Storms

Temple Baptist Church - 7-31-2016

Mark 4:35-41

Introduction:

A.  We have just read one of the more well-known of our Lord’s miracles as He stills the storm. 

1.  Storms were a common occurrence on the Sea of Galilee and fishermen were well aware of this.  Such storms result from differences in temperatures between the seacoast and the mountains beyond.

2.  The Sea of Galilee lies 680 feet below sea level. It is bounded by hills, especially on the east side where they reach 2000 feet high. These heights are a source of cool, dry air. In contrast, directly around the sea, the climate is semi-tropical with warm, moist air.

3.  The large difference in height between surrounding land and the sea causes large temperature and pressure changes. This results in strong winds dropping to the sea, funneling through the hills.

B.  I said that to say this, some of the disciples were fishermen by trade and their fear of this particular storm showed its danger!  They were not “land lovers” like this preacher.

C.  Storms in the Bible are a type of troubles in this life.  Some troubles are small in nature and quickly pass while others, like this one, become quickly perilous.  Job said, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” (Job 14:1)  We are normally going into trouble, in trouble, or coming out of trouble and—thank the Lord—there is the most of the time of peace.

1.  Songs in our song book were written about storms and trials:  Page 94 - Stand By Me; Page 119 - Till The Storm Passes By; Page 120 - Jesus, Saviour, Pilot Me; Page 145 - It Is Well.

2.  Some things that storms do: Storms get our attention; Storms interrupt our plans; Storms show us our weakness; Storms correct our sinfulness; Storms prove our foundation; Storms re-introduce us to our Saviour.

D.  I want to look at our text and quickly pull out some truths that will help us when we encounter troubles in our lives.

1.  The Presence of the Lord – vs 35 “let us”  There are times when it seems that the Lord hides Himself and the heavens seem made of brass but He is always there.

2.  The Promise of the Lord – vs 35 “pass over unto the other side”  God told us our end in this life.  We will all make it and none of his will perish in the crossing.

3.  The People of the Lord – vs 36 “sent the multitude away … they (disciples) … took him (the Lord) … other ships”  All in boats though not all in the “same boat!”  Everyone has a different “boat” in life but the sea is the same and the storms just a violent.

4.  The Province of the Lord – vs 37 “there arose a great storm of wind … the waves beat into the ship so that it was now full”  There are good times in this life and there are hard times.  Storms easily handled and storms from which we try to flee.

5.  The Prayer of the People – vs 38 “they awake him … the say unto him, Master”  They waited until they had done all that they could to bail and chose to call upon the Lord as a last resort.  Sounds a little like us?  Though the physical body of our Lord slept, the divine side of Him never sleeps.

6.  The Perplexity of the People – vs 38 “carest thou not that we perish?”  Why do bad things happen to God’s people?  I do not pretend to have all of the answers and neither do you—so I guess we will just have to leave that in the hands of the One who does care for us.

7.  The Power of the Lord – vs 39 “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still.  And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”  With God, all things are possible and nothing is too hard for Him.

8.  The Purpose of the Lord – vs 40 “Why are ye so fearful?  how is it ye have no faith?”  I want my life to glorify the Lord in life or in death.  I know Whom I have believed and I believe that He loves me!

9.  The Person of the Lord – vs 41 “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”  His majesty and His mastery!  How often do we forget just Who He is?

10.  The Passing Over of the People – vs 5:1 “And they came over unto the other side of the sea”  God never said that life would be easy or the road smooth.  But, every disciple and all that were in the other boats safely crossed.

2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.