Storms of Life On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that Mark 4:35-41
Transcript
Storms of LifeOn the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” (Mark 4:35-41)
Mark 4:35-41
Storms of LifeEveryone Experiences Storms—Even Disciples
Preparation Helps Us Weather the Storms
Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. (Matt. 7:24-27)
Storms of LifeStorms Often Arise Without Warning
Serious Illness – Car Wreck – Accident – Job Loss – Infidelity
And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. (Mark 4:37)
For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. (2 Timothy 1:12)
Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. (1 Peter 5:9 )
Storms of LifeSome Storms Can Be Avoided
Problems Associated With Unbelief
When considerable time had passed and the voyage was
now dangerous, since even the fast was already over, Paul
began to admonish them, and said to them, “Men, I
perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and
great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of
our lives.” But the centurion was more persuaded by the
pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being
said by Paul. (Acts 27:9-11)
Problems Associated With Alcohol
Storms of LifeSome Storms Can Be Avoided
Problems Associated With Sin
For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. (Col. 3:25)
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long over wine, Those who go to taste mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it goes down smoothly. (Proverbs 23:29-31)
Car Wrecks – Injuries - Death
Family Abuse – Physical & Mental
Money Problems - Divorce
Destruction of Own Body
Problems Associated With Fornication, Adultery
Storms of LifeSome Storms Can Be Avoided
Problems Associated With Sin
For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. (Col. 3:25)
After Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Abram's wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian, her maid, and gave her to her husband Abram as his wife. He went in to Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her sight. (Genesis 16:3-4)
Divorce & Heartache
Shame – Unwanted Pregnancy
Sexual Diseases
Influence For Good Diminished
Problems Associated With Gambling
Storms of LifeSome Storms Can Be Avoided
Problems Associated With Sin
For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. (Col. 3:25)
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
Family in Need
Bankruptcy - Shame
Stealing - Cheating
Hurting Your Loved Ones
Problems Associated With Dancing, Revelry
Storms of LifeSome Storms Can Be Avoided
Problems Associated With Sin
For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. (Col. 3:25)
For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do-- living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. (1 Peter 4:3)
Running With Wrong Crowd
Drinking – Drugs
Sexual Immorality
Destroy Influence as a Christian
Problems Associated With Pornography
Storms of LifeSome Storms Can Be Avoided
Problems Associated With Sin
For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. (Col. 3:25)
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are:
around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a
woman bathing… (2 Sam. 11:2)
Lust – Evil Thoughts
Fornication – Adultery
Rape
Child Molestation
Problems Associated With Smoking, Chewing, Dipping
Storms of LifeSome Storms Can Be Avoided
Problems Associated With Sin
For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. (Col. 3:25)
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy
Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?
You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your body. (1 Cor. 6:19-20)
Lung
Cancer Emphysema
Influence Bad Effectson Others
Storms of LifeSome Storms Can Be Avoided
Is Using Tobacco Sinful?
1. Harmful to Body – 1 Cor. 6:19-20
2. Loss of Self-Control – 1 Cor. 9:27
3. Hurts Influence – Matt. 5:16; Lk. 17:1-2
4. Harmful to Others – Matt. 7:12
5. Do you want your children, grandchildren to smoke? – Eph. 6:4
6. Would you light one up in front of Jesus, offer him a pinch? – 1 John 2:6
Storms of Life
Some Storms Can Be Avoided
Abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thess. 5:22)
Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to
the words of my mouth: Do not let your heart turn aside
to her ways, Do not stray into her paths; For she has
cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her
were strong men. Her house is the way to hell,
Descending to the chambers of death. (Proverbs 7:24-27)
Storms of Life
Security Found by Listening to God
Proverbs 1:20-33
God Instructs Man Ignores Man Suffers
God Instructs Man Takes Heed Man Is Secure
Storms of Life
Jesus Cares
Even If It Seems Otherwise
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.
The disciples woke him and said to him,
“Teacher, don't you care if we drown?” (Mk. 4:38)
Storms of Life
Job Understood Source of Evil Not God
His wife said to him, “Are you still holding on to your
integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are
talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from
God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what
he said. (Job 2:9-10)
That you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He
causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends
rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matt. 5:45)
Storms of Life
Storm of the Cross
Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads
and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it
in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are
the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of
the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said,
“but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come
down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in
God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am
the Son of God.’” In the same way the robbers who were crucified
with him also heaped insults on him. (Matt. 27:39-44)
Storms of Life
God Gives Us Grace to Endure the Storm
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Ps.23:4)
The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? …Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. (Ps. 27:1-5)
Storms of Life
God Gives Us Grace to Endure the Storm
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be
content with what you have, because God has said, “Never
will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with
confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?” (Heb. 13:5-6)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand,
that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on
him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)
Storms of Life
Enduring Storms Strengthens Us
They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this?
Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:41)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials
of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your
faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its
work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking
anything. (James 1:2-4)
Storms of Life
Patience – Trust
But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When
trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he
quickly falls away. (Matt. 13:21)
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The
disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you
care if we drown?" (Mark 4:38)
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for
the LORD. (Ps. 27:14)
Storms of Life
Patience – Trust
He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD.” (1 Sam. 24:6)
Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:8-10)
Storms of Life
1. Everyone Experiences Storms in their Life
2. Some Come Without Warning – Preparation
3. Some Storms Can Be Avoided
4. Jesus Cares – Regardless of How It May Appear
5. Enduring Storms Produces Maturity
Don’t Panic – Trust God Who Sees All & Cares!
Storms of Life
Don’t Panic – Trust God Who Sees All & Cares!
• God Doesn’t Promise a Life Free of Trouble, But He Does Promise Protection!
For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD
is against those who do evil. (1 Peter 3:12)
• No Storm Lasts Forever
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod
and Your staff, they comfort me. (Ps. 23:4)
Storms of Life
Only Christians Have Divine Protection
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from
Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find
rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is
