SERMON OUTLINE:
(1). God Has A Plan For Me And Its Good (vs 16)
(2). God Sees Everything I am Going Through (vs 15)
(3). God’s Help Is Always On Time (vs 18b-19)
(4). God’s Purpose Is Always For Our Growth (vs 20-21)
(5). God’s Word Never Fails (vs 20).
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• “Keep Calm and Carry On”
• The phrase originated as a slogan in the spring before World War II.
• Anticipating the dark days ahead, the British government designed a poster;
• To hang in areas being targeted by German bombers.
• Around 2.5 million copies were printed, but not one of them was posted,
• As officials had last-minute doubts;
• About whether the content was too patronizing or obvious.
• They also couldn't settle on an appropriate time to hang the posters.
• Save for a select few, the majority of the posters were destroyed.
Fast-forward six decades to the year 2,000 and one of the remaining posters;
• Was discovered by a bookseller who bought a box of old books;
• And hidden inside one of the books was one of posters.
• Not realising its rarity or its values;
• The owner of in ‘Barter Books’ in Alnwick, Northumberland,
• Put it up on the wall over the cash register.
• Pretty soon, customers were asking about where they could buy a similar poster,
• And the shop's owners, Stuart and Mary Manley, decided to print copies.
• Little did they know how fast the "Keep Calm" craze would spread.
• ‘Keep Calm’ products have now flooded the market;
• The phrase is plastered on every printable surface from:
• T-Shirts, mugs, keyrings, rugs, posters and much more.
• TRANSITION: "Keep calm and carry on"
• Is the lesson the disciples are going to learn in through this event.
Now to get the full story of this incident:
• You would do well to read what the Matthew and Mark record as well;
• Because different witnesses note different details.
• i.e. Only John in his Gospel records in his account;
• That the people were going to try to make Jesus their king by force.
• i.e. Only Mark records in his record;
• That Jesus looked out and saw the disciples straining at the oars on the stormy lake.
• i.e. And only Matthew records in his narrative;
• What happened with Peter that night.
• Hard to believe you might miss out an incident like that one!
• Now, I want us to note five key things from this short event.
• Five simple applications we can pick out from John’s description pf this event.
(1). God Has A Plan For Me And It Is Good (vs 16)
“When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them.”.
• God has a plan for me and it is Good;
• But that doesn’t mean a life without hardships and difficulties!
Ill:
• Some of you will know that for ten years I had a second hand bookstall;
• Selling mainly Christian books and Bibles at Fareham market.
• One of the other traders was a man called Simon;
• On a Monday morning when we went to get a breakfast roll and a cup of coffee,
• Simon would always ask me every week, the same two questions:
• “How was I?” and then he would ask, “And how’s God?”
• Each time he asked I gave him the same answer:
• Most weeks I would reply; “I am good!” (depending on my health etc);
• But I would always say to him; “And God is good!”
• Though he never told me,
• I was told by another trader that he had lost a son;
• And was hurting and bitter towards God.
• And this was his way of initiating or starting a conversation.
Now none of us like clichés, none of us like platitudes:
• So I was quick followed up my statement that, “God is Good” with:
• “That does not mean everything in my life is good! But God is good!”
• For all of us life is emotional roller-coaster;
• It was full of highs and lows,
• It is full of both good and difficult circumstances.
• TRANSITION: For the disciples of Jesus;
• Life was like riding an emotional roller-coaster;
• It was full of highs and lows, good times and difficult circumstances.
Just think back to the last few incidents recorded by John in his gospel:
• i.e. The high of a miracle as Jesus feeds 5,000 (or maybe 10,000plus!)
• (Chapter 6 verse 1-15)
• i.e. The low of being persecuted by the religious leaders;
• Because Jesus healed on the Sabbath.
• (Chapter 5verse 16-47)
• i.e. The high of seeing a miracle as Jesus heals a paralysed man (38yrs of suffering)
• (Chapter 5 verse 1-15)
• i.e. The high of seeing/hearing news of a miracle as Jesus heals the officials son;
• Even though Jesus was miles away from the sick boy!
• (Chapter 4 verse 43-54)
• i.e. The low and the confusion of seeing Jesus talking and mixing with Samarians!
• (Chapter 4 verses 39-42)
• So following Jesus was like riding an emotional roller-coaster;
• It was full of highs and lows, good times and difficult circumstances.
Note: The disciples were learning an important lesson:
• These men were not guided by circumstances alone,
• But by Jesus!
• i.e. They were not like a boat drifting on the open water, carried here and there,
• They had a Cox-man steering and guiding their way.
• The problem for the disciples was they could not see Jesus;
• He had not yet ‘joined them’.
• Verse 15 tells us that after Jesus finished with the feeding of the huge crowd;
• He slipped away; because some of the people wanted to force Him to be King.
Matthew in his account gives us some additional information (chapter 14 verse 22):
“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.”
• So it was Jesus that sent the disciples into the storm!
• They were following his instructions.
Ill:
• The Sea of Galilee is an unusual body of water.
• It is relatively small (thirteen miles long, seven miles wide);
• But it is 150 feet deep, and the shoreline is 680 feet below sea level.
• Because the Sea of Galilee is below sea level and is surrounded by mountains,
• It is susceptible to sudden storms.
• Winds sweeping across the land come up and over the mountains,
• Creating downdrafts over the lake.
• Combined with a thunderstorm that appears suddenly over the surrounding mountains,
• The water stirs into violent twenty-foot waves.
• The sea can be calm one minute and violent the next.
• These storms usually do not happen at night.
• So, these men did not set out in a storm and they did not expect one either,
• But a storm came anyway!
Quote: Someone once said:
“You are either in the midst of a storm,
You've just come out of a storm, or
You're headed into a storm!”
• TRANSITION: I guess this morning you are all in one of those three places:
• You are either in the midst of a storm,
• You've just come out of a storm, or you're headed into a storm!
Question: If God has a plan for me and it is Good, then why the storms?
• The short answer is; to teach us:
• And the long answer is; toooooooooo teeeeeeeeeeeeeach uuuuuuuuuuuuuuus!
• God will take us through the storms so that:
• We strengthen our character,
• To teach us a lesson about God's will,
• So that we can experience God in a fresh, new way
FIRST: We strengthen our character:
• “Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
• Romans chapter 5 verses 2-5.
• Character is like the foundations of a house, unseen yet essential.
• God builds our character through the difficulties of life!
SECOND: We learn important lessons about God's will,
Quote: English poet and playwright Robert Browning Hamilton:
"I walked a mile with pleasure; she chatted all the way.
But left me none the wiser for all she had to say.
I walked a mile with sorrow; not a word said she.
But oh, the things I learned from sorrow,
when sorrow walked with me.”
Ill:
• Every day top men and women from all sports;
• Put themselves through a tough training programme,
• Endurance running, sit ups, speed tests, weights and a lot more strenuous exercise.
• They may not like the day in day out daily disciplines.
• But they do it because;
• They are not focused on these exhausting difficult practices;
• Their hearts and minds are focused on the exhilarating contest or game.
• They know that the former will prepare them for the latter.
• God uses theses trails and difficulties, to train us and teach us his will;
• So that we are ready and able to handle bigger situations.
THIRD: So that we can experience God in a fresh, new way:
ill:
• A man, after 25 years with one company,
• Was still doing the same old job and drawing the same salary.
• Finally he went to his boss and told him he felt he had been neglected.
• “After all,” he said, “I’ve had 25 of experience.”
• His boss sighed and said:
• “You haven’t had 25 of experience!
• You’ve had one experience for 25 years.”
• TRANSITION: God allows us to go into the storms;
• That we may grow; and deepen our experience of God.
The disciples were in trouble at sea:
• But this was only a small sample of the hardships that lay ahead for them.
• In the future, when they went out to preach the Gospel,
• They would be met with hostility and persecution.
• But as believers we know that:
• They know that the former will prepare them for the latter.
(2). God Sees Everything I am Going Through (vs 15)
“Jesus, knowing that the crowd intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.”
Matthew in his gospel (chapter 14 verse 23) adds the detail:
“…he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray.
He stayed there alone, late into the night”.
Now don’t miss this picture:
• Jesus sends the disciples away.
• He climbs up a mountain to pray.
• I suggest that he found a place that overlooked the lake.
• The lake is surrounded by mountains that slope into the Galilean Sea.
• One could easily look over the water and see what was taking place.
• In this case Jesus saw that his disciples were struggling against the elements;
• And he was aware of their situation and he was praying for them.
ill:
• One night a house caught fire and a young boy was forced to flee to the roof.
• The father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms, calling to his son, "Jump!”
• He knew the boy had to jump to save his life.
• All the boy could see, however, was flame, smoke, and blackness.
• As can be imagined, he was afraid to leave the roof.
• His father kept yelling: "Jump! I will catch you."
• But the boy protested, "Daddy, I can't see you."
• The father replied, "But I can see you and that's all that matters."
• TRANSITION: At times Jesus may be distant and seem uncaring;
• But be sure of this he is praying for us!
Ill:
• In Hebrews chapter 4 verses 14-16:
• Jesus is called our high priest;
• We are told he sympathizes with our weaknesses,
• And that he continually intercedes (‘speaks to the Father’) on our behalf;
• So that: "We might receive mercy and find grace to help (when) in time of need".
• Don't forget: At those times of weakness, times of temptation,
• There is strength to draw, help to strengthen us.
• We might feel at times that we cannot see Jesus;
• But be sure of this he sees us! He is aware of our situation;
• And he offers us “Grace to help (when) in time of need".
(3). Gods Help Is Always On Time (vs 18b-19):
“A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles] they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened.”
Once again Matthew in his gospel (chapter 14 verse 26-27) adds some extra detail:
“At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. 26They were scared out of their wits. "A ghost!" they said, crying out in terror.
27But Jesus was quick to comfort them. "Courage, it's me. Don't be afraid."
For the disciples:
• It’s been a long full day (they are tired);
• They are a long way from land (3 or 4 miles out at sea).
• It is now the early hours of the morning,
• There is a heavy storm, with a howling wind, and huge waves,
• And then to their amazement;
• It appears to them that someone is coming towards them, walking on the water.
• Is it any wonder they are terrified?
• Even those who were seasoned fishermen would have been alarmed and frightened!
These men were about to discover that God’s delays are not God’s denials:
• Jesus appeared in the storm when the time was right;
• Not necessary when the disciples wanted him to!
Ill:
• We live in an instant age;
• i.e. Instant…messages via social media,
• i.e. Instant knowledge via Google.
• i.e. Instant or same day delivery of goods etc.
• Everything today seems faster and quicker than ever before.
• TRANSITION: Remember this, God is never in a hurry.
• The storms of life never take God by surprise, like so often the surprise us.
• And in response to our storms, God’s sometimes he makes us wait,
• But remember….
• “God’s timing is never too early, it’s never too late, it is always right on time”
• i.e. Psalm 40 verse 1: “I waited patiently for the Lord”
• Help is available to the psalmist but it was never automatic;
• He had to learn to ‘wait’ and when the time was right the solution came!
“He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.”
• TRANSITION:
• “God’s timing is never too early, it’s never too late, it is always right on time”
(4). Gods Purpose Is Always For Our Growth (vs 20-21)
“But he said to them, ‘It is I; don’t be afraid.’ 21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.”
• If the sea had been calm that day and the disciples arrived safely on the other side;
• Then this morning we would be reading nothing more than a simple boat trip.
• And that would be that;
• No lessons to learn and no applications to apply!
The fact that the disciples hit a ferocious storm:
• The fact they saw Jesus walking on the water;
• The fact they experienced the impossible;
• Means that this incident was unusual!
• As a result of this incident the disciples will not only put on spiritual muscle;
• They will have their eyes open to who Jesus really is!
Ill:
• I wonder how many in that boat that day thought of;
• Or maybe quoted Psalm 107 verses 23-30:
“And then there are the sailors sailing the seven seas…They, too, observe the power of God in action. He calls to the storm winds; the waves rise high. Their ships are tossed to the heavens and sink again to the depths; the sailors cringe in terror. They reel and stagger like drunkards and are at their wit’s end. Then they cry to the Lord in their trouble, and he saves them. 29 He calms the storm and stills the waves. What a blessing is that stillness as he brings them safely into harbour!”
Application:
• Nobody grows as a Christian by playing safe:
• We only grow as our faith is tested!
• And faith is not faith until it is practiced!
• The only way the Lord can develop faith in our lives is through trials.
• Faith cannot be attained by reading a book,
• Faith cannot be attained by listening to a sermon,
• Faith cannot be attained by even praying a prayer.
• Faith can only be attained as we go through the difficulties of life,
• As we are forced to trust God, and obey Him.
• Even when life does not make sense!
Ill:
• The story is told of a monastery in Portugal,
• It is perched high on a 3,000 foot cliff.
• You can only access it by a terrifying ride in a swaying basket.
• The basket is pulled with a single rope by several strong men,
• Perspiring under the strain of the fully loaded basket.
• One American tourist who visited the site;
• Got nervous halfway up the cliff when he noticed that the rope was old and frayed.
• Hoping to relieve his fear he asked, “How often do you change the rope?”
• The monk in charge replied, “Whenever it breaks!”
• TRANSITION: Gods ropes never break:
• The disciples were frightened of the storm,
• But through the storm they learnt a lot about themselves and about Jesus!
(5). God’s Word Never Fails (vs 20).
“Jesus said to them, ‘It is I; don’t be afraid.’”
• In the storms of life;
• We hold onto the promises of Jesus,
• They are like anchors for the soul!
Ill:
• Two weeks ago I was on a sailing camp at the CYE;
• (Christian Youth Enterprises) Sailing Centre.
• Each lunchtime I will be sharing the Christian message;
• With the twenty-two young people booked into this activity.
• One of the jobs I could do (not being a sailor);
• Is to be in one of the support boats;
• We put out and later collected the buoys to mark out a course for the kids to sail around.
• Those boys are attached to an anchor and dropped;
• And despite the wind and the waves they stay put;
• They seem unmovable!
• TRANSITION: In the storms of life;
• We hold onto the promises of Jesus,
• They are like anchors for the soul!
SERMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=IyQjw5403N7xWTBz4sZriyCmkXkVhzoR
