Finding Faith Amidst Life's Storms: Worship Over Worry

Life often feels like being tossed about on a stormy sea, surrounded by chaos we cannot control—cultural upheaval, personal tragedy, and the ever-present threat of evil. The world’s waves seem insurmountable, and our efforts to stay afloat can feel futile. Yet, in Matthew 14, we see Jesus sending his disciples directly into such a storm, not to abandon them, but to reveal something far deeper than mere problem-solving. The sea, throughout Scripture, is a symbol of chaos, uncreation, and the lair of Leviathan—the embodiment of all that threatens to undo God’s order. When Jesus walks on the water, he is not performing a mere spectacle; he is treading upon the very chaos that terrifies us, demonstrating his authority over all that is wild and destructive.

Jesus’ command to his disciples to enter the boat and face the storm is not a miscalculation or a lack of care. Rather, it is a purposeful act, a classroom where self-reliance is stripped away and the true nature of faith is revealed. The disciples, seasoned fishermen, find themselves outmatched by the storm, rowing for hours with no relief. In their exhaustion and fear, Jesus comes to them—not with platitudes or self-help advice, but with the presence and power of God himself. He declares, “Take heart, I am. Do not be afraid,” echoing the divine name revealed to Moses. The point is not that Jesus will always calm every storm, but that he is Lord over the chaos, and he comes to us in the midst of it.

Peter’s attempt to walk on water illustrates both the boldness and frailty of faith. When his eyes are fixed on Christ, he stands; when he looks at the waves, he sinks. Yet even in his failure, Jesus reaches out and saves him. The focus is not on Peter’s performance, but on the object of his faith. True discipleship is not measured by how well we manage the chaos or by our activism, but by whom we worship when the waves rise. The storms of life are not merely obstacles to be removed, but stages upon which Christ reveals his glory and invites our worship.

In the end, the question is not how well we walk on the waves, but whether we worship the one who does. The chaos of the world becomes a backdrop for seeing Christ more clearly. When we fix our eyes on him, even the fiercest storm becomes an opportunity for deeper trust and adoration.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. God Purposely Leads Us Into Storms for Our Good Jesus intentionally sent his disciples into the storm, not to harm them, but to reveal his power and presence in the midst of chaos. The storms of life are not always punishments or accidents; they are classrooms where our self-reliance is dismantled and our vision of Christ is clarified. In these moments, we are invited to see that God is sovereign even over the forces that threaten to undo us. [10:05]
• 2. The Sea as a Symbol of Chaos and God’s Dominion Over It Throughout Scripture, the sea represents uncreation, chaos, and the domain of Leviathan—the embodiment of evil and disorder. When Jesus walks on the water, he is enacting the ancient biblical image of God trampling the waves and subduing the chaos. This act is not just a miracle, but a declaration that Christ is Lord over all that is wild, destructive, and beyond our control. [14:40]
• 3. Faith Is Not About Performance, But About the Object of Our Worship Peter’s attempt to walk on water shows that faith is not measured by our ability to master the chaos, but by our willingness to trust and worship Christ in the midst of it. Salvation and spiritual maturity are not achieved by activism, self-improvement, or even bold acts of faith, but by fixing our eyes on Jesus, the one who saves. Our failures do not disqualify us; they become opportunities for Christ to reveal his authority and grace. [37:04]
• 4. Worship Is the True Response to Chaos, Not Control or Denial When faced with overwhelming circumstances, the temptation is to either try to control the chaos or to deny its reality. Yet, the biblical response is worship—acknowledging Christ’s lordship and presence even when the waves are high. Worship is not confined to singing hymns, but is a posture of the heart that shapes every aspect of life, turning every storm into a stage for God’s glory. [43:21]
• 5. The Storms of Life Are Opportunities to See Christ More Clearly Rather than asking God to simply remove our problems, we are called to see the chaos as a backdrop for a greater revelation of Christ. The true disciple prays, “Give me all the hell this world can muster, so long as I can see you more clearly.” In the end, it is not the absence of storms, but the presence of Christ in the midst of them, that brings peace and transforms our hearts. [42:26]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:44] - The Chaos of Our World
• [05:01] - Jesus Sends Disciples Into the Storm
• [06:50] - Exodus Echoes and Jesus Alone on the Mountain
• [10:05] - The Disciples’ Ordeal and the Purpose of the Storm
• [11:10] - Misreading the Storms: Self-Centered Faith
• [14:40] - The Sea, Chaos, and Leviathan in Scripture
• [16:21] - Exodus, the Red Sea, and God’s Deliverance
• [18:47] - Leviathan and the Sea Monster Imagery
• [20:24] - Jesus Walks on Water: Divine Authority
• [23:09] - The Disciples’ Terror and the Divine Name
• [25:29] - Storms as Classrooms for Faith
• [27:52] - Horatio Spafford: Faith in Tragedy
• [30:38] - Peter Walks and Sinks: Faith and Doubt
• [33:37] - The Point: Worship Jesus, Not Ourselves
• [36:12] - Chaos in Society and the Object of Our Worship
• [38:48] - Personal Brokenness and Doubt
• [41:21] - The Mark of True Discipleship
• [43:21] - Worship as the Response to Chaos
• [44:40] - Fixing Our Eyes on Christ in the Storm
• [46:04] - Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

Matthew 14:22-33 (ESV) —
> 22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.
> 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
> 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.
> 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
> 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear.
> 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
> 28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
> 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
> 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”
> 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
> 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
> 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Matthew 14, who sent the disciples into the boat and into the storm? What does the text say about how the disciples ended up in that situation? [[10:05]]
2. What was the disciples’ reaction when they saw Jesus walking on the water? What did they think they were seeing? [[23:09]]
3. What did Jesus say to the disciples when he approached them on the water? Why is this significant? [[24:17]]
4. What happened to Peter when he stepped out onto the water, and what did Jesus do in response? [[32:11]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says Jesus “forced” the disciples into the storm. What does this suggest about God’s purpose in allowing us to face chaos or hardship? [[10:05]]
2. The sea is described as a symbol of chaos and uncreation in the sermon. How does Jesus walking on the water connect to Old Testament images of God’s power over chaos? [[14:40]]
3. When Peter began to sink, the focus was not on his failure but on Jesus’ response. What does this teach about the nature of faith and doubt? [[32:11]]
4. The disciples’ final response was worship, not self-congratulation or shame. What does this reveal about the true goal of discipleship in the midst of life’s storms? [[33:37]]

Application Questions

1. Think about a recent “storm” or chaotic situation in your life. Did you see it as a punishment, an accident, or possibly as a classroom where God wanted to reveal himself? How might your perspective change if you saw it as a place to see Christ more clearly? [[10:05]]
2. The sermon says that the sea represents chaos and evil, and that Jesus walks on it to show his authority. Are there areas in your life that feel out of control or threatening? What would it look like to trust Jesus’ authority over those areas this week? [[14:40]]
3. When Peter took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the wind and waves, he began to sink. What are some “waves” or distractions that pull your focus away from Christ? What practical step can you take to fix your eyes on him in those moments? [[32:11]]
4. The sermon challenges the idea that faith is about performance or activism. In what ways do you measure your faith by your own actions or activism? How can you shift your focus to worshipping Jesus instead? [[37:04]]
5. The true response to chaos, according to the sermon, is worship—not control or denial. What does worship look like for you outside of Sunday services? Can you name a specific way you can turn a current struggle into an act of worship this week? [[43:21]]
6. The sermon quotes a prayer: “God, give me all the hell this world can muster so long as I can see you more clearly.” Is this a prayer you could honestly pray? Why or why not? What would need to change in your heart to pray this way? [[42:26]]
7. Each morning, the pastor suggests naming one area where the waves feel insurmountable and speaking a word of worship instead of strategizing first. Would you be willing to try this practice this week? What area would you name, and what would your prayer of trust be? [[43:21]]