His way is clear to those who face and overcome the trials, the temptations we may, and will face in this world.
13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
And the phrase Jesus used in rebuking the storm (Mk4:39) is the same word used in (Mk1:25)
25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”
So in rebuking a demon, and rebuking the storm it seems that Jesus, the calmer of the storm is interceding because the evil one is trying to take away their faith, just as he tries to do that to ours.
You may know this story, may have heard many a lessons, sermons on this story about the miracle of Jesus calming the storm, but that is really only a small part of this story, it is more that a literal thing, it is some spiritual truths for us too.
I. We are not exempt from storms
I. We are not exempt from storms
We face storms because we are human living in a fallen world; as well as facing storms because we are Christians
Being an apostle did not protect them from storms (Mk4:37; 2Cor11:24-26)
24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.
26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;
Paul surely faced storms as well as the other apostles, and disciples.
We live in a world with many storms, both physical and spiritual (Jn16:33; Act14:22; 2Tim3:12 and 1Pt4:12)
Jesus told the disciples that there were going to be storms, or He uses the word tribulations
33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
But He gave them a promise too, just as we have the promise too.
If Jesus is in your boat, it can’t sink, if He is in your life, you won’t go down. He has promised to perfect that which concerns you. (Psm138:8)
8 The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
Jesus spoke and promised; Paul warned and exhorted.
22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
And then there is Peter, he wrote about it too, so don’t be surprised
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
Jesus does not promise exemption from the storms of life, but does promise that He will be with us through them if we are His.
(transition) So if you find yourself in the midst of a storm, be it physical (literal) or spiritual (figurative), whether it is because of nature or because of being a Christian, take heart knowing that:
II. Jesus helps us deal with storms
II. Jesus helps us deal with storms
By faith that comes from hearing the word, through prayer because of your faith and through His sacrifice Jesus helps us with the storms of life.
Like the Apostles we may feel we are perishing in the storms of life (Mk4:38; Zep3:17)
38 Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
Though the storm maybe raging and we are crying out “don’t you care!” Jesus isn’t worry, He is at peace; Jesus was sleeping, not in apathy, but in security, knowing He allowed, or brought on the storm to grow their faith and ours
17 “The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.
We may have fear, a lack of faith put into action (Mk4:40)
We may have fear, a lack of faith put into action (Mk4:40)
40 And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? How is it that you have no faith?”
Jesus was resting in His faith, and rebuked them for their lack of faith and their fear.
Faith grows when we know God will protect us (Ps46:1-3)
1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.
what do you see
Look back at (v.1) the promise; (v.2) the command; the examples (v.3)
so what is the promise? what is the command? what is the examples?
This leads to faith that will deliver us!
Faith will deliver us (Psm46:4-5, 10-11)
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
10 “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
One day He will deliver us to our heavenly home in which we can rest “Selah” in Him. but today, in the midst of the storms of life we can still have peace! Because Jesus:
Jesus reveals the role of faith in the midst of storms
Jesus helps us through His Word
The Word prepares us for the storms (Mt7:24-27)
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.
26 “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 “The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”
Prepared by what? Your foundation, foundation built on what? (Word of God)
The Word teaches us about how to pray (Mt6:5-8)
5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
Prepared through prayer, your private, personal prayers, your open communication with God.
Let me go back just for a minute, in our passage, where was Jesus, and what was Jesus doing?
38 Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
Now look again look at Mt6:8
8 “So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
The Word tells us about real treasures (Mt6:19-21)
Jesus was sleeping for He was secure in the Father and knew the Father would take care of it. May we have the same type of peace and security
The Word tells us about real treasures (Mt6:19-21)
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;
21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Prepared for the storms by storing up our treasures in heaven that wont rust, cannot be stolen!
The Word helps us get priorities straight (Mt6:31-34)
In short, seek the kingdom of God first and foremost!
Remember the other boats, guess who else got blessed beyond the Apostles who were in the boat with Jesus? - They did, the storm was calmed and the calming was more than just for them, it was for all. (expand on this, time allowing)
So the One who calmed the storm is the One who allowed the storm in the first place to teach the apostles a lesson they did not know they even needed about faith in His Word. He had taught the Word, He gave His Word yet they still struggled with faith and fear.
Jesus helps us through prayer
For Jesus is the key to mercy and grace in time of need (Heb4:14-16; Heb7:25)
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
He helps us through prayer to guard hearts and minds (Php4:6-7)
He helps us through prayer to guard hearts and minds (Php4:6-7)
He is ready to come to our aid, to calm our hearts, to guard our hearts and minds when in the storms of life when we turn to Him in prayer.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
He is ready to come to our aid, to calm our hearts, to guard our hearts and minds when in the storms of life when we turn to Him in prayer.
Finally, Jesus is able to help us in our storms through His sacrifice
His sacrifice readies us for the final storm we will face on judgment day (2Pt3:7; 2Pt3:10-12)
7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. 11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!
His sacrifice spares us on that Day of Judgment (Rom5:6-10)
His sacrifice spares us on that Day of Judgment (Rom5:6-10)
Christ died for our sins while we were still sinners, He demonstrated His love for us, He reconciled us to God through Jesus and we were saved through His life, His sacrifice.
Jesus stands ready to help us in the storms, ready to save us, ready to protect us, ready to prepare us for the storm to come and the storms along the way.
So, no matter the storm we face, regardless of the size and frequency of the waves beating our boat, with Jesus, who promised He would be with us and not forsake us (Heb13:5); He is faithful to complete the good work in you (Php1:6)
Jesus the Prince of Peace can calm the storms in our life.
As you can see this story is more than a miracle, its a challenge to live by faith and trust Him to handle any, all storms we may face.