Being Calm in the Storms of Life (Mark 4:35-41)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
17 January 2021
The disciples of Jesus were caught in a fierce storm. Their lives were threatened.
How were they to be calm in the midst of the storm? It was by the presence of Jesus Christ. He calmed their fears. He calmed the storm.
There will always be storms in our lives. In this world we shall have trials and tribulations but let us rejoice for Christ has overcome the world. He can tame everything the world throws at us.
But in the storms of life there are moments when Jesus seems far away. As his disciples fought the storm Jesus was fast asleep, seemingly indifferent to the plight of his followers. But Jesus is always present.
The storms of life bring forth desperate cries. The disciples wake up Jesus and cried out “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” We cry to God in crisis. Let us remember to praise God when peace returns.
It was not time for the disciples to die. God had a purpose for them. They were to be witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and become the proclaimers of the gospel. We will not die until God has accomplished the purpose for our lives.
Jesus responds to his disciples. He is merciful. He calms the storm. He who created the oceans by his word now calms the oceans by the same powerful word — “Peace be still.” The elements are immediately calmed. Jesus’ word is authoritative. It is divine.
Jesus uses this whole incident to call for greater faith in himself. He said, “How is it that you have no faith?” There is purpose for our trials. It is to increase our faith in Jesus.
The disciples were exceedingly fearful. Earlier they feared for their lives. But now they fear Jesus. It was a reverential fear — the fear of God. “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” This fear is a healthy fear for it is the fear of God which is the beginning of knowledge.
The overall lesson for us is that In the storms of life we should have faith in Jesus who can calm your storm and bring you to greater faith in him. Have faith. Be strong — even in a storm. Jesus is here.