Through the Storm

Introduction (5 min)

- Last week - feeding 5000 - all 4 Gospels

- This week -along with John 6, found in Matt 14 and Mark 6

Summary of story:

Jesus spends the day along with his disciples in ministry feeding the multitude (20,000+?) after which he tells his disciples to get into a boat and go ahead of him to the other side of the Sea of Tiberias while he finishes dismissing the crowd.

Following his dismissal of the crowd, Jesus proceeds up a hillside to spend some time in prayer. While he is praying on the mountain, a great storm descends on the lake and begins to beat against the boat. The disciples struggle for quite some time against the wind and waves while only being able to row about half the distance of the lake.

In the wee hours of the morning as the disciples continue to strain against the storm, Jesus descends from the mountain and begins to cross the lake himself. . . on foot.

As he reaches the boat and prepares to pass by, the disciples see a form of a man on the water which they mistake for a ghost but is in fact Jesus himself. These hardened sailors seem less afraid of the wind and waves as they are of this apparition and they cry out in fear.

Jesus speaks to them reassuring them it is he. Peter, in an act of boldness steps out of the boat, and for a brief time, exercises enough faith to walk on the water toward Jesus.

However, as the sight of the waves overtake his eyes of faith, Peter begins to sink only to be saved at the hand of Jesus.

Jesus then enters the boat, the wind stops, and the boat immediately arrives at its destination eliciting from the disciples emotions of amazement and hearts of worship.

Why this message?

Some here today and things are sunny and the water’s calm.

You’re feeling good. Ready to worship.

Word for you is JUST WAIT.

**Would you want to hear a word from God today that would be one to sustain you when the thunderclouds gather and the winds pick up?

Some here today and the description of the storm is an accurate description of your current situation.

Heart NOT ready to worship.

You can’t remember a season that has felt like this.

The problems of this past week came not unlike the waves of an angry water and the strain of what you feel seems more than you can bear.

You’re not even sure why you are here or listening today.

**God would have for you a word of encouragement and hope if you will just hang on and weather a bit longer.

In this passage today we will be reassured that the presence of Jesus will see us through the storm.

John 6:16–21 (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.

Context:

Mark 6:45–46 (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. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.

I’d like us to notice FIRST the obedience of the disciples.

Jesus told his disciples to go and they went

We know what they will soon experience, but the whole story collapses without the obedience of the disciples.

Apart from Jesus only one man has walked on water — Peter.

You can’t get out of the boat if you don’t first get in!

Someone who:

God has told you to go.

Act of obedience that you’ve been resisting (fear of storm?).

I’d also like us to see that obedience does not promise we’ll be spared from the storms.

18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles,

about 600 ft below sea level

natural valley allows for winds to pick up speed as they move towards the lake

known for violent storms.

They are in northern part of lake about 7-8 mi across

ILLUST - Peyton and I kayaking trip.

- Things can change quickly!

Sometimes we experience the storms that we have initiated.

wrong boat, wrong time, headed in wrong direction.

due to sin or poor decision

Sometimes we experience the storms that God allows.

Storms happen even when we are faithful.

— J. C. Ryle

“Trial, we must distinctly understand, is part of the diet which all tru Christians must expect. It is one of the means by which their grace is proved and by which they find out what there is in themselves. Winter as well as summer — cold as well as heat — Clouds as well as sunshine — are all necessary to bring the fruit of the Spirit to ripeness and maturity. We do not naturally like this. We would rather cross the lake with calm weather and favorable winds, with Christ always by our side and the sun shining down on our faces. But it may not be.”

They were in the boat, in the dark, in the storm BECAUSE of their obedience.

even due to Divine appointment

Doubtless, the disciples talked:

How did we get here?

Where is Jesus?

Why did he tell us to get into the boat?

Can you relate? Have you asked the same?

Where is Jesus?

Truth found in Mark’s account:

Mark 6:48 (ESV)

[While on the mountain] 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them,

Jesus sees us in the darkness.

They could not see Jesus, but Jesus could see them.

Maybe you can identify.

No one else sees it — Jesus does.

You’ve gotten good at hiding it.

From their perspective they were alone, but from heaven’s they were never alone.

While they were straining at the oars, Jesus was praying on his knees.

Beauty of Jesus’ role.

You may forget him but he doesn’t forget you — he SEES you!

Romans 8:34 — Jesus is at the right hand of God INTERCEDING for us.

Hebrews 4:14 (ESV)

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

“Before the throne of God above I have a strong and perfect plea A great High Priest whose name is love Who ever lives and pleads for me”

— Before the Throne of God Above

Jesus SEES YOU IN THE STORM — He sees you even when you can’t see.

Sees you even when you’re hiding

more than seeing us in the storm. . .

Jesus meets us In the storm.

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.

Matthew adds:

Matthew 14:25–26 (ESV)

25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear.

Why were the disciples so frightened by Jesus?

They did not recognize the presence of Jesus for fear of the storm.

How many times does Jesus come to us in our storms but we are too focused on the storm to see his presence?

Through the word of a brother or sister.

Wise counsel of a godly friend.

Jesus shows up unexpectedly / in a way we don’t expect and we are actually terrified.

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

Gods Word secures during the storm. (20)

This is where the story turns — prior to this there is FEAR. Following Jesus speaking and claiming his presence things begin to change — fear subsides and things happen.

Jesus says “I AM” (ego eimi)

Through these words Jesus claims his presence and reminds the disciples of who he is.

Through God’s Word we are reminded who he is.

Sometimes in the storm the promises of God are all we have

ILLUST - When you are sea sick they say you are to fix your eyes on the horizon. “Focusing on the fixed point will help maintain orientation and balance.

The problem of seasickness arises when there are conflicting messages between what your inner ear senses and your eyes see.

To settle the difference, you need to fix your eyes on something that never change — the horizon (Bible).

ILLUST - time of great despair - you will help others verse.

“Do Not Fear”

It is said that the Bible states not to fear 365 times — once for every day of the year.

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

Jesus controls the storm even when we cannot.

Wonder why the disciples strained for up to eight hours? Perhaps they felt they SHOULD be able to control the storm on their own.

They were fisherman. They were qualified to weather storms. They have been in storms before that they were able to handle.

Some we cannot control.

Broken relationship

illness

There is NO storm that can be created that is greater in strength than the Creator himself.

Wind stops

Boat arrives at location instantly

Jesus was sovereign over the storm from beginning to end.

There is no difference today in the way Jesus handles storms.

He still sees you in the darkness

He still meets you IN the waves

He is still a water-walking storm-stopper

Jesus is still sovereign over your storm from beginning to end.

Conclusion

Mark alone notes the interesting fact that as Jesus neared the boat while walking through the storm his intentions were to pass right by the disciples in their distress. (Mk 6:48b)

At first glance this statement raises an interesting question as to how Jesus’ intention to pass by his disciples squares with his compassion stated earlier for those who were helpless and hungry?

What would have happened had the disciples not called out? Would Jesus have passed? Would the disciples have made it to shore?

And I realized that that seemingly insignificant nugget in Mark’s Gospel offered not only the final application of this story but a deep theological truth that answers the very question it raises.

The sovereignty of God is mysteriously moved with the interactions of men.

Truth is, whether he was in the boat with the disciples or on the other side, the sovereignty of Jesus would see them through the storm.

As they disciples cried out and took Jesus into the boat, the disciples interactions seemingly shifted the intentions of Jesus to ride out the storm in boat with the ones Jesus loved.

Are you wiling to call out to Jesus to bring him into the boat or are you stubborn enough to keep straining at the oars even though you’ve had yet to have success in the storm?

Through these accounts, the emotions of the disciples in the storm prior to Jesus entering the boat are described as being ‘terrified’ and crying out in fear.

But the attitudes of the disciples in the presence of Jesus are noted to be gladness, peace, and worship.