Mark 4:35-41
Today we have come to Mark 4:35-41 in our study of the gospel of Mark. I believe that this is going to be a very timely passage for many in our church. There are some in this room who have gone through difficulties lately. Some are having financial issues or job issues. Unfortunately, there are a few young couples who have experienced the pain of miscarriages. Some are walking through tough relational issues with their kids or in their marriage. Some have been given grim health diagnosis and they are afraid. And a few have recently walked through tragedy and the loss of loved ones. This has been a tough season for many in our church. So, I pray that this message today encourages the fainthearted and hurting today. And I know that the best thing I can do is to point our congregation to Jesus this morning as we study these amazing verses together.
Now, here is the context of our passage today. Throughout chapter 4 the disciples had heard Jesus teach in parables. The parable of the sower and soils, the parable of the seed, the parable of the mustard seed. To this point, they had experienced some remarkable things as Jesus’ disciples. They had seen Jesus cast out powerful demons that no one else could cast out. In some instances, they had even heard demons proclaim that Jesus was Lord and God as they were being cast out.
They had seen Jesus heal people who had been sick and afflicted for a long time. And He did so by simply commanding it to happen. They had heard the profound and gracious teachings of Jesus. And here is another thing that we don’t often consider. Think about what the disciples saw and experienced behind closed doors….things that are not written in the gospels. They had experienced the character of Jesus, not just in public, but in private as well. And they knew that His character in private matched all that He did and said in public. There was no hypocrisy. His character was flawless. His perfection was evident.
And as we come into our verses today, we find yet another tremendous thing that the disciples were privileged to experience. And what we are about to read happened on the evening after hearing Jesus teach the parables of chapter 4.
Read 35-41
Verse 35: So, Jesus simply said let us go over to the other side. That is, the other side of the S of G. And that is exactly what they would do. Jesus called the shot. And the disciples obeyed as we will see in the next verses. They didn’t argue. They got the boat and they departed for the other side. They were about to sail on the lake that several of the disciples had sailed and fished many times before as fisherman.
Now, let me take a quick detour here and then we’ll come back to Mark 4. Who created the world?
When we go back to Genesis 1:1 we find that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. When we read Gen 1:2 we read that the Spirit of God moving over the surface of the water.
Now, listen to Col 1:15-17: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For [x]by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He [y]is before all things, and in Him all things [z]hold together.
So, in the creation record contained in the scriptures, we find God the Father, God the Son, and God the HS at work to bring into existence that which previously was not. God spoke and creation became.
Aside from that, we know from the scriptures that our Lord is omniscient. He knows all things possible and all things actual.
Now, with those truths let’s move back to the narrative in Mark 4. The disciples were about to obey Jesus and get on a boat whose wood came from trees that Jesus created. And they were about to get on that boat to cross the very sea that was held by the land and filled with the water that Jesus created.
Verses 36:
Here is their obedience. They obeyed the voice of Jesus and got onto a boat with Jesus to cross the Sea to the other side.
Verse 37:
Now, I want you to see something very important here. Since Jesus is the Creator, He is also the One who sustains and commands His creation. And because the disciples obeyed Jesus, Jesus was about to lead them onto that lake knowing perfectly what was about to happen.
If you’ve ever read the book of Job in the bible, you might recall when Job had kind of been attempting to question God. And God then began to question Job. And He asked Job a series of questions intended to make Job think, “should I really question God?”
Job 38:25-26: “Who has cleft a channel for the flood,
Or a way for the thunderbolt,
26 To bring rain on a land without [g]people,
On a desert without a man in it,
34-35: “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,
So that an abundance of water will cover you?
35 “Can you send forth lightnings that they may go?
Now, with that knowledge that God is sovereign over His creation, I ask again, who sent the disciples into the storm that night on the S of G? Jesus did! And He did so with full knowledge of the storm that was about to descend upon that lake on that day at that time. But don’t forget this either. Who was with them in the storm on that boat? Jesus Himself.
Don’t miss this. The disciples obeyed. Obedience is always best. And it led the disciples into a storm. Sometimes the safest and best place Christians can be is in the middle of a storm that Jesus leads them into. Now, that might not fit in a theological box that you like but think about it like this.
Our Lord wants us to be conformed to the image of His Son, Romans 8:29. By the way, that verse come right after the verse we love, Romans 8:28. And we know that [k]God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. And then in verse 29, we are reminded that God wants His children to be conformed to the image of His Son.
God wants His children to grow in sanctification. God wants that for His children. He wants us to grow to be more and more like Him.
So, please hear this….difficulties in life are not evidence that God has abandoned us. In fact, sometimes difficulties are the very setting in which God reveals Himself to His people in greater, deeper, and more profound ways in order to draw us closer to Himself and make us more like Himself.
For Christians, storms do something that calm conditions simply cannot do in our lives and for our faith.
No matter what you are going through today, the one thing that is true for all people is the reality that we all face trials and tribulations in this life since we live in a sin filled, fallen world. We all walk through seasons that can cause a greenhouse effect for fear and anxiety to grow in our hearts. No one is shielded from those things in this fallen world in which we live. The question isn’t will we encounter storms in life; the question is what will we do as we walk through those difficulties?
There is a movement attached to Christianity that teaches that life is always going to be great and prosperous and comfortable if we have enough faith and do enough good works. And that theology is so harmful and confusing. Because it isn’t based in reality or biblical truth. I think often Christians wrongly assume that if we walk with Jesus, if we obey enough, if we do enough good works, if we have enough faith, then God is somehow obligated to reward us with ease and calm. But that simply isn’t what the bible teaches.
Listen to these verses:
· John 16:33: These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
· James 1:2: Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
·I Peter 4:12: Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
· II Tim 3:12: Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Obedience to Jesus doesn’t exempt a Christian from storms in life; in fact, sometimes obedience is the very thing that leads us into storms. But even in that, take heart. Be encouraged. God is masterfully purposeful. He is sovereign. He is faithful and good.
And here is the beauty in this, here is the hope in this for Christians. While God never promised perfect ease for His people in this world, He has promised that His presence and His power will be with His people in the midst of storms. He will be on the boat with us!
So, no matter what you are walking through today, stay near to Jesus! Walk with Him. Trust Him.
Verse 38:
The disciples were panicked in their fear! They woke Jesus up and they ultimately said to Him, “don’t you care that we are about to die?” In other words, Jesus, how can you sleep during this raging storm. Don’t You love us? Don’t You care about us? We are all about to perish! Now, I’ve met people before who can sleep through anything. You probably have too! But this was different. And so, the disciples questioned Jesus.
Have you ever questioned God before? Lord, I am afraid! There is tragedy in my life and I don’t know what to do. God, where are you? And why are you not acting on my behalf? I would imagine that we’ve all been there before if we’ve known the Lord long enough and lived enough life. Maybe you’ve not asked the question of Lord where are you but maybe you’ve kind of thought it?
Well, here are two brief things from this text that I think are so important for Christians to keep in mind.
1.Never misinterpret God’s silence to be indifference or incapability.
As Jesus was sleeping, the discipled couldn’t understand His silence or lack of concern. But we must always remember that God’s ways and God’s timing is different than ours. And sometimes when heaven seems silent, we can wrongly interpret that as indifference or maybe as that God is powerless to help. And that is most certainly not the case. God is always at work around us even when it doesn’t seem like it. God is always doing so many things around us while we might only see a few of those things. Remember this truth. God is always operating from a place of knowledge and wisdom that cannot even fathom. And this is where faith comes in. Believing that God not only knows the present but the future as well. He knows the beginning from the end and He is providentially reigning over everything in between.
2.Don’t mistake God’s inaction for absence
Just because something doesn’t happen when or how we would like doesn’t mean that God is absent. God is always with His people. He is an ever-present help in times of trouble, Ps 46:1 reminds us.
Hebrews 13:5-6: for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,' so that we confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
Just because God doesn’t do what we would like when we like it doesn’t mean that He is absent. It just means that He is doing things differently than us since He is operating from a place that is all-knowing and all good.
Adrian Rogers said this, “we don’t live by explanations, we live by promises.”
Verse 39:
Not much explanation needed here. Jesus commanded; creation obeyed! Immediately. Think about the raw power required to harness a storm and then with a word immediately stop it. That’s amazing.
Verse 40:
That is a funny question, isn’t it? The disciples, many of which were fisherman, knew the intensity of the storm that fell on them. To the point that they thought they were going to perish. Jesus, wakes up, simply commands the storm to stop. It stops. And then He said, “why are you afraid?” “Do you still have no faith?”
I don’t know about you, but that is relatable to me. How often do I worry about things that are outside of my control while at the same time knowing the One Who is actually in control?
But notice what this storm and Jesus’ command to calm the storm did to the disciples’ faith….
Verse 41:
One thing the disciples would have known very well—especially the fishermen—is that storms don't obey the will of fishermen. They knew storms. They knew boats. They knew the Sea of Galilee. They had experienced difficult conditions before. But they had never experienced anything like this.
And notice their response. They don't say, “Jesus is really powerful.” They don't simply marvel at the miracle. They ask a much deeper question: “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
That's the question Mark wants us to ask. Who is Jesus?
Who must Jesus be if the wind and waves obey His voice? He must be more than a teacher. More than a miracle worker. He must be the Son of God—the Creator, Sustainer, and Lord over His creation.
So, we don't want to walk away from this passage today merely thinking, “Jesus can calm the storms in my life.” That's true, but that's not the greatest truth or point in this passage. We want to walk away in awe and worship of the One who created and Who commands the winds and waves.
And that is exactly what happened in the disciples. Notice the progression in these seven verses. They are led into a storm. In the middle of the storm, the disciples cry out, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” But after Jesus calms the storm, their question changes: “Who then is this?”
They went from fear to reverence. From chaos to calm. From panic to awe. From asking, “Don't You care?” to asking, “Who are You?”
And what was the setting in which that transformation took place?
A terrifying storm.
They certainly weren't thinking in the middle of that storm, “This is going to be really good for our faith.” Now, they were deathly afraid. They thought they were going to die. But afterward, they could look back and realize that their faith in and their understanding of Jesus had grown exponentially in the crucible of trial.
Think about what was actually happening in that boat. They were in a boat made from wood Jesus had created. They were traveling on water He had made. They were being tossed by winds He commanded. They were sailing beneath heavens He had crafted. And all the while, sleeping in that boat was the Creator Himself. They didn’t have to be afraid but their faith wasn’t quite there yet. And this storm did something remarkable in them.
The disciples were terrified because the circumstances that were literally crashing around them seemed insurmountable. But what they didn't understand until the storm was over was that the One sleeping in the boat was greater than the circumstances surrounding them.
And that is important for us to remember. And here is why.
I’ll paraphrase but I believe it was Warren Weirsbe who said if we develop our theology of God based solely from our circumstances, there will be times when we may conclude that God doesn't love us. Because sometimes life is hard and confusing.
But faith teaches us to look beyond our circumstances and anchor ourselves in what we know to be true about God.
And what do we know?
He is good. He is sovereign. He is faithful. He is always with His people. And sometimes He uses the very storms we would never have chosen to build something in us that calm conditions never could.
The calming of the storm did something far greater than merely changing the disciples’ circumstances; it changed their understanding of Jesus.
And perhaps that's what God wants to do in some of our storms as well—not merely change what is happening around us, but deepen our faith in the One who is with us in the storm.
Some of you came into this room today in a storm that you didn't choose. Some of you have been praying for Jesus to change your situation in life, and He hasn't done it yet. Don't interpret His silence as indifference. Don't interpret His delay as absence. And don't interpret your storm as proof that He has abandoned you. Look at the boat. Jesus is there. And the One who is with you is greater than what you are walking through today.”
Who then is this? He is Lord and God. He loves you. And He wants to build your faith and make you more like Him. Trust Him. Follow Him. For He is good and He is faithful!
1.What is God doing in your life today?
2.Perhaps you are walking through a storm today. If so, surrender to Jesus. Trust Him. He has purpose and He is He is with you.
3.Who do you know that is going through a storm? How can you encourage and help them in the name of Jesus?
4.Maybe today you are here and you don’t know the Master.
Before we leave, let me give you a quick warning about next week’s content. We will start Mark 5 and we will cover the Gerasene demoniac. The content will be a little heavier and maybe a little more adult in nature given what it is.
Today we have come to Mark 4:35-41 in our study of the gospel of Mark. I believe that this is going to be a very timely passage for many in our church. There are some in this room who have gone through difficulties lately. Some are having financial issues or job issues. Unfortunately, there are a few young couples who have experienced the pain of miscarriages. Some are walking through tough relational issues with their kids or in their marriage. Some have been given grim health diagnosis and they are afraid. And a few have recently walked through tragedy and the loss of loved ones. This has been a tough season for many in our church. So, I pray that this message today encourages the fainthearted and hurting today. And I know that the best thing I can do is to point our congregation to Jesus this morning as we study these amazing verses together.
Now, here is the context of our passage today. Throughout chapter 4 the disciples had heard Jesus teach in parables. The parable of the sower and soils, the parable of the seed, the parable of the mustard seed. To this point, they had experienced some remarkable things as Jesus’ disciples. They had seen Jesus cast out powerful demons that no one else could cast out. In some instances, they had even heard demons proclaim that Jesus was Lord and God as they were being cast out.
They had seen Jesus heal people who had been sick and afflicted for a long time. And He did so by simply commanding it to happen. They had heard the profound and gracious teachings of Jesus. And here is another thing that we don’t often consider. Think about what the disciples saw and experienced behind closed doors….things that are not written in the gospels. They had experienced the character of Jesus, not just in public, but in private as well. And they knew that His character in private matched all that He did and said in public. There was no hypocrisy. His character was flawless. His perfection was evident.
And as we come into our verses today, we find yet another tremendous thing that the disciples were privileged to experience. And what we are about to read happened on the evening after hearing Jesus teach the parables of chapter 4.
Read 35-41
Verse 35: So, Jesus simply said let us go over to the other side. That is, the other side of the S of G. And that is exactly what they would do. Jesus called the shot. And the disciples obeyed as we will see in the next verses. They didn’t argue. They got the boat and they departed for the other side. They were about to sail on the lake that several of the disciples had sailed and fished many times before as fisherman.
Now, let me take a quick detour here and then we’ll come back to Mark 4. Who created the world?
When we go back to Genesis 1:1 we find that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. When we read Gen 1:2 we read that the Spirit of God moving over the surface of the water.
Now, listen to Col 1:15-17: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For [x]by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He [y]is before all things, and in Him all things [z]hold together.
So, in the creation record contained in the scriptures, we find God the Father, God the Son, and God the HS at work to bring into existence that which previously was not. God spoke and creation became.
Aside from that, we know from the scriptures that our Lord is omniscient. He knows all things possible and all things actual.
Now, with those truths let’s move back to the narrative in Mark 4. The disciples were about to obey Jesus and get on a boat whose wood came from trees that Jesus created. And they were about to get on that boat to cross the very sea that was held by the land and filled with the water that Jesus created.
Verses 36:
Here is their obedience. They obeyed the voice of Jesus and got onto a boat with Jesus to cross the Sea to the other side.
Verse 37:
Now, I want you to see something very important here. Since Jesus is the Creator, He is also the One who sustains and commands His creation. And because the disciples obeyed Jesus, Jesus was about to lead them onto that lake knowing perfectly what was about to happen.
If you’ve ever read the book of Job in the bible, you might recall when Job had kind of been attempting to question God. And God then began to question Job. And He asked Job a series of questions intended to make Job think, “should I really question God?”
Job 38:25-26: “Who has cleft a channel for the flood,
Or a way for the thunderbolt,
26 To bring rain on a land without [g]people,
On a desert without a man in it,
34-35: “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,
So that an abundance of water will cover you?
35 “Can you send forth lightnings that they may go?
Now, with that knowledge that God is sovereign over His creation, I ask again, who sent the disciples into the storm that night on the S of G? Jesus did! And He did so with full knowledge of the storm that was about to descend upon that lake on that day at that time. But don’t forget this either. Who was with them in the storm on that boat? Jesus Himself.
Don’t miss this. The disciples obeyed. Obedience is always best. And it led the disciples into a storm. Sometimes the safest and best place Christians can be is in the middle of a storm that Jesus leads them into. Now, that might not fit in a theological box that you like but think about it like this.
Our Lord wants us to be conformed to the image of His Son, Romans 8:29. By the way, that verse come right after the verse we love, Romans 8:28. And we know that [k]God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. And then in verse 29, we are reminded that God wants His children to be conformed to the image of His Son.
God wants His children to grow in sanctification. God wants that for His children. He wants us to grow to be more and more like Him.
So, please hear this….difficulties in life are not evidence that God has abandoned us. In fact, sometimes difficulties are the very setting in which God reveals Himself to His people in greater, deeper, and more profound ways in order to draw us closer to Himself and make us more like Himself.
For Christians, storms do something that calm conditions simply cannot do in our lives and for our faith.
No matter what you are going through today, the one thing that is true for all people is the reality that we all face trials and tribulations in this life since we live in a sin filled, fallen world. We all walk through seasons that can cause a greenhouse effect for fear and anxiety to grow in our hearts. No one is shielded from those things in this fallen world in which we live. The question isn’t will we encounter storms in life; the question is what will we do as we walk through those difficulties?
There is a movement attached to Christianity that teaches that life is always going to be great and prosperous and comfortable if we have enough faith and do enough good works. And that theology is so harmful and confusing. Because it isn’t based in reality or biblical truth. I think often Christians wrongly assume that if we walk with Jesus, if we obey enough, if we do enough good works, if we have enough faith, then God is somehow obligated to reward us with ease and calm. But that simply isn’t what the bible teaches.
Listen to these verses:
· John 16:33: These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
· James 1:2: Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
·I Peter 4:12: Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
· II Tim 3:12: Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Obedience to Jesus doesn’t exempt a Christian from storms in life; in fact, sometimes obedience is the very thing that leads us into storms. But even in that, take heart. Be encouraged. God is masterfully purposeful. He is sovereign. He is faithful and good.
And here is the beauty in this, here is the hope in this for Christians. While God never promised perfect ease for His people in this world, He has promised that His presence and His power will be with His people in the midst of storms. He will be on the boat with us!
So, no matter what you are walking through today, stay near to Jesus! Walk with Him. Trust Him.
Verse 38:
The disciples were panicked in their fear! They woke Jesus up and they ultimately said to Him, “don’t you care that we are about to die?” In other words, Jesus, how can you sleep during this raging storm. Don’t You love us? Don’t You care about us? We are all about to perish! Now, I’ve met people before who can sleep through anything. You probably have too! But this was different. And so, the disciples questioned Jesus.
Have you ever questioned God before? Lord, I am afraid! There is tragedy in my life and I don’t know what to do. God, where are you? And why are you not acting on my behalf? I would imagine that we’ve all been there before if we’ve known the Lord long enough and lived enough life. Maybe you’ve not asked the question of Lord where are you but maybe you’ve kind of thought it?
Well, here are two brief things from this text that I think are so important for Christians to keep in mind.
1.Never misinterpret God’s silence to be indifference or incapability.
As Jesus was sleeping, the discipled couldn’t understand His silence or lack of concern. But we must always remember that God’s ways and God’s timing is different than ours. And sometimes when heaven seems silent, we can wrongly interpret that as indifference or maybe as that God is powerless to help. And that is most certainly not the case. God is always at work around us even when it doesn’t seem like it. God is always doing so many things around us while we might only see a few of those things. Remember this truth. God is always operating from a place of knowledge and wisdom that cannot even fathom. And this is where faith comes in. Believing that God not only knows the present but the future as well. He knows the beginning from the end and He is providentially reigning over everything in between.
2.Don’t mistake God’s inaction for absence
Just because something doesn’t happen when or how we would like doesn’t mean that God is absent. God is always with His people. He is an ever-present help in times of trouble, Ps 46:1 reminds us.
Hebrews 13:5-6: for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,' so that we confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
Just because God doesn’t do what we would like when we like it doesn’t mean that He is absent. It just means that He is doing things differently than us since He is operating from a place that is all-knowing and all good.
Adrian Rogers said this, “we don’t live by explanations, we live by promises.”
Verse 39:
Not much explanation needed here. Jesus commanded; creation obeyed! Immediately. Think about the raw power required to harness a storm and then with a word immediately stop it. That’s amazing.
Verse 40:
That is a funny question, isn’t it? The disciples, many of which were fisherman, knew the intensity of the storm that fell on them. To the point that they thought they were going to perish. Jesus, wakes up, simply commands the storm to stop. It stops. And then He said, “why are you afraid?” “Do you still have no faith?”
I don’t know about you, but that is relatable to me. How often do I worry about things that are outside of my control while at the same time knowing the One Who is actually in control?
But notice what this storm and Jesus’ command to calm the storm did to the disciples’ faith….
Verse 41:
One thing the disciples would have known very well—especially the fishermen—is that storms don't obey the will of fishermen. They knew storms. They knew boats. They knew the Sea of Galilee. They had experienced difficult conditions before. But they had never experienced anything like this.
And notice their response. They don't say, “Jesus is really powerful.” They don't simply marvel at the miracle. They ask a much deeper question: “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
That's the question Mark wants us to ask. Who is Jesus?
Who must Jesus be if the wind and waves obey His voice? He must be more than a teacher. More than a miracle worker. He must be the Son of God—the Creator, Sustainer, and Lord over His creation.
So, we don't want to walk away from this passage today merely thinking, “Jesus can calm the storms in my life.” That's true, but that's not the greatest truth or point in this passage. We want to walk away in awe and worship of the One who created and Who commands the winds and waves.
And that is exactly what happened in the disciples. Notice the progression in these seven verses. They are led into a storm. In the middle of the storm, the disciples cry out, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” But after Jesus calms the storm, their question changes: “Who then is this?”
They went from fear to reverence. From chaos to calm. From panic to awe. From asking, “Don't You care?” to asking, “Who are You?”
And what was the setting in which that transformation took place?
A terrifying storm.
They certainly weren't thinking in the middle of that storm, “This is going to be really good for our faith.” Now, they were deathly afraid. They thought they were going to die. But afterward, they could look back and realize that their faith in and their understanding of Jesus had grown exponentially in the crucible of trial.
Think about what was actually happening in that boat. They were in a boat made from wood Jesus had created. They were traveling on water He had made. They were being tossed by winds He commanded. They were sailing beneath heavens He had crafted. And all the while, sleeping in that boat was the Creator Himself. They didn’t have to be afraid but their faith wasn’t quite there yet. And this storm did something remarkable in them.
The disciples were terrified because the circumstances that were literally crashing around them seemed insurmountable. But what they didn't understand until the storm was over was that the One sleeping in the boat was greater than the circumstances surrounding them.
And that is important for us to remember. And here is why.
I’ll paraphrase but I believe it was Warren Weirsbe who said if we develop our theology of God based solely from our circumstances, there will be times when we may conclude that God doesn't love us. Because sometimes life is hard and confusing.
But faith teaches us to look beyond our circumstances and anchor ourselves in what we know to be true about God.
And what do we know?
He is good. He is sovereign. He is faithful. He is always with His people. And sometimes He uses the very storms we would never have chosen to build something in us that calm conditions never could.
The calming of the storm did something far greater than merely changing the disciples’ circumstances; it changed their understanding of Jesus.
And perhaps that's what God wants to do in some of our storms as well—not merely change what is happening around us, but deepen our faith in the One who is with us in the storm.
Some of you came into this room today in a storm that you didn't choose. Some of you have been praying for Jesus to change your situation in life, and He hasn't done it yet. Don't interpret His silence as indifference. Don't interpret His delay as absence. And don't interpret your storm as proof that He has abandoned you. Look at the boat. Jesus is there. And the One who is with you is greater than what you are walking through today.”
Who then is this? He is Lord and God. He loves you. And He wants to build your faith and make you more like Him. Trust Him. Follow Him. For He is good and He is faithful!
1.What is God doing in your life today?
2.Perhaps you are walking through a storm today. If so, surrender to Jesus. Trust Him. He has purpose and He is He is with you.
3.Who do you know that is going through a storm? How can you encourage and help them in the name of Jesus?
4.Maybe today you are here and you don’t know the Master.
Before we leave, let me give you a quick warning about next week’s content. We will start Mark 5 and we will cover the Gerasene demoniac. The content will be a little heavier and maybe a little more adult in nature given what it is.
