Master The Tempest Is Raging

Mark 4:35-41

Scripture Reading: Mk 4:35-41

HFW 605

I. Introduction

A. The hurricane season of 2004 has been by far the most active in at least 20 years.

B. Florida has been hammered by wind and rain, causing destruction that will never be fully calculated.

1. This following is part of a CNN broadcast on 9-15-04 regarding Hurricane Ivan:

a. “National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration buoy 75 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico today recorded 50- foot-high waves. Ivan is not only powerful it's extremely large. Hurricane-force winds are extending more than 100 miles from its center.”

2. The sheer size of that much force is mind-boggling.

C. Category 4 winds of 135 MPH seem commonplace lately.

1. Can you imagine walking outside in 135 MPH winds and saying calmly and quietly “BE STIL” and the storm immediately going away and a perfect calm coming over everything?

D. If I had been in Florida and tried that, I would be placed in a mental institution, for sure.

E. I am reminded of an occasion where a similar event on a smaller scale did happen. Matthew, Mark and Luke record this event, but I like Marks account best.

1. Mark 4:35-41 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side." 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"

F. There is a song that speaks about this event: Master The Tempest Is Raging

G. The meaning of the song:

1. First verse “describes our situation”

a. Where you feel God does not listen to our prayers

2. Second verse, “even given the feeling of not being heard by God, the plea is still to him for salvation”

3. Third verse “Your relief from the affliction is wonderfully described”

II. What Is Your Affliction?

A. Paul endured many afflictions.

1. 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 Are they ministers of Christ? --I speak as a fool--I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness-- 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.

1. It is probably safe to say you will ever be able to legitimately put together such a list.

2. Paul only did so defending his apostleship to be able to teach the Corinthians.

B. Who has troubles and afflictions?

1. Wealthy and poor alike.

2. Healthy and sick alike

3. Young and old alike

4. Wise and foolish alike

5. Male and female alike

III. Does Jesus Care About Your Afflictions?

A. Mark record the statement of the disciples differently than the other accounts

1. Mark 4:38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"

B. Jesus answered by action then, by speaking the storm away

C. Peter lets you know sufferings are common to all those who follow Christ

1. 1 Peter 4:6-9 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

D. You can have confidence, even if we do not always understand.

1. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

E. Jesus uses the similar phrase that he does in our text in Mark describing a faith that is not sufficient.

1. Matthew 6:25-30 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 "and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

F. The answer to the question: ABSOLUTELY he cares

IV. Do You Trust In His Ability To Remove The Terror?

A. Paul’s example is tremendous

1. Philippians 1:19-21 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

B. Noah built an ark when it had never rained on the earth. His trust is obvious in his life.

1. Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

C. It does make a difference what you trust in.

1. Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

2. Do you trust the God who sent his son to die for us?

3. If Jesus can heal the sick, raise the dead and calm the sea, he can help us in our troubled lives.

4. WE HAVE TO LET HIM FIRST!!!

V. Conclusion:

A. What do you trust in?

B. Many times I have thought that it would indeed have been impressive to be with Jesus when he performed many of his miracles. This one in particular stands out.

C. Remember that Jesus was with God at creation, when the power of God merely spoke our world into existence.

D. It is that same God that will judge us all.

E. Are you on His side?

F. Do you realize your condition if you are not?

G. He calls you to serve him, and he will call you his own before our father

H. Are you subject to his call today?