Faith Over Fear: Trusting Jesus in Stormy Times
Summary
In times of uncertainty and fear, it's natural to feel anxious about the future. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to a different kind of response—one that is rooted in faith rather than fear. The story of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee serves as a powerful illustration of this principle. The disciples, despite having witnessed Jesus' miracles, were terrified during the storm, fearing for their lives. Yet, Jesus questioned their fear, asking, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" This question challenges us to examine where we place our trust. Is it in the storms of life, or in the One who has power over them?
Faith, as Jesus demonstrated, is not the absence of fear but a redirection of it. It's about choosing to trust in Jesus, who is with us in the boat, rather than the circumstances that threaten to overwhelm us. The disciples' fear shifted from the storm to a reverent awe of Jesus when they realized His true nature. This shift is crucial for us as well. We must recognize that our destiny is not determined by the storms we face but by the One who commands the winds and the waves.
Peter and John's courage before the high priest, despite the threat of death, exemplifies the transformation that occurs when we place our faith in Jesus. Their confidence was not in their circumstances but in their relationship with Christ. This same assurance is available to us today. Jesus promises never to leave or forsake us, even when the storms rage. Therefore, we can rest in His presence, knowing that He is the captain of our souls.
As we navigate these challenging times, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. By doing so, we can face each day with courage, knowing that His grace and mercy are sufficient for us. Let us not grow weary or lose heart, but instead, trust in the One who loves us and holds our future in His hands.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith is not the absence of fear but a redirection of it. Jesus challenges us to place our trust in Him rather than the storms of life, reminding us that our destiny is determined by His power, not our circumstances. [02:48]
- The story of Jesus calming the storm illustrates that fear and faith are two sides of the same coin. We must choose to trust in Jesus, who is with us in the boat, rather than the circumstances that threaten to overwhelm us. [04:46]
- Peter and John's courage before the high priest demonstrates the transformation that occurs when we place our faith in Jesus. Their confidence was rooted in their relationship with Christ, not in their circumstances. [06:05]
- Jesus promises never to leave or forsake us, even when the storms rage. We can rest in His presence, knowing that He is the captain of our souls and that His grace and mercy are sufficient for us. [06:40]
- By fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, we can face each day with courage, knowing that He holds our future in His hands. Let us not grow weary or lose heart, but trust in His love and power. [07:32]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:07] - The Reality of Fear
[00:21] - Understanding Faith
[00:37] - Jesus' Perspective on Fear
[00:52] - The Storm on the Sea of Galilee
[01:17] - The Disciples' Fear
[01:45] - Jesus' Lesson on Faith
[02:13] - Relating to Our Own Fears
[02:48] - Jesus' Question to the Disciples
[03:18] - Misplaced Fear
[03:37] - The Disciples' Realization
[04:16] - Jesus' Teaching on Fear
[05:09] - Trusting in Jesus Over Circumstances
[05:38] - Peter and John's Courage
[06:21] - Confidence in Christ's Presence
[06:56] - Fear Not, Trust in Jesus
[07:32] - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus Calms the Storm
2. Hebrews 12:2-3 - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
3. Acts 4:13 - Peter and John's Courage Before the High Priest
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#### Observation Questions
1. In the story of Jesus calming the storm, what was the disciples' initial reaction to the storm, and how did Jesus respond to their fear? [02:48]
2. How did the disciples' perception of Jesus change after He calmed the storm? What question did they ask themselves? [03:37]
3. What was the reaction of the high priest and his allies when they saw the courage of Peter and John? [06:05]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Jesus' question, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" suggest about the relationship between fear and faith? [02:48]
2. How does the story of Peter and John before the high priest illustrate the transformation that occurs when one places their faith in Jesus? [05:38]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that fear and faith are two sides of the same coin? How can this understanding impact a believer's response to life's challenges? [04:46]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a current "storm" in your life. How can you redirect your fear into faith, trusting in Jesus' presence with you? [02:13]
2. When faced with fear, what practical steps can you take to remind yourself of Jesus' power and presence in your life? [06:40]
3. Consider a situation where you might be placing your faith in circumstances rather than in Jesus. How can you shift your focus to trust in Him instead? [04:46]
4. How can the example of Peter and John's courage inspire you to stand firm in your faith, even when facing opposition or fear? [06:05]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to "fix your eyes on Jesus." What changes can you make this week to focus more on Him? [07:32]
6. Think about a time when you felt like God was "asleep" during a difficult situation. How can you remind yourself of His promise to never leave or forsake you? [06:40]
7. What is one practical way you can encourage someone else who is struggling with fear to trust in Jesus' love and power? [07:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Redirecting Fear to Faith
Faith is not the absence of fear but a redirection of it. In the story of Jesus calming the storm, the disciples were overwhelmed by fear despite having witnessed Jesus' miracles. Jesus questioned their fear, asking, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" This question challenges us to examine where we place our trust. Is it in the storms of life, or in the One who has power over them? Faith, as Jesus demonstrated, is about choosing to trust in Him, who is with us in the boat, rather than the circumstances that threaten to overwhelm us. The disciples' fear shifted from the storm to a reverent awe of Jesus when they realized His true nature. This shift is crucial for us as well. We must recognize that our destiny is not determined by the storms we face but by the One who commands the winds and the waves. [02:48]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: What current storm in your life is causing you fear? How can you actively redirect that fear towards faith in Jesus today?
Day 2: Trusting Jesus in the Boat
The story of Jesus calming the storm illustrates that fear and faith are two sides of the same coin. The disciples, despite being in the presence of Jesus, allowed the storm to dictate their emotions. Jesus' question to them, "Why are you so afraid?" serves as a reminder that our faith should not be contingent on our circumstances. Instead, we must choose to trust in Jesus, who is with us in the boat, rather than the circumstances that threaten to overwhelm us. This choice to trust transforms our perspective, allowing us to see beyond the immediate storm to the One who holds power over it. [04:46]
Psalm 107:28-29 (ESV): "Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed."
Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself daily that Jesus is with you in the boat, especially when facing overwhelming circumstances?
Day 3: Courage Rooted in Relationship
Peter and John's courage before the high priest, despite the threat of death, exemplifies the transformation that occurs when we place our faith in Jesus. Their confidence was not in their circumstances but in their relationship with Christ. This same assurance is available to us today. When we root our courage in our relationship with Jesus, we find the strength to face any challenge. Their example encourages us to deepen our relationship with Christ, knowing that it is this relationship that empowers us to stand firm in the face of adversity. [06:05]
Acts 4:13 (ESV): "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus this week to strengthen your courage in challenging situations?
Day 4: Resting in His Presence
Jesus promises never to leave or forsake us, even when the storms rage. We can rest in His presence, knowing that He is the captain of our souls and that His grace and mercy are sufficient for us. This assurance allows us to face life's challenges with peace and confidence, knowing that we are not alone. By resting in His presence, we find the strength to navigate the storms of life, trusting that He is in control and will guide us through. [06:40]
Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV): "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Reflection: What practical steps can you take to intentionally rest in Jesus' presence today, especially when you feel overwhelmed?
Day 5: Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
By fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, we can face each day with courage, knowing that He holds our future in His hands. This focus on Jesus allows us to rise above our circumstances, trusting in His love and power. As we navigate these challenging times, let us not grow weary or lose heart, but instead, trust in the One who loves us and holds our future. This perspective shift empowers us to live with hope and confidence, knowing that our destiny is secure in Him. [07:32]
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: What distractions are preventing you from fixing your eyes on Jesus? How can you refocus your attention on Him today?
Quotes
For a lot of folks, faith is really just confidence that somehow it's all gonna work out in the end, but for Christians, faith is more than that, faith is more than keep your chin up, you know, we can do this. If Jesus is correct, and I always assume Jesus is correct, faith isn't even the opposite of fear. [00:34:73]
According to Jesus, faith is actually a version of fear, but Jesus didn't just talk about it, he actually illustrated it, and Peter gives us his version in the gospel of Mark. Now, we all know this story, but I'm not sure we all get the point. According to Peter, Jesus and the 12 needed a break from the crowd. [00:48:58]
And perhaps it was set up to teach us something about faith and fear as well. Anyway, the disciples wake him up and they say, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" "Don't you care if we drown?" Which sounds silly to us because Jesus was in the boat with them, but perhaps that's how you're feeling about right now. [01:16:25]
Then Jesus got up and he had a conversation with nature. He told the waves to quiet down, and they did. And then he asked the disciples this question, it seemed like a silly question at the time, "Why?" "Why are you so afraid?" "Do you still have no faith?" "Why are you so afraid?" "After all you've seen me do, after all we have experienced together, do you still have no faith?" [02:37:15]
Then, according to Peter, even after the storm subsided, they were not relieved. This is the most amazing part of the story, Peter says that after the storm subsided, they were terrified that literally they feared a great fear. They were more afraid after the storm subsided than they were during the storm. [03:14:99]
And they ask each other a question, a question they should have been asking all along, a question that, well, we should ask every single day. Here's the question they asked, "Who is this man?" "Who is this man?" "Even the wind and the waves obey him." And the answer, he is a super man, he is the God man, he is the son of man. [03:37:11]
They suffered from misplaced fear, misplaced terror, and later, Jesus would come right out and state this plainly, he would say, "My friends", and I love the fact that he said friends, "My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more". In other words, "fear not, even when there is something to be afraid of." [04:12:98]
"Fear not, not because it's all gonna work out fine," "fear not because I care, I am with you." "If you're going to fear something, if you're going to assume that your destiny is determined by something", Jesus said, "fear me, trust me". So the moral of the story is simply this, that fear and faith are really two sides of the same coin. [04:34:77]
Will we put our faith in a global pandemic? Will we trust this pandemic to determine our destinies? Have we placed our confidence in a virus? Put it that way, it sounds kind of ridiculous, doesn't it? That was Jesus point, his question, "Why are you afraid?" Could be restated this way, "Why are you trusting in the storm?" "Why not trust me instead?" [04:57:30]
And Peter and John had every reason to believe that they were next, that they would die that very day, but they had learned the lesson of the storm, and they knew better than to put their confidence, their faith, in the high priest and his cronies, which is exactly what the high priest assumed they would do, because, well that's what everybody did, but they were in for a surprise. [05:38:60]
Luke tells us that when the high priest, and the men with him, saw the courage of Peter and John, they suddenly realized that these were just average day laborers, and they were astonished, they were astonished that they weren't afraid. The working class trembled in the presence of these men, but not Peter and John, why? [06:00:93]
And clearly, they were confident that Jesus was still with them, and Jesus is still with you. And while it might feel like God has fallen asleep, he hasn't. Which means you can fall asleep every single night confident of this, he is in your boat. He said so, "I will never leave you, I will never forsake you, even when the wind and the waves are coming in strong". [06:30:42]
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