The Miracles and the Ministry of the Messiah in the Book of Mark
Week 7: ‘Calming of the Storm’
Mark 4:35-41
Crossroads Community Church
Rev. Ricky A. Rohrig Sr., Founding Pastor
April 26, 2015
How many of you are afraid of storms? One of the great things about living in Iowa is we get to enjoy God’s splendor of nature through the various seasons. There are different kinds of storms we experience living in the Midwest: thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail storms, ice storms, snow storms, lightning storms, and floods.
One of the interesting things about storms is they all most always happen during a certain seasons of the year. When you are in it seems like forever, even though storms are only temporary. Some storms leave little to no damage, while others are catastrophic. Chances are you probably remember a particular time that you went through a storm.
Storms are so fascinating to some people that there are actually people who are storm chasers. While others, such as meteorologists study weather and storms for a living. You know that is the only occupation you can be wrong half of the time and still have a job. There are storm or weather spotters, and we even have warning systems for various types of storms. On your television, radio, and now even on smart phones your life will literally be interrupted to let you know there is a severe storm on the horizon.
While talking about storms before we get into today’s text, I want you to remember this; there is usually a calming before the storm and a peace after a storm. As we are going to be looking at a passage of scripture of a physical storm I want you to keep in mind the analogy and the parallels of the storm or storms in your life.
If you have your Bibles please turn to Mark 4:35-41and want to minister and teach from this thought, ‘Calming of the Storm.’
Mark 4:35-41
35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
This is right after Jesus was teaching about the parable of the mustard seed. I must point that out because Jesus is telling them ig they have just a little faith God can do great things!
So as I expound and relate today’s text to your life I want to break it down into five sections:
1. The Command – Mark 4:35-36
35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
• The setting was the same day he was teaching by the sea and now it was in the evening time and probably getting dark
• They were at the Sea of Galilee which Jesus performed many miracles
o The one we will talk about today
o The place where Jesus walks on water
o The place where there was not one but two miraculous catches of fish
• Jesus was instructing them where to go next, which was Decapolis where he would perform his next miracles which was Gentile territory
o Jesus was already preparing them for what was coming next
o Just like God is always preparing you for the next season, strom, or circumstance before it happens
• Another thing you have to get is the fact that Jesus was with them the whole time
o You need to know, no matter what you go through in life God is always right there with you
36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
• Notice Jesus had the disciples send the multitudes away
• A second reference to Jesus being with them again
• There was not just one ship but others, so probably another small group that wanted to follow Him
2. The Crisis – Mark 4:37
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
• The boat would have been long and narrow and the disciples would be rowing
• Sound the alarms we have a problem
• The storm would have been like a hurricane
• Imagine waves beating against the boat with power force and might to the point you thought it was going to over turn you
• Not only that but the winds were so strong and the waves so high that the boat was filling up with water and about to sink
• So you have beating against the boat tossing and turning and the water filling up making it sure to sink
3. The Cry – Mark 4:38
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
• Jesus was in a part of the boat that would have had the most turmoil and yet he was fast asleep, why because God was in control
• How many of you liked to be awaken out of your sleep?
• Here the disciples know that Jesus is sleeping on the level below them and they are so scared because of their circumstances
• Look at the emotion that overcame them, don’t you care that we are going to die?
o Notice they weren’t worried about Jesus they were worried about themselves
o How many of you are like that, always looking out for #1, in times of distress and danger you call out to Jesus
o We should be calling out to Jesus at all hours of the day, in every area of our life, no matter what is going on around us, or in our lives.
4. The Calm – Mark 4:39
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
• Jesus only said three words, peace be still.
• Jesus has power, authority, and ability to change nature
o Jesus has the power, authority, and ability to change your nature, your sin nature
5. The conclusion – Mark 4:40-41
40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
• Jesus asked them a question, why are you so scared, why don’t you have any faith, not some faith, but why do you have no faith
• The response was fear answered by fear, they could not hardly believe their eyes
• They were starting to understand the magnitude of who and what Jesus was all about
Practical application
The story is metaphorically in nature
• The people in the boat represent us
• The storm represents the sin nature and how the enemy wants to take us out
• Jesus calming the storm is showing his power over the enemy
So what about you today?
What areas of your life do you need peace in:
• Peace with your children
• Peace with your Spouse or significant other
• Peace on your job
• Peace at school
• Peace in your neighborhood
• Peace with other family members
• Peace with your friends
• Peace with God
• What about inner peace?
Whatever area of your life you need peace in God is able to give it to you through Jesus Christ you can have a peace that surpasses all understanding, you can rise above whatever you are going through a personal relationship with Jesus.
