WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.320 Take that girl home with me, my soul. 00:00:09.580 --> 00:00:11.000 Got me tore up. 00:00:11.839 --> 00:00:15.419 I think she's about to get tore up, and that made it worse. 00:00:19.179 --> 00:00:23.199 I was, not to be personal, but I'm going to be, 00:00:23.980 --> 00:00:26.879 I was in the shower this morning getting ready to come here 00:00:27.879 --> 00:00:29.460 about three or four hours ago. 00:00:30.600 --> 00:00:34.219 And the Lord just laid on my heart to change my path. 00:00:35.520 --> 00:00:40.740 And I said, all right, Lord, you're going to have to do that. 00:00:43.079 --> 00:00:46.320 So you can tell me afterwards if he did or not. 00:00:46.620 --> 00:00:50.820 But if you have your Bibles, I want to turn to Mark chapter 4. 00:00:52.120 --> 00:00:53.579 Mark chapter 4. 00:00:53.579 --> 00:01:01.839 I'm going to take an excursion today from our series on the real war 00:01:01.839 --> 00:01:04.859 because I think life's taken an excursion of sorts 00:01:04.859 --> 00:01:08.159 and been heavy on my heart. 00:01:08.159 --> 00:01:12.840 In the winter of 2000, we went to Mississippi. 00:01:13.000 --> 00:01:16.379 We were living here, and we went to Mississippi for Christmas 00:01:16.379 --> 00:01:20.560 and was on our way back 00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:25.740 and noticed a bad patch of ice on a bridge on the way back. 00:01:25.820 --> 00:01:29.240 Matter of fact, there was a car facing me on the interstate. 00:01:31.040 --> 00:01:33.340 And so that got my attention. 00:01:33.340 --> 00:01:36.400 So I slowed down for the next bridge, and it was iced. 00:01:36.680 --> 00:01:40.620 And by the time we got about 80 miles down the road, 00:01:41.280 --> 00:01:43.420 the road was a solid sheet of ice. 00:01:44.439 --> 00:01:47.100 And I made a decision right in the city, 00:01:47.180 --> 00:01:48.920 right before it became a solid sheet of ice, 00:01:48.980 --> 00:01:51.300 whether to continue on or whether to stop. 00:01:51.299 --> 00:01:58.340 And in my prophetic ability, I went ahead and moved on 00:01:58.340 --> 00:02:01.519 and got on a solid sheet of ice. 00:02:03.219 --> 00:02:07.120 Cars on both sides of the road, dozens of them 00:02:07.120 --> 00:02:10.979 that had been abandoned in the night as things iced up. 00:02:11.019 --> 00:02:13.859 And we had no knowledge that it was even coming. 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:16.060 I don't know how that happened, but we didn't. 00:02:16.060 --> 00:02:21.420 A van full of guys went flying by us on that road, 00:02:21.520 --> 00:02:24.420 and we went over a hill, and they were all laying in the median, 00:02:24.939 --> 00:02:26.280 you know, rubbing their head. 00:02:26.599 --> 00:02:27.979 They looked coherent anyway. 00:02:29.659 --> 00:02:31.939 We had a nine-month-old in the back seat 00:02:31.939 --> 00:02:36.340 and a worried mom and dad in the front, 00:02:36.539 --> 00:02:39.080 and I was blessed to have my wife remind me 00:02:39.080 --> 00:02:40.960 that my nine-month-old was in the back seat 00:02:40.960 --> 00:02:42.580 the whole time I was driving. 00:02:43.240 --> 00:02:44.240 That was a blessing. 00:02:46.060 --> 00:02:52.199 It could have been worse. 00:02:52.319 --> 00:02:53.180 It was bad enough. 00:02:53.560 --> 00:02:56.300 I know people who've been through a lot more. 00:02:57.780 --> 00:02:59.680 When I pastored in South Mississippi, 00:03:00.599 --> 00:03:03.580 people were marked by Hurricane Camille. 00:03:04.580 --> 00:03:07.840 It had come through decades before, 00:03:08.840 --> 00:03:10.780 but they were still marked by it. 00:03:12.060 --> 00:03:15.520 And they would tell you that happened before Camille. 00:03:16.060 --> 00:03:19.599 Or that happened after Camille. 00:03:21.180 --> 00:03:23.400 In the same way, when I was in college, 00:03:23.520 --> 00:03:25.640 I preached in churches all over North Carolina, 00:03:25.800 --> 00:03:28.840 and I spent the night in a home and got up that morning. 00:03:28.939 --> 00:03:32.140 The next morning, went into the bathroom and looked out the window, 00:03:32.400 --> 00:03:36.300 and everything behind that house had been cleared out. 00:03:36.300 --> 00:03:38.200 There were loads of trees. 00:03:38.200 --> 00:03:39.360 I didn't have a clue. 00:03:39.740 --> 00:03:43.280 It looked like somebody had just come through and cleaned the land out. 00:03:44.280 --> 00:03:47.660 When I walked out of the bathroom, I asked the family, I said, 00:03:47.980 --> 00:03:49.340 was that Hugo? 00:03:50.620 --> 00:03:51.540 I said, yeah. 00:03:52.900 --> 00:03:56.300 People in North Carolina in those days would talk about what happened before Hugo 00:03:56.300 --> 00:04:01.580 and what happened after Hugo, they were affected by Hugo. 00:04:01.580 --> 00:04:07.180 When I pastored in North Mississippi, I pastored after Hurricane Katrina, 00:04:07.520 --> 00:04:13.480 but because the efforts of so many were to help the coastal area, 00:04:13.920 --> 00:04:17.540 it was a trip that so many of them took to help out, 00:04:18.540 --> 00:04:20.120 that they were marked by it. 00:04:20.120 --> 00:04:24.220 And they would talk about before Katrina and after Katrina, 00:04:24.480 --> 00:04:27.939 like we do today about COVID, before COVID or after COVID, 00:04:27.980 --> 00:04:29.860 or 9-11 if you were around then. 00:04:30.720 --> 00:04:35.480 What happened flying a plane before 9-11 was a whole different deal than it is today. 00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:37.740 It was different. 00:04:39.560 --> 00:04:42.500 And now Helene, or whatever her name is, 00:04:42.500 --> 00:04:50.980 whether it's trying to survive a storm or the aftermath of one or, 00:04:53.540 --> 00:04:54.800 to be honest, 00:04:55.800 --> 00:04:59.120 maybe it's a different kind of storm in your life. 00:05:00.899 --> 00:05:05.259 Maybe what's happened in these last days is somewhat symbolic of what's happening in your life 00:05:05.259 --> 00:05:06.980 in some ways. 00:05:08.379 --> 00:05:09.339 Whatever it is, 00:05:09.339 --> 00:05:14.619 I want to show you some things in Scripture that came to my mind this morning. 00:05:16.439 --> 00:05:19.979 And because in this passage, 00:05:20.159 --> 00:05:21.219 the disciples are, 00:05:21.219 --> 00:05:23.620 we're in a storm, 00:05:23.879 --> 00:05:25.000 and the winds were blowing, 00:05:25.299 --> 00:05:26.399 and the rains were coming, 00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:28.019 and the waters were rising, 00:05:28.359 --> 00:05:28.500 but 00:05:28.500 --> 00:05:33.759 I realize, 00:05:33.899 --> 00:05:35.739 even in the aftermath of what we've been through, 00:05:37.419 --> 00:05:39.219 there might even be bigger storms than that. 00:05:39.339 --> 00:05:42.239 Mark chapter 4, 00:05:42.299 --> 00:05:43.339 beginning in verse 35, 00:05:43.459 --> 00:05:44.079 it says this, 00:05:44.079 --> 00:05:46.339 On that day, 00:05:46.479 --> 00:05:47.579 when evening came, 00:05:49.039 --> 00:05:49.959 he said to them, 00:05:51.219 --> 00:05:53.699 let us go out across to the other side. 00:05:53.899 --> 00:05:54.939 And leaving the crowd, 00:05:55.079 --> 00:05:56.319 they took him with him, 00:05:56.439 --> 00:05:58.620 they took him with them in a boat, 00:05:59.059 --> 00:06:00.459 just as he was, 00:06:00.519 --> 00:06:01.639 and other boats were with him, 00:06:01.679 --> 00:06:03.159 and a great windstorm arose, 00:06:03.419 --> 00:06:05.699 and the waves were breaking into the boat, 00:06:05.779 --> 00:06:07.639 so that the boat was already filling, 00:06:07.639 --> 00:06:09.199 but he was in the stern, 00:06:09.319 --> 00:06:09.979 asleep, 00:06:09.979 --> 00:06:12.379 on the cushion, 00:06:12.759 --> 00:06:14.180 and they woke him, 00:06:14.259 --> 00:06:14.459 and said, 00:06:14.519 --> 00:06:14.759 Teacher, 00:06:15.319 --> 00:06:17.079 do you not care that we're perishing? 00:06:19.120 --> 00:06:20.060 And he awoke, 00:06:20.159 --> 00:06:21.099 and rebuked the wind, 00:06:21.199 --> 00:06:22.120 and said to the sea, 00:06:22.259 --> 00:06:23.180 peace be still, 00:06:23.279 --> 00:06:24.300 and the wind ceased, 00:06:24.379 --> 00:06:25.599 and there was great calm. 00:06:25.600 --> 00:06:28.360 And he said to them, 00:06:28.900 --> 00:06:32.240 why are you so afraid? 00:06:34.260 --> 00:06:36.140 Have you still no faith? 00:06:38.100 --> 00:06:40.879 And they were filled with great fear, 00:06:41.939 --> 00:06:43.180 and said to one another, 00:06:44.020 --> 00:06:46.400 who then is this, 00:06:46.399 --> 00:06:49.599 that even the wind, 00:06:49.699 --> 00:06:50.879 and the waves, 00:06:50.959 --> 00:06:52.039 and the sea, 00:06:53.479 --> 00:06:54.419 obey him. 00:06:56.819 --> 00:06:58.319 Big torrential storms, 00:06:58.319 --> 00:06:59.500 on the Sea of Galilee, 00:06:59.599 --> 00:07:00.579 are not an oddity, 00:07:01.239 --> 00:07:03.759 due to the lay of the land around it, 00:07:03.779 --> 00:07:05.359 it's not a large body of water, 00:07:05.459 --> 00:07:06.759 about 12 miles long, 00:07:06.819 --> 00:07:07.979 about 6 miles wide, 00:07:08.339 --> 00:07:08.779 however, 00:07:08.959 --> 00:07:10.779 it's in a natural setting, 00:07:10.779 --> 00:07:12.319 for tremendous storms, 00:07:12.319 --> 00:07:15.279 it's 600 feet, 00:07:15.360 --> 00:07:16.319 below sea level, 00:07:16.540 --> 00:07:18.079 and it is surrounded by hills, 00:07:18.519 --> 00:07:20.079 it is tropical conditions, 00:07:20.099 --> 00:07:21.259 at the lake surface, 00:07:21.459 --> 00:07:22.639 bananas grow there, 00:07:23.740 --> 00:07:25.360 yet it is chilly nights, 00:07:25.759 --> 00:07:26.500 in the hills. 00:07:27.980 --> 00:07:28.959 The high hills, 00:07:29.060 --> 00:07:30.019 and the narrow valleys, 00:07:30.139 --> 00:07:31.279 make for a wind tunnel, 00:07:31.420 --> 00:07:32.759 that raises the water, 00:07:32.939 --> 00:07:34.519 and makes boisterous waves, 00:07:34.839 --> 00:07:35.420 quickly. 00:07:36.620 --> 00:07:37.680 I've heard Joe Cassie, 00:07:37.680 --> 00:07:38.740 can be like that here, 00:07:39.740 --> 00:07:42.159 even more so in Galilee. 00:07:42.319 --> 00:07:45.500 It probably happened here, 00:07:45.579 --> 00:07:46.259 to the disciples, 00:07:46.420 --> 00:07:47.540 and Jesus in the boat, 00:07:47.599 --> 00:07:48.740 and we can learn, 00:07:48.939 --> 00:07:50.040 from that experience, 00:07:50.519 --> 00:07:52.060 about when storms come. 00:07:53.259 --> 00:07:54.139 So this morning, 00:07:54.659 --> 00:07:55.719 and I want to be real efficient, 00:07:55.879 --> 00:07:56.279 this morning, 00:07:57.279 --> 00:08:00.959 but when the storm comes, 00:08:01.019 --> 00:08:01.800 I want you to keep, 00:08:01.980 --> 00:08:02.920 three things in mind, 00:08:03.000 --> 00:08:04.500 and I hope I do, 00:08:04.659 --> 00:08:05.139 as well. 00:08:06.639 --> 00:08:07.759 The first one's this, 00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:11.459 when we don't think, 00:08:11.539 --> 00:08:12.159 he cares, 00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:14.019 he does. 00:08:16.579 --> 00:08:17.579 When we don't think, 00:08:17.659 --> 00:08:18.500 Jesus cares, 00:08:18.879 --> 00:08:19.659 he does. 00:08:19.759 --> 00:08:20.560 These were fishermen. 00:08:21.420 --> 00:08:23.120 They lived on the sea, 00:08:23.219 --> 00:08:24.180 that's what they did. 00:08:24.279 --> 00:08:25.199 They had been in storms, 00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:25.659 before. 00:08:26.439 --> 00:08:27.240 They had quickly, 00:08:27.240 --> 00:08:28.779 taken care of these matters, 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:30.420 and allowed Jesus to rest, 00:08:30.439 --> 00:08:31.120 until the storm, 00:08:32.259 --> 00:08:33.220 was over, 00:08:33.340 --> 00:08:34.319 is what would be typical, 00:08:34.480 --> 00:08:35.559 but something was different, 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:36.379 about this storm. 00:08:36.480 --> 00:08:37.519 The darkness of night, 00:08:37.600 --> 00:08:38.559 didn't help that, 00:08:38.700 --> 00:08:39.439 but their storm, 00:08:39.580 --> 00:08:40.779 was violent. 00:08:40.779 --> 00:08:42.199 Matthew calls it, 00:08:42.539 --> 00:08:44.139 a great shaking, 00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:45.819 a sea quake, 00:08:46.039 --> 00:08:46.459 is what, 00:08:47.120 --> 00:08:48.299 could be translated. 00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:50.839 And when they looked at Jesus, 00:08:50.959 --> 00:08:51.839 he was asleep. 00:08:52.600 --> 00:08:53.480 They woke him up, 00:08:53.500 --> 00:08:53.699 and said, 00:08:53.759 --> 00:08:54.500 don't you care? 00:08:57.319 --> 00:08:58.100 Have you ever, 00:08:58.159 --> 00:08:59.000 woke God up, 00:08:59.079 --> 00:08:59.379 and said, 00:08:59.500 --> 00:09:00.319 don't you care? 00:09:00.320 --> 00:09:01.000 Now, 00:09:01.000 --> 00:09:04.220 I know he never sleeps, 00:09:04.340 --> 00:09:05.260 I know he never slumbers, 00:09:05.420 --> 00:09:05.540 but, 00:09:05.760 --> 00:09:07.640 sometimes his silence, 00:09:07.740 --> 00:09:09.000 makes us feel like he does. 00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:13.740 Have you ever felt like, 00:09:13.800 --> 00:09:15.060 really trying to wake up God, 00:09:15.120 --> 00:09:15.860 by asking him, 00:09:16.280 --> 00:09:17.040 don't you care? 00:09:17.160 --> 00:09:17.379 I mean, 00:09:18.340 --> 00:09:20.020 you don't have to admit that, 00:09:20.160 --> 00:09:20.300 but, 00:09:21.420 --> 00:09:22.240 for most of us, 00:09:22.260 --> 00:09:23.100 there's been times, 00:09:23.879 --> 00:09:25.980 and it could have been, 00:09:26.040 --> 00:09:26.920 as big a thing, 00:09:26.980 --> 00:09:28.160 as being picked last, 00:09:28.200 --> 00:09:29.040 on the kickball team. 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:30.240 Or, 00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:32.000 or it, 00:09:32.120 --> 00:09:33.120 it could have been, 00:09:33.179 --> 00:09:34.459 when the prom date was late, 00:09:34.719 --> 00:09:35.039 you know? 00:09:37.339 --> 00:09:37.679 Or, 00:09:37.740 --> 00:09:37.980 it could have been, 00:09:38.079 --> 00:09:39.039 when the car broke down. 00:09:42.519 --> 00:09:43.099 Could have been, 00:09:43.219 --> 00:09:44.480 when you was with a sick loved one. 00:09:48.019 --> 00:09:48.360 Or, 00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:49.179 you felt like your family, 00:09:49.339 --> 00:09:49.719 was crumbling. 00:09:52.259 --> 00:09:52.579 Or, 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:53.079 you had a kid, 00:09:53.120 --> 00:09:53.959 that was going crazy. 00:09:56.259 --> 00:09:56.579 Or, 00:09:56.679 --> 00:09:57.879 a job that was playing out. 00:09:59.039 --> 00:10:00.779 Or, 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:01.659 maybe your health, 00:10:01.899 --> 00:10:02.959 that you had leaned on, 00:10:04.079 --> 00:10:05.259 began to stagger. 00:10:07.860 --> 00:10:08.259 Or, 00:10:08.319 --> 00:10:09.620 somebody else is close to you. 00:10:12.379 --> 00:10:13.759 Maybe you didn't pray about it, 00:10:13.779 --> 00:10:14.659 maybe you just thought it. 00:10:14.719 --> 00:10:15.879 Does God really care about this? 00:10:18.679 --> 00:10:19.079 Well, 00:10:19.199 --> 00:10:19.639 Jesus, 00:10:20.019 --> 00:10:22.360 quickly responded, 00:10:22.360 --> 00:10:23.139 to them. 00:10:23.139 --> 00:10:26.000 and he will, 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:28.120 quickly respond to you, 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:30.240 if you'll turn to him. 00:10:31.299 --> 00:10:32.019 First Peter, 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:32.740 chapter five, 00:10:32.799 --> 00:10:33.379 verse seven. 00:10:33.480 --> 00:10:34.779 And we've been dealing with these verses, 00:10:35.340 --> 00:10:36.340 and a whole other series. 00:10:36.539 --> 00:10:36.620 But, 00:10:36.879 --> 00:10:38.199 but this one, 00:10:38.199 --> 00:10:40.360 begins first. 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:40.620 I mean, 00:10:40.659 --> 00:10:42.019 this is the first of that section. 00:10:42.480 --> 00:10:43.080 When he says, 00:10:43.779 --> 00:10:44.960 cast all your cares, 00:10:45.419 --> 00:10:46.379 your anxieties on him, 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:47.500 because he cares, 00:10:47.919 --> 00:10:48.439 for you. 00:10:48.539 --> 00:10:48.659 Of, 00:10:48.659 --> 00:10:50.039 of course he cares. 00:10:52.079 --> 00:10:53.719 And never think you're alone. 00:10:56.500 --> 00:10:58.779 Even when God is quiet, 00:11:00.059 --> 00:11:02.779 he's still in the boat with you, 00:11:02.779 --> 00:11:04.919 in every wave, 00:11:05.819 --> 00:11:06.860 that you face. 00:11:08.779 --> 00:11:09.600 I promise, 00:11:09.720 --> 00:11:11.240 but more important than what me promises, 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:12.259 he promises. 00:11:14.899 --> 00:11:15.899 Second thing is this. 00:11:17.699 --> 00:11:19.659 When we don't think he's in control, 00:11:20.839 --> 00:11:21.399 he is. 00:11:23.879 --> 00:11:25.059 When we doubt that, 00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:25.399 I mean, 00:11:25.459 --> 00:11:26.600 can you imagine this situation? 00:11:26.679 --> 00:11:27.659 This is a sturdy vessel. 00:11:28.779 --> 00:11:30.199 It's able to hold several men, 00:11:30.200 --> 00:11:34.000 and no match for the ten foot waves. 00:11:34.100 --> 00:11:35.300 It plunges nose first, 00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:36.360 into a wall of water. 00:11:37.560 --> 00:11:38.360 Force of the waves, 00:11:38.440 --> 00:11:39.900 dangerously tip the boat, 00:11:39.960 --> 00:11:42.120 until the bow seems to be pointing straight up. 00:11:42.940 --> 00:11:44.480 Just when you think you're going to go backwards, 00:11:44.600 --> 00:11:45.379 it pitches forward, 00:11:45.460 --> 00:11:46.660 into a valley of another water. 00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:49.100 A dozen set of hands clutch the mass, 00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:50.440 but one's missing, 00:11:50.600 --> 00:11:51.580 and he's asleep. 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:55.900 Sawn logs in the stern of the boat. 00:11:55.899 --> 00:11:59.659 Around him, 00:11:59.720 --> 00:12:00.899 these men are amazed, 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:01.679 and a little angry, 00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:02.620 and they wake him, 00:12:02.699 --> 00:12:04.299 and they ask him if he cares. 00:12:05.799 --> 00:12:07.379 And with his voice, 00:12:08.819 --> 00:12:09.819 the storm goes away. 00:12:13.199 --> 00:12:15.120 It reminds me of the book of Jonah. 00:12:16.079 --> 00:12:18.000 Jonah was running from God, 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:19.199 and he got in a boat, 00:12:19.299 --> 00:12:20.179 with a bunch of sailors, 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:22.000 and a mighty storm came, 00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:24.019 and everybody called upon their God. 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:27.500 Jonah slept. 00:12:30.059 --> 00:12:31.100 They were desperate. 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:34.659 They had ran out of rabbit's feet, 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:35.319 and whatever else, 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:37.019 they were leaning on for luck, 00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.360 or hope, 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:39.019 or whatever, 00:12:39.220 --> 00:12:40.779 and so they woke him up, 00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:42.379 and asked him to call on his God, 00:12:42.439 --> 00:12:43.279 and when they realized, 00:12:43.419 --> 00:12:45.360 that he worshiped the real God, 00:12:45.439 --> 00:12:46.199 they panicked. 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:48.500 And Jonah said, 00:12:48.620 --> 00:12:49.419 throw me over, 00:12:49.500 --> 00:12:50.379 and he'll spare you, 00:12:50.439 --> 00:12:51.379 and they were afraid, 00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:52.259 if they threw him over, 00:12:52.319 --> 00:12:53.419 he wouldn't spare them, 00:12:53.419 --> 00:12:55.539 so they tried their best to row, 00:12:55.679 --> 00:12:57.240 and then when they threw him over, 00:12:57.360 --> 00:12:58.299 the sea grew calm. 00:13:02.099 --> 00:13:04.019 I want you to notice in this passage, 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:05.659 verse 41, 00:13:06.379 --> 00:13:07.899 verse 41 says, 00:13:08.019 --> 00:13:09.099 they were terrified, 00:13:09.899 --> 00:13:12.740 but the storm was gone, 00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:15.820 but yet they're terrified. 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:20.000 What are they terrified of? 00:13:21.659 --> 00:13:25.820 They're terrified of his power. 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:27.060 They're terrified of him. 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:31.019 Who can do this? 00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:33.720 They were no longer concerned about the weather. 00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:35.639 They were now focused on Jesus. 00:13:36.700 --> 00:13:40.000 They were now beginning to see him for who he really is, 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:43.500 but that only came when they faced a storm, 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:45.379 or when they had such a great, 00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:48.360 great a need that he had to intervene. 00:13:48.940 --> 00:13:50.919 They were looking for him to intervene. 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:55.120 God allows those things to come so we can see. 00:13:57.100 --> 00:14:01.480 Sometimes we can't see him calm the winds and the rain 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:04.639 if there's not a storm. 00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:09.659 In a storm, he's there, 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:12.659 right there with us, 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:14.860 right here with us. 00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:17.620 He's in control, 00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:21.240 even though I may not feel like he is. 00:14:24.279 --> 00:14:29.019 Our feelings have nothing to do with the truth of God. 00:14:30.779 --> 00:14:33.080 Just because you feel that way don't mean it's true. 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:37.360 Because he is who he is is what makes it true. 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:39.919 And when you don't think he's in control, 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:42.759 he is. 00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:46.139 Lastly is this. 00:14:47.899 --> 00:14:49.939 When we feel overwhelmed, 00:14:50.539 --> 00:14:52.879 we need to remember. 00:14:54.699 --> 00:14:56.259 When we feel overwhelmed, 00:14:56.379 --> 00:14:56.939 we need to remember. 00:14:57.080 --> 00:14:58.860 There were three reasons why these men 00:14:58.860 --> 00:15:00.399 should have been disturbed in this storm, 00:15:01.039 --> 00:15:02.960 should not have been disturbed in this storm. 00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:05.820 One is this. 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:11.060 He promised they were going to the other side. 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:11.860 In verse 35, 00:15:13.060 --> 00:15:13.860 he promises, 00:15:14.420 --> 00:15:17.280 let us go across to the other side. 00:15:19.400 --> 00:15:21.320 He already had the destination in mind. 00:15:21.379 --> 00:15:22.400 He had that figured out. 00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:26.019 The second thing is he was with them. 00:15:26.139 --> 00:15:27.620 They knew the Lord was with them. 00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:32.279 And the third thing is Jesus was at peace 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:33.240 in the midst of the storm. 00:15:36.440 --> 00:15:37.759 When I'm on a flight 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:39.519 and the flight hits turbulence, 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:41.080 you know what I do? 00:15:41.899 --> 00:15:43.320 I look at the flight attendant. 00:15:48.440 --> 00:15:50.440 She's flown a lot more than I have. 00:15:50.440 --> 00:15:55.640 And so I look at her or him 00:15:55.640 --> 00:15:57.860 and see how they respond to that turbulence. 00:15:58.600 --> 00:16:00.380 And if they're cool, I'm cool. 00:16:01.420 --> 00:16:03.200 If they start to show a little panic 00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:04.020 and look at each other, 00:16:04.560 --> 00:16:05.860 man, I start freaking out. 00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:12.419 They don't have any control. 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:15.700 Those flight attendants don't have any control 00:16:15.700 --> 00:16:17.139 over what's taking place on that plane 00:16:17.139 --> 00:16:19.580 when it comes to turbulence, 00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:21.419 when it comes to the direction in which we're going. 00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:23.300 They have no control. 00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:25.919 But they've been there before. 00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:28.680 They've rode the storm before. 00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:29.340 They've been there. 00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:30.940 And so if they're cool, I'm cool. 00:16:30.940 --> 00:16:33.040 I got news for you. 00:16:33.800 --> 00:16:35.140 Jesus has already been there. 00:16:36.560 --> 00:16:37.780 Jesus has been there before. 00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:38.720 And you know what the difference is? 00:16:38.820 --> 00:16:39.760 He controls it. 00:16:41.080 --> 00:16:42.000 He's on it. 00:16:44.340 --> 00:16:45.440 It's interesting to me 00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:48.760 that the very storm that made veteran fishermen panic 00:16:48.760 --> 00:16:51.180 made the Lord Jesus drowsy. 00:16:52.380 --> 00:16:52.920 Ain't that interesting? 00:16:54.280 --> 00:16:57.120 That what put fear in their eyes put him to sleep. 00:16:57.120 --> 00:17:02.240 That the boat that was a sure tomb to the followers 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:04.740 was a steady cradle to Christ. 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:07.339 I mean, he was so patient with them. 00:17:10.099 --> 00:17:12.559 He could have told them to be quiet. 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:13.680 He could have told them 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:16.880 he could have jumped up and angrily stopped the storms. 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:20.119 He could have pointed out their immaturity, 00:17:20.119 --> 00:17:21.700 but he didn't do any of that. 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:25.640 Did Jesus know the storm was coming? 00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:26.640 It's interesting to me. 00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:28.140 Before he got in the boat, 00:17:28.300 --> 00:17:31.480 he was sharing in the previous passages 00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:32.960 how faith works. 00:17:33.880 --> 00:17:35.140 Before he got in the boat, 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:37.420 he was sharing how the kingdom grows. 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.420 Before he got in the boat, 00:17:39.520 --> 00:17:44.420 he was sharing with them the truths of God. 00:17:44.580 --> 00:17:46.920 And now a faith lesson, 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:49.960 an object lesson for the disciples. 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:56.320 This storm was nothing but the curriculum of God. 00:17:56.640 --> 00:18:01.400 And the reality is every storm that we face, 00:18:01.800 --> 00:18:04.220 that's what it is. 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:06.800 I don't mean that we deserve it. 00:18:08.140 --> 00:18:10.060 I don't mean that we understand it. 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:14.320 I mean that every storm that we face 00:18:14.320 --> 00:18:15.740 is an opportunity. 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:19.799 I don't believe we face all our storms due to sin. 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:24.319 I mean, 00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:25.279 people that tell you that, 00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:25.859 it's not true, 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:28.660 but the storm wasn't, 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:29.799 this storm wasn't due, 00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:31.240 their storm wasn't due to sin. 00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:31.740 I mean, 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:36.140 and although our sins can cause storms in our life, 00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:37.120 they sure can. 00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:39.700 Many of them come for other reasons. 00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:40.340 However, 00:18:40.340 --> 00:18:43.539 all of them come as God's curriculum, 00:18:44.420 --> 00:18:46.000 God's life lessons. 00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:48.220 And do you know what he's teaching us? 00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:53.380 Jesus can be trusted in the storms. 00:18:54.640 --> 00:18:57.019 When we don't think he cares, 00:18:57.100 --> 00:18:57.759 he does. 00:18:58.900 --> 00:19:00.299 And when we don't think he's in control, 00:19:00.360 --> 00:19:00.860 he is. 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:02.000 And when storms come, 00:19:02.580 --> 00:19:04.100 remember who you're dealing with. 00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:09.659 Remember what he's done to this point. 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:12.399 Because the reality is, 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:13.639 the greatest storms that we face 00:19:13.639 --> 00:19:15.219 are not the winds and the waves. 00:19:16.639 --> 00:19:18.059 They're not even in the deaths 00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:18.980 and the disappointments. 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:21.119 The greatest storm that we face 00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:23.219 is a lack of belief in our hearts 00:19:23.219 --> 00:19:24.579 for who God really is. 00:19:25.619 --> 00:19:27.279 And that's what constrains the Lord 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:29.099 from doing what he could do in our lives. 00:19:29.659 --> 00:19:31.779 That's what sometimes makes our journey rough. 00:19:31.919 --> 00:19:33.159 And this is the very reason why 00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:35.920 all those other storms are allowed to come 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:36.720 so that God, 00:19:36.840 --> 00:19:38.120 who is fully in control, 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:40.440 allows them to come 00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:43.980 so that we can understand. 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:47.420 He's still in control. 00:19:47.820 --> 00:19:48.779 And we can rest in him. 00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:52.920 No wonder these men were ready to die for him. 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:55.120 And the question is, 00:19:55.540 --> 00:19:58.060 are we ready to live for him? 00:19:58.380 --> 00:19:59.759 Because really all he wants for us 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:01.019 is to do is live for him. 00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:04.579 And I love the way this ends. 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:08.480 Because this section ends 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:12.160 with a question that they ask one another 00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:13.559 as they feared the Lord. 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:17.200 They ask, 00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:19.599 who then is this 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:23.779 that even the wind and the sea 00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:25.859 obey him? 00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:31.539 And we don't have an answer in the text. 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:33.839 I mean, we do 00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:35.500 throughout the gospel. 00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:37.240 But we don't have an answer 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:39.459 at the end of this account. 00:20:43.179 --> 00:20:44.399 No answer is given. 00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:50.080 And I believe it's our responsibility 00:20:50.080 --> 00:20:51.540 to fill that in ourselves. 00:20:53.540 --> 00:20:54.880 So I ask you today, 00:20:55.540 --> 00:20:58.320 who is this 00:20:58.320 --> 00:21:02.160 that even the waves and the winds 00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:03.120 obey him? 00:21:05.540 --> 00:21:06.920 Who is he to you? 00:21:06.920 --> 00:21:12.940 With every head bowed 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:14.779 and every eye closed, 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:18.460 I ask you this morning, 00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:23.320 have you ever entrusted Jesus 00:21:23.320 --> 00:21:24.240 to your life? 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:28.120 I mean on a large scale. 00:21:28.840 --> 00:21:30.180 I mean on a life scale. 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:35.259 Have you ever admitted 00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:35.920 to the sin 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:37.279 that separates you from God 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:38.380 and asked him to forgive you 00:21:38.380 --> 00:21:38.980 of that sin? 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:40.779 To come into your life 00:21:40.779 --> 00:21:41.420 and to cleanse you 00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:42.180 and to change you? 00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:49.880 Have you ever surrendered 00:21:49.880 --> 00:21:50.700 your life to Christ? 00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:53.660 If you haven't, 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:54.320 I want you to know 00:21:54.320 --> 00:21:55.580 he'll accept you as you are. 00:21:56.580 --> 00:21:57.680 If you feel any pulling 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:58.580 toward that at all, 00:21:58.640 --> 00:21:59.460 it didn't come from you, 00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:00.220 it came from him. 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.819 He's calling you to himself. 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:06.259 Maybe you're here 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:07.279 and you have done that 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:09.240 and you've never publicly 00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:10.299 acknowledged that. 00:22:11.900 --> 00:22:12.940 We were supposed to have 00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:13.960 baptism this morning 00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:14.880 and the circumstances 00:22:14.880 --> 00:22:15.900 have changed that. 00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:18.079 We'll do that next week, 00:22:18.140 --> 00:22:18.680 the Lord willing. 00:22:20.340 --> 00:22:21.360 Do you need to do that? 00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:22.779 Do you need to publicly 00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:23.559 acknowledge your faith 00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:24.079 through baptism? 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:25.660 As Jesus showed us 00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:26.420 by his example 00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:27.680 and as he commanded us 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:28.259 in his commission? 00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:31.880 Maybe you're here 00:22:31.880 --> 00:22:32.640 and God's drawing you 00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:33.640 to First Baptist Church. 00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:35.279 You feel like this is the place 00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:36.519 that God would have you to serve. 00:22:37.340 --> 00:22:38.420 It's a different kind of day 00:22:38.420 --> 00:22:39.440 for us today, 00:22:39.819 --> 00:22:41.319 but it's a day 00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:42.259 when the doors of the church 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:42.720 are open 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:44.640 if God's leading you. 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:46.960 Maybe you're here 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:47.640 and you just need to lay 00:22:47.640 --> 00:22:48.279 some matters out 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:48.900 before the Lord. 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:51.039 You need to entrust him 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:51.340 with them. 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:53.480 You need to walk 00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:54.420 in obedience with them. 00:22:54.420 --> 00:22:57.160 And I want to encourage you 00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:57.720 in just a moment 00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:58.840 as we stand and sing, 00:22:58.960 --> 00:22:59.740 but instead of standing 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:00.160 and singing, 00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:01.940 that you just stand and pray 00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:02.660 or come down here 00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:03.500 and pray at this altar. 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.920 I'll be happy to pray with you 00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:05.680 if that's what you'd like. 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:06.039 Whatever. 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.400 Let's just do business 00:23:07.400 --> 00:23:08.500 with God while we're here. 00:23:10.580 --> 00:23:12.000 We've got limbs to move 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:13.100 and logs to saw 00:23:13.100 --> 00:23:15.779 and power to restore 00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:16.740 and all those things 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:17.660 when we leave this place. 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:18.920 But before we leave here, 00:23:19.600 --> 00:23:21.160 let's just make sure 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:22.180 we're right where we need 00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:23.240 to be with the Lord Jesus. 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:27.900 I'm thankful, Lord, 00:23:28.080 --> 00:23:30.480 that your word tells us 00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:31.320 that you're right 00:23:31.320 --> 00:23:32.340 in the midst of the storm 00:23:32.340 --> 00:23:32.900 with us. 00:23:32.940 --> 00:23:33.960 And I pray, dear God, 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:36.060 today that you'll walk 00:23:36.060 --> 00:23:37.340 with each and every one of us. 00:23:38.860 --> 00:23:40.080 Help us to lean on you. 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:41.380 Help us to rely upon you. 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:43.580 Help us to trust you, 00:23:43.620 --> 00:23:44.420 oh God, I pray. 00:23:46.580 --> 00:23:47.840 And all that we face 00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:48.600 and all that we do. 00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:52.160 Help us to trust you right now 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:52.860 and I'll trust you enough 00:23:52.860 --> 00:23:53.640 to be obedient 00:23:53.640 --> 00:23:55.360 to follow as you lead, 00:23:55.420 --> 00:23:56.000 God, I pray. 00:23:56.600 --> 00:23:58.060 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:59.160 Stand together if you will. 00:23:59.480 --> 00:23:59.900 Let's sing, 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:00.740 but more important than that, 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:02.060 obey Christ as he speaks 00:24:02.060 --> 00:24:02.759 to you.