Storms Are Inevitable

Scripture Reading: “Mark 4:35-41

Message: “Storms Are Inevitable”

Text: “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling” (v. 37).

Introduction:

What kind of boat do you visualize in this scripture?

Do you picture a large ocean liner type of boat?

Do you picture a medium size boat, like some of the yachts that are seen at the ocean today?

Do you picture a small fishing boat?

Have you ever been out in a boat, large or small, during a storm? I have not had this kind of experience and I don’t want to. I have been out in a bass fishing boat numerous times and I have experienced waves cause by a larger boat passing or some fool speeding and churning the water thus creating fairly good size waves. Any greater rocking of the boat would have caused me to lose what ever I had in my stomach.

Scripture says, “And He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him” (Mark 3:9).

The disciples did as Jesus requested and when it was time, he said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side” (v. 35).

This is not a new Scripture. We have all heard and read it many times. As I read it this time, I ask myself these questions:

I. What does it mean to cross over to the other side?

II. What are some of the windstorms of life?

III. Will God let us perish?

IV. Does God still the storms of life today?

V. Why are we fearful?

I. What does it mean to cross over to the other side?

Scripture says, “Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan” (Mark 1:9). Then Jesus spent the next forty day in the desert being tempted by Satan. Then he begins his ministry in Galilee. After John was put in prison, Jesus went about the country proclaiming “the time has come, repent and believe the good news” (Mark 1:14:15). Jesus’ preaching efforts brought forth followers. He called forth four fishermen to follow him. He called Simon, Andrew, James and John. Jesus and his small group traveled on to Capernaum and he began to teach in the synagogue.

People never heard anyone teach like Jesus taught. The people loved him because he taught with authority. It was unbelievable that Jesus could call forth an evil spirit from a man who was possessed. Now Jesus really had the attention of the people and his popularity spread quickly over the country.

After Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law, his popularity became even greater. People were bringing the sick and demon possessed to Jesus for healing. Jesus healed the man with leprosy (Mark 1:41) and the man paralyzed who was brought to the house and lowered down in front of Jesus through a hole in the roof of the house (Mark 2:4-5). Jesus called forth another man named Levi. Levi was a tax collector and tax collectors did not have a good reputation. Jesus ate with sinners. This act upset the Pharisees. Jesus responded to the Pharisees saying, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).

At this time, Jesus was gaining followers, but he also made some enemies; namely, the Pharisees. The Pharisees questioned Jesus concerning fasting and healing on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were really jealous of Jesus’ popularity. They were more concerned about their standing in the community and their personal gain. Jesus was concerned about people everywhere. He said, “Let us go over to the other side” (Mark 4:35). He wanted to move to the other side of the sea because he knew there were more people who wanted to be taught God’s Word. Jesus knew there were other people who needed to have the opportunity to repent and believe. Jesus said, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17).

Jesus command “Let us go across to the other side” is just a relevant today as it was over 2000 years ago. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Our missionaries are going to the other side of the world to carry forth the message. They are crossing the vast oceans and moving into jungles and backwoods areas to help the people. They are feeding people, teaching them how to provide food and clean water for themselves. Medical help is being provided to those who are sick. The Word is being taught to those who will in turn teach their own people. Christianity is spreading because people have taken seriously the words of Jesus, “Let us cross over to the other side.”