Crossing the sea of dismay…
By:Pastor Ron Crandall
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?
(KJV)
Mark 4:39 And he arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Hush now! Be still(muzzled)! And the wind ceased, [ that is, sank to rest as if exhausted by its beating] and there was (immediately) a great calm a perfect peacefulness. Amplified
We find in this story that Jesus was tired from the pressing crowd for they all wanted to see and hear Jesus. Yet Jesus wanted to go to the other side to rest. The question this morning is did Jesus knowingly send the disciples right into the midst of a storm? And if he did what was the purpose.
Did Jesus knowingly send the disciples into a storm of fierce adversity?
The answer is, Yes
In verse 35 he says let us,
Oh Pastor that is terrible Jesus is going to send me into trials thank you, but, no thank you!
Hang on!
Look at the first sixteen words of that verse, some translation may be shorter or longer, but, if you have a New King James version it is sixteen.
He says something that every Christian should gain hope from … I may be sent through trials of my faith, but it is for the perfecting or bringing about of a more precious relationship….
1 Pet 1:7
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
(KJV)
But, I sure don’t like the sound of this….
I don’t like that….
He said “Let us!”
Which denotes that he would be there too
2nd He used the word “pass”
or
1330 dierchomai (dee-er’-khom-ahee);
from 1223 and 2064; to traverse (literally):
KJV-- come, depart, go (about, abroad, everywhere, over, through, throughout), pass (by, over, through, throughout), pierce through, travel, walk through.
PASS: Here is its meaning: going over, going through, walk through
Heb 13:5
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
(KJV)
For He is:
Jehovah Shammah -the Lord is there, or present “Lo I am with you Always.”
Jehovah Shalom- The Lord is our Peace “ My peace I give unto thee.”
Jehovah Raah- The Lord is my Sheperd
Jehovah Tsidkenu- The Lord our righteosness
Jehovah Jireh- The Lord will provide
Jehovah Rapha- I am the Lord thy Physician
Jehovah Nissi- The is our Banner, or Victor
We have learned the rituals in how to hold our hands and position ourselves for blessing, and go through the rituals you are supposed to go through, and everybody is at ease in Zion until the Storm Hits!
These men had walked with Jesus surely they would have known what to do?
1 Pet 4:12-13
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
(KJV)
Church Just right services are not going to get the job done,
Just right services, don’t have enough power to blow the fuzz off a peach,
Just right services, will not heal the sick,
Just right services, will not deliver those in bonds,
Just right services, will not deliver the alcoholic,
they will not heal the cancer in your stomach,
But you let the power of God come down and he will set the captive free.
* The outcome of the battle is never determined by the size of your circumstance, But it is pre-determined by your faith in your great big wonderful God.
Pastor I feel like the disciples, I’m afraid
• Courage is the capacity to face what faces you!
Rom 3:3-4
3 What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness?
4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge."
(NIV)
• Why did he allow this to happen because he loves showing us his awesome love for us.
• Warfare always surround the birth of a miracle
• Struggles are a proof you have not been conquered
You feel down or you may be struggling but it ain’t over. If you will let Jesus take you problems, and struggles you will find that there truly is “Peace in the Valley.”
And there is Power for the children of God.
Invitation:
