Faith in the Storm

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 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. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 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?” 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. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Storms Bring Fear

Weather Related

Sunday, November 3, 1968 an F3 tornado hit Saraland, Alabama where we lived. It occurred around 6:55 pm just as we were about to leave for Training Union at Shiloh Baptist Church. As we opened the front door the wind began to blow and slammed the door against the wall. My dad shut the door and we all got in the hallway with all doors shut. The noise and rumble lasted for about 30 seconds and then it was over. A bedroom window was broken with glass embedded in the opposite wall. One of the front porch sculptured iron posts was missing. A large tree limb was broken and hurled over the house to the other side. Large trees were laying across the road. Electricity was off and many homes and structures were damaged.

National Storms

September 11, 2001 the terrorist targeting of the Twin Towers in New York City, the Pentagon, and the Capital or Whitehouse.

Personal Storms

Marital, Family, Financial, Health, College, etc.

The Disciples faced a Storm

When evening had come…they were launching into the night on the Sea of Galilee (13 miles long and seven miles wide)

Jesus said, “Let us cross over to the other side”

Jesus did not say, “Let’s go to the middle and die”

A great windstorm arose

Waves beat against the boat

Water begin to fill the boat

The disciples believed they were going to die.

Several of Jesus’ disciples were professional fishermen who were used to wind and waves. This storm was a boat-sinking kind of storm!

The disciples cried out for Jesus to help them.

Jesus and the Storm

Jesus was in the boat with them.

Jesus is in the boat with us in our storm.

Jesus was undisturbed by the storm.

Jesus was asleep in the back (stern) of the boat.

The storm could not stop Him from fulfilling His mission.

Jesus responded to the cry of His disciples.

Jesus knows our fears. Jesus cares.

Jesus rebuked the wind and spoke peace to the sea

The wind ceased and the seas calmed

Jesus said,

“Why are you so fearful?”

“How is it that you have no faith?”

Faith and the Storm

Keep your heart fixed on the word of God.

“Let us cross over to the other side”

Don’t allow fear to paralyze your faith.

“If God is for me, then who or what can be against me?”

Remember you are not alone.

Jesus is in the boat with you in the midst of the storm.

Remember that Jesus understands your fears and cares for your soul.

Remember that Jesus has power over the storm.

Speak peace to the storm on the inside so you can speak peace to the storm on the outside.