Magnifying Jesus Amidst Life's Storms and Challenges
Summary
In a recent message delivered by Tirsha Thornbury, the focus was on the theme of magnifying Jesus in the midst of life's storms and challenges. The message drew from the biblical account of Jesus walking on water, as found in John chapter 6, and the subsequent events that highlight the disciples' struggles with fear and faith. The narrative of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with fish and loaves was also referenced, emphasizing the importance of remembering past miracles to bolster faith in current difficulties.
Tirsha Thornbury shared personal stories, including the transition to lead pastor roles alongside her husband Cody, and the trials they faced, such as her mother's battle with cancer and her father's health issues. These anecdotes served to illustrate the real-life application of the biblical principles discussed.
The message underscored the idea that true faith is not about the absence of fear but about focusing on Jesus and His power to overcome the natural laws, as He did when walking on water and calming the storm. The disciples' fear, even after witnessing the miracle of the loaves and fish, was attributed to their hardened hearts and inability to grasp the full significance of Jesus' divine intervention in their lives.
The concept of magnifying Jesus was central to the message, with the assertion that doing so enables believers to rise above their circumstances, much like Peter did when he walked on water towards Jesus. However, when Peter shifted his focus to the storm, he began to sink, which serves as a metaphor for the importance of keeping one's eyes fixed on Jesus rather than on the problems at hand.
The message also touched on the idea that the church is not built by perfect people but by those who are willing to step out in faith, even amidst storms and chaos. The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace was used to illustrate that sometimes it is only in the midst of trials that the presence of God becomes evident to others.
Tirsha Thornbury encouraged listeners to remember what God has already done in their lives and to trust Him for future provision. She highlighted the importance of magnifying Jesus, not just the miracles, and to focus on the healer rather than the healing. The message concluded with a call to stand firm in faith, to take risks based on God's promises, and to trust in His goodness regardless of circumstances.
Key Takeaways:
- Magnifying Jesus in the midst of life's storms is essential for maintaining faith and overcoming challenges. By focusing on His power and presence, believers can navigate difficult situations with confidence and peace, knowing that He is in control and capable of performing miracles. [01:07:34]
- Remembering past miracles is crucial for sustaining faith in the present. Just as the disciples failed to connect the miracle of the loaves with Jesus' power over the storm, believers today must recall God's faithfulness in their lives to combat fear and doubt. This remembrance serves as a foundation for trusting God in new situations. [01:30:45]
- True faith involves taking risks and stepping out of comfort zones. Peter's decision to walk on water exemplifies the boldness required to follow Jesus. Even when believers falter, as Peter did, Jesus is there to reach out His hand, demonstrating that faith is a journey of both courage and reliance on divine support. [01:15:03]
- The church is built on the willingness of imperfect people to pursue God's calling. The message highlighted that the strength of the church lies not in the absence of failure but in the resilience and determination of its members to keep reaching out to Jesus, regardless of their shortcomings. [01:36:45]
- In times of relentless spiritual attack, the strategy is not to engage in direct combat with the adversary but to rise above with Jesus. Like an eagle soaring higher to escape the crows, believers are called to elevate their focus to Jesus, allowing His power to lift them above the fray. [01:44:11]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 6:16-21 (NIV)
> "When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, 'It is I; don’t be afraid.' Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading."
2. Matthew 14:22-33 (NIV)
> "Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. 'It’s a ghost,' they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.' 'Lord, if it’s you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water.' 'Come,' he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?' And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God.'"
3. Daniel 3:24-25 (NIV)
> "Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, 'Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?' They replied, 'Certainly, Your Majesty.' He said, 'Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the disciples' initial reactions when they saw Jesus walking on the water? (John 6:19, Matthew 14:26)
2. How did Peter respond to Jesus' invitation to walk on the water, and what happened when he shifted his focus? (Matthew 14:29-30)
3. What was the immediate result when Jesus entered the boat with the disciples? (John 6:21)
4. How did King Nebuchadnezzar react when he saw the fourth figure in the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? (Daniel 3:24-25)
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the disciples were afraid when they saw Jesus walking on the water, even after witnessing the miracle of the loaves and fish? (John 6:19, [01:09:25])
2. What does Peter's experience of walking on water and then sinking teach us about faith and focus? (Matthew 14:29-31, [01:15:24])
3. How does the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace illustrate the presence of God in the midst of trials? (Daniel 3:24-25, [01:37:38])
4. What is the significance of Jesus' statement, "Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid," in the context of the disciples' fear and the storm? (Matthew 14:27, [01:09:25])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a significant challenge or storm in your life. How did you respond, and what role did your faith play in that situation? ([01:19:59])
2. Peter took a bold step of faith by walking on water towards Jesus. What is one area in your life where you feel called to take a risk and step out in faith? ([01:15:24])
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of remembering past miracles to sustain faith in the present. Can you recall a specific instance where God provided for you or performed a miracle in your life? How does this memory impact your current faith? ([01:30:25])
4. How can you practice keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus amidst the distractions and storms of daily life? Are there specific habits or practices you can adopt to help maintain this focus? ([01:17:46])
5. The message highlighted that the church is built by imperfect people willing to step out in faith. How can you contribute to your church community, even if you feel inadequate or unqualified? ([01:36:49])
6. In times of relentless spiritual attack, the strategy is to rise above with Jesus. What practical steps can you take to elevate your focus to Jesus when you feel under spiritual attack? ([01:44:21])
7. The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shows that God's presence becomes evident in trials. How can you be a witness to others of God's presence and faithfulness during your own difficult times? ([01:37:38])
Devotional
Day 1: Elevating Focus Above the Storm
In the midst of life's tumultuous storms, it is essential to magnify Jesus, allowing His power to be the lens through which challenges are viewed. This elevation of focus transforms fear into faith, enabling believers to navigate through hardships with a peace that surpasses understanding, assured of His sovereign control. [07:40]
Isaiah 26:3 - "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."
Reflection: What storm in your life needs the peace of Jesus right now, and how can you intentionally focus on Him in this situation?
Day 2: Anchoring in Past Faithfulness
Recalling God's past faithfulness is a vital practice that strengthens faith in the present. It serves as a reminder that the same God who has worked miracles before continues to be active and powerful in current circumstances. This remembrance builds a foundation of trust and combats the waves of fear and doubt. [30:45]
Lamentations 3:21-23 - "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness. How does remembering this event help you trust Him with your current challenges?
Day 3: Bold Steps of Faith
True faith often requires stepping out of comfort zones, taking risks that may seem daunting. Like Peter walking on water, it is about moving towards Jesus, even when fear is present. When faltering, it is the hand of Jesus that sustains and uplifts, teaching that faith is both an act of courage and a reliance on divine support. [15:03]
Psalm 69:14 - "Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters."
Reflection: What is one step of faith you feel called to take, and what might be holding you back from taking it?
Day 4: Embracing Imperfection in Pursuit
The church is not a gathering of perfection but a community of the imperfect pursuing God's calling. It is the collective resilience and determination to reach out to Jesus, amidst failures and shortcomings, that builds a strong and authentic church body. [36:45]
2 Corinthians 4:7 - "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
Reflection: How can your own imperfections be a testimony to God's power and grace in your life and in the life of your church community?
Day 5: Soaring Above Spiritual Battles
In relentless spiritual battles, the strategy is not direct combat but elevation with Jesus. Like an eagle that soars to escape the crows, believers are called to rise above, allowing Jesus' power to lift them beyond the reach of the adversary. This ascent is a conscious choice to focus on Jesus and His victory. [44:11]
Isaiah 40:31 - "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Reflection: What spiritual battle are you facing, and how can you shift your focus to Jesus to rise above the conflict?
Quotes
1) "Magnify him in the storm, and that's how you walk above the water. This is where we actually get to step in and go, our God is the kind of God who can actually pick us up." [01:27:24] (Download)
2) "Sometimes it's only when we're in the storm, sometimes it's only when we're willing to fall into the fire, fall into the lake, and look like we're about to drown that we actually get to see Jesus come rescue us." [01:38:19] (Download)
3) "The true church is not built by perfect people, it's built by those who are willing to step out of the boat in the middle of the storm." [01:36:45] (Download)
4) "Fear is simply faith in the wrong kingdom. Faith is the currency of the spiritual realm. And either we get to step in with our faith and go, God, I trust you. Or we go, Satan, I trust you, and then he is happy to respond." [01:30:02] (Download)
5) "What does it look like to walk on water in your everyday life? I believe it looks like magnifying Jesus. No matter how big the waves are, if you will get your eyes fixed on him." [01:17:44] (Download)
6) "And rather than fight him back, just go higher. Just soar higher with Jesus. Just the word says that we actually can come under him and we will be lifted up on wings like eagles." [01:44:11] (Download)
7) "We have to magnify the healer, not the healing, the miracle worker, not just the miracles." [01:08:19] (Download)
8) "For they still did not understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in. If they had understood, they would not have been afraid on the water." [01:30:45] (Download)
9) "Sometimes when we feel like he's not showing up in our timing, we just need to go back to the last thing he told us to do and do it." [01:13:00] (Download)
10) "Storms will come. Are you willing to take a risk and risk it all based on the promise he's given you?" [01:39:48] (Download)
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