Peace In The Midst Of The Storm

Intro

Talk about what is happening in the beginning of chapter 8

Probably for the sake of privacy and relaxation, Jesus proposed a trip across the lake of Galilee.

Just like these disciples, many times we find ourselves in the midst of storms, problems, and difficulties in our lives. But, this evening I want to remind you that we can experience God’s peace even in the midst of the storm. How can we experience peace in the midst of the storm? I want to give you four keys this evening through which we can experience peace even in the midst of the storm.

Trust The Word of God: One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out.

Jesus did not say "Let us go into the midst of the sea and drown." He said, “Let us go over to the other side”. But the disciples didn’t trust the words of Jesus when they were caught up in a storm. This shows that the disciples still didn’t comprehend Jesus’ authority. They merely saw him as a Messiah who would set them free from the tyranny of the Romans. They didn't recognize that he had authority over the wind and the waves

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

The words “Let us go over to the other side” had as much authority and power as the words, “Let there be light!” in . They were focusing on the wind and the waves instead of the words of Christ. They were focusing on the storm instead of the fact that Jesus was in the boat.

Jesus ministry was never without purpose. He was crossing the lake in order to enter a new area of ministry. Along the way, the disciples would be taught an unforgettable lesson about His power.

Life Application Bible Commentary, Luke Jesus Calms the Storm / 8:22–25 / 87

Jesus’ ministry was never without purpose. He was crossing the lake in order to enter a new area of ministry. Along the way, the disciples would be taught an unforgettable lesson about his power.

Saints, we need to trust the word of God even in the midst of a storm!

If you have only the Word, you will dry up; if you have only the Spirit, you will blow up. But if you have both the Word and the Spirit, you will grow up.

Prayer without the Word is like watering the ground without the seed. We need to read, meditate, and live in God's Word!

Many of us cry out to God for a word while our Bibles are lying in a shelf. God has already spoken to us through his Word! The written Word of God is a surer prophetic word than an audible voice! Stop looking for a supernatural, audible voice and start reading your Bible. God will speak to you through his Word.

says, “Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”

The Bible says in – “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”

The Word of God declares in that “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.”

Saints, in the storms, it is the Word of God that gives us peace, hope, and assurance and that’s why we need to trust the Word of God.

Give an example of how you trust the Word of God.

Do Not Stay In Fear: “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

Another thing that we need to remember when we are in a storm is that we should not stay in fear when a crisis hits us.

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Let’s face it. All of us get afraid when we are in a difficult situation. But we must not stay in fear!

The cry of the disciples in verse 24 does not come as a request but as an expression of utmost fear. They felt that their Master didn't care about them.

The disciples were in a terrible situation. The storm was life-threatening. They were not afraid for no reason. Some of these disciples were experienced fishermen. But they understood that this storm could snatch away their very lives that night. Still, Jesus asked them, “Where is your faith?”

The implication was that if they had faith in what Jesus had told them, they wouldn’t have been fearful.

The antidote to fear is faith. Faith kills fear, just as fear kills faith. They are opposing forces. We need to choose to make faith the norm for our lives. We need to have faith in our trustworthy God.

The Bible doesn’t ask us to use faith during the times of crisis, but the Bible says in that “the righteous live by faith.”

says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

The Bible says in that “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

In verse 25, Jesus is essentially saying, “Why are you afraid when I'm in the boat?”

The phrases like “Fear not”, “Don’t be afraid” are used 365 times in the Bible.

Jesus says in that “Let not your heart be troubled.” We shouldn’t allow fear to rule over us.

- faith comes by hearing the Word of God; in the same way, fear comes by hearing the world and Satan.

Some believers sing of trampling the serpents under their feet, but some are afraid of even cockroaches.

The Bible says in – “God did not give us a spirit of timidity (ESV: fear), but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

Saints of God, when we are going through storms, we should not stay in fear! But we need to kill fear by faith!

Give an example of how you didn’t stay in fear, instead trusting in faith

Be Assured Of God’s Goodness: The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

The third key to experience peace in the midst of the storm is: Be assured of God’s goodness.

The disciples doubted God's goodness. They felt that Jesus didn't care about them. Before we criticize these "timid" disciples, we must search our own hearts. When we go through the storms of life, sometimes, we doubt God's goodness and even question His sovereign will. We wonder whether God is making a mistake by allowing certain painful situations in our lives.

But the fact is that God does care for us.

says “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

The writer to Hebrews says, "15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." ()

Instead of asking 'why?' we need to ask: What does this mean for me, and how can God use my situation?

I like the response of Job when he couldn’t understand what was going on in his life. The Bible says that “. . . He fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised” ().

says, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

says “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

These scriptures don’t mean that God will not allow difficult situations in our lives or He will not prune us when we need discipline.

But it says that our God is a good God who always intends good for us (cf. ; ), even if it means that He has to take us through storms in our lives.

When you go through a storm, trust in God's goodness. He is for you and is at work in your life.

Give an example of how you trusted in God’s goodness.

Recognize That God Is In Control: He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.

We see in verse 23 that Jesus was sleeping when the boat was being filled with water. While some scholars ascribe Jesus’ peaceful sleep to his own faith in the Father’s care, others see it as a sign of Jesus’ sovereignty and security.

Jesus subsequent actions (8:24) and the disciples’ response (8:25) seem to support the suggestion that Jesus, the Son of God, was sovereign over the storm!

In verse 24, we see that Jesus stilled the storm with a word. Jesus accomplished what in the OT only Yahweh could do (e.g., ; ; ; ).

This story assures Luke’s readers that in Jesus they have One in whom God was and is at work, one whom the “wind and the waves” do obey, even when it appears that the storms may overwhelm them.

When we have responded to an absolute call to discipleship and left all and risked our lives, we must also understand that the One who has called us will also preserve us in whatever circumstances we may find ourselves in.

Our God is the God who parted the Red Sea, stilled the sun, raised people from the dead, healed the sick, and controlled the nature.

This God is on our side! We need to have a revelation of who our God is!

Give an example of how you recognize that God is in Control.

When we are in a storm, God may Change the circumstances or Deliver us out of the difficult circumstances or Walk with us through the storms!

Give an example of how you experience peace in the middle of the storm.

Change the circumstances or

Conclusion

Deliver us out of the difficult circumstances or

To have peace in the midst of the storm we need to trust in God’s Word, don’t stay in fear, be assured of God’s goodness, and recognize that God’s is in control.

Walk with us through the storms!

If you are going through a storm, don’t be afraid. Jesus is in the boat. He is in control! If you are going through a financial difficulty, let me tell you, Jesus is in the boat! If you are suffering from any sickness, remember, Jesus is in the boat! If you are depressed, cheer up, because Jesus is in the boat!