When life suddenly turns from calm to chaos, it can feel like we are caught in a storm that threatens to overwhelm us. The disciples, experienced fishermen, found themselves terrified as a violent storm hit their boat, yet Jesus was right there with them—fully God, fully human, sharing in their exhaustion and fear. Even when He seemed silent or asleep, He was present, and at their desperate cry, He stood and commanded the wind and waves to be still. In an instant, the chaos became calm, revealing that Jesus has authority over every storm we face. When life gets messy, Jesus remains steady, inviting us to trust Him even when we feel afraid or alone. [37:26]
Mark 4:35-41 (ESV)
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 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?” 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?” 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?”
Reflection: When you feel overwhelmed by chaos or fear today, what would it look like for you to honestly cry out to Jesus and trust that He is present with you, even if you can’t sense Him immediately acting?
No matter how carefully we plan or how hard we try, life can unravel in unexpected ways—dreams collapse, embarrassment happens, and loss can strike suddenly. Yet, in the midst of the mess, Jesus offers a steady presence. He does not promise a storm-free life, but He promises to be with us in every storm, offering hope, comfort, and the assurance that we are not alone. Even in the hardest goodbyes and the most painful moments, Jesus is there, steady and unchanging, inviting us to lean on Him and discover His peace that surpasses understanding. [33:26]
Psalm 46:1-3 (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, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where life felt especially messy or out of control—how might you invite Jesus into that memory and ask Him to show you where He was steady for you?
The disciples’ cry in the storm was not a polished prayer, but a desperate, honest plea: “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” God welcomes our raw, unfiltered prayers—He is not looking for impressive words, but for hearts that turn to Him in need. When we feel like we are sinking, we can call out to Jesus with all our fears and doubts, knowing that He hears us and responds with compassion. Our vulnerability is not a weakness; it is the doorway to experiencing God’s presence and power in our lives. [38:00]
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to stop pretending and bring your honest fears or frustrations to God in prayer today?
Baptism is not a declaration that life will be easy, but a public statement that we trust someone bigger than any storm—Jesus. He is the one who brings new life, who never panics, and who will not let us go. When we admit we can’t handle life on our own and call out to Him, we discover that He is truly in the boat with us, ready to bring calm and hope. Whether you are ready for a big yes, a little yes, or even a healthy maybe, Jesus invites you to take the next step and trust Him with your life. [44:53]
Isaiah 43:1-2 (ESV)
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
Reflection: What is one “storm” in your life right now where you need to remember that Jesus is bigger and will not let you go—how can you take a step of trust today?
Wherever you are on your journey—whether you’re ready to say a big yes, a little yes, or just a healthy maybe—Jesus invites you to explore who He is and what it means to follow Him. You don’t have to have all the answers or be perfectly ready; you just need to be open to taking the next step. Baptism, faith, and following Jesus are all about responding to His invitation, trusting that He is interested in your life and will walk with you through every season. Today matters because Jesus is offering you life, forgiveness, and a relationship with God—will you say yes? [46:06]
John 1:12 (ESV)
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today—however small—to say “yes” to Jesus’ invitation, whether that’s asking a question, praying, or reaching out to someone for support?
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.
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.
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