Strength In The Storm

Today's Text: Mark 4:35 "That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 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?" 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

Storms will shake us like nothing can.     It is hard to understand how and why something like these things happen.     There have been times when I sit in the midst of a storm and I have a long conversation with God, and tried to make sense of it all…    

have you ever asked: God what in the world is going on?   Well,  I want to share a passage of scripture and 3 principles that I pray will help each and everyone of you when you face the storms of your life…  Because lets be honest:  Many of you and many of your families are in the midst of a storm, it might be called  covid-19, cancer, or something else, but it is real.

How  many of us are saying:   “God, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO?”  I just don;t understand.  I hope you will turn to this passage of scripture and say God help me get through this storm…  Give me faith to face my fear, and hope to overcome by hurt, and help me see and trust where you are taking me.

The Gospel of Mark 4:35-41 is so rich.  I believe it will speak into our life today.

It is important for the follower of Jesus Christ to know WHAT to do in the midst of the storm. 

Before we talk about the what, let us remember a Warning: 

What I have discovered that when Storms come our way – when trouble comes our way  - I have discovered that Faith is the first area that the enemy works on!    

When you are in the midst of the storm Faith is the first thing that the enemy works on, but your faith is the very area that God wants to prove himself in so that your faith is built up not tore down! 

The first thing that will aid us in any storm is this:

1. The Promises of Jesus v 35

I speak a lot about the promises of Jesus because the promises of Jesus mean so much to me.

In Mark 4:35 it says this…  “Let’s cross over to the other side” Don’t miss that!  

In the midst of the storm we must remember the promises of JESUS!    Beloved, Jesus did not comes to drown in a storm!  On the contrary, he came to die on a cross!  He came to prove he was the way, truth and life.

Jesus could not drown yet!  He had not yet, been betrayed, he had not yet been on trial and he had not yet cried on that cross, “It is finished”

If you want to know about the promises of God  go to my church app Open Door Fellowship Coushatta and listen to the sermons “Perfect Promises” 

The second this is this:

2. Remember the Presence of Jesus V 36

The Bible says he was right in the Boat – now he could have said I will meet you on the other side – but he was right there with them!

One of the things the devil will try to do in the midst of the storm is try to convince you that Jesus is not with you or that he has abandoned you.    

The enemy will try to confuse you, mislead you and ask you all kinds of lies.   But I want to encourage you this morning if you have Jesus Christ in your life – His presence will never leave you!  He is with you – he is talking with you- walking with you  for he cares about you!  

The third thing we must remember is this:

3. Remember the Power of Jesus!    V 37-41

The Power of Jesus is greater than any power on this earth!   V 40 why are you so fearful?  Why is it that you have no faith!   

Beloved never forget the power of JESUS!  

Satan tried to attack their faith.  Jesus strengthened their faith.    if you want strength in your storm you must let Jesus build your walk with him, and you must let him supply you with whatever you need today.

here is what I know…  we serve a God who in the midst of their storm, in the midst of their fear, told them as he showed them, he was greater than their fear, greater than their storm.  

Here is what I know…  something was lacking in the exercise of their faith.   Because Jesus asked them in Mark 4:40 -  Why are you so afraid?    Do you still have no faith?

I wonder today if our problem as christians is this:  Our faith lacks substance?