LESSONS FROM A STORM

Gospel of Mark #14

Pastor Dennis Clanton

Woodland Church

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

(Mark 4:35–41, NLT) “As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid?[cowardly] Do you still have no faith?” The disciples were absolutely terrified. [Awe, reverence] “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

1. WHAT DID GOD SAY TO YOU WHEN EVERYTHING WAS CALM?

(Mark 4:35, NLT) “As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”

Jesus’ ministry was always purposeful.

[God] promises [sacred delight]. And he promises it to an unlikely crowd:

• “The poor in spirit.” Beggars in God’s soup kitchen.

• “Those who mourn.” Sinners Anonymous bound together by the truth of their introduction: “Hi, I am me. I’m a sinner.” …

• “The merciful.” Winners of the million-dollar lottery who share the prize with their enemies.

• “The pure in heart.” Physicians who love lepers and escape infection.

• “The peacemakers.” Architects who build bridges with wood from a Roman cross.…

• “The persecuted.” Those who manage to keep an eye on heaven while walking through hell on earth.

“It is to this band of pilgrims that God promises a special blessing. A heavenly joy. A sacred delight.” -Max Lucado, Applause of Heaven

2. STORMS USUALLY FOLLOW PROMISES.

(Mark 4:37, NLT) “But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.”

a. Have you ever felt hopeless, powerless, or helpless?

b. Storms are meant to help us grow stronger.

c. Ask God to help you make the most of your storm.

Dear God, let me soar in the face of the wind: up, up, like the lark—so posed and so sure, through cold or the storm with wings to endure. Let the silver rain wash all the dust from my wings. Let me soar as He soars; let me sing, as He sings; let it lift me.… Let it buffet and drive me, but, God, let it lift.  -Ruth Graham, Sitting by My Fire Laughing (Waco, TX: Word, 1977), p. 26

3. SEE THE SPLENDOR OF THE INCARNATION IN THE STORM.

(Mark 4:38, NLT) “Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”

4. LEARN THE LESSON FROM THE REBUKE.

(Mark 4:39, NLT) “When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.”

a. The storm was out of control, the disciples’ fears were out of control, but Jesus was in control.

b. Jesus listens to us.

c. Don’t lose confidence in Jesus.

(Colossians 1:16–17, NLT) “For through him [Jesus] God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.”

d. Jesus is the creator, sustainer, goal and Savior of my soul.

5. LEARN THE LESSON OF THE QUESTION.

(Mark 4:40, NLT) “Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

a. Jesus will always bring the deeper questions to the surface.

b.  Jesus will always bring out what to needs to be dealt with.

c. Who do you say Jesus is?

d. Don’t doubt what you heard during the calm of life in the storms of life.

(Mark 4:35, NLT) “As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”

e. His promises for your:

• Marriage
• Vocation
• Ministry
• Family
• Life

6. THE FAITH THAT CONQUERS AND CASTS OUR FEAR BELIEVES IN THE POWER AND LOVE OF JESUS.

(Mark 4:41, Message) “They were in absolute awe, staggered. “Who is this, anyway?” they asked. “Wind and sea at his beck and call!”

GROWTHWORK

Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, was talking to a young missionary who was about to start work in China. “Look at this,” he said. He pounded his fist on the table. The tea cups jumped, and the tea spilled. While the startled young man was wondering what was going on, Taylor said, “When you begin your work, you will be buffeted in numerous ways. The trials will be like blows. Remember, these blows will bring out only what is in you.”

1. JESUS IS ALWAYS OUR GUIDE.

2. GOD’S WORD IS OUR COMPASS.

3. LIVE AS THOUGH JESUS IS IN THE BOAT WITH YOU.

(Daniel 3:24–25, NKJV) “Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

4. TRUST GOD IN A STORM IS SOUND ADVICE.

(Colossians 2:6–7, NLT) “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”

5. MANY OTHERS WILL BE SAVED BECAUSE OF HIS WORK IN YOUR LIFE.

(Mark 4:36, NLT) “So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed).”

6. YOU MAY HAVE MORE STORMS THAT CALM SEAS. DON’T BE SURPRISED.

7. WHEN A STORM APPROACHES, PRAISE GOD AND LEAN INTO THE WIND.

8. DON’T CRITICISE OTHERS WHEN THEY ARE IN A STORM.

(Philippians 4:6, NLT) “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

(James 1:5, NLT) “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”