The Storm
Mark 4:35-41
Introduction
1.
My experience reading a biography
of Einstein and my untidy desk
2.
Sometimes questions yield answers
that are like that – untidy, but a good answer is in there somewhere
3.
Other questions and problems have
straightforward answers and solutions – three questions in this passage that
have easy, straightforward answers when you understand and know God
Discussion
1.
“Teacher, do you not care that we
are perishing?”
a.
They were not perishing
b.
God’s patience, or seeming
inactivity, is not a sign of his lack of interest
c.
God has often demonstrated his
concern for the well-being of his people – in
d.
Answer:
Certainly he cared and he cared deeply for them
2.
“How is it that you have no
faith?”
a.
Notice who these are who are said
to “have no faith”
b.
Notice that they have neither faith
in God nor faith in Jesus
c.
Notice that it is in the midst of a
severe trial that they are exposed as lacking faith
d.
Notice what had taken the place of
faith – fear – other times paralysis, depression and sin take the place of
faith and confidence in God
e.
Consider some reasons for faith
i.
What God has done in the past
ii.
What God has done in your own life
f.
Most problems stem from a lack of
faith
g.
Answer:
They had not paid sufficient attention to the power of God that had been
demonstrated to their nation over and over again and that had already been
demonstrated to them by Jesus
3.
“Who is this, that even the wind
and the sea obey Him?”
a.
People are still trying to answer
this question
b.
John’s answer:
John 20:30-31
c.
Paul’s answer:
d.
Answer:
He is the one who was in control of their destiny
Conclusion
1.
The problem is not that God does
not help us; the problem is that we often want help of a different kind
2.
Like the person who asks for money
for food but then refuses the food that is offered
3.
God is not going to change the way
that he helps us
4.
We must change to accept the help
that God offers
5.
God offers His Son, Jesus – we
must agree to turn away from sin and be baptized in submission to him
6.
Your life will be an untidy mess
until you let God tell you how to straighten it out