Sermons From Mark - Jesus Calms The Storm (4:35-41)

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                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                    Jesus Calms The Storm (4:35-41)

INTRODUCTION

1. Following a day full of teaching activity...
   a. Jesus and His disciples got in a boat to sail across the Sea of
      Galilee - Mk 4:35-36
   b. A windstorm arose, beating waves into the boat - Mk 4:37
   c. Jesus was sleeping, but was wakened by His disciples fearing their
      lives - Mk 4:38
   d. Jesus rebuked the wind and calmed the seas - Mk 4:39
   e. He then reproached His disciples for their fear and lack of faith
      - Mk 4:40
   f. Filled with great fear, His disciples expressed their awe of Jesus
      to one another - Mk 4:41

2. The account of Jesus calming the storm is well-known...
   a. Popular in many children's Bible classes
   b. The setting for the song "Master, The Tempest Is Raging"

[Many sermons and lessons have been based on this amazing miracle of
Jesus.  In this sermon, we shall touch on just a few lessons that can be
gleaned from this event, beginning with the fact that...]

I. WE ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM STORMS

   A. WE FACE STORMS BECAUSE WE ARE HUMANS...
      1. Being Jesus' disciples did not protect them from storms
      2. We live in a world where there are many storms, both literal
         and figurative
      3. Christians experience literal tornados, hurricanes, just like
         everyone else
      4. Christians likewise face storms such as sickness, accidents,
         disappointments, death
      5. Paul certainly experience the perils of storms and shipwrecks
         - 2Co 11:25-26
      -- Jesus does not promise exemption from the normal storms of life

   B. WE FACE STORMS BECAUSE WE ARE CHRISTIANS...
      1. Jesus warned that we will experience tribulation as His
         disciples - Jn 16:33
      2. Paul did, and warned his fellow disciples - 2Co 11:24-25; Ac
         14:22; 2Ti 3:12
      3. Peter wrote that we should not be surprised - 1Pe 4:12
      -- Jesus does not promise exemption from the storms of religious
         persecution

[So if we find ourselves in the midst of storms, whether literal or
figurative, whether its because we are simply humans or because we are
Christians, do not think it strange.  Instead take heart knowing
that...]

II. JESUS HELPS US DEAL WITH STORMS

   A. THROUGH FAITH...
      1. During storms, we are often afraid ("we are perishing!") - Mk
         4:38
      2. Jesus teaches that fear is indicative of a lack of faith - Mk
         4:40
      3. To overcome fear in storms, we need to grow in faith!
         a. Faith that God will protect us if it be His will - cf. Ps
            46:1-3
         b. Faith that God will deliver us to His heavenly city even if
            we die - Ps 46:4-5,10-11
      -- Jesus reveals the role of faith in the midst of storms

   B. THROUGH HIS WORD...
      1. Jesus' words prepare us to withstand the storms of life - Mt
         7:24-27
      2. How to pray in order to be heard by God - Mt 6:5-8
      3. To lay up treasure in heaven instead of on earth - Mt 6:19-21
      4. To seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness - Mt
         6:31-34
      -- Jesus shares the secrets to standing strong against the storms
         of life

   C. THROUGH PRAYER...
      1. Jesus is key to receiving mercy and grace to help in time of
         need - He 4:14-16; 7:25
      2. In anxious times, God offers peace to guard our hearts and
         minds in Christ Jesus through prayer - Php 4:6-7
      -- Jesus stands ready to calm our hearts and minds when facing
         storms

   D. THROUGH HIS SACRIFICE...
      1. The greatest "storm" all of us will face will be the Day of
         Judgment - 2Pe 3:7,10-12
      2. A day in which we will all stand before the judgment seat of
         Christ - 2Co 5:10
      3. But Christ shed His blood to spare us on that Day - Ro 5:6-10
      4. By obeying the gospel, we can have our names added to the
         Lamb's book of life and escape condemnation for our sins - cf.
         Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:38; Re 20:11-15
      -- Jesus stands ready to save us and protect us from the "perfect
         storm" to come

CONCLUSION

1. Everyone will face one or more storms in his or her life...
   a. Whether literally or metaphorically
   b. Whether atheist or believer

2. How shall we react when the time(s) come...?
   a. Shall we cry out like the disciples who were weak in faith ("we
      are perishing!")?
   b. Or shall we weather the storms with confident faith and calm
      repose?

3. And how shall we stand on when the final storm comes...?
   a. The "perfect storm", that is, the Day of Judgment?
   b. Shall we hear Jesus say, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit
      the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world"?
      - cf. Mt 25:34
   c. Or will we hear Him say, "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the
      everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels"? - cf. Mt
      25:41

When Jesus rebuked the wind and spoke to the sea, "Peace, be still", the
wind ceased and there was a great calm.  The disciples, with fear and
amazement, said:

      "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"

The wind and the sea obeyed Jesus.  Shall we not obey Him who now has
all authority in heaven and on earth...? - cf. Mt 28:18-20
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