The Storms of life

intro and welcoming statements to those in chapel at the Good Samaritan Rescue Mission, Bay City, Michigan

So tonight, I’m going to read an account in the Gospels and give two parallel interpretations that apply to you right here, and right where you are in your journey.

Read Mark 4:35~41 in NKJV

The New King James Version Chapter 4

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”

The day starts at sunset for the Jews. This could reference late afternoon, they are setting out potentially at dark to cross the sea. risky business because the geological structure of mountains and a sea well below sea level creates potential for late afternoon wind storms to arise unexpectedly.

Jesus determines there’s a mission across the Sea of Galilee . We must cross over tonight! This shows the urgency of the time. Kairos moment is what we call it - a specific point of time - not to be offered again perhaps.

The New King James Version Chapter 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.

They left the crowds - do you realize that if you are to go on a mission to find your destiny, it will require you leaving the familiar, the crowds, the people you have grown comfortable with, even if they are detrimental to your well being and success?

they took him along in the boat - AS HE WAS. One of the most wonderful revelations of Jesus and His saving offer is embodied in a song used by Billy Graham Crusades for altar calls - “Just as I am” God is calling you to come to Jesus, just as you are.

Romans 5:8-9 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”

Other boats were also with them, this would be followers of Jesus who travel with to encourage you on the journey

The New King James Version Chapter 4

37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.

As I mentioned, storms rise up unexpectedly in the sea of Galilee in the afternoon. The conditions almost guarantee a storm will arise.

But we are not talking about that storm, we are talking about your storm. It’s a given that when you set out to accomplish a change in life, or set goals to succeed, that resistance will arise. Life is full of storms that stand against our reaching “the other side”. For the most part its a test of character and purpose. If your goal is to find Christ, to serve Christ, to change your lifestyle in a conforming to His ways, way; you will have a storm from evil come against you to discourage or steal your joy.

John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Keep in mind that these life storms are not selective on who they hit - we are all in this together.

Matthew 5.45 “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

Note, that the storms can be potentially life destroying. “so that it (the boat) was already filling”

The New King James Version Chapter 4

38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Where is Jesus in this storm? Well in the case of the event 2000 years ago, he was sleeping. Remember they took him on board just as he was, and he was tired from preaching hope all day long.

Where is he today, well i can assure you he is not sleeping! He is watching you to see what decisions you will make while life swirls around you. His seemingly lack of concern for the disciples is because he knew they would make it to their determined destination.

What did they do, and what should you do when the storm is against you? They turned to Jesus for help! Whether you are currently in your storm or experiencing a moment of peace - turn to Jesus - He is the hope and answer to all humanity.

Hebrews 12.1-2 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Jesus endured the shame, pain, rejection, suffering, and ultimate death of the cross, because he knew, He would reach the other side, along with all those who accept the free gift of forgiveness of sin, and Eternal life which the gospel offers.

Romans 3.23-5 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness,”

“DON”T YOU CARE” - of course He cares. Jesus Christ gave his life as a sacrifice for your sins, so that you could re-establish relationship with your Creator and live in His Grace Eternally!!!!

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

The New King James Version Chapter 4

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

Jesus is still in ultimate control. He allows storms so we can grow stronger in faith and confidence both, in him and ourselves, as we learn to press through and overcome. Life is not easy as you all should know by now. But life can be successful and filled with joy as you live for Christ and He lives inside you.

1 John 5.4-5 “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

romans 12.21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

This authority given Jesus demonstrates along with the many other miracles that He is indeed “Emmanuel” “God with us”

A lot of people doubt the reality of who is Jesus, to their own detriment I would say. But for those who believe He is both Savior and Lord unto eternal Life. I can’t begin to explain what all this means - But for 47 years I have been living in this Eternal Life with Christ, and I’m here to encourage your hope because of the experience of His love in my heart.

The New King James Version Chapter 4

40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

the common Christian term is “have faith not fear”. We are living in a time when fear is being propaganda izing 24/7 by media and govt. alike. If your not living in fear, then you are either a firm believer that Jesus can stop the storm, or , you’ve been living isolated from all media. Fear is debilitating, Fear is used to control; No one can deny those facts.

the term “fear not” or “do not fear” is peppered throughout the Bible. In fact The Bible also addresses one of the benefits of having Christ within your heart;

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

As you can see in the occasion of the storm, Jesus ties lack of faith to living in fear. That’s a strong statement - we must consider fear as an enemy to faith. And the Bible states several times that “the just shall live by faith”. That means if you are a born again Christian, you should not be governed by fear.

fear ultimately is a tool to keep you from believing for a better future.

if you are not a Christian you can find that freedom tonight, and start on the path to a better future - believe on Jesus, repent for your sins, and ask him to come live in your heart.

The New King James Version Chapter 4

41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

of interest is that these disciples had been with him for a little while and they are still taken by surprise at his authority over nature and life. It also shows that fear still has a grip on their hearts.

at our church we are reading in the Book - the Acts of the Apostles, and finding that these same fearful disciples are living fearlessly and in power because they have receive within themselves the Holy Spirit. That is proof in itself of the transforming nature of Christ within. So, when I am talking here about a life with a future and a hope, it is with great evidence that it is possible for you - all of you!

But will Jesus remain a mystery to you tonight, “who can this be?” , will he be simply a historical figure, a myth, a good man, etc.? Or will you see him for who he is, Savior, Lord God, prince of peace, eternal life giver…etc.?