SF033 - JESUS' POWER OVER DISASTER (Matthew 8 23-27)
Matthew 8:23-27
Introduction
Jesus’ demonstrates His authority and power in chapters 8-9.
Overview of chapters 8 and 9
The leper – Jesus’ power over despair (8:1-4)
The centurion’s daughter – Jesus’ power over distance (8:5-13)
Peter’s mother-in-law – Jesus’ power over disease (8:14-17)
The cost of discipleship (8:18-22)
The storm – Jesus’ power over disaster (8:23-27)
The demon possessed man – Jesus’ power over demons (8:28-34)
The paralytic – Jesus’ power over difficulty (9:1-8)
The call of Matthew – Jesus’ power over disdain (9:9-17)
The raising of the official’s daughter – Jesus’ power over death (9:18-26)
The two blind men – Jesus’ power over doubt (9:27-31)
The mute – Jesus’ power over dumbness (9:32-34)
Jesus’ power over disbelief (9:35-38)
Jesus’ power over disaster
In 8:23-27 Jesus demonstrates His deity by overcoming the forces of nature. In doing so He proves His love and care for His children.
1A. The Disciples (8:23)
Two types of disciples…
Matheôteôs (disciple) simply means a follower, learner, or pupil. The word itself has no spiritual connotation, and it is used of superficial followers of Jesus as well as of genuine believers.
1B. Superficial followers
People who follow Jesus because of what He can do for them. (Matthew 16:1-4)
Ø They want the benefits of salvation without the cost.
Ø The Lord has to be constantly proving Himself to them.
People who simply believe the facts about Jesus (John 3:2-3, 7)
Ø Nicodemus had all his facts straight (John 3:2)
Ø But Jesus told him, “you must be born again.” (John 3:3, 7)
James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe -- and tremble!
2B. Genuine disciples
Luke 9:23 …"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
A disciple is repentant sinner, someone who has denied self and sin.
A disciple is sacrificing servant. The cross is a place of sacrifice.
A disciple is an obedient follower, someone who follows Jesus every day.
2A. The Desperate Situation (8:24-25)
1B. The disciples were faced with circumstances beyond their control (8:24)
The stormy sea
Ø They were shaken
Seismos (storm) literally means a shaking (seismic, seismograph).
Ø They were surprised
The exclamation behold intensifies the rapid and surprising manner in which there arose a great storm in the sea.
Ø They were swamped
The storm became so fierce that the boat was covered with the waves, and Mark explains that “the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up” Mark 4:37
The sleeping Savior
Ø They thought that Jesus’ silence indicated His lack of concern.
Psalm 10:1 Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide in times of trouble?
2B. The disciples were forced to call on the Lord. (8:25)
They called on Jesus because He was available.
Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.
They called on Jesus because He was able.
Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear.
3A. The Divine Solution (8:26-27)
1B. The Lord’s answer (8:26)
Jesus questions their faith
Ø They were fearful
Deilos (afraid) has the basic meaning of being fearful or cowardly
Luke 12:7 "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Ø They were lacking in faith
Oligopistos (little faith) of little faith; men of little faith
Luke 17:5 And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."
Jesus calms the storm
Ø What they could never do no matter how hard they tried, He did with one word.
Luke 18:27 But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."
2B. The disciples’ amazement (8:26)
Thaumazoô (amazed) refers to extreme amazement and can carry the idea of portending.
They had witnessed a display of God’s glory.
Job 42:5-6 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.”
When we see the Lord in His glory we will react like Job and these disciples.
Ø Have you seen the Lord?
Matthew 8:23-27
1A. The Disciples (8:23)
Two types of disciples…
1B. Superficial _______________________
People follow Jesus because of what He can _______________ for them. (Matthew 16:1-4)
People who simply believe the _____________ about Jesus (John 3:2-3, 7; James 2:19)
2B. Genuine disciples (Luke 9:23)
A disciple is repentant sinner.
A disciple is sacrificing servant.
A disciple is an obedient follower.
2A. The Desperate Situation (8:24-25)
1B. The disciples were faced with circumstances beyond ______________ control (8:24)
The stormy sea
Ø They were shaken
Ø They were _____________________
Ø They were swamped
The sleeping Savior
Ø They thought that Jesus’ silence indicated His lack of concern. (Psalm 10:1)
2B. The disciples were forced to call on the Lord. (8:25)
They called on Jesus because He was ____________________. (Isaiah 55:6)
They called on Jesus because He was _________________. (Isaiah 59:1)
3A. The Divine Solution (8:26-27)
1B. The Lord’s answer (8:26)
Jesus questions their __________________
Ø They were fearful (Luke 12:7)
Ø They were lacking in faith (Luke 17:5)
Jesus calms the ______________ (Luke 18:27)
2B. The disciples’ amazement (8:26)
They had witnessed a display of God’s glory. (Job 42:5-6)