How Jesus Dealt With Storms

Let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and your hearts give up. Hebrews 12:2-3 (MEV)

Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. ²³ After dismissing the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone. ²⁴ But the boat was already over a mile from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. ²⁵ Around three in the morning, He came toward them walking on the sea. ²⁶ When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear. ²⁷ Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” ²⁸ “Lord, if it’s You,” Peter answered Him, “command me to come to You on the water.” ²⁹ “Come!” He said. And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ Then those in the boat worshiped Him and said, “Truly You are the Son of God!” Matthew 14:22-33 (HCSB)

I CAN FAITHULLY DEAL WITH STORMS IN MY LIFE WHEN…

1. I ________ On The __________ Of Jesus.

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. Matthew 14:22-33 (NLT)

So, faith comes from listening, but it’s listening by means of Christ’s message. Romans 10:17 (CEB)

…for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you. ⁶ Therefore, we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Hebrews 13:5b-6 (CSB)

I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world. John 16:33 (MSG)

2. I __________________ That Storms Are ____________________.

My dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful test you are suffering, as though something unusual were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12 (GNT)

Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials… James 1:2 (NASB)

3. I ________________ What Jesus Has ________.

Everyone ate and had enough. Then the disciples took up twelve baskets full of what was left over. ²¹ The number of men who ate was about five thousand, not counting the women and children. Matthew 14:17-21 (GNT)

Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, ⁵² for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. Mark 6:51-52 (NASB)

Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Matthew 16:9 (NIV)

4. I ______________ That Jesus Knows My ________________.

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.  Mark 6:47-48 (NKJV)

About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. Matthew 14:25 (NLT)

When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. Isaiah 43:2a (TLB)

And it was necessary for Jesus to be like us, his brothers, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God…¹⁸ For since He himself has now been through suffering…He knows what it is like when we suffer…and He is wonderfully able to help us.  Hebrews 2:17-18 (TLB)

5. I ______________ On The __________ Of Storms.

The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!  Matthew 8:27 (NIV)

When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ Then those in the boat worshiped Him and said, “Truly You are the Son of God!”  Matthew 14:32-33 (HCSB)

• Storms can bring _______________ that _______________

Now stay focused on Jesus, who designed and perfected our faith. He endured the cross and ignored the shame of that death because He focused on the joy that was set before Him… Hebrews 12:2-3 (VOICE)

We felt like we’d been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead! 2 Corinthians 1:9 (MSG)

So don’t feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children? My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either. It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off big-time, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God. Hebrews 12:5-11 (MSG)