God's Power and Authority

Theme: Life Changes Quickly - God is in control, but what is our part?

Communion

Story

- Jesus is wrapping up a successful ministry - miracles, healing, turnout [always a sign]

Moving on to the next, the other side of the sea - hit a storm; boat out of control

Can you literally relate? Maybe seasick?

Disciples trained and experienced, all of their skill of navigating boats and knowledge of the seas; terrified

Theme: Life Changes Quickly: God is in control, BUT we must be willing participants.

Intro: Out of control, helplessness, vulnerable, fear

Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth - metal chair w/chain across, hanging from a chain; internalized - loss of control, fears, doubt of security, helplessness...we don’t do our deepest analysis when we’re afraid; remember when we’re afraid? Skills to the test? (looking back…?!)

I preached on this last year - pandemic; no map for the road where were headed; no manual

Bridge: Getting some control, but still subject to outside forces (policies, laws, discomfort, fear)

The storm has come, and for many it’s still raging

Theme: Life Changes Quickly: God is in control, BUT we must still be willing participants.

Worst Fear = E.g. unexpected crisis

(we discover, or happen to us?)- conflict breaks out; discover our own pain, recognize our own sin; confront our past; job, $, health... self discovery...unhealthy habits, appearance, driving people away...even things we can see coming [death, surgery, suffering]

Theme: Life Changes Quickly: God is in control, BUT we must still be willing participants.

….the highs have not prepared us (we celebrate our god experiences)

...skills have not prepared (we learn)

…God sleeps in the storm (that’s a good thing) (our faith is tested)

...God corrects us in the storm

Highs

E.g. what does it take for you to give up

Success [project echo] - benefit [music, food [kitchen] fellowship; mission field = see God

what it does for us; what it doesn’t do for us

Skills/experience - professional fisherman, experienced (unexpected, e.g. weather forecast?? -not their fault], seeing God at work; new storm, old crisis may not prepare uf for the new crisis

Theme: Life Changes Quickly: God is in control, BUT we must still be willing participants.

God Sleeps (and that’s a good thing)

Jesus asleep. . literally doing nothing

Crisis - time to panic; always that one person who doesn’t; no fear; annoying? What if we didn’t have that person? Jesus isn’t calm - he’s asleep (picture that)

Conclusion: Demonstrates:

Dissatisfied?

Never gives full explanation (why sleep?), doesn’t calm, doesn’t clarify

Willing participant? Remember, Asking, praying, following

Theme: Life Changes Quickly: God is in control, BUT we must be willing participants.