Finding Jesus in Life's Storms and Messiness

Life often doesn’t go as planned. We set out with high hopes and dreams, only to find ourselves in the middle of chaos, disappointment, or even heartbreak. Sometimes, life feels like a soggy cake—messy, embarrassing, and far from what we intended. In those moments, it’s easy to wonder where God is, or if He even cares. But the truth is, Jesus is right there with us, not distant or detached, but present in the thick of our storms. He knows what it’s like to be exhausted, to face loss, and to feel the weight of life’s unpredictability.

The story of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee reminds us that even when everything around us is out of control, Jesus remains steady. The disciples, seasoned fishermen, were terrified as the storm raged, and Jesus was asleep in the boat—not because He didn’t care, but because He was fully human and fully God, sharing in our exhaustion and vulnerability. When the disciples cried out in desperation, Jesus responded with authority, calming the wind and waves instantly. This wasn’t just a display of power; it was a revelation of who He is—the one who brings peace in the midst of chaos, the one who is bigger than any storm we face.

Faith doesn’t mean we won’t encounter storms. It means we know who is in the boat with us. Sometimes, all we can do is send up a flare—a simple, honest cry for help. Jesus doesn’t require eloquent prayers or perfect faith; He responds to our need, our honesty, and our willingness to call out to Him. Baptism, as we celebrate today, isn’t a promise of a storm-free life, but a declaration that we trust the one who calms the storms. Whether you’re ready for a big yes, a little yes, or even just a healthy maybe, the invitation is the same: bring your mess, your questions, and your fears to Jesus. He is steady, and He is with you.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Life’s messiness is not a sign of God’s absence, but an opportunity to discover His presence. When our plans fall apart and we’re left with disappointment or pain, Jesus is not distant—He is right there in the boat with us, sharing in our humanity and offering His steady presence. Our vulnerability is not a barrier to Him, but a place where He meets us most deeply. [33:26]
• 2. Honest cries for help are powerful prayers. The disciples’ desperate question, “Don’t you care if we drown?” wasn’t polished or reverent, but it was real. God is not looking for impressive words; He responds to our authenticity and our willingness to reach out, even when all we can muster is a cry of panic or confusion. [38:00]
• 3. Jesus’ authority over chaos reveals His true identity. When He calms the storm with a word, He demonstrates not just power, but the heart of God who brings order and peace where there is fear and turmoil. The question, “Who is this?” is central—knowing Jesus is not about having all the answers, but about encountering the one who is both fully God and fully human, present in our storms. [41:30]
• 4. Faith grows in the waiting and the storms, not in the absence of them. Jesus doesn’t rebuke the disciples for being afraid, but invites them to trust Him more deeply, even when He seems silent or asleep. Our faith matures as we learn to trust His presence and His timing, especially when life feels out of control. [40:51]
• 5. Baptism is a declaration of trust, not perfection. It’s not a sign that life will be easy, but that we have chosen to trust the one who is bigger than the storm. Whether we’re ready for a big yes, a little yes, or just exploring, the invitation is to call out to Jesus, knowing He will not let us go and will never give up on us. [44:53]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Introduction and Humour
• [02:30] - The Great British Bake Off Analogy
• [05:00] - When Life Gets Messy
• [08:15] - Personal Story: My Dad’s Illness
• [12:00] - Jesus in the Middle of Our Mess
• [15:00] - The “Wait For It” Series
• [17:00] - The Storm on the Sea of Galilee
• [20:00] - Jesus’ Humanity and Exhaustion
• [22:00] - Honest Prayers in Desperation
• [24:00] - Jesus Calms the Storm
• [27:00] - Who Is This? The Question of Jesus’ Identity
• [30:00] - Personal Stories: My Dad and the Lifeboat
• [33:00] - Baptism: Sending Up a Flare
• [36:00] - The Meaning of Baptism
• [39:00] - Invitation: Big Yes, Little Yes, Healthy Maybe
• [41:00] - Closing and Next Steps
• [43:00] - Final Prayer and Farewell

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Life Gets Messy, Jesus is Steady”

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### Bible Reading

Mark 4:35-41 (ESV)
*35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 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. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”*

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## Observation Questions

1. What was Jesus doing during the storm, and how did the disciples react to his actions? (Mark 4:38; [37:26])
2. What specific words did Jesus use to calm the storm, and what was the immediate result? (Mark 4:39; [39:21])
3. According to the sermon, why was Jesus asleep in the boat during the storm? ([36:06])
4. How did the disciples respond after Jesus calmed the storm, and what question did they ask each other? (Mark 4:41; [41:30])

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## Interpretation Questions

1. The disciples’ cry, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” was not a polished prayer. What does this reveal about how God responds to our honest, desperate prayers? ([37:26])
2. The sermon says Jesus was both fully human and fully God, sharing in our exhaustion and vulnerability. How does this shape our understanding of Jesus’ presence in our own “storms”? ([36:06])
3. When Jesus calms the storm, the disciples are left asking, “Who is this?” Why is this question so central to the story, and what does it reveal about faith? ([41:30])
4. The sermon mentions that faith grows in the waiting and the storms, not in the absence of them. How does this challenge common ideas about what it means to trust God? ([40:51])

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## Application Questions

1. The sermon compared life’s disappointments to a “soggy cake”—messy and embarrassing. Can you share a recent situation in your life that felt like this? How did you respond, and where did you see (or not see) God in it? ([30:31])
2. When have you felt like the disciples, wondering if God cares about what you’re going through? What was your “cry for help” like, and how did God respond? ([37:26])
3. The disciples’ prayer was raw and honest, not polished. Are there areas in your life where you feel you need to be more honest with God? What might it look like to bring your real fears or doubts to Him this week? ([38:00])
4. The sermon says, “Life gets messy, but Jesus is steady.” What would it look like for you to trust Jesus’ steady presence in a current area of chaos or uncertainty? ([33:26])
5. Baptism was described as “sending up a flare”—an honest declaration that we can’t handle life on our own. Whether you’ve been baptized or not, what would it mean for you to “send up a flare” to Jesus in your current season? ([43:23])
6. The sermon offered an invitation for a “big yes, little yes, or healthy maybe” in response to Jesus. Where do you find yourself on that spectrum right now, and what is one next step you could take in your faith journey? ([44:53])
7. Jesus didn’t rebuke the disciples for being afraid, but invited them to trust Him more deeply. Is there a fear or anxiety you’re carrying that you want to entrust to Jesus this week? What would it look like to do that practically? ([40:51])

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Closing Thought:
Remember, life’s messiness is not a sign of God’s absence, but an opportunity to discover His presence. Whether you’re ready for a big yes, a little yes, or just a healthy maybe, Jesus invites you to bring your mess, your questions, and your fears to Him—He is steady, and He is with you.