Things I Fear - Knowledge Without Compassion

Temple Baptist Church - 8-17-2014

 

1 Corinthians 13:1-2; Genesis 2:7-9

 

Introduction:

A. When dealing with a particular subject, I often go back to the principle of First Mention in order to glean the truth of God’s Word in the first mention of that subject. We all know of the tree of knowledge of good and evil that God placed in the garden but I want to make a quick application from verse 9. Knowledge can be both good and evil!

B. God has given to man a mind that can learn and apply that which is learned. The application of knowledge can be applied in a good way or it can be applied in an evil way. Wisdom is the right application of knowledge and foolishness or wickedness is the wrong application of the same.

C. Knowledge is a wonderful thing. One of the things that has destroyed God’s peoples is a lack of biblical knowledge:

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. (I have often said that largest denomination in America is the Church of the Ignorant Brethren. Paul said some 7 times in one form or the other “I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren.”)

D. Now, I want to look at the second mention of knowledge in the bible. Correct doctrine and biblical knowledge come through progressive revelation. In the first mention of any subject, God states His mind concerning that subject and never changes but as the subject is expanded through other mentions, we get a fuller explanation.

Exodus 31:1-3 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, (2) See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: (3) And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, (God’s will for biblical knowledge is anchored in His people having three things before knowledge.)

1. A Right Spirit. The spirit of God (notice spirit is not capitalized). The spirit of God is the spirit of love that brings about a godly relationship with Him. A spirit of meekness; a spirit that is contrite; a spirit of humility. Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

2. Wisdom. The right application of knowledge which is application to self! Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

3. Understanding. Understanding means to separate mentally or to distinguish. Not to understand the principles of knowledge is not to know how to use it. I have seen people that were well educated but could never rightly apply that education and make it work. Understanding is the bridge between wisdom and knowledge. It is the foundation for right application or wisdom to apply that knowledge. Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

4. Knowledge. Notice that knowledge comes after a right spirit, wisdom, and understanding. Not the child of God is ready to receive the proper teaching of God’s Word. Hebrews 5:11-14 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. (12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. (14) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

5. Workmanship. Now, all of the above give the child of God the right tools to do the all of the work of the ministry!

E. What ever happened to the words “I love you” coming from the pulpits or the lips of the saved? Simple words that need to be expressed. Love of the brethren; love for the sinner; love for the spiritually weak as well as the strong. Compassion or love is as important as knowledge and sound doctrine! I want to look at two things that knowledge without compassion will do:

1. Knowledge without Compassion will divide the brethren! ***Romans 14:1-8

a. Knowledge puffeth up. 1 Corinthians 8:1-2 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. (2) And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. (Puffeth up – to inflate or to make proud)

Galatians 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

b. Charity covers up. 1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. (Charity is more important than knowledge!)

1 Corinthians 13:1-2 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (2) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

2. Knowledge without Compassion will drive away the lost! John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

a. We are God’s epistles seen and read of men. 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: (3) Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. (Tables of stone are hard and cold truths. Fleshly tables of the heart are soft and warm truths.)

b. It is the love of God that draws men to Christ. John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (Men are drawn to Christ through our love for them, not our knowledge.)

Things I Fear - Salvation Without Repentance

Temple Baptist Church - 8-3-2014 

Matthew 21:23-32

 

Introduction:

A. There is a song that says, “Change and decay in all around I see” and religion worldwide is no different. There was a time when Christianity was more than just a profession of faith that proceeded from the lips and went no farther than that but the typical “convert” of these last days is no different than anyone else out there.

B. I said the other night that the word “converted” is little used in the modern churches. When someone said that they had been converted, you knew that a wonderful change in their life had been wrought when they were saved. There was a day when you heard someone say, “He was a good Christian man or she was a good Christian lady.” Now, you have to ask the question: “Were they saved,” because their life does not reflect biblical salvation.

C. Now, the King James Bible has not changed, but preaching in most pulpits certainly has! I know that many have left the Word of God for perverted versions off of a perverted text (these are translated from the Wescott-Hort or “Minority Text”) but we have God’s Word and, as we said of the Holy Spirit, it is pure in its product!

D. I fear that one of the many problems with modern day religion is that these churches are preaching a salvation without repentance. In the fundamental Baptist movement a few years ago, the controversy raged over is repentance necessary for salvation. That is as bad as having to vote to make the man the head of the home.

E. In our text, we find the Lord’s story of a man with two sons: one said that he would not go work in his father’s vineyard but repented and went while the other son said that he would go and work but went not. Jesus asked the question: “Whether of them twain did the will of his father?”

F. The lesson being taught was the necessity of repentance in order to do the will of the Father. Publicans and harlots go to heaven through repentance and chief priests and elders who do not repent do not! Religion will not get you to heaven!

G. The Lord then said, “For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.” They knew John the Baptist!

Luke 7:27-28 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. (28) For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

H. Is repentance a necessity for salvation?

1. The greatest prophet that ever lived, John the Baptist, said it was: Matthew 3:1-3 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, (2) And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (3) For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

2. Our Lord Jesus Christ said that it was: Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Luke 24:45-47 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, (46) And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: (47) And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

3. The Apostle Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost on Pentecost, said it was: Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

4. The Apostle Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, said it was: Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

5. Paul, before Agrippa, said this: Acts 26:13-20 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. (14) And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. (15) And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. (16) But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; (17) Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, (18) To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (19) Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: (20) But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

I. Here is a simple contrast between biblical repentance and a lack of biblical repentance:

1. Biblical repentance brings spiritual birth that leads to Heaven.

A lack of biblical repentance continues spiritual death which leads to Hell.

2. Biblical repentance brings spiritual understanding of Scripture and doctrine.

A lack of biblical repentance leaves the natural man in spiritual darkness.

3. Biblical repentance brings faith and continuance.

A lack of biblical repentance brings lack of faith, faithfulness, and falling away.

4. Biblical repentance brings a godly testimony of a life that is changed.

A lack of biblical repentance brings worldliness and lack of a godly testimony.

5. Biblical repentance brings a faith that reproduces itself in saving faith to others.

A lack of biblical repentance brings a dead faith that reproduces dead faith.

Things I Fear - Churches Without Truth

Temple Baptist Church - 7-27-2014

1 Timothy 3:15

 

Introduction:

A. For the 4^th of July, I preached on one of the things that I fear: “Ruling A Nation Without God.” We are there! Our government and nation are quickly turning away from its spiritual roots as America has become polytheistic with Christianity becoming more and more maligned and persecuted.

B. This morning, I want to look at another in the series “Things I Fear:” “Churches Without Truth.” Church, as we knew it as children, is virtually a thing of the past with few churches holding fast the traditional way of worship. Today’s “churches” are quickly turning to contemporary worship services so as to attract the world because traditional churches are diminishing in numbers and popularity.

C. There is a reason for the diminishing of biblical churches and worship services. It is the end time with the religious system of the false prophet coming together where everything is accepted as Christianity and truth is rejected. The “falling away” of 2 Thessalonians is in full swing as the Old Paths along with the old bible, the King James, are being rejected as old-fashioned and archaic. The Lord Jesus is coming and we that are saved are leaving.

D. In the average local church of our day, there is a lack of biblical truth. There are three main reasons for this lack of biblical truth:

1. Satanic Attack upon Biblical Truth - Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? (Satan hates God; Satan hates the Bible; and Satan hates God’s children.)

Psalms 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

2. The Rejection of Biblical Truth - 2 Timothy 4:2-3 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (The world does not want to hear God’s word as they once did. Sinners once came to church to hear and many were gloriously converted. Today, sinners want to find a church that will build their self-esteem and make them feel comfortable and good about themselves.)

3. A Lack of Biblical Truth - 2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (3) And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (There are many charlatan preachers who are in the preaching “business” for popularity and monetary gain. I would not like to be in their shoes!)

E. Today’s churches have:

1. Churches have traded Preaching for Programs

2. Churches have traded Conviction for Compromise

3. Churches have traded Revivals for Seminars

4. Churches have traded Wed. Night Services for Family Nights

5. Churches have traded Prayer Rooms for Family "Life" Centers

6. Churches have traded Salvation for Church Membership

7. Churches have traded God's Word for Man's Reasoning

 

8. Churches have traded Preaching for Philosophy

 

9. Churches have traded the King James Bible for Perverted Translations

 

10. Churches have traded Sanctification for Worldly Identification.

F. The rejection of truth in today’s churches is the satanic attack upon the word of God, which began in Genesis 3, continues in liberal churches. I want to look at truth in light of what the bible says about it and not what man thinks about it.

G. Rejection of biblical truth is devastating because faith is foundational to the salvation, spiritual growth, and evangelization. If what we have is truth, then:

1. Truth must be Singular. Psalms 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. (Where is this preserved word of God? It is the King James Bible. Things that are different are not the same. Today’s confusion is caused by the myriad of so called bibles that are available and promoted. If you don’t like what you read, just get another kind. The King James Bible is the proven one and for almost 300 years, the only one! Because it is singular, it inspires confidence instead of creating doubt. It is the word of God!)

2. Truth must be Authoritative. Titus 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. (Argue with it if you wish but it is the word of God and it will judge you one day! We live in a rebellious society which still cries, “We will not have this man to reign over us.”)

3. Truth must be Foundational. Psalms 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (God’s people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge and the local church is the pillar and ground of the truth! Most churches reject the King James Bible and, when they do so, everything else begins to spiritually decline.)

4. Truth must be Narrow Minded. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (This verse is narrow minded! Bible believers are often labeled as narrow minded people and we are. God’s word is concise, precise, and leaves no room for disagreement. It leaves no room for opinion. I have an opinion and you have an opinion but God has no opinion. He has truth!)

5. Truth will be Convictive. Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? (The word of God is unpopular because it exposes sinfulness and shows us what manner of person that we are. When the bible is preached and truth set forth, men must either repent of sin and come to Christ or turn away from the truth and be eternally lost.)

James 1:23-24 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: (24) For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

6. Truth will remain Unchanging. Psalms 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (7) Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

(I hate to quote her but Judge Judy says often, “If you tell the truth, you don’t need a good memory.” God’s truth, found in the King James Bible, is unchanging. In my lifetime, there have been many false bibles produced. These new versions are from a perverted text which therefore birth a perverted bible. God’s word is eternal and will never fail. We have the word of truth.)

1. Truth must be recognized as such. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. (Before the word of God can effectually work in the heart of the unsaved or scripturally ground the believer, it must be recognized as the word of God and not the work of faulty man! This is not just a translation that I hold in my hand; it is the word of God!)

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

2. Truth must be magnified instead of minimized. Psalms 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. (When we uphold the King James Bible, we are referred to as “majoring on a minor.” When has God’s Word become a minor in the churches? It is the fundamental basis for our salvation and all that we believe! Such maligning of bible believers is satanic and divisive! I have had people stand in this church and say that some men worship a book. We do not worship ink and paper. This is not just a “book!” This bible contains the very words of God! We magnify the word of God and uphold it as the final authority for faith and practice.)

3. Truth must be systematically taught. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (Most sermons today must be homiletically correct and preferredly alliterated! Men work more on alliteration than they do on rightly dividing, expositionally preaching, and scripturally comparing verse with verse. The emphasis is on design and not doctrine making their messages shallow. The desired end result of all preaching and teaching is doctrinal grounding and edification of the believers.)

Isaiah 28:9-14a Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. (10) For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: (11) For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. (12) To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. (13) But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. (14) Wherefore hear the word of the LORD!

4. Truth must be strictly adhered to. Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. (Denominationalism is manmade, not God made. There as so many denominations because of men making the scripture back up their peculiar doctrines instead of conforming their doctrines to the scriptures thus bringing about the religious confusion that you find in the Bible Belt. We must make no effort to explain away the scripture in order to prove a point or uphold a doctrine. We must compare scripture with scripture and rightly divide the word of truth.)

Psalms 119:1-6 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. (2) Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. (3) They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. (4) Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. (5) O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! (6) Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. (The 119^th Psalm contains 175 verses that magnify the word of God and set forth its importance in the life of the believer. It sets forth the rewards of adherence to God’s Word!)

5. Truth must be universally shared. Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Every creature needs a preacher! In Acts 1:8, our Lord declared that the filling of the believer WILL bring forth the sharing of the gospel both at home and abroad. The believer is spiritually responsible for the sharing of the Word of God with this lost world. We hold the truth in our hands this morning and, if we do not share the truth that makes the sinner free, we “do not well!” I had the oil changed in our old blue van the other day and, while waiting, gave a tract to everyone in the waiting room. Barbara and I sat and watched every one of them read that gospel tract from beginning to end. They may never come to Temple Baptist Church but they have been exposed to the truth that makes men free through the finished work of Calvary!)

Conclusion: Too many of today’s churches have left the truth, not lost it. Leaving the truth is a willful act and the spiritual consequences are being manifest across our nation and around the world as just a few men once “turned the world upside down.” Let us hold the truth with a clear conscience lest we let it slip!

Titus

Temple Baptist Church - 7-20-2014

Titus 1:1-5

 

Introduction:

A. The Book of Titus is the 3^rd and final Pastoral Epistle.

1. 1 Timothy was written to a young pastor named Timothy whom the Apostle Paul left at Ephesus to keep the church there orderly.

a) Doctrinal error, one of the greatest enemies of the local church, had begun to advance in the church. 1 Timothy 1:1-3 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; (2) Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. (3) As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

b) The key verse is found in 1 Timothy 3:14-15: “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: (15) But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

2. 2 Timothy was written to Timothy in light of defense against the ever present apostate and their apostasy.

2 Timothy 2:14-16 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. (15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (16) But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

3. Titus was written to young Titus to set order the things that were “wanting” or lacking in the churches on the island of Crete. There is no mention of Paul ever going to Crete. In Acts 27, the ship Paul was on sailed around Crete (a little island off of the coast of Greece) and spending some length of time at the fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. Evidently, churches were established then or shortly thereafter but because Paul’s time there was short, there were some things “wanting” or lacking.

Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

B. I want to take a short look at this man, Titus, for a few minutes before we begin to preach through the Book of Titus in order to lay a little background.

1. Titus was busy in the Lord’s work – 2 Corinthians 2:13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.

2. Titus was an encouragement to the Apostle Paul – 2 Corinthians 7:6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

3. Titus was also encouraged by others – 2 Corinthians 7:13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

4. Titus was consistent in the ministry – 2 Corinthians 8:6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

5. Titus had a pastor’s heart for his people – 2 Corinthians 8:16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

6. Titus was busy in whatever capacity that he was needed in – 2 Corinthians 8:23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

7. Titus followed the Old Paths paved by his predecessors – 2 Corinthians 12:18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

8. Titus had a great testimony of salvation - Titus 1:4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

The Sea of Despair

Temple Baptist Church - 7-20-2014

Mark 4:35-41

 

Introduction:

A. I have preached several messages on the Seas of Life. Seas in the bible are types of great trials. Often, great storms appear on the surface of the seas. Today’s technology allows seamen to have ample warning thus allowing them to avoid these storms but, in the day in which we find the disciples on the Sea of Galilee, there was no forewarning.

B. Ships in our day are constructed in such a way as to withstand these storms but, in the day of the disciples, ships were not as sea worthy.

C. We have looked at the Sea of Impossibility in the Book of Exodus as God delivered His people through the midst of the Red Sea and dry ground.

D. We have looked at the Sea of Chastisement in the Book of Jonah where the Lord sent a great storm and prepared a great fish for the disobedient prophet.

E. Our sea and storm for this morning is also one of the more notable stories in the bible. One thing you can say about life is that there is never a dull moment! I have often said that I am a “rut” guy. I like to wake up the same way: shower, shave, dress, and coffee with my bible reading. Don’t you just hate those calls in the middle of the night because no one calls after 10 PM to tell you what a great time they are having!

F. Life is full of these “seas” and “storms” and we need to learn to biblically deal with them.

1. Job said it this way in chapter 14:1: “Man that is born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble!”

2. 1 Peter 1:5-9 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (When you realize that life is hard, you can make it!)

G. Trials bring about a natural progression:

1. Trials bring Determination if they are not too hard and long. Most of us will just “suck it in” and do what needs to be done at this point.

2. Trials bring Discouragement when they are hard and long. It is here that we suffer from attrition: eating away, grinding down, erosion, or wear and tear. You become physically, emotionally, and spiritually tired!

3. Trials bring Despair when they are outside of our ability to withstand and we become overwhelmed (verse 37). It is here that we find the disciples in our text. Despair defined: the complete loss or absence of hope.

H. There are several things we need to look at in this story:

1. This particular storm came without warning. (There arose.)

2. This particular storm came at the worst possible time. (Jesus was asleep.)

3. This particular storm was humanly insurmountable. (The ship was full of water.)

4. This particular storm was emotionally devastating. (They were in fear of perishing. It was a Great storm – these men were seamen.)

5. This particular storm caused spiritual doubt. (Master, carest thou not!)

I. Here are some things that will get you through the storm and one the other side.

1. The Presence Of God – vs. 35 “let us” Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (The last time I look, He was still in the boat! It did not take the disciples long to forget because they were too busy rowing and bailing. Never, never … !! How often, in the midst of problems, our perspective of who and what our God is changes.)

Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

2. The Promise Of God – vs. 35 “pass over” Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (The Lord told the disciples in advance that they all would pass over. Therein, we find the problem: they thought they would all “pass over” because they were seasoned fishermen who knew every inch of the Sea of Galilee, not that they would all pass over because the Lord said they would and remained in the boat.)

Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

3. The People Of God – vs. 36 “they” Revelation 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. (They not only forgot who the Lord was, they forgot who they were! They were born of God and were loved by God.)

4. The Prayer To God – vs. 38 “say unto him” Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. (Verse 1 – Jeremiah was in prison. It would have probably worked out better for the disciples if they had remembered the Lord a little quicker. As long as they “had it under control,” they just kept working in their own flesh.)

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

5. The Power Of God – vs. 39 “He arose, and rebuked the wind…sea” Matthew 19:26-27 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. 27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. (Oh, the amazing power of our Lord who created the universe with the word of His mouth! All power belongs to Him according to Matthew 28:18.)

6. The Peace Of God – vs. 39 “said unto the sea, Peace, be still.” Isaiah 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: (The Lord not only command the sea to “be still” but prefaced it with “peace.” We need God’s peace before the stilling of the storm, not just afterward.)

7. The Purpose Of God – vs. 40 “ye have no faith” Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Easy to preach but often hard to maintain.)

Job 23:13-14 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. 14 For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.

8. The Person Of God – vs. 41 “What manner of man is this?” 2 Timothy 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. (Master! We know He is in the boat, but we often forget who He is!)

Acts 27:23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

9. The Period Of God – vs. 5:1 “they came over” 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. (Sometimes, troublesome times are short and sometimes they are long. God controls the strength and length of the storms.)