Matthew 8:23-27 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
WHAT IS THE MAIN POINT OF THIS STORY?
Matthew 8:23-24 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.
The Storm Is Not The Main Character
Matthew 8:18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake.
Storms are real.
Storms affect us.
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
We will face storms in life, but the storm is not the main character.
Matthew 8:24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.
The Sleeping Is Not The Main Character
Jesus was human.
Life is exhausting.
God gives rest.
Psalms 3:5-6 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. 6 I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.
Psalms 4:8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
There may be times in life when if feels like Jesus is not paying attention to our storms.
Psalms 77:7-9 “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? 8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? 9 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
It may feel like Jesus is sleeping on you, but the sleeping is not the main character of the story.
Matthew 8:25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
The Disciples Are Not The Main Character
We have all faced life’s overwhelming storms.
When you face a storm, cry out to Jesus for help.
Psalms 5:1-2 Listen to my words, LORD, consider my lament. 2 Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.
As a disciple of Jesus, you should cry out for help, but you are not the main character of the story.
Matthew 8:26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
Fear Is Not The Main Character
Fear is a real natural response.
Fear can become overwhelming.
Jesus does not want you to be alone and overwhelmed in your fear.
John 14:25-27 All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Your fear may be real and overwhelming, but we must not allow it to become the main character.
Matthew 8:26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
Faith Is Not The Main Character
Fear paralyzes faith.
Our faith must be stronger than our fears.
Matthew 6:30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?
Matthew 14:31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Matthew 16:8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?
We have little faith when things in our lives become greater than Jesus.
Faith is essential, but it is never the main character of the story.
Matthew 8:26-27 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
JESUS IS THE MAIN CHARACTER
Psalms 18:15 The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, LORD, at the blast of breath from your nostrils.
Psalms 104:7 But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;
Jesus has authority over all of creation.
Job 38:11 when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt’?
Jesus is God.
What kind of man is Jesus in your life?
Psalms 107:29 He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.
Psalms 89:9 You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.
The promise is not that the storm will end. The promise is that you are never alone.
Will you trust Jesus through the storms in your life?
Jesus must always be the main character of your story.
Jesus must always be the main character in your life.
You will never truly know peace in life’s storms until your put your faith in Jesus.
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