Questions Jesus asked #5
“Where is your faith?” – Luke 8:22-25
By James Galbraith
Bethel First Baptist Church – February 8, 2004
Introduction
Swan Quarter Tale
Sometime in the 1870s, the good citizens of Swan Quarter, North Carolina decided that it was high time to build a church. Various local craftsmen offered to donate their services. All that was needed was a lot on which to build. After a diligent search, a prime parcel was decided upon, and representatives of the future congregation went to call upon the owner. Much to their dismay, he courteously but firmly refused to sell. A second lot was chosen. Soon, the proud new structure began to take shape.
Just as the church neared completion, a terrific storm struck the North Carolina coast. The screaming winds backed more and more water into Swan Quarter Bay, flooding the town. The new church actually floated off its foundation and proceeded "before the wind" down what was the main street. After colliding with the general store, it eventually came to rest on the lot the congregation had first chosen.
Apparently seeing the hand of providence, the owner ceded the property to the church. Not long afterward, Providence Church sat atop a new foundation on its chosen land. Today, a new brick structure has replaced the original building, but the old church that floated down the street is still used for Sunday school. If you are interested in visiting the church, walk north along the main road and you will see the new brick structure on the left. The old church is just behind it.
Sometimes storm serve a purpose much higher than we can ever imagine…
famous saying - “calm seas do not a sailor make”
The disciples face a storm in our passage this morning, one which will Jesus to confront them with the question…
Where is your faith?
Narrative/Exegesis
- passage is one story told three times (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41)
- shows importance of this event to the biblical writers – all 3 gave it space
- also shows authenticity in that each records it slightly differently
- some details I share may come from the other “tellings”
- one of three stories which, in a sequence, show the power of Christ over the natural, the supernatural (demons), and even death itself
- after a long day of teaching and dealing with the crowds, Jesus and disciples climb into boat to cross Sea of Galilee
- to hold 13 men and some travel gear, had to be a fair size, possibly equipped with a small mast and sail
- open Boston whalers from HMCS Quadra, overnighters with 15+ cadets
- a tired Jesus falls asleep, leaving the sailing to the fishermen.
- Mark – sleeping in stern on a cushion
- when you’re tired, you’ll sleep anywhere – I fell asleep in an engine room once
- a storm breaks out, threatening to swamp the boat and all it’s crew
- since the Sea of Galilee is in a valley, amidst hills and gorges,
winds funnel through it and made for powerful windstorms.
- it takes a lot to scare a fishermen, let alone one in the company of others,
but this storm has them frantic
- they wake Jesus up and warn him of their peril
Luke - “Master, master, we’re going to drown!”
Matthew - “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
Mark – “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
- they wanted help, but they did not know all that he was capable of
- end of story shows that they were surprised at his power
- Jesus stands up in the boat and, with a simple command, calms the sea
- “Quiet! Be still!”
- when teaching this story at camp, the sun broke through clouds just as
I shared this line with my cabin group
- he turns to the disciples and asks them – Where is your faith?
Matthew – You of little faith, why are you so afraid?
Mark – Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?
- but these boil down to “Where is your faith?”
- after asking this, we have a pretty good idea of where the disciple’s faith was…
- fear and amazement show a growing belief in Christ as Son of God
- a belief expressed a short time later when Peter declares Jesus to be
“the Christ of God” – the one sent to save Israel (and the rest of the world)
- the storm had definitely played a role in forming this faith, it had tested them and driven them into a deeper appreciation of the nature of the Jesus they followed
- storms can do that to us too, when we learn the right answer to the question Jesus asked – Where is you faith?
What would we say if Jesus asked us this question today – where is your faith?
Ourselves? Others? Jesus Christ?
1. Many would have to say Ourselves…
- self made success stories
- dealing with problems on their own
- Buddhists believe in strengthening the self through self-denial and discipline
- those who believe in nothing but themselves may achieve much, but they will all come to a place where they are faced with something bigger than they can handle
What would have happened to the disciple if they had put faith in only themselves, and ignored the saviour who slept amongst them?
I daresay they would have lived to tell about it, but the story would sound a lot different!
2. Many more would say Others…
- family, friends, partners, groups
- substances, material goods
- other faiths abound
- we all need the support of others, but we must all face the fact that when Jesus called us to himself he said, “I am the way, the truth and the life”
- other people have limited resources and abilities
- substances or material goods offer a false security
- other faiths simply do not lead us to God
Again, what if the disciple had cried out to their families, their friends, or even a plethora of other gods that were popular at the time?
3. And many would also say “Jesus Christ”
- those who do put their faith in Jesus come to faith in many different ways,
and we are all at different stages in our growth
- yet those who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved!
- only Jesus gives us the whole package in faith
- someone to lean on when we’re weak
- someone who can tackle any storm we may face
- someone who has faced the storm of death itself and come out on top
Conclusion
DO you call on the name of the Lord to save you from the storms you walk through?
If you don’t, then follow the lead of his disciples, and call out for him today.
If you do, then trust in him to act, and be ready to answer the question, “Where is your faith?”
