A light in these dark times

Title: a light in these dark times

Theme: Jesus may be far more than we know, let us get to know him better.

Test: Matthew 8:23-27

Goal: There are events in our journey that mark us. Jesus can walk us through and bring meaning to life.

ME: ORIENTATION: FIND COMMON GROUND WITH THE AUDIENCE

Thank you for coming out today with your children

Emergency personnel, teachers, police fire ambulance

My goal is not political but rather being a shepherd.

WE: IDENTIFICATION (MAKE IT CLEAR THAT YOU STRUGGLE)

News information, conflicting info

News itself

Isolation

School

Work or no work

Masks

We struggle with Fear and how to handle this.

There are events in our journey that mark us. Jesus can walk us through and bring meaning to life.

GOD: ILLUMINATION (THE GOAL IS TO RESOLVE THE TENSION

Follow in the storm

A. Following (discipleship)

23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.

A.Disciple:

μαθητής (mathētēs). n. masc. disciple, learner. Used of a person who follows after and seeks to learn from another.

The term mathētēs occurs very frequently in the nt. Its fundamental meaning is one who seeks to learn from another. A disciple is not only a partaker of information, but also one who seeks to become like his or her teacher (Luke 6:40). In this way, discipleship is about modifying one’s entire lifestyle. The term mathētēs is often used of the group of people that followed Jesus in his earthly ministry, whether the Twelve themselves

Byrley, C. (2014). Discipleship. D. Mangum, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, & R. Hurst (Eds.), Lexham Theological Wordbook. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

B. Follow

verse 23 Follow

ἀκολουθέω (akoloutheō). vb. follow. Figuratively, refers to the process of following someone as a disciple.

This word literally refers to following after someone physically. It is used this way in the nt (e.g., John 20:6). However, in the nt it is also sometimes used as a term for becoming a disciple (e.g., Matt 9:9; Mark 1:18; Luke 5:11). These two concepts are not fully distinct; Jesus’ disciples did in fact literally follow him around, but they also left behind their former lives to devote themselves fully to him.1

C. Great Storm

24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.

Out of nowhere this storm comes

There are events in our journey that mark us. Jesus can walk us through and bring meaning to life.

Fear and Jesus

25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

A. Fishermen respond

These were experience fishermen and they were fearful which says something about the storm

These disciples, only four of whom have been named (Peter, Andrew, James, and John; see 4:18–22), have probably crossed the sea many times, being professional fishermen. But they are in for a trip that will mark them forever.

Fear can be a funny emotion which can lead us in many strange paths.

The disciples have faith, but it is not functioning properly (see comments on 6:30; 17:17, 20). Jesus calls them to understand more clearly who he is and then act on it. True faith will enable them to trust in God’s care even when the circumstances do not look promising.1

We makes you fearful these days for our children, school and the virus.Difficult choices? What is the best choice?

B. Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?”

we are fearful for the lives of children?Disciples were fearful for their lives.We are fearful for others in the family, elderly, at risk etc…

C. Followers of Christ we can trust in a source greater than themselves.

Getting to know Christ, will help with trusting Christ.Source greater than ourselves.

D. Christ calmed the storm

* THe greek indicates that in one moment storm and the next calm waters,

Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

There are events in our journey that mark us. Jesus can walk us through and bring meaning to life.

III.Who is this man

27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” Matthew 8:27

A. God’s authority and power

but with divine power he quiets the storm by a mere word of command. He is able to command even the forces of nature,

Jonah 1 Jonah a prophet who was running from God. There was a great storm, they threw him overboard.

B. Who is this man?

men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this,

There are events in our journey that mark us. Jesus can walk us through and bring meaning to life.

YOU: APPLICATION (TELL PEOPLE WHAT TO DO AND WHAT THEY HAVE HEARD)

Conclusion:

The Covid 19 virus will touch us all in some ways.

There are events in our journey that mark us. Jesus can walk us through and bring meaning to life.

Who is this Jesus in the journey you are walking? What storms you are going through?

Will you get to know him

( I talked with a woman that had cancer. Her life was changed for ever. A a result this experience changed her life. Kelly Cox)

Sermon 081620 And interview with Dave K. on stepsalongthejourney.org. Then click podcast and go to SATJ5 kidney.

After you finish watch the sermon and at the end the interview. If you want the interview go to 20 minutes in and watch and listen to 3 years later.

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