The Storms of Life
The Storms of Life: Trusting in God's Presence
Let's dive into the powerful lessons from John 6:14-21, where Jesus walks on water, showing us how He's right there with us during life's storms. This passage, along with insights from John 16:33, Matthew 14:22-33, and Mark 6:48, helps us get a grip on what it's like to follow Jesus when things get rough.
Getting to Know the Storms
John 16:33 gives us a heads-up: "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." This sets the scene for understanding the ups and downs we face as Christians.
In John 6:14-21, the disciples find themselves in a wild storm on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus set this up to teach them—and us—about faith and His presence. Even when we are tired and scared, Jesus shows us that He's with us, no matter how crazy things get.
What We Can Learn from the Disciples
Obedience in the Storm
The disciples hit the storm because they did what Jesus told them to do (Matthew 14:22).
This shows us that sometimes storms come our way because we're doing the right thing.
Jesus Sees and Knows
Mark 6:48 tells us Jesus "saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and the waves." This is a big reminder that Jesus knows what we’re going through, even when we can’t see Him.
The Presence of Jesus is the Answer
When Jesus comes to the disciples, He says, "Don't be afraid. I am here" (John 6:20).
His presence is what calms our fears, not necessarily fixing everything right away. But giving us assurance that he will, because he is with us.
Faith Takes Action
Peter's story in Matthew 14:28-31 is all about stepping out in faith. When Peter gets out of the boat, he’s walking on water as long as he keeps his eyes on Jesus. But when he starts focusing on the storm, he starts to sink. It’s a great reminder to keep our eyes on Jesus, especially when things get tough.
The Beauty of Brokenness
We talked about how Jesus often waits until the last minute, the "fourth watch," to step in. This isn’t Him messing with us; it’s about getting us to stop relying on ourselves and start leaning on Him more.
Embrace His Presence
In the end, we’re encouraged to invite Jesus into our storms and worship Him right in the middle of them. Whether our storms come from doing the right thing or messing up, Jesus’s presence is what brings us peace.
As Romans 8:18 puts it, "Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later." Our struggles are temporary, but the peace and glory we find in Jesus are forever.
So, remember, Jesus’s presence is the cure for fear. No matter what storm we’re in, His presence is our comfort and strength, guiding us safely to the other side.
This blog comes from the sermon, The Storms of Life - Jn219 - Get the Full Sermon
Let's dive into the powerful lessons from John 6:14-21, where Jesus walks on water, showing us how He's right there with us during life's storms. This passage, along with insights from John 16:33, Matthew 14:22-33, and Mark 6:48, helps us get a grip on what it's like to follow Jesus when things get rough.
Getting to Know the Storms
John 16:33 gives us a heads-up: "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." This sets the scene for understanding the ups and downs we face as Christians.
In John 6:14-21, the disciples find themselves in a wild storm on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus set this up to teach them—and us—about faith and His presence. Even when we are tired and scared, Jesus shows us that He's with us, no matter how crazy things get.
What We Can Learn from the Disciples
Obedience in the Storm
The disciples hit the storm because they did what Jesus told them to do (Matthew 14:22).
This shows us that sometimes storms come our way because we're doing the right thing.
Jesus Sees and Knows
Mark 6:48 tells us Jesus "saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and the waves." This is a big reminder that Jesus knows what we’re going through, even when we can’t see Him.
The Presence of Jesus is the Answer
When Jesus comes to the disciples, He says, "Don't be afraid. I am here" (John 6:20).
His presence is what calms our fears, not necessarily fixing everything right away. But giving us assurance that he will, because he is with us.
Faith Takes Action
Peter's story in Matthew 14:28-31 is all about stepping out in faith. When Peter gets out of the boat, he’s walking on water as long as he keeps his eyes on Jesus. But when he starts focusing on the storm, he starts to sink. It’s a great reminder to keep our eyes on Jesus, especially when things get tough.
The Beauty of Brokenness
We talked about how Jesus often waits until the last minute, the "fourth watch," to step in. This isn’t Him messing with us; it’s about getting us to stop relying on ourselves and start leaning on Him more.
Embrace His Presence
In the end, we’re encouraged to invite Jesus into our storms and worship Him right in the middle of them. Whether our storms come from doing the right thing or messing up, Jesus’s presence is what brings us peace.
As Romans 8:18 puts it, "Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later." Our struggles are temporary, but the peace and glory we find in Jesus are forever.
So, remember, Jesus’s presence is the cure for fear. No matter what storm we’re in, His presence is our comfort and strength, guiding us safely to the other side.
This blog comes from the sermon, The Storms of Life - Jn219 - Get the Full Sermon