Luke 8:22-25

Observations:

v. 22, Around this time Jesus takes His disciples into a boat and instructs them to go to the other side of the lake and they launch out.

v. 23, As these experienced fishermen were sailing, Jesus slept. Then a fierce storm came upon the lake and they were about to be overtaken and were in danger.

There is certain urgency in their situation

The Sea of Galilee, lying in a basin seven hundred feet below sea level and surrounded by mountains, is particularly susceptible to sudden violent storms. With two large valleys open on the west (Wadi Hamam and the Beit Netopha Valley), cold westerly winds can descend quickly, turning the placid lake into a raging sea, with waves up to seven feet. In the winter sudden easterly winds can blow up to six- or seven-foot waves. Luke is not exaggerating when he says the disciples are in great danger.

“Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn minutes to hours?”

v. 24, The disciples woke Jesus up, emphatically, disclaiming their dire situation. Jesus gets up and rebukes the storm and it stopped.

The “rebuke” does not mean that the wind and the sea are represented as demonic forces, but rather that Jesus is able to command even the forces of nature. God is described in the Old Testament as “rebuking” the sea, a demonstration of his sovereign control over all of nature

v. 25, Jesus then directs His attention to His disciples and asks where their faith is. They were terrified and amazed at what just occured, saying among themselves, “Who is this that commands the winds and sea that they should obey Him?”

In the Psalms, the Lord is celebrated as the master of the storm and sea.

Ps. 65:7; 89:9; 104:6–7; 107:23–32

Exegetical Idea/Big Idea:

Jesus instructs His disciples to travel across the lake (to escape the crowds?)

Jesus sleeps as they sail and are taken on by a fierce storm that terrifies the disciples, waking Jesus up to save them. He calms the storm with a rebuke.

His response to their fear is directed towards their lack of faith. In response to this significant and miraculous event is fear and wonder (amazement), leading them to truly question, “Who is this that commands the winds and sea.”

Big Idea:

Jesus demonstrates the authenticity of His authority in an intense, miraculous moment through His control over the heartless storm.

He demonstrates the validity of His role as the faith-bearer of humanity through His demonstrated sovereignty over creation.

Homiletical Idea

As Christians, we are called to deliver our faith unto Christ even in the midst of terrifying storms, for He is sufficient to bear our faith and is sovereign over our fears.

Liturgical Idea

What should we praise God for? (Rejoice)

What should we confess to God? (Repent)

What should we ask God for? (Request)

What should we lift up to God? (Sacrifice)

What should we live out for God? (Service)

As Christians, we are called to deliver our faith unto Christ even in the midst of terrifying storms, for He is sufficient to bear our faith and is sovereign over our fears.

Intro:

Recap:

Luke 8:1-15, As Christians, let us not be deceived by the initial responses of others towards the Word of God, but also by our own initial responses.

The response of a Christian is marked by an honest, humble( good; gentle) reception of the Word with perseverant fruitfulness.

Are you all heat and no flame? Is your passion for Christ being choked out by the competing passion for the things of the world?

Be cautious Christian, lest you hear on that day, “I never knew you!”

Prayer

Read Luke 8:22-25

Head- What does it mean?

(15-20 min.)

vv. 22-25, The Calming of the Storm

vv. 22-23,

v. 22, Around this time Jesus takes His disciples into a boat and instructs them to go to the other side of the lake and they launch out.

v. 23, As these experienced fishermen were sailing, Jesus slept. Then a fierce storm came upon the lake and they were about to be overtaken and were in danger.

There is certain urgency in their situation

The Sea of Galilee, lying in a basin seven hundred feet below sea level and surrounded by mountains, is particularly susceptible to sudden violent storms. With two large valleys open on the west (Wadi Hamam and the Beit Netopha Valley), cold westerly winds can descend quickly, turning the placid lake into a raging sea, with waves up to seven feet. In the winter sudden easterly winds can blow up to six- or seven-foot waves. Luke is not exaggerating when he says the disciples are in great danger.

“Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn minutes to hours?”

Summarize:

Jesus instructs His disciples to travel across the lake (to escape the crowds?)

v. 24,

v. 24, The disciples woke Jesus up, emphatically, disclaiming their dire situation. Jesus gets up and rebukes the storm and it stopped.

The “rebuke” does not mean that the wind and the sea are represented as demonic forces, but rather that Jesus is able to command even the forces of nature. God is described in the Old Testament as “rebuking” the sea, a demonstration of his sovereign control over all of nature

Summarize:

Jesus sleeps as they sail and are taken on by a fierce storm that terrifies the disciples, waking Jesus up to save them. He calms the storm with a rebuke.

v. 25,

v. 25, Jesus then directs His attention to His disciples and asks where their faith is. They were terrified and amazed at what just occured, saying among themselves, “Who is this that commands the winds and sea that they should obey Him?”

In the Psalms, the Lord is celebrated as the master of the storm and sea.

Ps. 65:7; 89:9; 104:6–7; 107:23–32

Summarize:

His response to their fear is directed towards their lack of faith. In response to this significant and miraculous event is fear and wonder (amazement), leading them to truly question, “Who is this that commands the winds and sea.”

Big Idea:

Jesus demonstrates the authenticity of His authority in an intense, miraculous moment through His control over the heartless storm.

He demonstrates the validity of His role as the faith-bearer of humanity through His demonstrated sovereignty over creation.

Heart- Do I buy it?

(15-20 min)

Open the discussion for any questions.

(Let group answer these questions)

What should we praise God for? (Rejoice)

What should we confess to God? (Repent)

What should we ask God for? (Request)

What should we lift up to God? (Sacrifice)

What should we live out for God? (Service)

As Christians, we are called to deliver our faith unto Christ even in the midst of terrifying storms, for He is sufficient to bear our faith and is sovereign over our fears.

Hands- So What? How then should I live?

(10-15 min)

Walk with God: What does faith in the midst of the storms look like personally in your walk with God?

Keep Christ first: What does faith in the midst of the storms look like personally when we keep Christ first?

Keep sin out of your life: What does faith in the midst of the storms look like personally when you are keeping sin out of your life

Personally, it is a clinging onto Christ, onto His promises with a conviction that should you make it through or not, you do so under His sovereignty.