Encouragement in a Storm: Inspire!, part 2
Feeling desperate or overwhelmed? This short message encourages us to call out to Jesus. He will hear you; He has authority to deliver you from the storms of this life. Allow faith to overcome fear.
If you’re struggling, this short message from the heart is for you. Know that you are not alone even though things may seem dark and overwhelming right now, and you may feel unsure of what’s coming next.
When you find yourself in a valley or some dark place, such as a sickness or feeling depressed, a spiritual attack or a loss of some kind, it’s not the place you find yourself in that is important so much as the one who is with you.
When you are feeling down or depressed, look up and call out to Jesus. He is present in your situation.
Be encouraged and have faith that Jesus is with you.
A Storm Without Warning
You may have heard the story of Jesus calming the wind and the waves that is recorded in Matthew 8, but did you realize that the story is recorded in three of the four Gospels?
Each Gospel account gives us a slightly different view of that same story. All three accounts give us a complete picture of the situation that the disciples were facing.
‘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!”’ (Matthew 8:23-27).
I want you to notice the following:
The storm arose without warning.
The storm threatened to sink the disciples’ boat.
The storm caused fear in the disciples as they called out to Jesus.
The storm did not worry Jesus.
Jesus responds to the disciples’ call.
Jesus confronts the disciples’ fears and lack of faith.
Jesus calms the wind and the waves.
Jesus’ authority over the storm is marveled by the disciples.
The disciples feared they were about to perish.
The disciples needed to see Jesus actively present during their time of fear.
The disciples were amazed and marveled that the wind and the sea obeyed Jesus’ commands.
The disciples’ reverence of Jesus increased beyond expectation.
The disciples had been with Jesus for some time now. They witnessed Jesus healing the sick and they were learning more about Jesus every day, and yet they became fearful in their present situation. The disciples found themselves in a boat that was taking on water and they did not see how they could survive the raging storm. Water was crashing over the sides of the boat. The boat was being tossed around like a toy by the wind and waves. The disciples saw themselves perishing in the storm.
In Matthew’s account, you will find that the storm appeared suddenly and without warning. In other words, the storm was unexpected; and yet the Sea of Galilee was known to have storms come out of nowhere.
Have you ever experienced an unexpected storm?
A situation that caused a feeling of fear out of nowhere? It might have been an everyday situation, and without warning you found yourself in the middle of an awful situation and fear griped your heart.
Many of life’s difficulties and storms occur unexpectedly causing fear and anxiety in our hearts.
This is what happened with the disciples in this situation. They thought there was little hope of surviving this storm as the boat was tossed on the water. Jesus was nearby, and out of fear they cried out to Jesus who was physically asleep and unshaken by the storm.
One Story, Three Perspectives
In both Luke’s and Mark’s account of the storm, Jesus was awakened by the disciples. He calmed the storm and then he turned and addressed the disciples. Jesus asked them “why are you afraid” and then questioned their faith, or lack of it.
In Matthew’s account, Jesus first addressed the disciples about their faith, and then turned to speaks to calm the storm.
The difference between the three accounts may be due to how the author viewed the crisis and the Holy Spirit’s inspiration for including this teaching moment in Matthew’s Gospel.
The disciples needed to learn not to fear the physical storm. Instead, they needed to develop a faith to look past the storm.
Jesus, we find, uses this storm as a teaching moment for his disciples. The disciples will be able to look back to this moment and recall Jesus’ words, have faith and not be overwhelmed by what might appear to be hopeless. Many people who found themselves in a hopeless situation were physically healed by Jesus and encouraged to believe.
When you read each of these three accounts, you will see that the authors record the disciples calling out to Jesus using three different titles.
In Matthew, the disciples cry out LORD.
Mark, the disciples cry out Teacher.
Luke, the disciples cry out Master.
In each case, the disciples were amazed by Jesus’ authority and power over the storm. It did not matter how the disciples viewed Jesus: Lord, Teacher or Master. Jesus answered their cry.
Friends, no situation is overwhelming for Jesus. Each title illustrated a sign of respect and hope. Each title may have revealed how they viewed Jesus at that moment. Jesus is each of these and more. Jesus’ words can calm your storm.
The wind and the waves were not the only things that were calmed that day. The disciples learned a great lesson that day. A lesson to remember. When Jesus speaks to a particular situation, let your faith arise and peace and calm fill your soul.
Call out to Jesus; He has authority over your storm
Let me encourage you in your walk with Jesus. Storms may come upon you without any warning. You may develop a sense of fear at times, but remember to call out to Jesus. He will answer.
No storm is too big or situation too small. Allow faith to overcome fear. Remember the times Jesus has calmed past storms and know He will do the same today.
He hears you calling Him. Your storm may be a sickness. It may be a loss of some kind. Refuse to allow the worry caused by a virus pandemic to grip your heart in fear. The wind, the waves and the water sloshing at your feet are all part of a physical storm. Jesus is close and He will speak to your situation.
Call out to Jesus and let Jesus speak peace amid your situation. Be encouraged, be inspired, and have faith!
Jesus will hear you call His name and Jesus has authority to deliver you from the storms of this life. Believe and have faith.
Suggested Praise and Worship
This and other sermons brought to you by Faith Chapel, an Assemblies of God church in Pleasanton, CA.
Matthew 13:44-46: What does your forever—your eternity—look like? As hard as it is to imagine, God has already promised us a priceless, personal treasure. All we have to do is say yes to Jesus and He will help us get there.