Adventures in DiscipleshipMatthew 8:23-27

• The Setting (v. 23)

Calming of the Sea

Challenge to the Distracted

Courtesy of See Holy Land (http://www.flickr.com/photos/seetheholyland)

• The Setting (v. 23)• The Storm (v. 24a)

Calming of the Sea

Sea

Courtesy of Bible and Science (http://www.bibleandscience.com)

Storm

“The combined nuclear arsenal of the United States and former Soviet Union don’t contain enough energy to keep a hurricane going for one day.”

Sebastian Junger, The Perfect Storm.

• The Setting (v. 23)• The Storm (v. 24)• The Salvation (v. 25-26)

Calming of the Sea

What does it mean to follow Jesus?

Calming of the Sea

• Commitment

Discipleship

Two hindrances to commitment:

• Material (8:19-20)• Cultural (8:21-22)

Commitment

“The cultural let down”

Commitment

• Commitment• Hardship

Discipleship

Two tempting questions:

• Did I make the right commitment?

Hardship

Two tempting questions:

• Did I make the right commitment?• What are other people thinking?

Hardship

• Commitment• Hardship• Faith

Discipleship

“Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?”

Matthew 6:30

Faith

“Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.”

Psalm 35:23

Faith

“Why sleepest thou, O Lord?”

Psalm 44:23

Faith

A New Beginning