In The MIDST Of The Storm

Scripture:

Matthew 14:22-33  (KJV)

"22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God."

Some folks get the mistaken idea that this Christian life is always smooth sailing. 
But, you sure can’t use this passage of scripture to prove it.  
These scriptures show us the Lords followers 

in the midst of a storm.

I’ve heard it preached that the storms only come to those who are out of the will of God.  They use Jonah as an example.  (The Book of Jonah - 4 chapters) He didn’t want to go to Nineveh as the Lord had directed him.  Jonah disobeyed, he ran from the will of God and found himself in a great storm that the Lord sent his way.  There is no doubt about it – storms do come when we find ourselves out of the will of God.  BUT – not all storms come because we are out of the divine will of God.

Storms also come when we are “in” the will of God.  As we find here in the 14^th chapter of Matthew.  These disciples were in the will of God.  They were where they were in obedience to Jesus.  They were doing exactly what He told them to do. 

And yet, they found themselves

 in the midst of a storm. 

No one is exempt from the storms.  "The Lord makes the Sun to rise on the evil and on the good.  The rain falls on the just and on the unjust." ( Matthew 5:45)                                                                  But, let me tell you one thing, when the storms do come I want to know that Jesus is my Savior and my Lord.  That is what makes the difference!  Amen? 

Let’s notice the ministry of Jesus in the times of storm….times of testing and trails.  Verse 23 says that when He had sent them away He departed into a mountain to pray.  While the disciples were battling the winds, waves and the elements of bad weather Jesus was praying for them.  He told Simon Peter in Luke 22:31-32, ”Satan desires to have you, to sift you as wheat but I have prayed for thee that they faith fail not."

The Bible teaches us that He is our great High priest, touched with the feelings of our infirmities. (Hebrews 4:14-15)  He intercedes for us at the right hand of God the Father.  Let me tell you, He sees and understands what we go through in our lives.  

He knows and He cares.  

He loves us.  

He prays for us.

                                                                                  

Not only does He pray for us, He comes to us. Verse 25 says “in the 4^th watch of the night sometime between 3am and 6am Jesus went out to check on them.  (Did you ever notice, it always seems to get darkest just before the dawn?)  Jesus went to them walking on the water.  Jesus comes to us in the times of storm, in the times of darkness, and in our times of need.  He not only prays for us and takes us on His heart.  But – He does come to us!

 He is never too early

He is never too late.

He is always right on time.

Jesus prays for us.

Jesus comes to us.

Not only that, He ministers to us.

Verse 27 says, “He came walking on the water to them and they were afraid. “ 
But, Jesus ministered to them – saying unto them, “Be of good cheer.  It is I, be not afraid!”

Notice……..He came to them walking on the water.  
He came to them walking upon the very thing they feared.  
We serve a Lord who is over ALL and walks over ALL of our circumstances.  

ALL things are under His feet.  

He comes to us walking over our sickness, over our trials, over our storms, over our failures, over it ALL. 

The Bible says in Nahum 1:3, ("..........the clouds are the dust of His feet.” 

He is Lord of all!

He is Master of every situation.

He prays for us

He comes to us

He ministers to us

And  - where His presence is there is His power.

Peter said, “if it be you Lord bid me comes unto you. (Verse 28)

Jesus said, “Come.”

On the WORD of God, Peter in the midst of the storm put his fears under his feet and walked on the thing he had feared.  He walked on it.  Instead of being under the circumstances he was over them   ……..by stepping out on the authority of God’s WORD.

                                                                                  

As Christians, we live in Him.  We are in Christ.   Acts 17:28 says, "In Him we live and move and have our being." We are His body. (Ephesians 5:30 and 1 Corinthians 12:27)                                What is under His feet is under our feet!  

In Him we are victors.  

In Him we are more than conquerors.!(Romans 8:37)

Hallelujah!

Christ is ministering to you and I today.  He says to “Come.” 
He asks us to “Obey His Word.” (Luke 11:28)  
Put your fears and your obstacle under your feet today.  Walk on the water. 
Don’t be under your circumstances!  However, understand that we are all under command.  We are to step out upon His Word and see miracles happen.

                                                                             

God’s power is seen in the midst of the storm. 

In the midst of the storm  Peter walked on the water.  
He walked on his fears.  He was above the circumstances.

Many people like to talk about Peter sinking.  Peter didn’t sink.  The scripture says that Peter began to sink and called on the Lord.     Jesus set him to walking on the water again.  “And when they were come into the still the winds ceased.” (KJV)
                                                                             

I’ll say again………..when the storms come, I want to know that Jesus is my Savior and my Lord.  

How about you? 

The devil has a plan.  He is out to destroy you and I.  

He comes to steal, kill and destroy

but, Jesus Christ came to give us life – eternal.

It is in the storms that we recognize the power of God.  We "see" God’s great ability to do ALL things.

Let me close with this thought from Verse 33.  The storm resulted in worship and praise. 
Then they were in the ship they worshipped Him and praised Him…….saying of a truth that “thou art the Son of God.”  The storm they had just experienced brought them to the place of worship and praise.  

They realized and recognized His worth.  

They “witnessed” His great presence and power 

and “saw” Him worthy to be praised.

                         

Do you know that Jesus is your Savior and is He your Lord?

If not, I invite you to open your heart today and ask Him in.  

He bids you to "Come."

Preached in Avon, North Carolina  6/11/1983

Preparing For The Storm

                                          

Scripture:
Mark 13:28-37  (KJV)
"28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:

29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.

30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.

31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

34 For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."

During the summer months we frequently hear about a Hurricane Watch or a Hurricane Warning.     "A great storm is coming....prepare for the storm."      In the passage of scripture just read, Jesus is giving a warning of a great storm approaching.  Verse 37 - the text for the message - says, "And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."                                      

Be sober,

Be on guard,

Keep awake!

As storms develop and move toward the United States, all eyes and ears are glued to televisions and radio weather monitors.  As the dangers increase, preparations and precautions are taken.  We become alert and aware.  We follow the directions of the officials.  It is clear from The Word of God that the whole world is headed into the storm of all storms....The Great Tribulation...The Day of The Lord.   The children of God, the born-again believer is, of course, concerned about "staying ready" for the rapture of the church.  Why?  Because, the blood-washed, saints of God shall be delivered from that great hurricane or the tornado of God's wrath.                                                                            "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ."  (1 Thessalonians 5:9)  This does not mean that God's people are exempt from turmoil, trouble and upheaval of the stormy weather that will precede and come ahead of the great storm itself.  Before the "eye of the storm" passes over a certain location there are howling gales of wind, blinding driven rains and floods of high tide and water.

                                                                      

To me, this is where we are - prophetically and spiritually speaking.  We are on the fringe of the great tempest that is coming up in this sin benighted world.  Though we rejoice in our blessed hope, which is Christ, and look forward to deliverance by the great catching up and "snatching away", the rapture, we need to "batten down" and make preparation for whatever God may allow to come our way before we hear that great shout and trumpet sound from Heaven.

Oh that people would be as concerned about making preparations and taking precautions for the storm that Jesus is warning about as they are for pending hurricanes.  We have ample warning of hurricanes approaching.  Surely we have all of the necessary warning(s) in God's Word of the great storm that is approaching on God's calendar of events.  It is "right upon us" in this age and generation.  We are already "feeling the effects" of the rapture of the church and the events that will follow.  Jesus has given us the "storm watch and the "storm warnings", time and time again in His Word.   Matthew 24:44 says,    "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."

We can choose to ignore the warnings and suffer the consequences...or we can make the necessary preparations, take the necessary precautions and be assured of deliverance and safety!  

There are all kinds of resources and information published on "How to Prepare for the Storm."  God has given us His Word, The Bible, a Book of complete instruction.  All we need to do is believe it, obey it - and take heed to it.  We need to carry out the orders!

                                  Here's "another twist" to the "I" of the story....  

                             Not the EYE (E-Y-E) of the storm, but the I.  (You and I).......

                                                                

Are you in the midst of a storm and upheaval?

Do you not have real peace, calmness, tranquility and true rest?

Are you walking with God or running from Him?

Are you the "I" of the storm?

                                                               

Do you remember the story of Jonah?  He admitted that he was the "I" of the storm.  In Jonah 1:12 he said, "Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you."  Jonah was running from God, not doing what he knew he really should be doing.  He was not in the place where God wanted him to be.   Are you the "I" of the storm?

When the eye dies............the storm dies!

The Jonah syndrome is always........"the I at the center of the storm."                                                 Many times self and disobedience is what keeps the storm raging on.                                   Take care of the "I" and the storm will cease!

                                                                    

How To Get Out Of The Dumps

Scripture:  Psalm 42:11 (King James Version)
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God."

Life is a battle!  No one will deny this.  
We might as well face it; the battle is all around us, in every type of society.  It is in the business world, the political world, the social world, and yes, even in the church world. 
Today I am speaking of the inner battles.  
The battles of depression, discouragement and defeat.  The battles that will put you down in the dumps.  In reality, we all may get down in the dumps every now and then - but certainly God wants us get right back out.  
                                     Staying in the dumps will lead to sad results!
                                                                      

Remaining in the dumps can impair your health. 
People have become invalids by just allowing the discouragements of life to linger and color their thinking.  The sad look - the gray feeling (some people say they "feel blue") - 
and a sour attitude.  Despondency and depression of spirits are the cause of headaches, nervousness, heart failure, low physical vitality and more.

Remaining in the dumps can hurt your Christian testimony. 
No one is impressed by a person that looks like they were weaned on dill pickles or green persimmons.  The world has troubles enough already.  
                      Down in the dumps is too far down to lift anybody else up.

Remaining in the dumps hinders the work of God.  
You can accomplish much for the Lord when you are discouraged, downtrodden and depressed.  When you get down in the dumps, you lose your joy...
May I remind you.......the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Psalm 28:7)
                                                               Hallelujah!
                                                                       

So, tell me........how do you get OUT of the dumps?  Thousands have tried drugs, but that made matters worse.  Others have tried alcohol, but that got them deeper in the dumps. 
In other words, 
satisfying the flesh never puts a man on top...it never gets anyone out of the dumps.

Here are some suggestions for getting out of the dumps:
#1 - Go to a good Bible believing church and worship God with those of true faith in God.  The Bible says in Hebrews 10:24-25, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
True worship to God is guaranteed to help anyone and everyone!  
There is help in the House of Prayer.  There is help in the sanctuary of God.  
To truly worship God in spirit and truth will get you OUT of the dumps!  However, you can't truly worship God when there is sin present in your heart. 
Sin separates us from God, relationally.  

God is holy and is constantly reaching and calling out to us.  

                                                                          

Won't you accept Him today?

 Ask Jesus to make you a new creature in Him,

 so that you can truly worship and have a relationship with Him.

#2 - Get out of the dumps by reading, hearing and obeying God's Word.  
The Bible has the answer to your problems.  It is food for your soul.  It will give you faith in God - faith to move forward and go on.  The Word of God will liberate and set you free. The philosophies of man will last for a short while but, there is permanent and lasting help in the eternal book, the Bible.
                                                             Glory to God!
                                                                       

#3 - Get out of the dumps by getting down on your knees in prayers.  
                          Have a little talk with Jesus.  
                                          Commune with the Heavenly Father. 
                                                           Tell Him all about your troubles.  
                                                                             Unburden your soul to Him.  

Prayer changes things!  

Prayer moves the heart and the hand of the Almighty God.  Prayer resists satanic power.  Prayer releases supernatural power. 
Prayer remedies situations that otherwise are impossible.  
                       Thank God for the royal telephone! (there used to be an old song titled this) 
                                                                                      

Guaranteed - Prayer will get you out of the dumps!

#4 - Get out of the dumps by talking to others about Jesus.  
This is one of the finest cures for getting out of the dumps.  Get your mind off of yourself and seek to lead others to Jesus.  

 It is impossible to lift others up without lifting yourself up at the same time!  

#5 -  Get out of the dumps and stay out of the dump by continually praising God.
The Bible says in Psalm 150:6, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord, Praise ye the Lord."  
Again, let me say - The joy of the Lord is your strength!  
And, again reminding you of what the Psalmist said in our text, (Psalm 42:11)

"I shall yet praise Him who is the health of my countenance and my God."

Prayer and praise will lift us to heavenly places!

If you are down in the dumps and you want to come out, I challenge you to obey the above suggestions.....
                       ***With a deliberate desire.....

        ***With a definite devotion.....

                                                                     ***With a determined dedication.

Obey God!

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Unto Him That Loved Us

Revelation 1:5-6King James Version (KJV)

5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,  6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

For emphasis today please notice with me the last part of Verse 5 and the last part of Verse 6....." Unto him that love us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, ......to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen"

It is significant that this word LOVED in the Greek is in the present tense.   This is signifying the present love of Christ.  His love that is ever with us....the permanence of His love.   The Bible tells us in Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."  John is writing here (The author of Revelation mentioned his name, John, four times throughout the book (Revelation 1:1, 4, 9; 22:8)  of Him who was dead but is now alive forever more.  He who is exalted and has been given a position of power, authority and glory.   (Matthew 28:18)  Yet, with all of this honor, His love for us has not diminished one bit. 

 His love is a present love. 

 He loves us now!

  His love is present and permanent and unchanging!  

John is writing mostly to those who had never seen Jesus, those who were born after His death at Calvary.  John says to them, "He loves you!"  He was writing to all generations.  John was writing to you and I, the people of this present hour.  

The message - JESUS LOVES YOU!

                                                                         

                                                                       

Notice the great proof of His enduring and redeeming love.  Verse 5 - "He washed us from our sins in his own blood."  The love that has made us free.  From Bethlehem to Golgotha Christ life is the supreme proof of God's love for us.  The emblems of the bread and the wine symbolize today as we partake, and are proof of God's great love.  

He died for your sins and He died for mine.  

He died for the sins of the world.....because He loved us. 

He was obedient unto death even the death of the cross....because He loved us.                (Phillippians 2:8, "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.")

Christs Resurrection from the dead speaks to us that God has not let us down.  But, our Lord arose and He lives to love us still.  He is working just as hard for us right now as when He died on the cross. 

 He will never forsake us....never!  

He washed us in the past as we initially came to Him in repentance, asking Him into our hearts.  He continues to wash us even now....as "we walk in the light as He is in the light.  We have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanest us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)  

The root word of redemption is luo.  It means "to loosen." The blood of Jesus looses us and sets us free.  He set me Free.  How about you?

Faith in Christs death on the cross for you can wash you from your sins, loose you and set you free.  He will save your precious soul.  He loved you and died for you!  But, know this one thing....He has never stopped loving you!  He loves you right now and desires that you come to Him.  His love is presently reaching out to you this very moment.  He says: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20)

                                                                   

His present love also tells us that though we were born after He died and rose again, we too shall see Him.  His present love tells us that He is soon to come again and receive us unto Himself, that where He is, there we may be also.  

(John 14:3, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.")

Therefore, every day let us live with expectancy....with an eye to His imminent return.  For those of you taking communion, do so with expectancy.  1 Corinthians 11:26 tells us, " For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show the Lords death until He come.")

                                                                          

Last of all, let me point you to the PRAISE that is due Him for His great permanent, present and enduring love .....for freedom and His purchase of salvation for us.  His love should be remembered and praised. 

 ("1 Peter 5:11, "To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.")

- glorious dominion or power -

To Him - Him alone - not to ourselves.

The cross was the footstool to His throne.  

He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.......

BECAUSE His Love is perfect in giving His ALL for us!

He is alive!

He is living

and

He is coming again!

Are you ready?

Are you expecting His return?