Faith: The Key to Hope Amidst Fear
Summary
### Summary
Good morning and welcome to the 17th Sunday after Pentecost. Today, we explore the theme of "Faith Opening Doors" within our worship series called "Wide Open." We delve into the story of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee, illustrating how faith can transform fear into hope. The disciples, gripped by fear during a sudden storm, witnessed Jesus' calmness and authority over nature, which left them in awe. This story serves as a powerful reminder that faith in Jesus can open doors to hope, even in the most terrifying circumstances.
Fear is a natural part of life and can sometimes be beneficial, alerting us to danger. However, it can also be paralyzing and destructive, leading to poor decisions and even violence. We discussed real-life examples, such as police shootings and the Uvalde school shooting, where fear led to tragic outcomes. Conversely, we also heard stories of bravery and hope, like the firefighters during 9/11 and the community of Gander, Newfoundland, who welcomed stranded passengers with open arms.
Faith, unlike fear, opens doors to hope and transformation. It allows us to trust in God's power and presence, even in the face of danger. This trust can lead to acts of courage and compassion, as seen in the stories of 9/11 heroes and the passengers of Flight 93. Faith is not just about believing in God's existence but trusting in His capacity and willingness to act.
The disciples' journey from fear to faith is a testament to the transformative power of trusting in Jesus. Their initial fear during the storm was replaced by awe and faith, which eventually led them to spread the message of hope and salvation. This transformation is available to all of us when we choose faith over fear, allowing us to participate in God's kingdom agenda and open doors to hope for ourselves and others.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faith Transforms Fear into Hope: The story of Jesus calming the storm illustrates how faith can turn fear into hope. The disciples were terrified, but Jesus' calmness and authority over nature left them in awe. This transformation from fear to faith is a powerful reminder that trusting in Jesus can open doors to hope in our lives. [17:55]
2. The Dual Nature of Fear: Fear can be both beneficial and destructive. While it can alert us to danger and keep us safe, it can also paralyze us and lead to poor decisions. Real-life examples, such as police shootings and the Uvalde school shooting, show how fear can have tragic consequences. Understanding this dual nature helps us navigate our fears more effectively. [27:45]
3. Acts of Courage and Compassion: Stories of bravery, like those of the 9/11 firefighters and the community of Gander, Newfoundland, demonstrate how faith can lead to acts of courage and compassion. These stories inspire us to let go of fear and embrace faith, allowing us to act with hope and love in challenging situations. [32:57]
4. Faith as Trust in God's Power: Faith is not just about believing in God's existence but trusting in His capacity and willingness to act. The disciples' journey from fear to faith shows that true faith involves trusting in God's power and presence, even in the face of danger. This trust can lead to transformative experiences and open doors to hope. [36:13]
5. Participating in God's Kingdom Agenda: Faith opens doors to hope and allows us to participate in God's kingdom agenda. By choosing faith over fear, we can be transformed and help transform our communities. This participation involves acts of courage, compassion, and spreading the message of hope and salvation, just as the disciples did after Jesus' resurrection. [39:43]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[12:05] - Introduction to Faith Opening Doors
[15:51] - Children's Story: Jesus Calms the Storm
[17:09] - The Disciples' Fear and Jesus' Calmness
[18:48] - Jesus' Authority Over Nature
[20:29] - Prayer with Children
[23:52] - Faith vs. Fear
[24:50] - Geography and Sudden Storms on the Sea of Galilee
[25:46] - Jesus' Confidence and Command
[26:51] - Fear as a Normal Part of Life
[27:45] - The Dual Nature of Fear
[28:51] - Real-Life Examples of Fear's Consequences
[31:06] - Faith as the Door to Hope
[32:57] - Stories of Bravery and Compassion
[34:30] - Dwight Moody's Faith
[36:13] - Trusting in God's Power
[37:56] - The Disciples' Transformation
[39:43] - Participating in God's Kingdom Agenda
[42:59] - Prayers and Concerns
[45:16] - Offering and Thanksgiving
[47:17] - The Great Thanksgiving
[49:26] - Communion
[50:36] - The Lord's Prayer
[56:13] - Prayer After Communion
[56:55] - Announcements
[58:07] - Messy Church and Volunteer Needs
[59:37] - Disciple Bible Study
[01:00:24] - Visitor Information
[01:02:29] - Sending Hymn and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Mark 4:35-41 (NIV)
> That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
### Observation Questions
1. What was Jesus doing during the storm on the Sea of Galilee, and how did the disciples react? ([17:09])
2. How did Jesus calm the storm, and what was the disciples' reaction afterward? ([17:55])
3. What geographical features of the Sea of Galilee contribute to sudden storms? ([24:50])
4. What examples of fear leading to poor decisions were mentioned in the sermon? ([28:51])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus was able to sleep during the storm while the disciples were terrified? ([17:09])
2. How does the story of Jesus calming the storm illustrate the concept of faith transforming fear into hope? ([17:55])
3. In what ways can understanding the dual nature of fear help us navigate our own fears more effectively? ([27:45])
4. How do the stories of bravery and compassion, like those of the 9/11 firefighters, demonstrate the power of faith over fear? ([32:57])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you were gripped by fear. How might faith have changed your response in that situation? ([31:06])
2. What are some practical steps you can take to trust in God's power and presence more fully in your daily life? ([36:13])
3. How can you cultivate acts of courage and compassion in your community, inspired by the stories of bravery mentioned in the sermon? ([32:57])
4. Identify a specific fear you are currently facing. How can you apply the lesson of choosing faith over fear to this situation? ([26:51])
5. How can you participate in God's kingdom agenda by spreading the message of hope and salvation in your community? ([39:43])
6. Think of a person or group in your life who might be struggling with fear. How can you support them in finding hope through faith? ([37:56])
7. What is one specific action you can take this week to let go of fear and embrace faith, allowing you to act with hope and love in a challenging situation? ([31:06])
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Transforms Fear into Hope
Faith has the power to transform our deepest fears into profound hope. The story of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee is a vivid illustration of this truth. The disciples were terrified as the storm raged around them, but Jesus' calmness and authority over nature left them in awe. This transformation from fear to faith is a powerful reminder that trusting in Jesus can open doors to hope in our lives. When we place our faith in Him, we can find peace and assurance even in the most terrifying circumstances. [17:55]
Mark 4:39-40 (ESV): "And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, 'Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?'"
Reflection: Think of a current fear or anxiety you are facing. How can you invite Jesus into this situation and trust Him to transform your fear into hope?
Day 2: The Dual Nature of Fear
Fear is a natural part of life and can serve both beneficial and destructive purposes. It can alert us to danger and keep us safe, but it can also paralyze us and lead to poor decisions. Real-life examples, such as police shootings and the Uvalde school shooting, show how fear can have tragic consequences. Understanding this dual nature helps us navigate our fears more effectively. By recognizing when fear is helpful and when it is harmful, we can make better decisions and avoid the destructive outcomes that fear can sometimes produce. [27:45]
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV): "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
Reflection: Identify a situation where fear has led you to make a poor decision. How can you approach similar situations in the future with a spirit of power, love, and self-control?
Day 3: Acts of Courage and Compassion
Stories of bravery, like those of the 9/11 firefighters and the community of Gander, Newfoundland, demonstrate how faith can lead to acts of courage and compassion. These stories inspire us to let go of fear and embrace faith, allowing us to act with hope and love in challenging situations. When we trust in God's power and presence, we can find the strength to perform acts of kindness and bravery that make a significant impact on the lives of others. [32:57]
Joshua 1:9 (ESV): "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt called to act courageously or compassionately but hesitated due to fear. How can you prepare yourself to respond with faith and courage the next time a similar opportunity arises?
Day 4: Faith as Trust in God's Power
Faith is not just about believing in God's existence but trusting in His capacity and willingness to act. The disciples' journey from fear to faith shows that true faith involves trusting in God's power and presence, even in the face of danger. This trust can lead to transformative experiences and open doors to hope. When we place our trust in God's power, we can experience His peace and guidance, knowing that He is in control and will act on our behalf. [36:13]
Psalm 46:1-2 (ESV): "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's power and presence in a difficult situation. How did this experience strengthen your faith and trust in Him?
Day 5: Participating in God's Kingdom Agenda
Faith opens doors to hope and allows us to participate in God's kingdom agenda. By choosing faith over fear, we can be transformed and help transform our communities. This participation involves acts of courage, compassion, and spreading the message of hope and salvation, just as the disciples did after Jesus' resurrection. When we embrace faith, we become active participants in God's work, bringing His love and hope to those around us. [39:43]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Consider one way you can actively participate in God's kingdom agenda this week. How can you let your light shine and bring hope to someone in your community?
Quotes
1. "Faith opens doors, wide open. And today we're going to talk about faith. We're going to talk about fear and how faith opens the door to hope. The story we heard and that we shared with the kids in that story, the disciples were afraid and who wouldn't be? They were in a boat 20 to 30 feet long, far from shore, and the waves were so high, they were swamping the boat. A strong storm blew in." [23:52] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus wasn't. Jesus is sleeping in the back of the boat on a pillow. He was not afraid. He knew something that they didn't know. He knew that no wave could take him. He knew that no storm could take him. And then he got up, he gave orders, he said, silence, be still. We can hear his mom voice, you know, the voice that expects to be minded, silence, be still. And the storm did. The wind stopped. The storm was suddenly over and it was calm." [25:46] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Fear is a normal part of life. Healthy fear can help us. It alerts us to danger. It keeps us safe. Psychology today says fear is the anxious feeling caused by our anticipation of some imagined event or experience. So if you're walking along the edge of a cliff, you can imagine falling over. You feel an anxious feeling and you move away from the edge. That fear is helpful." [27:45] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Fear can short circuit our thinking. And it can even override our morality and our ethics. It can drive us to damaging behavior and even to violence. Fear can damage us and hurt our communities. In police shootings of unarmed black people, fear is the dominant emotion. We know that racism obviously plays a role. But officers will say that they feared for their lives. They were afraid. And they have shot and killed people who it turned out were unarmed. Fear damaged them. And it hurt the community." [28:51] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Faith is the door to something else. Faith is the door to hope. It's the difference between the terror of the disciples and the confidence of Jesus. When we let go of fear, when we walk through that door opened by faith, walk through that door to hope, amazing things happen." [31:06] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "When we let go of fear. When faith opens doors for us, we are changed. Faith opened the door to hope for Dwight Moody. He was a preacher in the 1800s. Once he was traveling by boat on the Great Lakes, and a really bad storm blew up. And the other passengers were terrified. They were seized by fear. This is sound a little familiar? And they started a prayer meeting right there on the boat. And they were begging God to save them. You can hear them saying God, wake up. Don't you care that we are perishing?" [33:57] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Faith changes us. It moves us from that source of safety of ourselves, of our limited strength and power. It moves our strength and power. It moves our strength and power. In Jesus' name. sense of safety to god with universal strength and power when we move our trust our faith in god it changes us it opens the doors to hope." [34:30] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Faith is trusting that god is able and willing and already awake and then joining in that kingdom of god agenda fear fear can damage us it can damage our souls it can hurt our community and faith opens the door to hope think of the things that frighten you perhaps that fear of being hurt of being attacked i felt that fear going into surgery or that fear for the safety of those you love that is something all parents have to deal with the fear of death or fear of a terminal diagnosis the fear of being fired and not having enough to care for yourself and your family the fear of letting others down the fear of losing your freedom in old age fear of maybe not being good enough not being lovable fear of rejection by people you love or even rejection by god or maybe just that generic fear of the unknown fear closes doors in our lives fear seizes us and it takes us captive it can damage us and it can damage our communities and faith opens doors" [37:56] (96 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Those disciples who were afraid of the unknown they were afraid of the unknown they were afraid of the unknown they were afraid in mark chapter four faith changed them they came to know jesus better they came to realize that god had come to them and that god was super interested in their well-being their physical well-being and that god was super interested in the well-being of the poor and the outcast jesus came to establish the kingdom of god and that is what he did their fear diminished and they were transformed and they were transformed and they were transformed and they were transformed transformed transformed over time with faith their hope kept them following even as the threats arose with faith their hope took them to jerusalem which was a much more dangerous place with faith their hope took them to the upper room where they celebrate the last supper which we will celebrate a supper here together this morning then the soldiers came and they let go of their faith and the fear got strong peter denied jesus the disciples ran away and it wasn't until the resurrection that they were overcome with awe again that hope that they received in the resurrection that awe that faith it drove them out into the streets to tell others about this faith telling people about this faith that opens doors and they did it by telling the story telling the story so that we could become overcome with awe just like they were so that we can be" [39:43] (108 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Transformed by faith a faith that opens doors wide open a faith that trusts that god is big enough for all of our fears that jesus is able and willing and awake a faith that joins us into that kingdom of god agenda a faith that opens doors to hope amen and so please rise as you are able as we sing there's a spirit of love in this place it's on your insert be seated and now we join our hearts and minds together in prayer as we pray Pray our joys and concerns." [39:43] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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