Calming the Storm

Calming the Storm
Mark 4:35-41


Mark 4:35-36 (HCSB)
On that day, when evening had come, He told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” So they left the crowd and took Him along since He was already in the boat. And other boats were with Him.

Let’s Go
* Jesus already knows
* Where He is leading
* What lies ahead
* You’re invited
* Jesus wants you to come with Him
* You never go it alone

Mark 4:37 (HCSB)
A fierce windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped.

Taking on Water
* The unforeseen storms
* Arise suddenly
* Without warning
* The reality of the tempest
* Winds that challenge your direction
* Waves that overrun your barriers
* Bail or drown

Mark 4:38 (HCSB)
But He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him up and said to Him, “Teacher! Don’t you care that we’re going to die?”

Two Responses
* Jesus was asleep
* Unaffected by the storm around Him
* Secure in His Father’s hand
* Peaceful rest
* The disciples were frantic
* They thought Jesus didn’t care
* They weren’t seeing the truth of their circumstances
* Panic is a choice

Mark 4:39 (HCSB)
He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

At His Command
* The wind and the waves
* Immediately obeyed Jesus
* Nothing is exempt from His command
* Immediate calm
* Jesus is the Prince of Peace
* Your storms
* Jesus will speak into those too
* Bringing hope
* Bringing peace
* He is not worried about your demise
* He holds you in His hand

Mark 4:40 (HCSB)
Then He said to them, “Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?”

The Antidote for Fear
* Faith
* Is not based upon what is seen
* 2 Corinthians 5:7

2 Corinthians 5:7 (HCSB)
For we walk by faith, not by sight

The Antidote for Fear
* Faith
* Is not based upon what is seen
* 2 Corinthians 5:7
* Is grounded in God
* His character
* His sovereignty
* 1 John 4:18a

1 John 4:18 (HCSB)
There is no fear in love; in stead, perfect love drives out fear…

The Antidote for Fear
* Faith
* Is not based upon what is seen
* 2 Corinthians 5:7
* Is grounded in God
* His character
* His sovereignty
* 1 John 4:18a
* Fear
* Can only reside where faith is absent
* Our faith must continuously be built up
* Romans 10:17

Romans 10:17 (HCSB)
So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.

Mark 4:41 (HCSB)
And they were terrified and asked one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and sea obey Him!”

Shattering the Box
* Seeing a new side
* Controlling the forces of nature
* The disciples had not seen this before
* Overwhelming authority
* Uncertainty
* How well did they truly know Jesus?
* Preconceived notions & assumptions
* Where did they fit in?

Silencing the Storm
* Jesus is not ignorant of your circumstances
* When the time is right, He will speak peace into your tempest
* You can sleep well knowing that you are in your Father’s hand

**Powerpoint available on request