Wednesday, 29 March 2017

East Ridge Pres

Luke 8:22 One day [Jesus] got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, 23 and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. v 24a And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are dying!” When storms come, we feel like this: I am dying. I am in danger. I am losing everything. I am terrified. God sends a terrible squall down on the lake for the JOY of the disciples. but they feel terror. God assaults us so that we will give up on everything but Jesus, so we will run to Jesus, put our attention on him again. No doubt they were using their skills, fighting the storm, working, sweating, but now they give up and go to Jesus. God wants us to lose hope in everything but Jesus God sends a terrible squall down on the lake for the JOY of the disciples. v 24b And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. Jesus by the word of his power flattens the sea, binds the wind. Jesus will not always end your temporary storms. Buy you are safe no matter what storm you are in. Even in the storms of this evil age you are safe now if you are in the Church, in God’s boat, with Jesus. Some storms will blow until the very end. Until Jesus returns and then he will speak the word and every storm will cease, and all chaos and death be stilled, and there will be calm. v 25a He said to them, “Where is your faith?” Where is your faith? The logic of faith is this. If God is sovereign and in Christ you belong to him and he takes care of his own, then with Jesus you are safe. You are safe even in a storm. You are safe even if you are dying. verse 25b And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” Who then is this? The answer to this question is the answer in your storm. Who then is this? This is the one. Lord of creation, sovereign over all. The son of God. The Christ. And he is with us. Look to him.