Sermon Cloud

      I.        Introduction –

Today, we continue our series on getting through the storms in our lives.  To help you recall the first two parts of the series I talked about how when we pass through the storms in our lives we need to remember that first, God loves you.  And even though we may want to hide because of our sin or we may think that this is the time when God will turn away from me because of what I have done but no matter what … God loves you.  Second, from Numbers 23:19 “God is no mere human!  He doesn't tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Which gave us some rules to remember during the storm; God is God … so he is in control.  And third, You can trust Him always and in every way … what He says is truth and all of His promises … He keeps.  But … we know there are times we forget these things, especially when the storm hits?   In fact we read from Mark where the disciples forgot this even when Jesus was with them in the middle of the storm. (Mark 4:35-40)

     II.        Forgetting the Peace from having Jesus in your life

The disciples forgot everything.  They forgot God loves them, God’s got everything under control, everything forgotten … the storm consumed every one of their senses.  The storm was the only thing they knew at that moment, the only reality they could see and the storm blocked out the reality that Jesus … God incarnate was right there with them.

He was sleeping.  He was unconcerned, not worried … the storm did not concern Him … so why were the disciples afraid?  Their faith, their trust was misplaced.  They had placed their faith in what they could see, with what they heard.  They placed their trust in each other and themselves.  Their trust was in the world.

I was watching the Movie “Facing the Giants” a couple of weeks ago and one of the characters says to another “You know there are 365 verses in the Bible saying don’t be afraid”

If that is true, don’t you think that is interesting … that is one verse for everyday of the year … it is God trying to remind us every day of the year … have peace, trust in me, and have no fear …

Do you think perhaps that is why in His book, inspired by Him … He has the middle chapter being Psalm 118 where Verse 7 states The LORD is with me; he is my helper.  Verse 8 states “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.  Verse 14 states “The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

    III.        Find Peace in the Father

There were these two times in my life that could have ended very badly

“Hayride” Story –

Winter Icy Road Story –

Both were scary situations but one of the situations, right in the middle of it a peace came over me, knowing that I was going to get through it.  The icy road where I had my father by my side.  He was at the wheel of the car, he was in control … the peace that my father was going to get me through the danger and that I was going to be ok.

That is how we should always feel, knowing that God our Heavenly Father is in control and that He will see us through.

Luke 12:24-25

Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! ²⁵Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

I have one more short story then I promise I will close.  Flying to Taiwan I was sleeping, not knowing Laura was scared that we were going to crash into the Pacific.  Turbulence so bad and the plane dropped like a roller coaster going down that first big hill.  I woke up and looked around at the bobbing heads of everyone as we bounced around, said “Uh, turbulence” and went back to sleep.  When we landed it was then that I found out that Laura was scared to death and I said … “Why didn’t you wake me so I could help to calm you?”  She replied “If I had seen that you were scared … that would have made it worse for me.”

I replied “Umm … I woke up and went back to sleep during the whole thing … I don’t think I could have been any calmer.”  I kind of feel like Jesus was saying the same thing to disciples in the boat when they woke Him up … “Why are you so afraid … I was asleep in the middle of the storm … if there was anything to be concerned about do you think I would have been asleep …”

Phil 4:

⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  

Are you finding it hard to have this type of peace … the peace of God through Jesus Christ …

It is that peace that … “which transcends all understanding” that allowed Jesus to sleep in boat during the storm … that allows some people to sleep during turbulence … to smile in the midst of adversity

So where are you looking for peace?

Are you looking for peace through a career … a social status … a place of position?  Are you looking to find it in someone … a friend, a neighbor, a spouse?  Are hoping to find peace through a thing … your possessions … or wealth?  These are all of the world … and Jesus said to His disciples …

John 14:27

“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.  So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

We are also Jesus’ disciples … He has left us that gift – it is yours if you want it … a gift of peace of the mind and peace of the heart.  I pray that you willing look to God and say to Him … thanking Him for all that He has giving to you.  I pray that you will lay all of your life, all your requests at His feet, accepting Him to take control … knowing that He loves you, that you can trust Him, and that He will take care of you.  I pray that you will freely accept Jesus’ gift of peace … and that the gift will enter your mind and heart, freeing you from anxiety.  And may the next time your life feels like a boat in the storm or plane caught in turbulence … that you will see Jesus, sleeping soundly, showing you there is nothing to worry about … God is with you … and that you may lay down next to Him and breathe a sigh of relief.