JUNE 7, 2020
SUNDAY SERMON: STORMS WILL COME
(RULER OF THE WAVES)
Mark 4:35-41
Introduction: storms will come. Everyone has their own definition of what they are going through. You may say you are going through fire, or many waters. No matter how you define your challenge allow me to call it the storm. According to Reader’s Digest (Oxford Dictionary), a storm is a violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually, with thunder and rain or snow, etc. Allow me to dwell on the part of violent disturbances of the atmosphere. I am speaking about that disturbance in your life, home, career, social circle, and spiritual life. The moment or season when things are not the way they are expected to be. It is easy for a human being to question and wonder what is happening in such scenarios. But through it all I learned that the storms will come. Yes, you love the Lord with all your heart! Yes, you are prayerful Holy Ghost filled and a faithful giver and tithe. Yes, we are going to Heaven and we are loved by the Lord! But storms will come. Let us not live in denial that because we are born again everything will be smooth sailing. When the storms come we waste so much time asking why instead of being prepared.
Understanding that storms will come and that it’s not uncommon. Whatever storm you are going through, know today that you are not the first neither will you be the last. Yes, storms will come. But there is a Ruler of the waves. Jesus is faithful, and he wouldn’t let you be tossed and tested beyond what you can bear. Quit that pity party and declare today, I have a Ruler of the waves!
Greg Laurie wrote a piece called “Through The Storm”. He believed that there are three kinds of storms we will face in our lives as Christians: correcting storms, perfecting storms, and protecting storms.
A correcting storm is the kind that Jonah faced when he was disobeying God. There are perfecting storms. This kind of storm we read in Mark 4 in today’s message where Jesus was teaching His disciples a lesson. Then there are also protecting storms. This is the kind of storm in Matthew 14 speaks of. The disciples were making their way across the Sea of Galilee and the wind was blowing hard. The Bible said, “the wind was boisterous.”
Let’s take a look at this perfecting storm where Jesus is teaching His disciples a lesson on having faith in spite of difficulty. Trial and tribulations mold us into what God wants us to be. Look at your neighbor and say, “THE RULER OF THE WAVES”.
I.
THE STATEMENT: “LET US PASS OVER UNTO THE OTHER SIDE”
v. 35-36
A. Note what happens as a result of that statement.
1. The disciples send the multitude away.
2. No questions asked as to the weather.
3. The late hour seemed no problem.
B. What that statement guaranteed.
1. That when the disciples got into the boat---Jesus would too.
2. That Jesus had business on the other side.
3. That the ship was absolutely unsinkable.
C. Note how similar that statement is to Christ’s invitation to salvation.
1. The sea: The sea of life.
2. The other side: Heaven
II.
THE STORM
v. 37-38
A. There arose a great storm of wind.
1. All was peaceful in the ship with Jesus.
2. Suddenly the storm was there and the waves beat high.
B. How quickly the storms of life descend.
1. All is moving smoothly, then suddenly there is
some crisis: physical, financial, family.
2. It is a short distance from triumph to tears, the mount to the valley.
C. Notice these important facts.
1. Christians experience storms too.
2. Christians are sometimes weak in the storm.
3. Christians have a refuge in the storm.
4. Baffled and afraid, they call on Jesus (The Ruler Of The Waves.)
III.
THE SAVIOR
v. 38-40
A. “Carest thou not that we perish?”
1. What a statement to make to Jesus.
2. He came that men might not perish (John 3:16).
B. The disciples thought He didn’t care, or he wouldn’t have allowed the storm, but that was not true.
C. Christ is not dead today; He is not just the God of yesterday.
D. Christ responds to their call.
1. He rises and rebukes the sea.
2. There is a great calm; He rebukes their fears.
NOTICE HOW MUCH MORE JESUS MEANS TO THEM: “WHAT MANNER OF MAN IS THIS?”
THE RULER OF THE WAVES
Responsive Reading; Mark 4:35-41
