Finding Peace: Trusting Jesus in Life's Storms
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the theme of "Surviving the Storm" by examining the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:35-41. We began with practical advice on preparing for physical storms, emphasizing the importance of being ready and taking necessary precautions. This led us into a deeper discussion about spiritual storms and how Jesus' presence in our lives can bring peace amidst chaos.
In Mark 4, Jesus tells His disciples to cross to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. As they sail, a fierce storm arises, causing the disciples to panic. Jesus, however, is asleep in the stern. When the disciples wake Him, fearing for their lives, Jesus rebukes the wind and the waves, bringing immediate calm. He then questions their faith, highlighting that His presence should have been enough to assure them of their safety.
This story teaches us several profound lessons. First, Jesus does not coddle our fears but challenges us to grow in faith. He expects us to trust His word and His presence, even when circumstances are dire. Second, the presence of Jesus in our lives makes every command He gives us doable, no matter how difficult it may seem. Third, we are reminded that we are never alone; Jesus is always with us, and His presence makes our "boat" unsinkable. Fourth, Jesus wants us to move from cowardly fear to reverential fear, recognizing His immense power and authority. Finally, we are called to share our testimony of transformation, just as the demon-possessed man was sent to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him.
### Key Takeaways
1. Jesus Challenges Our Fears: Jesus does not coddle our fears but rebukes them, urging us to have faith. He expects us to trust His word and His presence, even in the midst of life's storms. This challenges us to grow spiritually and to rely on His promises. [39:44]
2. Every Command is Doable: Jesus' presence in our lives makes every command He gives us achievable, no matter how difficult it may seem. The disciples could have calmed the storm themselves if they had trusted Jesus' word. This teaches us that obedience to God is always possible, even when it is hard. [40:16]
3. We Are Never Alone: Jesus promises never to leave us or forsake us. His presence in our lives makes our "boat" unsinkable, no matter what storms we face. This assurance should give us confidence and peace, knowing that we are always under His care. [45:21]
4. From Cowardly Fear to Reverential Fear: Jesus wants us to move from being afraid of our circumstances to having a reverential fear of Him. Recognizing His immense power and authority helps us to see our problems in the right perspective and trust in His sovereignty. [49:06]
5. Share Your Testimony: Just as the demon-possessed man was sent to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him, we are called to share our stories of transformation. Our testimonies of how Jesus has changed us can inspire and bring hope to others. [01:06:41]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[32:02] - Introduction: Surviving the Storm
[33:07] - Practical Tips for Physical Storms
[35:12] - Jesus Calms the Storm: Mark 4:35-41
[39:44] - Jesus Challenges Our Fears
[40:16] - Every Command is Doable
[45:21] - We Are Never Alone
[49:06] - From Cowardly Fear to Reverential Fear
[01:06:41] - Share Your Testimony
[01:12:30] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Surviving the Storm
#### Bible Reading
- Mark 4:35-41
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Jesus doing when the storm arose on the Sea of Galilee? ([35:12])
2. How did the disciples react to the storm, and what did they say to Jesus? ([38:10])
3. What was Jesus' response to the storm and to the disciples' fear? ([38:40])
4. What question did Jesus ask the disciples after calming the storm? ([39:13])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith instead of comforting them? ([39:44])
2. How does Jesus' ability to calm the storm demonstrate His authority and power? ([49:06])
3. What does the story suggest about the presence of Jesus in our lives during difficult times? ([45:21])
4. How can the disciples' reaction to the storm be seen as a reflection of our own responses to life's challenges? ([40:16])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent "storm" in your life. How did you respond, and how might you respond differently knowing that Jesus is with you? ([45:21])
2. Jesus challenges us to move from cowardly fear to reverential fear. What steps can you take to shift your perspective from fear of circumstances to awe of Jesus' power? ([49:06])
3. Think about a command from Jesus that seems difficult to obey. How can you remind yourself that His presence makes it doable? ([40:16])
4. Share a time when you felt alone in a difficult situation. How can the assurance of Jesus' constant presence change your outlook in similar future situations? ([45:21])
5. Jesus expects us to trust His word and His presence. What practical ways can you grow in your faith and trust in Jesus during challenging times? ([39:44])
6. How can you use your personal testimony of transformation to inspire and bring hope to others? Identify one person you can share your story with this week. ([01:06:41])
7. What specific fears are you currently facing, and how can you bring them to Jesus, trusting in His power and authority over them? ([49:06])
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Challenges Our Fears
Jesus does not coddle our fears but rebukes them, urging us to have faith. He expects us to trust His word and His presence, even in the midst of life's storms. This challenges us to grow spiritually and to rely on His promises. In Mark 4:35-41, the disciples were terrified by the storm, but Jesus was asleep, showing His complete trust in God's protection. When they woke Him, He rebuked the wind and the waves, bringing immediate calm. Jesus then questioned their faith, highlighting that His presence should have been enough to assure them of their safety. This teaches us that Jesus wants us to confront our fears and grow in our faith, trusting that He is always with us.
[39:44]
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 specific fear are you facing today? How can you actively trust Jesus with this fear, knowing He is with you?
Day 2: Every Command is Doable
Jesus' presence in our lives makes every command He gives us achievable, no matter how difficult it may seem. The disciples could have calmed the storm themselves if they had trusted Jesus' word. This teaches us that obedience to God is always possible, even when it is hard. Jesus expects us to rely on His strength and guidance to accomplish what He asks of us. When we face challenges, we should remember that His commands come with His support, making the impossible possible.
[40:16]
Philippians 2:13 (ESV): "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
Reflection: What is one command from Jesus that you find difficult to follow? How can you rely on His presence to help you obey?
Day 3: We Are Never Alone
Jesus promises never to leave us or forsake us. His presence in our lives makes our "boat" unsinkable, no matter what storms we face. This assurance should give us confidence and peace, knowing that we are always under His care. In the story of Jesus calming the storm, His presence alone was enough to ensure the safety of the disciples. We can take comfort in knowing that Jesus is always with us, guiding and protecting us through every trial.
[45:21]
Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV): "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel alone? How can you remind yourself of Jesus' constant presence and care?
Day 4: From Cowardly Fear to Reverential Fear
Jesus wants us to move from being afraid of our circumstances to having a reverential fear of Him. Recognizing His immense power and authority helps us to see our problems in the right perspective and trust in His sovereignty. The disciples' fear of the storm was replaced by awe of Jesus' power when He calmed the sea. This shift from cowardly fear to reverential fear is crucial for our spiritual growth, as it helps us trust in God's control over every situation.
[49:06]
Psalm 33:8-9 (ESV): "Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from fearing your circumstances to revering Jesus' power and authority today?
Day 5: Share Your Testimony
Just as the demon-possessed man was sent to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him, we are called to share our stories of transformation. Our testimonies of how Jesus has changed us can inspire and bring hope to others. Sharing our experiences of Jesus' work in our lives not only strengthens our faith but also encourages those around us. It is a powerful way to witness to the transformative power of Christ.
[01:06:41]
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."
Reflection: Who can you share your testimony with this week? How can your story of transformation bring hope to someone else?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "If you've got Jesus in your boat, the most important thing that can happen, if you've got Jesus in your boat, your boat is unsinkable. All the demons in hell, they can send a storm. Tornadoes are coming. I mean, we had somebody just a couple of weeks ago, a tornado knocked off the top of their house. Fires are coming. We had somebody just a couple of weeks ago, their house burned down. I mean, trouble is coming. Have you learned that? What I've told my kids, it's always something." [46:35] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You see, the problem is not that your fears are too big. The problem is that your God is too small. You see, they had a small God problem. They thought Jesus was limited. They thought this guy they saw in the boat that they had walked with, and they'd seen him do miracles. They'd seen him raise, he's pretty early in his ministry, but they've seen him heal some pretty significant things. They've seen some incredible things happen. And yet, they still don't really know who he is." [50:31] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Heaven is going to be wow after wow after wow. Heaven is going to be. If the created, you think about our humongous universe and it's glorious. And then we get these telescopes and they give us these pictures and we look at these pictures of these universes. And the billions and billions and billions of galaxies. I sound like Carl Sagan. Billions of galaxies. And we see all of that. And we're just. The nebulae and all of the things. That is so unbelievable." [52:11] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I don't have all the answers. I don't have to have all the answers. I mean, how old is the earth? Is it 6,000 years old? Is it, or is it 11 billion years old or whatever? You know, how old is the earth? I don't have all the answers. I don't have to have all the earth. How did this, I don't know. I don't have all the answers, but I know this. I was one way and now I'm another way. And the difference is him. And that's our story. That's our story. That's our testimony. We all have that story. We all have that testimony." [01:08:47] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Now, here's what I believe. Just as Jesus crossed that sea just to interact with one guy, he cares about the one. He cares about the one. And you may not know why you're here. Somebody may have invited you here and you think, I didn't want to go, but I didn't have much to do on Sunday morning. You're here. And I want to tell you, the reason I believe you're here is because the God of the universe has been calling your name. And he wants to be in his family. He wants to know you." [01:10:27] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Because if you coddle your fears you'll never defeat them. If you coddle your fears they're always going to overcome you. So Jesus doesn't coddle their fears he even rebukes him. So why you know why did you wake me up? Why did you not have faith? So basically he's saying why didn't you handle this yourself? Right? Why didn't you have faith? I mean I told you where we were going. I told you we were going to the other side." [40:16] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You can do everything that Jesus tells you to do. Every command is doable. That doesn't mean it's not hard. It was hard. There was the fear that the boat could sink. It was they had to row. They had to struggle. It was a fight. It was difficult. It wasn't easy. Sometimes we think just because God told us it should be easy or we think if it's difficult God must not have told us. I must not be in God's will because this is hard." [40:47] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus wants us to move from cowardly fear to reverential fear. So they're afraid of the storm. A lot of times we're afraid of things. It's okay to be afraid of things, but a lot of times it's not rational. Because just think how different people respond to different things. I mean, some people, some people, you know, you're afraid of things. You put them up in a high place, they freak out. Some people, they get up like an airplane and they jump out of it with a parachute. Like, whoo! That's two vastly different responses." [48:14] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You notice how the disciples questioned Jesus immediately? They questioned his love and care for them. Jesus, don't you care that we're perishing? He does care. He does care about what you're going through. He does care what's happening in your life. He did care, and he did care about them. But here's the reality. If you've got Jesus in your boat, the most important thing that can happen, if you've got Jesus in your boat, your boat is unsinkable." [45:58] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So Jesus wants us to move from cowardly fear to reverential fear. So listen to this. So they became very much afraid and said to one another, who then is this that even the wind and sea obey him? They had been afraid of the storm, and now they're more afraid of Jesus. Do you realize? Do you realize that you just have a glimpse of who Jesus is? You just have, we see through a glass darkly. We just have this little picture. It's wonderful what we have. It's glorious. It's incredible. It's marvelous." [49:06] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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