WHAT ARE STORMS? EVALUATE ATTITUDES TOWARD STORMS?
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (2 part)
SEVERAL YEARS AGO RED BOOK DID A QUESTIONNAIRE OF INCOMING SEMINARY STUDENTS THAT IS ALARMING.
56% of new students do not believe in the VIRGIN BIRTH. 74% say there is no literal heaven or hell.
94% do not accept the deity of Christ. 98% do not believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ.
GOD HAVE MERCY ON THE CHURCH AND THE USA.
SOMETIMES WE NEED A STORM TO CLEAN UP THE MESS.
The Itsy bitsy spider crawled up the water spout, Down came the rain, and washed the spider out
Out came the sun, and dried up all the rain, And he itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again!
*CAN WE DEFINE SPIRITUAL STORMS: ANY DISTURBANCE INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL? Unpredictable, unexpected, disturbance, big change, destructive.
THREE KINDS OF STORMS: RAIN, FLOOD, WIND…
Matthew 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
GO FIGURE? WHY ARE WE HAVING THIS STORM? WRONG WAY JONAH? JONAH RUNS TO THE BOAT AT JOPPA AND BUYS A VERY EXPENSIVE TICKET… TO TARSHISH NOT TO NINEVEH…
We seem to love sailing in opposite directions: OUR WAY?
Jonah 1:4 But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.
Jonah sleeps, he is the guilty party … PEOPLE OFTEN SAY THE GOOD PERSON SLEEPS BETTER. THIS MAY NOT SEE THE REAL TRUTH. At least Jonah acknowledges the truth… MY CHOICES HAVE BROUGHT US INTO THIS STORM… In life very few people can see their choices have consequences. Half-hearted living makes expensive tickets. “THROW ME OVER BOARD.”
STORMS CAN CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE AND YOU CAN SEE LIFE IN ETERNAL VALUES…
LET US BE HONEST: JONAH WAS A JEW… JEWS KNEW NINEVEH WAS EVIL AND THE HISTORY WAS THE PEOPLE OF NINEVEH HAD BEEN MEAN AND CRUEL TO THE NATION OF ISRAEL.
STORMS CAN OPEN YOUR EYES AND CAUSE A DEEP PRAYER LIFE BEYOND THE PAST.
Jonah 2:2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.
THIS BOAT RIDE IN THE STORM HAD A WAY OF CORRECTION OF ATTITUDES AND SCARRED PAST.
GOD ALLOWS STORMS TO TEACH US AND GROW US… TO STRETCH OUR FAITH AND TO GET US TO ALIGN OUR ACTIONS TO CONFORM TO GOD’S PLAN…
Our enemy desires to be a GRINCH and steal the joy of abundant life. He is a killjoy. Life can become a wet blanket. We must not allow other people to become wet blankets to us. Life is full of difficult situations that OFTEN we made for ourselves. You will have some people that will enjoy watching you sink. They want you to stay down for the 10 count. Life has a way of quenching and dampening our pleasure, joy and enthusiasm. Never allow the Grinch to fuss and complain and knock you down.
GRINCH STORMS can deepen your roots.
THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CALL FOR “FREE LUNCHES!” STORMS CAN STEER US AROUND TRAPS AND FLESHLY DESIRES… PEOPLE LOVE SIGNS. PEOPLE LOVE TO SEE THINGS THAT ARE ENTERTAINING… BISCUITS AND FISH FEEDING THOUSANDS, BLIND EYES OPENED. KNOW THAT A GOOD STORM CAN OPEN OUR HEARTS… WE WALK BY FAITH NOT BY SIGHT…
The reality of ministry must avoid the circus like atmosphere that can thrive… it may take a storm to bring us back to our senses.
Mark 4:35 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?
SHOULD WE LEARN TO EXPECT AND PREPARE FOR THE CONTRARY WINDS? PETER!
WOW, HOW SPECIAL AM I… I AM LISTED AS THE ONLY PERSON NEXT TO THE SON OF GOD THAT WALKED ON WATER…
IF THE LORD SENT US TO THE OTHER SIDE, WILL NOT WE HAVE SMOOTH SAILING?
Matthew 14:22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
MAYBE WE SHOULD GET REAL, PROBLEMS ARE PART OF LIFE AND MINISTRY. We love nice peaceful rides. The boat was an opportunity to get away from the demands of the crowd. Seems like every one wanted something… LIFE AND MINISTRY CAN BE DEMANDING. I love smooth sailing…
Jesus said “GO TO THE OTHER SIDE.” This is a piece of cake?
Matthew 14:24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
REAL LIFE’S SMOOTH SAILING SEEMS TO ALWAYS FIND OBSTACLES AND CONTRARINESS …
***CONTRARY: against, exactly the opposite to what was expected, entirely different, not helpful. SURE, JESUS CAN CALM THE STORM… BUT SOMETIMES THE STORMS ARE TO STRETCH OUR FAITH… there is a lesson to learn from the storms of life.
*APPARITION: THERE IS MORE THAN A STORM BREWING THERE IS FEAR IN THE BOAT… THERE IS SUPERSTITION AD APPARITION IN THE BOAT.
Here we are stuck in a storm WITHOUT JESUS? SOMEONE WAS LOOKING OUT OF THE VESSEL AND SAW SOMETHING THAT WAS ANOTHER GREAT OBSTACLE…
LOOK, THERE IS SOMETHING OUT THERE… AN APPARITION… SUPERSTITION. Superstition? Maybe one of the boys said something like this… MY COUSIN IS A PROFESSIONAL SAILOR AND HE TOLD ME MANY TIMES THAT WHEN A GHOST APPEARS AT NIGHT THAT IT IS A SIGN WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A SHIP WRECK AND WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE WHEN THE SHIP GOES DOWN…
FEAR BREEDS FEAR: THE CONTRARY WINDS, THE APPARITION, --- PROBLEMS SEEM TO FEED PROBLEMS.
Maybe another well intentioned brother said: I HAD A FEELING, I JUST KNEW WE ARE DOOMED?
THE CLOSER YOU GET TO JESUS, THE CLOSER HE GETS TO YOU. YOU SEE BEYOND THE PROBLEMS, YOU FEEL BEYOND THE CONTRARY WINDS, YOU SEE BEYOND THE SUPERSTITIONS ---
Matthew 14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
Praise God when Jesus comes on the scene. But wait there is still more to learn…
DON’T BE AFRAID, --- IS ONE LEVEL OF FAITH… BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER IS A MUCH DEEPER LEVEL--- THIS STORM MIGHT BE AN OPPORTUNITY…
THERE IS A BIG DOUBT EXPRESSED BY THE BIG MOUTH IN THE BOAT… THERE IS A SPECIAL INVITATION WHILE THE TROUBLES OF THE CONTRARY WIND AND THE APPARITION ARE STILL FRESH. IF… IF IS A BIG WORD…
Matthew 14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
There is a big invitation: TRUST ME…
MANY PEOPLE WANT TO WALK ON THE WATER, WITHOUT THE INVITATION ON GOD’S SON: COME…
Matthew 14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
Pastor Chou of Korea wrote a book on prayer. He tells in his book “THE FOURTH DIMENSION” about 4 young girls that loved Jesus and were eager to grow deeper in their relationship. The girls were going to a Christian camp to pray and know Jesus more. There had been very heavy rains in the area. On their way to camp the 4 girls came to a swift, swollen river. The river was flooding the whole area.
The girls were so disappointed they could not attend camp. They knelt by the flooded river and prayed. One asked, is Christian Camp good? Yes, they all replied. Would we be better if we went to camp? YES! Does Jesus want us to go to camp? Sure, he does. Did Jesus help Peter walk on the water? Sure.
So three of girls came to the conclusion THAT JESUS WANTS US TO GO TO CAMP, SO WE WILL WALK ACROSS THE SWOLLEN RIVER. They stepped into the water and the flooded river swept them down stream. Several days later the 3 bodies were found, 3 girls died.
The one girl that did not try to walk on the water told the story to the Korean Media and Christianity became the laughing stock of South Korea for a while. The media talked to Doctor Chou. Can you explain this tragedy? Chou said It is easy. Yes, PETER WALKED ON THE WATER, BUT WHAT THE THREE YOUNG GIRLS FORGOT WAS: JESUS BID, JESUS INVITED PETER TO WALK ON THE WATER. YOU BETTER STAY IN THE BOAT UNLESS YOU HAVE THE INVITATION: COME.
OK, PETER YOU ARE A HISTORY MAKER… WAS IT ALL SMOOTH WALKING BECAUSE YOU HEARD JESUS SAY COME?
NOTE: PETER WAS WALKING TO JESUS --- PETER’S FOCUS WAS ON JESUS… BUT THERE WAS A WET BLANKET TO THIS EXPERIENCE…
Matthew 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
Let me ask you a question: HOW CAN YOU SEE THE WIND? Peter saw the boisterous, contrary wind…
He heard the massive winds… Me thinks Peter felt the cold water running up his leg? Fear! Maybe Peter felt warm water running down his leg? FEAR! DOUBT!
HOW DO WE GO FROM FAITH TO STAND UP AND CRAWL OUT OF THE BOAT TO SINKING?
PETER TOOK HIS EYES OFF JESUS AND STARTED FOCUSING ON THE PROBLEMS… WOW, LISTEN TO THAT WIND?
Maybe Peter looked back and saw the little ship tossed by the waves and winds?
PETER WAS OVERWHELMED BY THE NEGATIVE SITUATION THAT THREATENED HIS VERY LIFE? Maybe Peter thought of his wife, his mother in law, his home? WHAT DO WE DO WHEN OUR PROBLEMS AND OBSTACLES TRY TO OVERWHELM OUR FAITH? Is God stronger than contrary winds? Will we refuse to apply a wet blanket to dampen our fire?
My dear friend, will we allow the obstacles and contrary winds to sink our ship? This storm is a great opportunity to release FAITH and see TWO MIRACLES:
CONCLUSION: STORMS HAVE A PURPOSE… BE READY! BE PREPARED AND TRUST THE MASTER’S PLAN. We must refuse to allow storms to push us contrary. Set your sail or drop anchor. Life is full of difficult storms and situations that we make for ourselves. You will have some people that will enjoy watching you sink. How can you sink through a solid rock? Life has a way of quenching and dampening our pleasure, joy and enthusiasm. Never allow the storms to sink your vessel. Quit complaining. Awaken the Master.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (two part)
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