Surviving the storms of Surviving the storms of LifeLife

• Matt. 8:27 And they marveled and Matt. 8:27 And they marveled and were amazed saying, “what kind of were amazed saying, “what kind of man is this that even the winds and man is this that even the winds and sea obey him.”sea obey him.”

Matt. 14 :22-33Matt. 14 :22-33

• v. 22 And immediately He v. 22 And immediately He made the made the disciples get into the boatdisciples get into the boat and go and go ahead of him to the other side, while ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. he sent the multitudes away.

• v. 23 And after he had sent the v. 23 And after he had sent the multitudes away he went up to the multitudes away he went up to the mountain by himself to pray;mountain by himself to pray;

When it was evening he was there When it was evening he was there alone.alone.

• v. 24 But the boat was already many v. 24 But the boat was already many stadia away from the land, battered stadia away from the land, battered by the waves, for the wind was by the waves, for the wind was contrary.contrary.

• v. 25 And in the fourth watch of the v. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the night He came to them, walking on the sea.sea.

• 6pm – 9pm first watch6pm – 9pm first watch

• 9pm – 12pm second watch9pm – 12pm second watch

• 12pm – 3am third watch12pm – 3am third watch

• 3am – 6am fourth watch 3am – 6am fourth watch

• Principle of prayer – Delay does not Principle of prayer – Delay does not mean denial.mean denial.

• Jesus knows all about us, He knows Jesus knows all about us, He knows us better than we even know us better than we even know ourselves. Psalm 139:1-6 ourselves. Psalm 139:1-6

His wisdom is infinite. His wisdom is infinite.

His timing is perfect.His timing is perfect.

• By walking on the water Jesus was By walking on the water Jesus was sayingsaying

- nothing is going to stop me from - nothing is going to stop me from rescuing my children.rescuing my children.

• v. 26 And when the disciples saw him v. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were walking on the sea, they were frightened, saying, “It is a ghost!” frightened, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried for fear.And they cried for fear.

• v. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to v. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them saying, “Take courage, it is I, them saying, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.”do not be afraid.”

• The storm is never so severe, the The storm is never so severe, the night never so black, the boat never night never so black, the boat never so frail, that we risk danger beyond so frail, that we risk danger beyond our father’s care.our father’s care.

• v.28 And Peter answered him and v.28 And Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”to come to you on the water.”

• ““ExpectExpect great things of God, great things of God, AttemptAttempt great things for God.” great things for God.” William CareyWilliam Carey

• ““Satan buys up all the opportunities Satan buys up all the opportunities while we Christians are sitting around while we Christians are sitting around counting the cost.” Amy Carmichael counting the cost.” Amy Carmichael

• Safety is not the absence of danger Safety is not the absence of danger

• but it is the presence of God.but it is the presence of God.

• 1 Pet. 2:20-21 For what credit is 1 Pet. 2:20-21 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if, when you do what is patience? But if, when you do what is right, and suffer for it, you patiently right, and suffer for it, you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in his steps.you to follow in his steps.

• v. 29 And he said, “Come”. And Peter v. 29 And he said, “Come”. And Peter got out of the boat and got out of the boat and walked on walked on the waterthe water and came toward Jesus. and came toward Jesus.

• v. 30 But seeing the wind, v. 30 But seeing the wind,

he became afraid, and beginning to he became afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out saying, “Lord save sink he cried out saying, “Lord save me.”me.”

• 2 Cor. 11:24-28 whipped 5 times, 3 2 Cor. 11:24-28 whipped 5 times, 3 times beaten with rods, stoned, times beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked 3 times, spent a night and shipwrecked 3 times, spent a night and day in the water, danger from robbers, day in the water, danger from robbers, danger from the sea, betrayed by his danger from the sea, betrayed by his own people, accused falsely, dangers own people, accused falsely, dangers from the wilderness, weariness, toil, from the wilderness, weariness, toil, sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, often sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, often fasting, cold and without adequate fasting, cold and without adequate clothing not to mention concerns of all clothing not to mention concerns of all the churches and the daily stresses. the churches and the daily stresses.

• Paul knew the words of the Lord Paul knew the words of the Lord Jesus,Jesus,

“ “My grace is sufficient for Thee.” My grace is sufficient for Thee.”

• God chooses God chooses whatwhat we go through we go through

We choose We choose howhow we go through it. we go through it.

• 1 Pet. 4:12-14 Beloved, do not be 1 Pet. 4:12-14 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you. But to the were happening to you. But to the degree that you share the sufferings degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of his glory, you also at the revelation of his glory, you may also rejoice with exultation. If may also rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. glory and of God rests upon you.

• v. 31 And immediately Jesus v. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and took hold stretched out his hand and took hold of him, and said to him “O you of of him, and said to him “O you of little faith, why did you doubt”little faith, why did you doubt”

• Psalm 27:10 Even though my father Psalm 27:10 Even though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will and mother forsake me, the Lord will take care of me.take care of me.

• v. 33 And those who were in the boat v. 33 And those who were in the boat worshipedworshiped him saying, “You are him saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!” certainly God’s Son!”

1.1. Nothing is going to happen to us Nothing is going to happen to us without the knowledge of our without the knowledge of our father.father.

2.2. All of our afflictions are designed by All of our afflictions are designed by God to make us a better person God to make us a better person from his perspective.from his perspective.

3.3. If you look for the Lord Jesus in the If you look for the Lord Jesus in the storm, He is there!storm, He is there!

4.4. In the midst of your tribulations, In the midst of your tribulations, always, always keep your eyes on always, always keep your eyes on Jesus.Jesus.