Matthew 8:23-27 (ESV) 23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
The last few weeks in the High Desert has been like the middle of winter all over again. High winds and cold temps. My motivation to work in my yard has been very low.
Storms happen in life. In fact, they can arise quickly and turn a beautiful day upside down.
Have you ever been through a life storm?
The doctor calls. The divorce papers arrive. A policeman shows up to your door. Your teenager calls and asks you if the car insurance covers the other guy’s car.
This is where Jesus’ disciples found themselves one night. The wind began to whip the waves into a storm.
These men are seasoned fisherman and are used to rough seas. But this storm was more than they could bear. They were afraid. On top of that…Jesus is sleeping in the boat while the storm was going on.
The disciples had a fear and they needed peace. Jesus speaks and says, “Why are you afraid, ye of little faith.”
Everyone of us deals with anxiety and worry and storms.. Someone said, “I have so many troubles that if anything happens to me today it will be two weeks before I can get around to worrying about it.” Someone else said, “Worrying about the past is like trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube.”
We worry about everything - Health/ family time/ children/ jobs/ money/ aging/ marriage, etc.
It is interesting… I read about fog the other day… A dense fog - covering 7 city blocks, 100 feet deep, contains less than one full glass of water.
The truth is this: Worry is much like fog… there’s not as much in as we thought.
Worry causes our perspective to be clouded, it causes difficulty in maneuvering the roads of life, it slows us down to get where we really want to go in life.
Doctors tell us that worry affects our Health... High Blood Pressure/ Heart Disease/ Headaches/ Makes us Nauseous/ Gives us Insomnia/ Lack of Energy.
Worry strains our relationships. They say that financial stress is the #1 marriage killer. It disrupts our productivity. It destroys careers, etc.
Proverbs 12:25 - "An anxious heart weighs a man down." (NLT)
1 Pet 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you. (NLT)
Anxiety is a direct attack from Satan. It paralyzes us from being effective Christians.
A recent study found out…
40% of worries are about things that never happen
30% are about past things or things that cannot be change
22% were over petty, needless things
Only 8% were legitimate concerns.
I’ve come to give you good news this morning – Whatever it is that has you stressed this morning hasn’t surprised and knocked God off His throne!
I love this story from the book of Matthew. (Actually it is in all the gospels). It is a great example about how we respond to situations and circumstances in our lives and how God seems them.
The good news today is that despite the stress factors we face in our lives - God has a plan to help us face those stressful times with a peace that passes all understanding!
1. DON’T WORRY – Jesus Is In Your Boat – Vs. 23
Matthew 8:23 (ESV) 23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.
This is important - notice that Jesus was in the boat with the disciples. Here’s a truth for all of us… when Jesus in your boat it doesn’t matter what comes your way!
For the disciples… this is the best place for them to be right now. Not because they are in a storm. Not because it is a terrible storm. Not because their lives are at stake. BUT BECAUSE OF WHO IS IN THE BOAT!
Look what God’s Word declares…
1 John 4:4 (ESV) 4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Psalm 46:1 (ESV) 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Jesus was in their boat!
Just because Jesus was in their boat – it didn’t exempt them from the storms. Just because you’re a Christian doesn’t guarantee that you won’t have problems or have things to worry about.
Psalm 34:19 (ESV) 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
But on the other hand - Just because Jesus was in their boat – it didn’t exclude them from His intervention.
In the same way Jesus’ presence didn’t exempt them from troubles neither did it exclude them from His intervention.
This is important for you to hear…Jesus is ready and willing to deliver you – to set you free – to come to your aid in the storm that you face today!
Psalm 37:25 (ESV) 25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.
2. DON’T WORRY – Storms Are Normal – Vs. 24-25
Matthew 8:24-25 (ESV) 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.”
So here they are - out in the boat. They are out on the lake and this terrible storm comes up. The waves are crashing into the boat and they are fearful for their lives.
Yet as I stated before, storms out on the lake are common occurrences.
1 Peter 4:12-13 (ESV) 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
3. DON’T WORRY – Jesus Has All Authority – Vs. 26
Matthew 8:26 (ESV) 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
In this storm… Jesus arises from his nap and speaks. He then rebukes the wind and waves and suddenly things calm down.
God’s got this. He’s in charge. He has authority to deal with any storm you are facing today.
You’ve got authority to. God has empowered you and He has commissioned you – therefore you should be overcoming!
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:18 ESV)
Go to God with whatever storm you might be facing today. Trust God to see you through. Put your worries in His hands and begin to give thanks with praise and thanksgiving to our creator who has all power and authority and God will come through for you.
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