Why Are You So Afraid?
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.
I haven’t been in a boat that I thought was about to go down, but I’ve been in a plane.
We thought the plane was going down, the disciples thought the boat was going down.
38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 they were terrified and asked each other, who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!
Sea of Galilee
It is 680 ft below sea level & it's surrounded by mountains, so that can help us to understand how you can go from sunshine to rain in about 5 seconds flat
seems like i've seen that before too somewhere...
It's a good illustration of how things can be in our own lives
Sometimes, everything in life can be going along so well, no big issues, everyone's health is good, we're looking forward to summer vacation then out of nowhere, here comes one of those storms that seem to blow out of nowhere.
2 things to remember in the middle of a storm
#1. You are in the storm.....with his PRESENCE.
vs 37-38-
A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
there was a storm...Jesus was in the stern.... he was in the boat..
a lot of people have this idea. I'm with Jesus, there should be no storm. Not true
As a matter of fact, Jesus said in this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world
When we go from darkness to light, we step into the middle of a spiritual battle
Christianity is not a playground... it is a battleground.
Don't let the Presence of a storm make you doubt the presence of God.
Personalize scripture…
Psalm 46:1.. God is MY refuge and My Strength, my ever-present help in trouble.
Psalm 23:4- Even though i walk through the valley... walking through, not staying
Hebrews 13:5b-6…. He will never leave ME... The Lord is my helper, what can man do
#2. You're in the storm for His Purpose
Jesus said let's go to the other side... SO who's idea was it? Jesus’... he knew there was going to be a storm
Disciples in Gods will, still hit the storm
James, Jesus' brother, said this in Chapter 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy b&s when you face many trials..
Rejoice in your storm.... What? Why?
The testing of your faith produces perseverance...let perseverance finish its work that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything
Think about at school, why does the teacher test you? To Pass and Promote you
Pass the test and move to the next level..
We have some Oak tree Christians here today...
Some lost spouses, children, jobs, homes,
Despite the storm.. God is here, he is alive... and he is faithful.
He always uses the storms.
Maybe you're in the storm today... Let me just ask what Jesus asked.
Why are you so afraid?
The storm can bring you close to God... if you let it
