You Need a Miracle When Your Ship Is Sinking

Matthew 8:23-27, Then Jesus got into the boat and
started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a
terrible storm came up, with waves breaking into the
boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went to
him and woke him up, shouting, "Lord, save us! We're
going to drown!" And Jesus answered, "Why are you
afraid? You have so little faith!" Then he stood up and
rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly all was
calm. The disciples just sat there in awe. "Who is
this?" they asked themselves. "Even the wind and
waves obey him!" (NLT)
We face three kinds of storms:
1. Situational Storms
Proverbs 1:27, Sometimes calamity strikes us like a
storm.
2. Relational Storms
Psalm 102:7-8, I feel all alone, and my enemies are
ganging up on me, and nobody is with me.
3. Emotional Storms
Job 30:22, You have thrown me into a whirlwind and
destroyed me in a storm.
THREE FACTS ABOUT STORMS
Storms are inevitable.
James 1:2, When tests and challenges come at you
from all sides… (Message)
Storms are often unpredictable.
Matthew 8:24, Without warning, a furious storm came
up. (NIV)
Storms are impartial.
Matthew 5:45, He sends the rain on the righteous and
the unrighteous.
Important point: The disciples where in this storm
because they had obeyed Jesus.
TWO POSSIBLE REACTIONS TO STORMS
When I face a storm, I can be filled with panic.
Matthew 8:25, Lord, save us we’re going to drown.
When I face a storm, I can be filled with peace.
Matthew 8:24, But Jesus was sleeping.
Faith and peace are directed inter-related.
HOW TO FIND A MIRACLE IN THE MIDDLE OF A STORM
Remember God’s closeness
Matthew 8:24, Jesus got into the boat, and his
disciples followed him.
Isaiah 43:1-3, …Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.
I’ve called you by name. You’re mine. When you’re in
over your head, “ill be there with you. When you’re in
rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re
between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead
end—because I am God, your personal God…I paid a
huge price for you…that’s how much you mean to me!
That’s how much I love you! (Message)
Relax in God’s control.
Mark 4:38, Don’t you care if we drown!
1 Peter 5:7, Cast all your anxiety on him because he
cares for you.
Rely on God’s control.
Mark 4:39, He told the wind to pipe down and said to
the sea, ‘Quiet! Settle down!” The wind ran out of
breath; the sea became smooth as glass. (Message)
Jeremiah 32:17, Sovereign Lord, You have made the
heavens and the earth by Your great power and
outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. (NIV)
The root of the problem is fear. The solution to the
problem is faith.
Matthew 8:26, You of little faith. Why are you so afraid?

A great sermon on faith with Situational, Relational, and Emotional Storms