Thank God for the Storms
Mark 6:45-51
Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. 46 And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. 47 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. 48 Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. 49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them,
"Be of good cheer (have Courage)!
It is I; do not be afraid." (Do not give in to your phobia)
Thank God for the Storms
It’s Not to Take You Out – It’s to Take You Over
Phobia: a persistent, irrational fear of a situation that brings on anxiety, and leads to strong avoidance, typically to a degree greater than the actual danger posed
We stay where it’s safe
We talk about “Next Level”
Dream of starting a business, taking that Venture, stepping into ministry
But we avoid risk
When God calls you – He calls you to something that is beyond you
If the vision God gives you doesn’t scare you, it’s too small
Jesus sent them into the boat… to the other side.
Why doesn’t God rush to get us out of storms?
Because He causes the storms
He has a purpose in the storm
Ps 107:25-28
For He commands and raises the stormy wind,
Which lifts up the waves of the sea.
26 They mount up to the heavens,
They go down again to the depths;
Their soul melts because of trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man,
And are at their wits' end.
28 Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble,
1. Some storms are designed to make you seek Him – to cry out to Him
The storm causes our soul to melt
God is trying to get to our spirit – but our soul is in the way
Brings us to our “wit’s end” – end of wisdom, skill and experience
Unable, by your own thinking and ability, to find a way out
2. Storms should cause us to deal with the stuff we avoid dealing with
Throw things overboard – attitudes, etc.
3. Some storms are designed to produce growth in you
· Prepares the soil for planting & reaping
· Loosens the roots of trees
4. Storms drive us – make you do something
Storms don’t always happen because you’re doing something wrong
Sometimes, it’s because you’re doing nothing at all
Too often, we are only moved by Pressure Systems
5. God wants you to move to that next level
He is about to get you to the other side
6. Some storms are to propel you into your Miracle Zone
Jesus says, “Come, walk on the water”
1. Don’t listen to the voices in the boat
2. Don’t focus on the Storm
7. Storms bring Blessings
Ezek 34:26-27a. "I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing.
Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase.”
Stop rebuking the conditions that bring storms
We should be rebuking our fear – our Phobia
O ye of brief faith
The reason Jesus was walking on the water in the storm – vs 48
Revelations 4
· there was a rainbow around the throne, vs 3
· from the throne proceeded lightnings, and thunderings, vs 5
His natural environment
8. Storms bring His presence
Ps 104:3. He makes the clouds His chariot, He walks on the wings of the wind.
How did Jesus leave the earth?
On a cloud
How is Jesus coming back?
On a cloud
Song Theology: “Oh They Tell Me of a Land of Uncloudy Days” Wrong Theology
2 Chron 6:1. "The LORD said He would dwell in the dark cloud."
When it gets dark, God is about to do something
God began creation with darkness over the waters
He brought forth out of the waters
A new day begins in darkness
He created us in Stormy Waters
Embryonic Sac
When God Creates, He still does it in Stormy Waters
God sees you struggling in you Storm
He’s not rescuing you because
something is about to be born in you
The closer the blessing, the greater the storm
The greater the pain
The closer the birth
Holy Spirit – rushing, mighty wind