Fear Factor

Christopher Neal Dickerson

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Introduction

Attention

What are you most afraid of in your life?

How many of you remember the TV show Fear Factor?

NBC show, from 2001 to 2006, then again 2011-2012, and again in 2017.

Win a $50,000 prize

Top 100 Fears (www.fearof.net)

#1 — Arachnophobia – “Spiders”

#2 — Ophidiophobia – “Snakes”

#3 — Acrophobia – “Heights”

#4 — Agoraophobia – “Open/crowded spaces”

#5 — Cynophobia – “Dogs”

Raise a Need

What are you afraid of? This past week, a lot of our fears became reality...

Transition to Text

In , Mark showed how Jesus helped the disciples overcome an amazing fear. And I hope that this passage will help you live in FAITH instead of FEAR in these days of uncertainty.

Take your Bible, and join me in .

Background of Text

The question of Mark’s gospel is: Who is Jesus? The answer: “Jesus Christ, the Son of God” ().

In , Jesus is shown as the Lord over nature (), over the demons (), over sickness (), and over death ().

Scene 1: The Scene (vv. 35-36)

Explanation

“On that day” — same day of teaching parables from the boat ().

From Capernaum (NW tip of Sea of Galilee), they walked to the eastern shore.

“the other side” – the SE shore, a predominantly Gentile region ().

No major cities…so much fewer people. A time of needed rest.

Boat = 27’ long, 7.5’ wide (based on a fishing boat found in 1986 off NW shore of Sea of Galilee, 120 BC-40 AD).

Holds about 15 people (Jesus + 12 disciples)

Only Mark tells us there are “other boats…with Him.”

Sea of Galilee — 13 miles long x 8 miles wide…700’ below sea level (lowest fresh water body on planet; Dead Sea is not “fresh water”)…surrounded by mountains.

AKA: Lake of Gennesaret (), the Sea of Chinnereth (), and even the Sea of Tiberias ().

Shaped like a harp, it sits about 30 miles east of the Med. Sea. The steep hills and cliffs that encircle it make it vulnerable to high winds, which can cause sudden and violent storms.

In 1992, a storm generated 10’ high waves on the lake!!!

When they started their journey, it was a calm day.

says they were “sailing along,” indicating a steady breeze…not rowing.

After a long day of teaching and ministering, Jesus was exhausted and fell asleep in the stern (back) of the boat.

Argumentation

Application

Scene 2: The Storm (vv. 37-38)

The Disciples (v. 37)

v. 37 — "There arose a fierce gale of win” (λαῖλαψ μεγάλη ἀνέμου) — a hurricane great wind

λαῖλαψ μεγάλη ἀνέμου”

says the winds “descended” on the lake…racing down, whipping.

describes it as a “seismic” storm (σεισμο), noting the violent shaking of the storm…like an earthquake.

v. 37b — “the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.”

σεισμο)

They were bailing out water…but it was coming faster.

says they began to be “swamped” and in “danger.”

The Lord (v. 38a)

Jesus is asleep on a cushion! Storm raging; Lord sleeping (IL: Kids crying; dad sleeping)

What a picture of Christ’s humanity…so tired, exhausted…the water and storm did not wake him.

The Frantic Fear (v. 38b)

At least 7 of the disciples were fishermen (Peter, Andrew, James, and John). Spent life on water. That they were terrified underscores the extreme nature of the storm.

Application

Call out: Teacher (Mark), Master (Matthew), Lord (Luke)—frenzied call for help

Should have known better…but in the fear/terror of the moment, they faith and steadfastness was replaced with fear and doubt!

Psalm 107:23–31 NASB95

Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters; They have seen the works of the Lord, And His wonders in the deep. For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, Which lifted up the waves of the sea. They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths; Their soul melted away in their misery. They reeled and staggered like a drunken man, And were at their wits’ end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, And He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, So that the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they were quiet, So He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men!

Psalm 107 NASB95

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary And gathered from the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south. They wandered in the wilderness in a desert region; They did not find a way to an inhabited city. They were hungry and thirsty; Their soul fainted within them. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses. He led them also by a straight way, To go to an inhabited city. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men! For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good. There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, Prisoners in misery and chains, Because they had rebelled against the words of God And spurned the counsel of the Most High. Therefore He humbled their heart with labor; They stumbled and there was none to help. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death And broke their bands apart. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men! For He has shattered gates of bronze And cut bars of iron asunder. Fools, because of their rebellious way, And because of their iniquities, were afflicted. Their soul abhorred all kinds of food, And they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men! Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, And tell of His works with joyful singing. Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters; They have seen the works of the Lord, And His wonders in the deep. For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, Which lifted up the waves of the sea. They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths; Their soul melted away in their misery. They reeled and staggered like a drunken man, And were at their wits’ end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, And He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, So that the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they were quiet, So He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men! Let them extol Him also in the congregation of the people, And praise Him at the seat of the elders. He changes rivers into a wilderness And springs of water into a thirsty ground; A fruitful land into a salt waste, Because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it. He changes a wilderness into a pool of water And a dry land into springs of water; And there He makes the hungry to dwell, So that they may establish an inhabited city, And sow fields and plant vineyards, And gather a fruitful harvest. Also He blesses them and they multiply greatly, And He does not let their cattle decrease. When they are diminished and bowed down Through oppression, misery and sorrow, He pours contempt upon princes And makes them wander in a pathless waste. But He sets the needy securely on high away from affliction, And makes his families like a flock. The upright see it and are glad; But all unrighteousness shuts its mouth. Who is wise? Let him give heed to these things, And consider the lovingkindnesses of the Lord.

Jesus was about to accomplish a literal fulfillment of !

Scene 3: The Miracle (v. 39)

Explanation

Jesus gets up and rebukes the STORM (not the disciples!!!).

, God created the heavens and the earth…creating the sea (; ; ) with a mere word.

Here, He calms His creation with a word… “Hush.”

The same Greek word used here for “hush” is used in when Jesus rebukes a demon to be quiet and come out of a guy.

Literally: “Be muzzled.”

Jesus has the POWER over DEMONS…and Jesus has the POWER over CREATION.

Note the instantaneous stilling.

If the winds stop, the waves may continue. But here: the entire lake became “perfectly calm.”

They did not subside slowly, gradually…but instantly!

The word here is μέγας calm…absolute calm.

Illustration

Argumentation

Application

Scene 4: The Response (vv. 40-41)

Explanation

Jesus’ Rebuke (v. 40)

Jesus turns to his disciples…whose mouths were wide-open. “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

The storm was now INSIDE the disciples…not upon the lake.

The answer is in the question: The reason they were afraid was because they still had no faith.

They knew He has divine power.

They had seen Him perform miraculous healings.

YET, when their own lives were on the line, their faith was inadequate.

The Disciples’ Awe (v. 41)

v. 41 — “They became very much afraid… ‘Who then is this?’”

Illustration

Argumentation

Disciples exhibited #27 on Top 100 Fears List— xenophobia (“fear of strangers”).

Application

Disciples move from “fear of the storm” to “fear of the supernatural.”

Only one explanation for what just happened: They had seen countless storms…but they had never seen anyone command the storm to be still.

Literally: “They feared with a great fear.” — Astonished — In awe.

The Application Today

#1 - Know that Jesus is Lord of the Wind and the Waves

So far, Mark is arguing for the authority of Jesus as Messiah and Son of God!

This scene shows Jesus as Lord over nature!

“Who is this?”

Is He John the Baptist ()?

Herod wonders who He is ().

Jesus as the disciples who they think He is ().

In Matthew, the revelation is seen as coming from divine revelation ().

But Mark implies it through the miracles performed: the healing of the sick, casting out of demons, commanding nature, and raising the dead.

This is part of God’s divine “kingdom” — RESTORATION of the fallen creation.

OT Theology pictures the “sea” as part of the chaos (the abode of the demons).

But Jesus shows God has not relinquished His control.

Jesus’ stilling the storm declares his lordship over heaven and earth!!!

#2 - Remember the Need for Faith in the Face of Life’s Storms

Argumentation

Application

How do we trust in this Lord of Nature? Answer: With faith.

A. Faith involves looking at the evidence.

What God has done in the PAST gives us faith for the future.

Real faith is FUTURE faith.

Read Ephesians 3:20...

Ephesians 3:20 NASB95

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,

But what about US? What evidence do WE have? Answer: The Bible!!!!

This story: Note all the details…and note the unflattering account of the disciples (if we had written this, we would have left all of that out).

B. Faith involves an act of the will (v. 40).

Jesus asks WHY they didn’t do something? What was it? “To believe in Him.”

We must choose to believe and to act on the evidence.

Faith is a deliberate choice to believe in Him.

C. Faith is useless if you have the wrong object of faith (v. 41).

Final question: “Who then is this?” {This is the resounding question in the Book of Mark.}

Question is NOT, “Do you have faith?”

The question IS, “In WHOM do you have faith?”

Conclusion

Visualization

Appeal

Action

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