Living Through the Storm

Living Through the Storm

Matthew 14:22-33

Matthew 14:22–33 NLT

22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” 27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” 28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” 32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

INTRODUCTION:

Are you now walking through a storm? As you do so, does it seemed that the storm is going to destroy you?

All of us face storms. Circumstances and events in life that tosses about. Storms that we fear will sink our ship of existence.

How are you to respond when walking through the storm?

T. S.: This morning we are going to look at some principles that will help you to successfully weather the storms of life.

I- JESUS HAS BROUGHT YOU TO THE STORM. (MATTHEW 14: 22)

Matthew 14:22 NLT

22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home.

A- It is by divine appointment that the storm has come.

Jesus sent the disciples into the storm, knowing that it was coming.

Jesus, is the son of God, knows all things.

Illustration: Jesus knew how the 5000 would be fed before he did it. (John 6:6)

John 6:6 NLT

6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.

Nothing happens by chance. God is ultimately in control of everything. H

Even the animals are under his direction and care. Not even a sparrow falls without him knowing it.

All of the affairs of men are in his hand.

Job’s trials were allowed by God. (Job 1:8 – 12)

Job 1:8–12 NLT

8 Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.” 9 Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. 10 You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! 11 But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!” 12 “All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence.

B- God has reasons for sending us into the storm.

1. Sometimes his purpose is correction (Due to our disobedience.)

Many times he has to use drastic measures to get our attention and help us see our disobedience.

illustration:

David

God sent a plague when David numbered Israel.

God took his child by Bathsheba because of David’s sins of adultery and murder.

When storms come it is wise to do some intensive self-examination.

2. Sometimes his purpose is construction (To help us grow spiritually and in our understanding of him.)

To prevent us from sinning.

The people wanted to crown Jesus after feeding the 5000. (Matthew 14:13-21; John 6:14-15)

Matthew 14:13–21 NLT

13 As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. 14 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.” 17 “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered. 18 “Bring them here,” he said. 19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. 20 They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. 21 About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!

John 6:14–15 NLT

14 When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” 15 When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.

Sometimes he sends the storm to change the focus of our attention and thereby keep us from sin.

To perfect our strength.

Spiritual strength grows through adversity.

Illustration: physical muscles are built as they are stressed and torn down. So our spiritual muscles.

To prepare us for future ministry.

We are enabled to minister to others as we experience our own storms.

You and I do not understand problems, nor find answers until we experience those problems ourselves.

The Bible teaches that we are to use the lessons that God teaches us to help others.

(2 Corinthians 1:3 – 4)

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 NLT

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

II- JESUS IS PRAYING FOR YOU. (Matthew 14:23)

Matthew 14:23 NLT

23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.

A- He knows the trials you are facing. (John 17:9 – 21)

Sorrow and heartache. (John 17:13) (K

John 17:13 NLT

13 “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy.

2. Loneliness ( John 17:14)

John 17:14 NLT

14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.

3. Evil and injustice. (John 17:15)

John 17:15 NLT

15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.

4. Growing pains. ( John 17:17)

John 17:17 NLT

17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

5. Witnessing and soul winning. (John 17:20) (

John 17:20 NLT

20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.

6. Division and interpersonal conflict. ( John 17:21)

John 17:21 NLT

21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

B- He knows the one thing that provides strength to live. (John 17:3)

John 17:3 NLT

3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.

Intimacy with the Lord provides that strength.

It is so important that he prayed for us to have it.

C. Jesus continues to pray for you today.

(Hebrews 7:25)

Hebrews 7:25 NLT

25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

During the hour of your darkest storm, Jesus is interceding for you!

it is during those dark hours that it is best to “play it down and pray it up!”

III- JESUS WILL COME TO YOU. (MATTHEW 14: 25)

Matthew 14:25 NLT

25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.

A. Jesus promises that he will come in his special presence during your storms.

Jesus never orphans his children.

(John 14:18)

John 14:18 NLT

18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.

(Οὐκ ἀφήσω ὑμᾶς ὀρφανούς, ἔρχομαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς. )

a. in your time of deep distress, he will come in his special presents to supply your need.

B- Jesus promises that he will never leave you alone.

Once he enters your life, you will never be alone again!

(Hebrews 13:5)

Hebrews 13:5 NLT

5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

“Οὐ μή σε ἀνῶ οὐδʼ οὐ μή σε ἐγκαταλίπω·“ (to desert or forsake a person and thus leave that individual uncared for—‘to desert, to forsake.’ οὐ μή σε

α’νῶ οὐδʼ οὐ μή σε ἐγκαταλίπω ‘I will never desert you, and I will never forsake you’ He 13:5.)

a. Jesus will be with you and in you through the storm.

IV- JESUS WILL HELP YOU GROW THROUGH THE STORM (Matthew 14:28 – 30)

Matthew 14:28–30 NLT

28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

A. Jesus will take you through the school of faith and help you mature in him.

Jesus took Peter through the school of faith.

Kindergarten – launch out the boat. (Luke 5:3)

Luke 5:3 NLT

3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

elementary school – catch fish (Luke 5:4 – 11)

Luke 5:4–11 NLT

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” 5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. 8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

high school – Jesus and the boat when the storm hit (Luke 8:22-25)

Luke 8:22–25 NLT

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. 23 As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. 25 Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”

College – Jesus not in the boat (text)

graduate school – Peter walks on the water and sinks (Matthew 14:27 – 31)

Matthew 14:27–31 NLT

27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” 28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

We’re never so close to failure as when were close to success.

Many people criticize Peter for sinking in the water. It seems he may have had more faith than the others.

Jesus will use the storm to help you grow.

(Romans 8:28)

Romans 8:28 NLT

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

V- JESUS WILL SEE YOU THROUGH THE STORM. (Matthew 14:32)

Matthew 14:32 NLT

32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.

A- Jesus does not take us out of the storm, but sees us through it.

Why?

He knows that the storms are necessary for growth.

He knows that there are some things you can only learn through the storm.

The disciples could never have seen his power fully without going through the storm.

They went through spiritual storms that were much worse later on. Jesus was preparing them for those storms.

He will not allow the storm to destroy you. (1st Corinthians 10:13)

1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT

13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

He does what we do not: there will be an end to the storm.

Jesus used this fact to encourage the Smyrnian Christians (Revelation 2:8 – 11)

Revelation 2:8–11 NLT

8 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This is the message from the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive: 9 “I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. 10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. 11 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death.

CONCLUSION:

When walking through the storm, remember:

Jesus has placed you in the storm: seek to know the reason.

Jesus is praying for you: he is pleading your cause to the father.

Jesus will come to you: he will never leave you alone.

Jesus will help you grow through the storm: without the storms it is impossible to grow. Choose to learn from him.

Jesus will see you through the storm: he will not let it destroy you.

The key to possessing these promises is a personal relationship with Christ. Do you know him as Lord and Savior?