Keeping Steady During Life's Storms!!
Scripture: Luke 8:16-25: NIV:
Introduction: Hello world! I have not been able to post anything as of late because of several storms in my life. Not big ones, but storms just the same. (Our computer crashed not once, but twice, my wife broke her foot and several other light twisters have set down in the life of my family.)
I believe that no matter the size of the storm in our path, there is something that we need to see or learn from whatever we are going through. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus and walk by faith. It sounds easy but it is not.
STORMS: As a commercial fisherman I have been in and rode out many a storm. There have been many times when we could see a squall coming and would turn and go the other way. There are some people who do just the opposite.
One of the top movies of 1996 was Twister, a movie about storm chasers who actually try to find violent storms and get in the middle of them.
Introduction: Hello world! I have not been able to post anything as of late because of several storms in my life. Not big ones, but storms just the same. (Our computer crashed not once, but twice, my wife broke her foot and several other light twisters have set down in the life of my family.)
I believe that no matter the size of the storm in our path, there is something that we need to see or learn from whatever we are going through. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus and walk by faith. It sounds easy but it is not.
STORMS: As a commercial fisherman I have been in and rode out many a storm. There have been many times when we could see a squall coming and would turn and go the other way. There are some people who do just the opposite.
One of the top movies of 1996 was Twister, a movie about storm chasers who actually try to find violent storms and get in the middle of them.
Generated in part by the fame of that movie, different "Storm Chaser" organizations have sprung up throughout the country, offering information on how to chase after storms.
I don't know about you, but I have always thought it was better to try and avoid storms than to place myself in the middle of them.
Most of us don't make it our goal in life to find storms, but when it comes to the storms of life; they have a way of finding us, don't they?
Our Scripture today teaches us how to, ‘Keep Steady During Life's Storms.’
1. In the Storm of Confusion, Jesus Provides Truth (vv. 16-18)
16) “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or put it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17) For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 18) Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more: whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.
In looking at verses 16-18, it is important to place them in there proper setting. Immediately preceding these verses, Jesus taught some important spiritual truths through what we know as "The Parable of the Sower" or the "Parable of the Soils."
Jesus emphasized that our attitude toward the Word of God can be like seeds thrown on hard ground, shallow ground filled with weeds, or on good soil. The different types of soil represent different levels of receptivity to God's truth.
1. In the Storm of Confusion, Jesus Provides Truth (vv. 16-18)
16) “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or put it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17) For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 18) Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more: whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.
In looking at verses 16-18, it is important to place them in there proper setting. Immediately preceding these verses, Jesus taught some important spiritual truths through what we know as "The Parable of the Sower" or the "Parable of the Soils."
Jesus emphasized that our attitude toward the Word of God can be like seeds thrown on hard ground, shallow ground filled with weeds, or on good soil. The different types of soil represent different levels of receptivity to God's truth.
I also believe, Jesus was trying to let us know that some of us have hard heads, (Thinking we know it all.)
Or shallow or busy thinking. (These shallow people do not have time for the Word of God and if they do it takes very little to uproot their faith.)
Good soil represents good people who listen, take in the Word an go out and live a life blessed by what they have learned or heard.)
In our social order, each individual wants to make up his or her own "truth." However, God says that we need to make Him and His Word the root for truth in our lives.
In our social order, each individual wants to make up his or her own "truth." However, God says that we need to make Him and His Word the root for truth in our lives.
In what direction are you headed today?
Are you walking toward the truth or away from it?
If you're walking away, remember that God allows U-turns!
2. In the Storm of Loneliness, Jesus Provides a Family (vv. 1921).
19) Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see Him, but they were not able to get near Him because of the crowd. 20) Someone told Him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” 21) He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear god’s word and put it into practice.”
Sometimes our families are the very ones that are causing the storms or trouble in which we are going through. Although this happens in all of our lives, when the going gets really rough, I thank God for my church family. I especially thank the Lord for my wife.
When we read these verses, on the surface it appears that Jesus is slighting his earthly family, but He is not doing that at all. Jesus always showed love and concern for His mother. When He was dying on the cross, He asked John to take care of her. He was teaching about a larger spiritual family in which you and I can find a home.
If you're walking away, remember that God allows U-turns!
2. In the Storm of Loneliness, Jesus Provides a Family (vv. 1921).
19) Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see Him, but they were not able to get near Him because of the crowd. 20) Someone told Him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” 21) He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear god’s word and put it into practice.”
Sometimes our families are the very ones that are causing the storms or trouble in which we are going through. Although this happens in all of our lives, when the going gets really rough, I thank God for my church family. I especially thank the Lord for my wife.
When we read these verses, on the surface it appears that Jesus is slighting his earthly family, but He is not doing that at all. Jesus always showed love and concern for His mother. When He was dying on the cross, He asked John to take care of her. He was teaching about a larger spiritual family in which you and I can find a home.
The blood of Jesus Christ provides spiritual bond between believers that is even a greater bond than physical family ties--because it's eternal! When it comes to the storm of loneliness, this truth is most comforting bcause we live in a world plagued with loneliness.
No matter what condition your biological family is in, you can find those who will love you and care for you in God's spiritual family. There’s no such thing as a perfect church, but when we trust Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we become part of "God's Forever Family."
3. In the Storm of Adversity, Jesus Provides Peace (vv. 22-25).
22) One day Jesus said to His disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23) As they sailed, He fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24) The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master. We are going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging water; the storm subsided and all was calm. 25) “Where is your faith?” He asked His disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him.
As you read this, let your mind connect to the Holy Spirit and let these words take you where God wants them to take you.
This account takes place on the Sea of Galilee, where strong storms can come seemingly out of nowhere. This storm was so severe the disciples were convinced they were going to drown! This storm was a real storm on a sea with wind and waves, but it illustrates the different storms of adversity or hardship, we face.
No matter what condition your biological family is in, you can find those who will love you and care for you in God's spiritual family. There’s no such thing as a perfect church, but when we trust Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we become part of "God's Forever Family."
3. In the Storm of Adversity, Jesus Provides Peace (vv. 22-25).
22) One day Jesus said to His disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23) As they sailed, He fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24) The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master. We are going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging water; the storm subsided and all was calm. 25) “Where is your faith?” He asked His disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him.
As you read this, let your mind connect to the Holy Spirit and let these words take you where God wants them to take you.
This account takes place on the Sea of Galilee, where strong storms can come seemingly out of nowhere. This storm was so severe the disciples were convinced they were going to drown! This storm was a real storm on a sea with wind and waves, but it illustrates the different storms of adversity or hardship, we face.
Let me suggest several truths from these verses about....
"Keeping Steady In Life's Storms".
First, storms come into your life even when Jesus is with you. That shouldn't surprise us. Jesus has promised we will face storms in life (John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”).
Second, we often wait until we come to the end of our resources before we cry out to God. The disciples were expert sailors, but they couldn't handle this storm. There will always be storms that we can’t handle but Christ can? We must stay focused on Him!!
Third, They went to Jesus for help, seemingly as a last resort. This is truly what most of us do! Instead of calling on Him each day with each new start, we often wait until we are in water up to our neck and then call. We should, as people of faith, call on Him 24/7.
In a crisis our natural response is to cry out, "Calm the storm!"
Jesus did calm this storm. Sometimes He does that, but…..
Fourthly, sometimes He chooses to bring peace to us rather than to our circumstances. He may calm the outward storm of circumstance or the inward storm of our stress and emotions.
When we encounter storms or hardships, Jesus may be trying to teach us something, something we need to learn for ourselves and once we have learned the lesson, turn around and help teach someone else the same lesson!!!
Finally, with Jesus, we can always make it to the other side.
First, storms come into your life even when Jesus is with you. That shouldn't surprise us. Jesus has promised we will face storms in life (John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”).
Second, we often wait until we come to the end of our resources before we cry out to God. The disciples were expert sailors, but they couldn't handle this storm. There will always be storms that we can’t handle but Christ can? We must stay focused on Him!!
Third, They went to Jesus for help, seemingly as a last resort. This is truly what most of us do! Instead of calling on Him each day with each new start, we often wait until we are in water up to our neck and then call. We should, as people of faith, call on Him 24/7.
In a crisis our natural response is to cry out, "Calm the storm!"
Jesus did calm this storm. Sometimes He does that, but…..
Fourthly, sometimes He chooses to bring peace to us rather than to our circumstances. He may calm the outward storm of circumstance or the inward storm of our stress and emotions.
When we encounter storms or hardships, Jesus may be trying to teach us something, something we need to learn for ourselves and once we have learned the lesson, turn around and help teach someone else the same lesson!!!
Finally, with Jesus, we can always make it to the other side.
When Jesus awakened and calmed the storm, He questioned the disciple's faith. He didn't expect them to calm the storm but to trust Him for their ultimate safety.
How about you?
Where is your faith?
How about you?
Where is your faith?
Have you put your trust in Jesus?
If not do so now so you will be ready when the storms of life come your way, and they will come, one is on the way right now, so be ready.
Do you have Jesus in your boat?
Conclusion: I know some of you are in storms right now--the storm of confusion, the storm of loneliness, or various storms of adversity. Trust Jesus to provide what you need.
Thanks.
If not do so now so you will be ready when the storms of life come your way, and they will come, one is on the way right now, so be ready.
Do you have Jesus in your boat?
Conclusion: I know some of you are in storms right now--the storm of confusion, the storm of loneliness, or various storms of adversity. Trust Jesus to provide what you need.
Thanks.
posted by Fisherman For Christ at 8/02/2006 08:52:00 AM
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