Sermon on 13 March 2022 by Ps Gaul
Introduction
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. – Mark 4:35-39
Matthew chapter 8 or Luke chapter 8 also provides this account. And through the Holy Spirit, these accounts are all accurate and aligned with one another. Life is not smooth sailing. God wants us to have a leap of faith. A leap is different from a step.
Message
1. Problems of the World
Many of the disciples were fishermen and were experts at sea. However, the storm caused them to worry. Moreover, the boat start filling with water. The disciples felt they were in danger. Similarly, we may have been doing our jobs for many years but we may come across situations which cause us to worry. We meet with many difficulties in life. John 16:33 tells us that we have peace in tribulations. This is because we have Jesus Christ.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. – John 16:33
Without testing, how will we know the level of our faith? Through the process of overcoming difficulty, we build our faith. Even when we have difficulties, we remain steadfast.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. – James 1:2-4
2. Promises of God
God promised they would reach the other side (Mark 4:35).
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. – Isaiah 55:10-11
We can find faith in His word, because we know we will succeed if we have faith. Our faith is not based on nothing, or merely on our human wisdom, but it is based on the word of God.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1
God gave Abraham an incredible promise – a son at an old age. Abraham grew strong in his faith; he was fully convinced God was able to do as promised. We can draw encouragement from his story.
No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. – Romans 4:20-21
3. Presence of God
And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. – Mark 4:36
He is omnipresent. His presence is always with us. In His presence, there will be fullness of joy.
God’s presence is important to us. In the example of Moses who was leading 2 million people, he needed God to be with Him. We need God with us, in order to have true rest. We can have peace even during the storm.
And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. – Exodus 33:14-15
In the example of King David who made a mistake, he repented and wanted to go back into God’s presence.
Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. – Psalms 51:11
And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. – Luke 15:31
4. Proclamation of God
When we say, when we proclaim, it is an act of faith.
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. – Mark 4:39
There must be action. Faith without works is dead. We have to proclaim. Our beliefs and our hearts must be in alignment.
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. – Romans 10:8-10
5. Peace of God
Before this incident, the disciples had not faced any big difficulties. But after this storm, their faith grew. They became bold and courageous.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7
The hallmark of faith is being able to have peace in all circumstances. This peace will guard our hearts and minds.
Closing
Our faith can grow very quickly when God allows a problem to happen. This happen is the training ground for our growth. Always draw into the presence of God. If we have fallen short, let us be humble and quickly come back to Him. In His presence, there is joy and rest. Use the word to encourage one another.
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. – Hebrews 11:6
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