Chance of Storms | Craig Curtis
Mark 4:35-38 NIV
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?”
Matthew 8:26-27 NIV
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
I. There is a 100% chance of storms.
Everyone is either in a storm, coming out of a storm, or about to go through a storm.
John 16:33 NIV
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
James 1:2 NIV
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
I. There is a 100% chance of storms.
II. Our perspective in the storm is limited.
Sometimes those closest to the action have the poorest perspective.
The storm didn't get Jesus's attention; the cries of His disciples did.
God sometimes uses a physical storm to reveal a spiritual storm inside us.
I. There is a 100% chance of storms.
II. Our perspective in the storm is limited.
III. Our faith can drift to sleep in our storms.
Faith is not automatic – it's a deliberate action.
Faith is applying what you know about Jesus to your life.
Storms reveal where our faith may be leaking.
1. Anchor to God's presence.
We don't show our faith by speaking to the storm, but by speaking to the Savior who is in the boat with us.
Romans 12:2 NIV
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
When things don't make sense around you, God is doing something in you.
1. Anchor to God's presence.
2. Anchor to God's promise.
Mark 4:35 NIV
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”
Don't let your circumstances speak louder than God's Word.
It's the fire that refines, prepares, and finishes the work.
Daniel 3:16-18 NIV
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Daniel 3:24-25 NIV
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” 25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
"Peace isn't the absence of trouble but the presence of God."