| Mark 4:35-41 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." 36 He was already in the boat, so they started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm arose. High waves began to break into the boat until it was nearly full of water. 38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. Frantically they woke him up, shouting, "teacher, don' you even care that we are going to drown?" 39 When he woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the water, "quiet down!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 And he asked them, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still not have faith in me?" 41 And they were filled with awe and said among themselves, "ho is this man, that even the wind and waves obey him?" -THEY WERE IN A STORM! (A fierce storm!, Fierce winds were tossing the boat around!, The waves were hitting at the boat!, the boat was getting full of water! - Sounds simmilar to some of the storms we go through in Tampa. IT WAS A SET UP!, A test! (TWO WAYS TRIALS COME TO OUR LIVES) 1.Temptation, 2.Storms of life -No one is exempt from trials *Psalms 11:5 says; "The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked" 'testing' or 'proving by testing,' determin's the depth and integrity of our commitment to God. -God's command to Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice( in Gen. 22:1-19 was a test of his commitment to God). - Also the testing of Job in (Job 1-2). -Jesus was tested in the desesrt for forty days. . Trials produce endurance in our Christian life. *James 1:2-4 says; " Dear brothers and sisters,*whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. 3 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything".(James 1:2-4) -We should expect trials, Jesus said; "In the world you will have trials but do not fear because I have overcome the world" *1 peter 4:12 says; "Dear friends, don' be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world". .-sometimes we have to go through storms(THE LORD PERMIT'S THEM) -to wake us up. -to teach us - IF YOU WANT TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE, YOU CANT AVOID THE STORM! -TO MOLD US. -To prepare us for our destiny! -WE GROW THROUGH TRIALS! The chronological order of Jesus' miracles up to this point; Water made wine, John 2:1-11. Heals the nobleman's son, John 4:46-54. Draught of fishes, Luke 5:1-11. Heals the demoniac, Mark 1:23-26; Luke 4:33-36. Heals Peter's mother-in-law, Matt. 8:14-17; Mark 1:29-31; Luke 4:38, 39. Cleanses the leper, Matt. 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16. Heals the paralytic, Matt. 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26. Healing of the invalid, John 5:1-16. Restoring the withered hand, Matt. 12:9-13; Mark 3:1-5; Luke 6:6-11. Restores the centurion's servant, Matt. 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10. Raises the widow's son to life, Luke 7:11-16. Heals a demoniac, Matt. 12:22-37; Mark 3:11; Luke 11:14, 15. Stills the storm, Matt. 8:23-27; 14:32; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25 -THE DISCIPLES had been witnesses to the ministry of Jesus for at least one year at this point. Yet they still did not have faith in Him. (Notice Jesus' question to them in verse 40; "Why are you so afraid? Do you still not have faith in me? - JESUS says the same thing to us when we don't have faith. "DO YOU STILL NOT HAVE FAITH IN ME" "WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD!" - THE DISCIPLES truly didn't know who Jesus was, even though He had revealed Himself to them. NOTICE THEIR REACTION: -They were filled with awe and said to each other, "Who is this man that even thr wind and waves obey Him?" We to must answer this question when going through trials if we want to be victorious. WHO IS JESUS? 1. He is the one that will get you to the other side if you are stuck in a rut. - When it seem's that you are not getting anywhere, no matter how hard you trie,HE SAYS; LET'S CROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE. 2. He is present in the storm. "Jehovah Shamah, The Lord is present"(verse 36 says; "He was already in the boat") 3. He is the only one that can quiet the storm. "HE IS THE EYE OF THE STORM", "THE ALMIGHTY GOD HEHOVA" - Nothing in this universe moves without His permission. 1. El Elyon-u8220 The most high" (Gen 14:22). Notice its use in connection with Lucifer' desire to be like the Most High (Is 14:14). 2. El Olam-u8220 The everlasting God" (Gen 21:33). Notice this use in connection with God' inexhaustible strength (Is 40:28). 3. El Shaddai-u8220 The Almighty God" (Gen 17:1). This probably derives from a related word which means "ountain"and pictures God as the overpowering almighty one standing on a mountain. The name is often used in connection with the chastening of God' people, as in Ruth 1:20-1 and the thirty-one times it is used in the book of Job. 4. Yahweh Jireh-he Lord provides (Gen 22:14). This is the only occurrence. After the angel of the Lord pointed to a ram as a substitute for Isaac, Abraham named the place, "he Lord provides." 5. Yahweh Nissi-he Lord is my Banner (Ex 17:15). Similarly, after the defeat of the Amalekites, Moses erected an altar and called it Yahweh Nissi. Actually this and the other compounds are not really names of God, but designations that grew out of commemorative events. 6. Yahweh Shalom-he Lord is peace (Judg 6:24). 7. Yahweh Sabbaoth-u8220 The Lord of hosts" (1 Sa 1:3). The hosts are the angels of heaven which are ready to obey the Lord' commands. This title was often used by the prophets (Isaiah and Jeremiah) during times of national distress to remind the people that Yahweh was still their Protector. 8. Yahweh Maccaddeshcem-he Lord thy Sanctifier (Ex 31:13). 9. Yahweh Roi-u8220 The Lord ... my shepherd" (Ps 23:1). 10. Yahweh Tsidkenu-he Lord our Righteousness (Jer 23:6). This title was a direct thrust against King Zedekiah (which means Yahweh is righteousness) who was a completely unrighteous king (2 Ch 36:12-3). 11. Yahweh Elohim Israel-u8220 The Lord God of Israel" (Judg 5:3). This is a designation frequently used by the prophets (Is 17:6), similar to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 12. Qadosh Israel-u8220 The Holy One of Israel" (Is 1:4). Conclusion - The intent of this testing is ultimately to strengthen the person's faith and devotion to God. Jesus will always get us to the other side. | |||
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