Recognizing Jesus: Authority in Our Storms

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Calms the Storm: Trusting His Presence in Life’s Chaos

In the midst of life’s storms, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and fearful, just as the disciples did when the wind and waves threatened to sink their boat. Yet, even when chaos surrounds us, Jesus is present—sometimes seemingly asleep, but always in control. The disciples’ cry, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” echoes our own desperate prayers in times of trouble. But Jesus’ response is not only to calm the storm, but to challenge us: “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” He calls us to trust not just in His power, but in His presence with us, reminding us that He is in our boat, and that changes everything. [01:17:43]

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 face a storm—big or small—this week, what would it look like to pause and remember that Jesus is in your boat, and to trust Him before fear takes over?

Day 2: God Alone Commands the Storms

The disciples marveled, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”—a question that echoes the Old Testament’s declaration that only God stills the raging seas. This miracle reveals Jesus’ true identity: He is not just a teacher or healer, but the Lord Himself, the One with authority over creation. Recognizing who is truly in our boat changes our perspective from fear to awe, and calls us to worship Him as the mighty God who is present with us in every circumstance. [01:20:18]

Psalm 65:6-7 (ESV)
By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might; who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples.

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus is the Lord who commands the storms—both in nature and in your life—change the way you approach your challenges today?

Day 3: Knowing Who Is in Your Boat

Many people have different ideas about God—some see Him as only loving and gentle, while others forget His power and holiness. But to truly trust Him, we must know Him as He is: the God who loves us fiercely, hates sin, and is a powerful warrior on our behalf. When we understand who is in our boat, we gain confidence not just in His love, but in His strength and authority to fight for us and with us. This reverent fear draws us closer, not away, and empowers us to live boldly as His sons and daughters. [01:30:15]

Proverbs 9:10 (ESV)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Reflection: In what ways might your view of God be too small or one-sided? How can you seek to know Him more fully as both loving and powerful this week?

Day 4: Speaking God’s Word in the Midst of Battle

When the storms rage—whether in our circumstances or in our minds—the enemy tries to discourage and distract us. But God has given us His Word and His authority; we are not called to be passive, but to speak out His truth over our lives. Just as Jesus expected the disciples to exercise faith, He calls us to declare His promises, to get louder than the voices of fear and condemnation, and to remember that “greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.” [01:39:11]

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Reflection: What negative or fearful thoughts do you need to confront today by speaking God’s Word over your life and situation?

Day 5: Empowered to Carry Out God’s Mission

God is not a distant or passive observer; He has empowered us to continue the work Jesus began on earth. We are His ambassadors, called to fight for His kingdom, to draw people in, and to trust that He is with us always. Our home is in heaven, but our mission is here, and He has given us all we need—His presence, His authority, and His Spirit—to fulfill our calling with courage and urgency. [01:47:15]

2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV)
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Reflection: What is one step you can take this week to actively live out your calling as Christ’s ambassador, trusting that He has already equipped you for the task?

Sermon Summary

Today, we reflected on the story of Jesus calming the wind and the waves, a moment that reveals not only His power but also the depth of our own understanding of who He truly is. The disciples, seasoned fishermen, found themselves terrified in a storm, not just by the elements, but by the realization of who was in the boat with them. Their fear shifted from the storm to awe and reverence for Jesus, who demonstrated authority that only God possesses. This encounter challenges us to consider: do we really know who is in our boat? Do we see Jesus as merely a comforting presence, or do we recognize Him as the mighty, holy, and even fearsome God who commands creation itself?

We often face storms in our own lives—sometimes external, but often internal, in our minds and hearts. In those moments, it’s easy to forget who is with us. We may cry out for help, not fully realizing the power and authority of the One we call upon. Sometimes, our understanding of God is too small, too tame. We may see Him only as loving and gentle, forgetting that He is also a warrior, fierce against sin, and zealous for our good. This limited view can leave us unprepared for spiritual battles, doubting His willingness or ability to act on our behalf.

But God is not distant or passive. He is present, active, and has given us authority to speak His word into our circumstances. The same Jesus who calmed the storm expects us to step up in faith, to use the authority He has given us, and to trust that His promises are sure. He has already declared, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Our journey is not in question; our victory is assured because of who is with us.

Knowing who is in our boat changes everything. It gives us confidence to face storms, boldness to confront the enemy, and assurance that we are never alone. Our God is not just a gentle shepherd—He is the Lion of Judah, a mighty warrior who fights for us and with us. As we grow in our relationship with Him, our reverence deepens, our faith strengthens, and our lives become a testimony to His power and love.

Key Takeaways

1. The storms we face—whether external or internal—are opportunities to discover who Jesus truly is. When fear rises, it’s not just the circumstances that challenge us, but our understanding of the One who is with us. Recognizing His presence and authority transforms our response from panic to peace. [82:02]
2. A limited view of God—as only loving and gentle—can leave us spiritually vulnerable. Scripture reveals a God who is both loving and fiercely opposed to sin, a God who is not passive but actively fights for His people. Embracing the fullness of His character equips us to stand firm in spiritual battles. [86:08]
3. Reverent fear of God is not about being afraid of Him, but about valuing closeness with Him above all else. True fear of the Lord draws us near, motivates us to live faithfully, and keeps us from drifting into complacency or compromise. It is the foundation of wisdom and spiritual strength. [91:43]
4. Jesus expects us to exercise the authority He has given us. When He rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith, He was inviting them—and us—to step into a new level of trust and action. We are not called to be passive spectators, but active participants in God’s work, speaking His word and standing in His victory. [94:21]
5. Knowing the voice of Jesus is essential for navigating life’s storms. His voice, revealed in Scripture, brings clarity, encouragement, and direction. As we meditate on His word and learn to recognize His leading, we are empowered to silence the lies of the enemy and walk in the confidence of our identity in Christ. [96:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[57:38] - Announcements and Birthdays
[58:36] - Operation Christmas Child
[59:45] - Closet Clean-Out Event
[60:14] - Upcoming Mission Trip to the Philippines
[61:25] - Thierry Mission Update
[62:47] - Invitation to Join Mission Trips
[63:23] - Children’s Church and Break
[65:35] - Worship and Testimony
[67:24] - Introduction to the Miracle Series
[76:08] - Reading: Jesus Calms the Storm
[77:43] - The Disciples’ Fear and Awe
[82:02] - Applying the Storm to Our Lives
[86:08] - Who Is in Your Boat?
[91:43] - The Fear of the Lord
[94:21] - Our Authority in Christ
[96:27] - Hearing the Voice of Jesus
[107:15] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
[113:04] - Fellowship and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

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?”

Psalm 65:7 (ESV) — 7 who stills the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
the tumult of the peoples,

John 10:27 (ESV) — 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Observation Questions

What was Jesus doing during the storm, and how did the disciples react to the situation? (Mark 4:38-39)
After Jesus calmed the storm, what question did the disciples ask each other, and why is it significant? (Mark 4:41)
According to Psalm 65:7, who has the power to still the seas and the waves? How does this connect to what Jesus did? ([01:20:18])
In John 10:27, what does Jesus say about his sheep and his voice? How does this relate to recognizing who is in our “boat”?

Interpretation Questions

The disciples were experienced fishermen, yet they were terrified during the storm. What does their fear reveal about their understanding of Jesus at that moment? ([01:17:43])
The sermon mentioned that sometimes our view of God is “too small, too tame.” What are the dangers of seeing God only as gentle and loving, but not as powerful or holy? ([01:26:08])
The disciples’ fear shifted from the storm to a reverent fear of Jesus after he calmed the sea. What does this shift teach us about the “fear of the Lord”? ([01:31:43])
Jesus rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith and seemed to expect them to act differently. What does this suggest about the kind of faith and authority Jesus wants his followers to have? ([01:34:21])

Application Questions

Think about a recent “storm” in your life—whether external or internal. How did you respond, and did you remember who was “in your boat” with you? ([01:22:02])
Are there ways you have limited your view of God, perhaps seeing him only as gentle and loving, but not as a mighty warrior or holy judge? How might this affect your spiritual life or your response to challenges? ([01:26:08])
The sermon said that reverent fear of God is not about being afraid, but about valuing closeness with him above all else. What would it look like for you to live with a healthy, reverent fear of God this week? ([01:31:43])
Jesus has given us authority to speak his word into our circumstances. Is there a situation in your life right now where you need to step up in faith and use that authority? What would that look like practically? ([01:34:21])
The voice of Jesus brings clarity and peace, while the enemy’s voice brings confusion and discouragement. How can you better recognize and respond to Jesus’ voice in your daily life? Are there specific practices (like reading Scripture, prayer, or worship) that help you do this? ([01:36:27])
The sermon challenged us to not be passive spectators, but active participants in God’s work. Is there an area where you feel God is calling you to take action, but you’ve been hesitant? What’s holding you back, and what step could you take this week? ([01:34:21])
Jesus said, “Let us cross over to the other side.” How does knowing that your journey and victory are assured in Christ change the way you face current or future storms? ([01:39:11])

Sermon Clips

``Who is in the boat? This is the thing. The disciples didn't know who was in the boat. And that's what we've got to understand. Who is in the boat? Who is this person? It puzzles me why they asked the question. Because they didn't know who was in the boat. Really. They saw him do miracles. But they still weren't too sure. And so, I said, I asked the people, who do you know is in your boat? How do you see God? Is he just a God of love, that loves everybody, that loves everything? [01:25:47] (40 seconds) #ResistTheDevilsDistractions

Now there's a problem if you have that understanding of God. Because if you've got a God that loves everything and everyone, then God can't hate. That God can't hate. You know what it says in the Bible? God actually hates stuff. He hates sin. God hates sin. And see, there's people, and it's like Iris was saying, some people have gone to hell because of their desires. They knew Jesus. They loved Jesus. They walked with Jesus. They talked with Jesus. They did miracles with Jesus. But their desires took them to hell. [01:26:28] (48 seconds) #LionOfJudahStrength

See, God doesn't belong to us. He's a God of himself. He says, I'm the beginning and the end. And he is to be feared. And this is the thing that when you get into the presence of God and when many accounts of when people in the Bible saw God, they fell as if they were dead men. That's some of their encounters. As if we were dead men. We fell over. Just couldn't look up. We couldn't do anything. Even today, you hear people have encounters with God. They just, and like, is it their sinful heart, the things that are on them, they can't move. [01:27:39] (51 seconds) #SpeakLouderThanDoubt

Why do we fear God? Well, we fear him not because we're afraid of him. We fear him because we want to be close to him. We don't want to be away from him. We fear being out of connection with him. We fear not being a favourite son. I want to be a favoured son. I want to be doing the things, and when he finds me, he says, well done, good and faithful servant. That's who I want to be. And that's why we... And I say, and it's a reverent fear, but it's also, I don't want to displease him. In everything that I do. [01:32:06] (42 seconds) #GodEmpowersHisChildren

As you get to know who's in your boat, as you can say, who is the God in my boat? You can say, I know who he is. When there's trouble all around us, and when there's things coming into your brain that you're going, saying, I can't trust this. I don't know what it is. It's making me upset. We start to say, hang on. Who is the God who is in my boat? What does he say about me? What does he say about this circumstance? What does he say? Who does he say I am? [01:35:12] (40 seconds) #GodFightsTheEnemyNotUs

Now, his voice sounds like the Bible because that is his voice. You see, this is the word that God that encourages you, lifts you, makes you renewed. See, if you know the word of God and you hear him speaking, you will follow him. See, my sheep hear my voice and they follow me. You don't know what his voice is until you know what he says. To me, that was the most challenging scripture of my whole life when I heard that scripture. My sheep hear my voice and they follow me. I've come to understand that this is Jesus' voice, the Bible. And that's what it sounds like when he talks to us. [01:36:12] (49 seconds) #GodLovesAndLeadsYou

But you see, if we know who's in our boat, who is that? Get to know who that person is because I've written it down so I'm going to read it. there's a raging, roaring lion around you, sometimes in your head. But you have the lion of the tribe of Judah in the boat. And he's saying to you, you have got this. You see, now it's your turn to step up and do this. It's no longer help me, Jesus, help me. No, he says, you've got this. Speak out those words. Speak out the word. [01:37:55] (50 seconds)

Sometimes those words in your head are so loud, you have to get louder. It's so loud. You can't do this. You're not good enough. You're not worthy. You're not a nice person. listening to this. you never do the right thing it's so loud you have to get louder you have to be louder you preach to that thing what does jesus say about me who am i in the sight of christ who am i greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world who is who's in my boat right greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world there's no longer i live but christ that lives in me you see it's a totally different person [01:38:53] (58 seconds)

Who's in your boat you gotta know who's in your boat he's not a limp rested christian god you know just does nothing sits there does nothing no he is a wild aggressive warrior that's who you see god as and you know what he loves you too he really does and he wants you to see he wants to see you there active and he's got things for us to do and just remember what was the first thing jesus said let us cross over to the other side he already told them what we were going to do how exciting so you can already speak that hang on jesus said we're going to the other side don't even come at me with that you're not going to sink the boat jesus already said we're going to the other side [01:42:59] (66 seconds)

What a great god we serve who's in your boat he's a great god he's your friend he loves you he talks to you every day he holds you close it gives you words to speak he says i'll remind you of all things that i've told you so we just put all these things in our head and then sometimes we can't remember it and the holy it says i'll remind you don't worry open your mouth wide and i'll fill it [01:47:15] (39 seconds)

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