DATE: 9th August, 2020
THEME: OH! YOU OF LITTLE FAITH
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-18
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14: 22-33
PSALTER: Psalm 85: 8-13
INTRODUCTION
In his book, Six Hours One Friday, Max Lucado tells the story of how he and his boat survived a hurricane. An old sea man gave Max the advice to take his boat to deep water, drop four anchors off each corner of the boat, and pray that the anchors held. Max survived that storm, but he says that he learned an important lesson, all of us need an anchor that will hold during the storms of life.
That ANCHOR is our FAITH. What have you put your faith in? How important is it to have faith? Where do we find a faith strong enough to make it through the storms of life? The gospel has within it the faith we need to believe. Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” Rom. 10:17.
Faith is so important that the Bible itself defines it. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. (Hebrews 11:1) Faith believes the promises of God. Faith believes God is with us in the storms of life and that His presence is our victory. Faith believes and it is established. Unbelief hinders faith and in the words of Christ little faith is the result of doubt.
God promised Joseph that he would someday be great and that his brothers would bow down to him. Sixteen years later he finds himself in a prison and no closer to the dream. Did Joseph ever doubt God’s Word? No. He trusted God and the suffering he went through served to build up his character and patience. WHEN GOD DELAYS, IT IS BECAUSE HE IS WORKING IN OUR LIVES TO REVEAL WHO WE ARE OR TO REVEAL WHO HE IS.
Jesus waited for His disciples to encounter the storm and be in it before going to them. Through it they were reminded that they too had needs and that they too had fears and doubts, and that they too needed to live by faith.
CONTEXT
In this passage of Scripture, we find the disciples of our Lord trapped in the grip of a fierce storm. They find themselves in that storm, because they have been commanded by the Lord to cross the Sea of Galilee. These men are in the will of the Lord and yet, we see them struggling against the storm. Try as they might, however, it appears that they are unable to make any headway. The wind is in their faces. These 12 men are stuck in a storm and are unable to get out.
Have you ever found yourself in that place? Well, we all have times like that! It may seem to you like the storm will never end and that there is no possible good that can come from what you are facing. Thankfully, however, there is some good news for us from the word of God.
BODY
I. STORMS ARE GOD’S MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION
The very thing the disciples feared. The SEA, was the very thing the Lord used as the vehicle to reveal Himself unto them. He will do the same in your life and mine.
a. He Comes In The Face Of Darkness – The Bible says that Jesus came to them in “the fourth watch”. Sometime between 3 AM and 6 AM, during the darkest hours of the night, Jesus came walking on the water!
You may be walking in darkness and wondering where Jesus is. You may be facing some of the darkest days of your life right now. Let me remind you that our God is ever with you, Heb. 13:5! Even in the darkest hours of life God is still God and He is still in control of your life.
b. He Comes In The Face Of Disaster – The disciples were in a fight for their lives. Mark 6:48 says that they were “TOILING IN ROWING”. That is, they were struggling against the storm. I get the impression that these men were afraid for their lives. When they thought all hope was gone and that they were doomed, JESUS CAME WALKING ON THE WAVES!
There are times when we all feel like we have lost the battle with our storm, but may I remind you that just as surely as the Lord is in control of your blessings, He is also in charge of your storms. Think of the 3 Hebrews, Daniel, and Noah.
c. He Comes On The Face Of The Deep – The very thing the disciples feared, the raging sea, was the very thing God used as His vehicle to come to them. What a testimony this was!
He was not telling them that the storm was not fierce, He was telling them that He was greater than the storm!
II. STORMS ARE GOD’S MEANS OF TESTING
a. They Reveal The Savior – When Jesus did come walking on the water, the disciples did not recognize Him. They thought He was a ghost. They cried out in fear. But, thank God, Jesus came with a message of peace and of power.
▪He came to them with a word of PEACE, “be of good cheer.”
▪He came to them with a word of POWER, “It is I”.
▪He came to them with a word of POTENTIAL, “be not afraid.”
The storms of life are a blessing because they reveal the Savior in a brand new way.
b. They Refine The Saint – When Peter heard that it was the Lord, Peter wanted to join Jesus in walking on the water. Jesus simply told Peter to come. Peter obeyed and he too walked on the water. Jesus used the storm as a means of helping Peter grow in the faith.
c. They Remind The Saint – Peter wanted to walk on water like Jesus. He put the Lord to the test and stepped onto the waves. However, he soon took his eyes off the Lord and when he did, he found himself in trouble. He remembered Who was in control and he called on the Lord and found the help he needed.
III. STORMS ARE GOD’S MEANS OF TESTIMONY
a. They Testify Of His Power – Jesus calmed the storm! He didn’t say a thing, He just got into the boat with the disciples and the sea was calmed.
One day, he’ll do the same in your life! The storm will rage until it has accomplished His purpose and then He will cause the winds to cease for you. All He is trying to get us to see is that He is in control of the storms of life.
b. They Testify Of His Person – When Jesus stilled the storm, the disciples knew that they were in the presence of God. They confessed Him and they bowed before Him in worship. His power in the storms and over the storms of life testify of His person. They tell us that He is God and that He is in control of all the affairs of life.
CONCLUSION
Sometimes, it is hard to see the blessings for the storm, isn’t it? Sometimes it is hard to imagine the Lord bringing any good out of what you are going through. I don’t know the nature of the storm you are facing, BUT I KNOW THE ONE WHO STILL WALKS ON THE WAVES. Enjoy the service. Stay BLESSED.
PREPARED BY
VERY REV DR. SAMUEL DUA DODD
CALVARY METHODIST CHURCH
ADABRAKA-ACCRA
