Mark 4 35-41 Storm Warning
Storm Warning
But storms with purpose
Mark 4:35-41
Storms have a purpose
Enemy means it for evil
God intends them for good
Count it all joy
I. Let storms turn knowledge into personal reality
A. Storms Maybe after times of teaching
(NKJV) Mark 4 35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”
1. Unusual expression for Mark
a) Emphasis that the following events occur at the end of that day
2. Day’s teaching
a) Did they get the teaching about the sower and the seed
(1) Did they understand and internalize or will the truth be taken away
(2) How deep are their roots
(3) Will they be distracted by things
(4) will they be overcome by anxiety / cares
b) Will their faith shine forth?
c) Is Jesus able to usher in the kingdom in the midst of opposition from this small group of men or will it all fail in the sea? Just who is He (more later)?
3. Classroom knowledge isn’t enough
4. Learning only occurs when life changes
5. Internalization may require great storm – our barriers to change are great
B. Storms Maybe after a promise
(NKJV) Mark 4 35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”
1. A promise is only valuable if it is trusted
2. Would they believe Him?
3. Had to face a situation to challenge it.
C. Storms Maybe after initial responsiveness
(NKJV) Mark 4 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.
1. Obeying does not prevent trouble – may cause it
2. Hoped to rest - Not as comfortable as we like to follow –
3. Storms reveal motives for response
D. Storms Maybe to experience His presence
(NKJV) Mark 4 … they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.
a) Safe in His presence
b) Enjoyment of that safety only comes if they trust Him
II. Let storms take us beyond us own abilities
A. Storm unexpectedness
(NKJV) Mark 4 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.
1. Storm without warning
2. Happened more rapidly than can deal with it
B. Storm in area of strength
(NKJV) Mark 4 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.
1. Experienced fisherman – faced storms
2. Given an opportunity to try to succeed in their own strength
3. Will they try to fix it on their own without His help
C. Storm beyond one’s capability
1. they had no hope in their own strength
2. Forceful attack - Word used of a whirlwind – waterspout/tornado? (other gospel uses word like and earthquake)
(NKJV) Mark 4 37 And a great windstorm arose,
a) Never anything like this
3. Repeated attack - The repeated blows would not let up
(NKJV) Mark 4 37 … and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.
4. Successful attack – they were losing - absolute destruction seemed certain
(NKJV) Mark 4 37 … and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.
– 3-4 feet deep boat)
5. Placed intentionally in a position beyond their strength
6. Did not want them to succeed on their own
7. A test of dependence
D. Storm with a spiritual dimension
1. They appear to be on their own – Jesus is asleep
(NKJV) Mark 4 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.
2. Don’t see Him or feel Him involved – Has He forgotten them?
3. Limits of faith
III. Don’t let storms overwhelm one’s faith
A. Creating fear and panic
(NKJV) Mark 4 38 … And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
1. Continuous actions
a) Shook Him awake
b) Kept shouting at Him
B. Doubting God’s concern
(NKJV) Mark 4 38 … “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
1. Said “teacher” but did not understand they were being taught
2. Don’t you care
a) Okay to say it when you feel it – but don’t stay here (Psalmist struggle – all but one turns in trust at some point)
b) Did He care that they were faced with a storm?
c) Did He care that they were struggling?
d) Did he care about their anxiety and pain?
C. Believing in circumstances rather than the character of God
(NKJV) Mark 4 38 … “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
1. Circumstances lie
2. Must trust in His character
3. Must trust in His power
4. This is called faith
IV. Let storms reveal who Christ is
A. The one with power over the storm
1. Addressed the storm
(NKJV) Mark 4 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace (quiet), be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
a) Commanded (technical term for rebuke of demon) – an attack by Satan?
b) Be muzzled
2. The storm responded
(NKJV) Mark 4 39 … And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
a) Radical change (not just died down) (computer room failure)
b) Wind was worn out
c) Sea complete stillness immediately – no accident
(1) Quiet
(2) Peace
d) Unlike the disciples
B. The one with power over people
(NKJV) Mark 4 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
1. Challenged their reaction
a) Fear “cowardous” rather than trust
b) Doubt rather than faith
c) Need to be confronted (not okay if they want to live a life of faith)– so that will turn
2. Do you still have no faith? – Had not internalized what they had seen/heard
a) In who He is
b) In His care
c) In His ability to handle impossible situations
d) In a trust in His character even when events don't confirm it
C. The one we can choose to trust or not trust
(NKJV) Mark 4 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
1. Kept asking each other
2. Amazed at what He could do
3. Fearful rather than peaceful
4. contrast the storm – easier to still the storm that quiet His disciples – at rebuke storm was peaceful and quiet
a) Neither peace
(a) Fearing they feared greatly – cognate accusative + adjective – extreme expression
(b) More awe inspiring than the problem
b) Neither quiet
5. Yet Jesus continues to love / teach / move them to faith
a) One who is in control
b) One who can calm the trouble
c) One who can calm the soul if we trust Him
d) Ultimately all the ones in the boat do trust
V. Epilogue
Dramatic lesson to readers – Why did they not trust in the storm?
And “why do we not trust in our storms?”
In this storm Mark leaves them having failed to grasp all of what Jesus was teaching them after this storm.
but the storm served its purpose. They were forced to see Christ in way they had never seen Him before.
In the gospels Jesus continues to teach them and grow them. Ultimately, they all (except Judas) are faithful to death. They learn
(Peter in prison, Paul in the boat to Rome, Stephen at martyrdom, John boiled in oil. The other disciples martyred)