Jesus
Jesus • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 2 viewsNotes
Transcript
Pray
In an issue of Christianity Today magazine, author and college president Krish Kandiah writes:
One of my earliest memories is of holding my mother’s hand on my first day of school. I was so nervous as I entered the classroom that I wouldn’t let go. The warmth of her fingers reassured me as my heart pounded in my chest. When I felt scared and alone, she was my lifeline and my security.
I was reminded of that day a few years ago as I sat in a dark room, once again holding my mother’s hand. The silence was deafening as I strained to hear the muted words coming from the dehydrated mouth of a woman whose body had been ravaged by cancer. This time my mother held on to my hand, seeking reassurance from itswarmth in her time of distress. The comforter had become the comforted.
Those were heartbreaking days… One moment, I was praying for a miraculous recovery, the next for the end to come quickly. I was also haunted by God’s conspicuous absence. What I would have given during those long, languishing hours for his still, small voice of calm.
We hear this story this morning, and many of us can in one way or another relate with Krish. Sure, we don’t know Krish, or his mother who passed away. But despite his unfamiliar face… His story, is one we are all familiar with. We all have troubles, pain, and grief. And we’re all, likely there times most likely, that in the greatest of life’s storms God can seem so silent.
Have you ever been there before? Have you ever had a time in your life, where you really needed God In a big way, and yet he seemed so silent?
Here’s the question What do we do in these moments?
If you have your bibles, turn with me to Mark 4.
And as we turn there, I want us to see 3 things that we can do, that we should do. When God seems silent:
1. When God seems silent… Cry Out (pray)
2. Stand on His promises (the boat may be rocking, but you’re secure on his promises)
3. Count it as Joy. (Be Glad)
1. When God is silent – Cry out
If you’re not there, turn with me to Mark 4: 35-37 And as you turn there this morning, I want to unpack the scene which we encounter. First, we know that at this point in time, Jesus is well into his Galilean ministry. He’s had a long day of preaching along shore of the sea of galilee, teaching on a variety of topics, and so Jesus is naturally tired. So we see that evening arrives, and Jesus tells his disciples to get in a boat, and to cross over to the other side of the lake. And the bible tells us:
35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Mark 4: 35-37
Now if we stop for a second, I want us to consider a few points. First, the disciples and Jesus are all in a boat together. and there are others boats there as well, who would have represented other followers of Christ aside from the 12. But Jesus and his disciples are in this fishing boat, that’s probably right around 25-30 feet in length and may have likely been owned by Peter and Andrew or James and John. And we notice that they are crossing from Capernaum which is on the northwest tip of the sea of galilee , and they’re traveling to the eastern shore.
Now here’s what we need to know about the sea of Galilee, this body of water is about 30 miles east of the Mediterranean sea. Today it’s known as Yam Kinneret but, the Lake of Gennesaret, the sea of Tiberias or the sea of chinneroth. but it’s a large freshwater lake, measuring approximately 13 miles long by 7 miles wide. As it is today, the sea of galilee would have provided fresh drinking water for the nearby residents, but it was also supported a thriving fishing industry.
So the disciples and Jesus are in the boat, they’re headed towards the eastern side of the lake, but there’s one little problem. There’s a storm that starts to take place. Now The sea of galilee is situated around areas of steep hills and high cliffs, which would frequently bring high winds and storms.
But I want us to consider something for a moment, what was the backgrounds of many of the disciples? You see, you’ll recall that up to seven of them were fishermen. Peter, Andrew, James, and John possible three others had spent much of their lives out on this sea; this was familiar to them. They were accustomed to an element of wind, and rain and storms in their life. They were used to feeling the effects of the sea.
But here, in this scripture. We get this sense that even for them, seasoned fishermen, they’re facing a new problem.
The bibles says: 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
That word fierce we see here, in the Greek is the word: Megas. Which you’re familiar with the word mega, or great. And so, the point is, the disciples are facing a mega problem, a massive problem. You see their even started out and seemed like smooth sailing ahead. This problem just hours before wasn’t on their radar, and yet, in a very short amount of time, their situation changed.
They went probably from laughing, carrying on, in relation with each other. Probably talking about the day they had just experienced and the possibilities of what could be tomorrow. To all of a sudden, they have a major, a mega problem on their hands. But what do they do? What do they do in their moment of need?
Mark 4:38 tells us: 38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
If we stop and consider this scripture, a couple things stand out. First, if you think God doesn’t have a sense of humor, think again. I mean, the disciples are all freaking out, in this scripture, we see that the disciples call him Teacher, the same story in Matthew we see them calling him Lord, and Luke records them calling him Master. So 3 different names, all at the same time, teacher, Lord and master… none of them contradicting each other, each of them used by the different disciples all at the same. Each of them, in a dire situation… and where is Jesus, he’s cruising along in the back of the ship. Sound asleep.
But here’s what crazy, the disciples had seen Jesus do miracles before. He had turned water into wine, he had cast out demons, healed all kinds of sickness, he had created food for thousands of people and many more signs and wonders…
But this miracle now involved their Lives, it now was a matter of life and death. And now Jesus needed to come through for them like never before.
You see many of us want to know that we serve a miraculous God, that he can heal, that he can provide, that he can do miracles. We just don’t want to be on the receiving end. We don’t want to be a position, where we actually need God to do these things for us. Like we want the head knowledge, that in the event something bad happens… that he’s going to see us through, we just don’t want to be in a position where we might actually need his help. We like the miracle stories for our kids for Sunday school, that’s great… but we don’t want to be in a dire situation, where we need them for ourselves.
And here, the disciples need Jesus in a whole new way. And what do they do? The bible says: “The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
Church, the disciples cried out to Jesus! They didn’t tap him on the shoulders… they didn’t say: (whisper) “hey Jesus, Jesus… I know you’re sleeping… and I didn’t want to bother you with this one… but do you mind waking up for a few moments? Jesus, there’s water on deck… this boat is starting to sink… Jesus do you mind helping here?”
No, these disciples, are humans, their world is starting to sink in. They’re life Is beginning to capsize, they’ve taken their own measures I’m sure, they taken there buckets and tried to dump the water over the side of this boat… but their best attempts are failing, they’re going down with the ship… and church, JESUS IS SILENT… THEY GET EMOTIONAL, FRUSTRATED! “Don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”in other words, aren’t you moved emotionally? Aren’t you going to come to my rescue?
And you know what? Jesus responds to their cries, the bible says: 39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.
You see, in the midst of the disciples chaos, in middle of their mess, in their storm in life. They cry out to Jesus. And listen, Jesus calms the storm. They cry to Jesus, and Jesus speaks a word over their situation.
In Psalm 107:23-31 we’re told: 23 Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. 24 They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep. 25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. 26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. 27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end. 28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. 29 He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. 31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
Church here’s the point, there may be seasons in your life in which Jesus seems silent. There may be moments in life where it seems like your sinking. But can I encourage you with something? Cry outto Jesus! When you feel like your life is caving in, when your boat is sinking, when your problems are too much… Jesus isn’t up on the shore, Jesus Is the middle of the boat with you. And even if he’s silent, he desires for you to cry out to him.
2. Stand on His promises
As we continue with the scripture, we see Jesus turn to his disciples, we’re told: 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”
If we stop for a moment, I want us to consider that while the disciples got it right in crying out to Jesus, their fear overtakes them in this moment. You see the disciples knew the scripture, but they don’t look to the scripture, they look to their surroundings. You see, as one example David in Psalm 65 5-7
5 You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas, 6 who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, 7 who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.
So in their moment of trial and difficulty, they fail to look to the promises of God, instead they look at their surroundings. They look at their current situation…
But it wasn’t just the Old Testament, no, one-by-one Jesus had called his disciples and given them a purpose. He had called them to follow Him. For instance, with Simon Peter and Andrew, or with James and John, we’re told this:
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Here’s the point, God had appointed and anointed them for a specific purpose. They were being commissioned to serve the Lord and be fishers of men… so here’s a question, if they died that night, how could they serve the Lord?
You see, when God speaks a word over your life… He doesn’t change his mind.
And so, when the seasons of life come that are challenging, that are full of sorrow… you can look at the circumstances or you can look at Christ.
If you recall late on in scripture, we see a similar scene develop. The disciples are out on the water, only this time, Jesus is not in the boat with them.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
In this scripture, we see Peter took his eyes of Christ, and put them on his surroundings… he was afraid and began to sink. And as were told Jesus reaches out and rescues peter. But here’s the point. Peter took his eyes of Christ.
I’m reminded of a story this week which involves the Indiana police academy. The story goes: Police academies are known to involve rigorous physical and mental tests in their curriculum to ensure that recruits are prepared for the harshness of life as an officer. A recent Facebook video posted by one Indiana academy, however, shows a less intimidating (but no less difficult) exercise used to gauge recruits' discipline of focus. The challenge was for recruits to stand at attention and not break their intent focus in the midst of a particularly strong distraction—a rubber chicken.
The Facebook video shows a series of tough-faced young men and women who are one by one tested by the abrupt and awkward noise of a rubber chicken being squeezed next to their ear or in front of their face. Some pass the test and are able to stare straight ahead without blinking, while a good number of others can't help themselves and crack a smile or even a laugh—earning them a round of pushups. The Facebook post titled the exercise: "The Chicken Test—Designed to test a cadet's demeanor, focus and sense of humor!”
Here’s the question... What are we focusing on this morning? Your life will be full of challenges, full of problems… There will always be a rubber chickens in life. Something that steals your attention. But in moments of difficulty. Especially when God seems silent, we have to stand on his word.
Proverbs 30:5 tells us: “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
Church, are we looking to Christ this morning? In our struggles, in our storm, in our situation, in the silence? Are we looking to our savior?
3. When God seems silent… Consider it pure Joy
Mark 4:40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
As we know, Jesus would be testing them in this moment. But it wasn’t on accident, know he knew that there would be greater tests and greater challenges ahead of them. He knew that in time, he would be crucified and these 12 would be pivotal in starting the early church. and that in time, most of the disciples would face their own suffering, persecution and even death. But the testing wasn’t on accident, it was for their own good.
You see, in the coming days, in challenges that they would face, these disciples could point make to this moment and other times, where Jesus had come through for them. You can imagine that after the crucifixion of Jesus. That the disciples would still talk about him. They would talk about memories and past times. And I’m sure, this storm at sea was one that was brought up.
And in their coming days and trials, they face, it was moments like this, where Jesus was with them, that would help them get through times, where Jesus wasn’t with them.
For us this morning, although we face challenges, we can all look to moments in our life that weren’t easy… but we can see that the same God who saw us through before, will see us through again.
You see, we can have Joy because through our James 1:2-4
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Church, in our struggles… when God is silent. We can be encouraged because he’s doing a great work.
You see, I’ve heard it said before that the teacher is often silent during the testing. And Church, whether you’re in a test now, you’re coming out of one… or going into one… God is for you this morning.
Church we can have Joy this morning.
I’m going to call Lisa back up at this time.
What is God saying to You? Maybe you’re here this morning and you feel like…
1. Does God seem silent your life? We need to cry out.
2. Does God seem silent your life? We need to stand on his promises. You, may feel like your sinking…
3. Finally, consider it pure Joy!
Pray
Romans 5:3-4 also tells us: 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
We can have hope as he works all things out for good, for those who love the Lord.