Mark 6:45-54 AND THE WIND CEASED

Intro: Ill. Little girl and "I need someone with skin on him." Sometimes life gets tough! It can get messy fast and, sometimes, there seems to be no end to it and no end to how bad it can get. During these times we need a God we can feel too! Of all the promises Jesus gave us: Heaven, eternal life, rapture, etc.; probably among the most meaningful are those where He says, "I will never leave thee", Heb. 13:5; "Lo I am with you alway", Matt. 28:20; and "I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you.", John 14:18. When life stinks, and it does often, we have our Lord with us to help us and guide us through. This truth is demonstrated in these verses. Ill. The Storm and the Disciples. Watching these men endure this time of testing can teach us some truths we need to know when we face our storms. And we will face storms! In fact, you are in one of three places today: In a storm, coming out of a storm, or preparing to go into a storm. Regardless of where you might be today, you need the lessons taught here to help you endure your time on life's stormy sea. As I bring this message, I want you to keep the last phrase in v.32 in mind, "and the wind ceased."

I. v.45-47 HE SENT THEM

A. The storm came because they were in the will of God. (Ill. Constrained - To compel, to push into!) (Ill. Jonah's storm!) (Ill. They were safer in the storm in God's will than on land out of God's will!)

B. Many Christians hold myths about storms. (Believe that obedience to God produces smooth sailing.) "If I'm in a storm, it must be that:

1. It's the result of sin - Ill. John 9:1-3

2. It's the result of disobedience - Ill. John 16:33

3. If God cared, He would have stopped it. (Ill. Did Jesus know? Yes! He deliberately sent them into the storm. His purpose was to grow their faith)

Ill. There are storms of correction and storms of perfection.

Ill. Isa. 55:8-9 Does He care? Yes! He knows what is best for you! (Ill. Vines on an oak!)

4. I don't deserve this! (Why not? What makes us better than anyone else?) Job 14:1; 5:7 Ill. Our greatest enemy is usually ourselves - Ill. Loose Cannon on a ship!)

C. Sometimes the storm is Satanic in origin - 2 Tim. 3:12. Satan hates it when you grow! But, Jesus must allow this also - Job 1-2

II. v.48a HE SAW THEM

A. He Was Watching

1. He saw their labor - (Toiling = Torture) Ill. This describes our trials sometimes. He knows the load you bear - Heb. 4:14-16; 1 Cor. 10:13; 1 Peter 5:7)

2. He saw their opposition - (Contrary = In the face!) (He knows what you are fighting against right now! - Job 23:10; Psa. 1:6; Psa. 139:1-12

B. God knows what He is doing! Our job is to submit to Him and allow Him His way in our lives - Rom. 8:28, 2 Cor. 4:17. Ill. Grandma and "Has it come to that?" It always does! It might as well start there! He is absolute Sovereign and He never makes mistakes!

III. v.48b-51 HE SUSTAINED THEM

A. v.46 He Prayed For Them - Heb. 7:25; Rom. 8:34 (Ill. If Jesus were in the Next room praying for you, would it make you feel better? Of course! Well, He isn't in the next room, but He is in Heaven and He is praying for you!

B. v.48 He came to them - Heb. 13:5; Matt. 28:20 He was already there:

1. In the darkest hour - Phil. 4:6-7 (Ill. #1 Baptist Pastime!)

2. The thing they feared most brought him to them - (Our need is evidence of His supply in waiting, and the guarantee of His presence!) Ill. Phil. 4:19 - God is committed to you!)

3. When all possibility of human help was removed - John 6:19 (Ill. 3 or 4 miles!); Heb. 11:1 (Ill. God demands that He receive all the glory - Isa. 42:8; Ex. 20:5)

4. He came in His own time - (Ill. God is seldom early, but He is never late!)

C. v.50-51 He calmed their storm - (Ill. They didn't recognize Him, because they were not looking for Him! How many times have we missed the presence of God in our time of need?)

1. He came declaring His authority - (Ill. "I AM") (He is still God - Heb. 13:8)

2. He addressed their fear - (Ill. Stop fearing and never fear again!) (2 Tim. 1:7)

3. He calmed their storm - The waves and the winds laid down at His feet like little puppies! Ill. He can calm your storm also! Matt. 28:18) (Ill. The span - Isa. 40:12!) Ill. We have been ordered to the other side and we are going to get there too!

...And the winds ceased!"

Conc: The most amazing aspect of this story, to me anyway, is verse 51. What amazes me the most is that we are just like the disciples. Our storms rage, we finally call upon the Lord, He stills the storm and we stand there with our mouths open and say "WOW!". And, all the while, He is waiting on us to call on Him. What is your storm today? Folk, Jesus can handle it! Come on, call on Him and in His time, the wind will cease in your storm too. Sometimes, He calms us in the storm. He can still the storm in your heart right now, John 14:27. Perhaps your problem is sin related - Jesus is a specialist in this area. In fact, He even suffered death so that He might be able to take care of your sin problem. But, He can't do it until you come to Him and ask! Won't you come?

Sermon By Alan Carr