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Finding Peace In The Midst of Storms

Posted on 19 Apr 2020, Pastor: Tolu Makinde

Title: Finding Peace In The Midst of Storms

Text: Mark 4:35-41

[Mar 4:35] On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”

[Mar 4:36] Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.

[Mar 4:37] And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.

[Mar 4:38] But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

[Mar 4:39] Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

[Mar 4:40] But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

[Mar 4:41] And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Introduction

First of all, without Jesus Christ in one’s life, there is no peace, because He is the Prince of Peace
[Isa 9:6] For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
It does not matter whether there are storms or not. If you want peace, accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and His peace will continue to be with you.
[Joh 16:33] These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
In Christ we have peace, in the world we will have tribulation.
So, we are to expect storms in this world and I don’t mean physical storms. I mean challenges of life that are more powerful than us.
The entire world is going through a storm right now. Glory be to God, some of us have peace.
How do you find peace in the midst of storms? Let’s continue.

Main Topic

1. Before the storm

Your peace should start before the storm
You have the time to lay the proper foundation for your life and for the things that surrounds you.
[1Co 3:11] For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
[Psa 11:3] If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?
[Luk 6:47] Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:
[Luk 6:48] He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.
[Luk 6:49] But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”
If you hear the Word of God and do what the Word says, you are laying your foundations on the rock.
When, not if, storms come, it can beat on the house, but because it is on the rock, it shall remain standing.
Make the Word of God the anchor for your life
No storm in this life will be able to uproot you.

2. During the storm

If you did not have time to prepare for the storm and you find yourself in the middle of a storm, as we read in Mark 4:35-41, there are a couple of things you can do.

Make sure Jesus is in the boat with you. If you have not given your life to Christ and you find yourself in the middle of a storm, it is not too late. Give your life to Jesus today.
- The disciples had Jesus in the boat, they survived the storm
- Dan 3:8-30 – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had Jesus in the boat of fire with them, they survived the storm.
Never give up hope
Cry for help – don’t keep quiet. Cry out to God. He is the Storm Calmer.
- [Php 4:6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
- [Php 4:7] and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
- [Php 4:8] Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
The foundation (the Word) that you have laid will keep you standing
Have faith, not fear – the absence of faith brings the presence of fear
Position yourself to ride the first wave of recovery when the storm is over
- Pick up a new skill with this stay at home order
- Don’t just sit around and watch Coronavirus News Network (CNN) all day. It will only bring fear
- Do something constructive with your time
- Build a deeper relationship with your spouse and children
- Study the Word more, pray more, fast if you are led to fast
Don’t worry, the storm will come to an end. If the storm in the days of Noah came to an end, so shall this one.

3. After the storm

Maintain the foundation (the Word) that you have – don’t relax too much.
Be expectant of the coming blessing
Don’t let the blessing go to you head – as another temptation will come
Noah was tempted after the storm. He relaxed and became drunk from the vine, which was a blessing, and ended up cursing Canaan his son.
Lot was tempted after the storm. He also relaxed and became drunk. His daughters slept with him, committing incest, and he became the father of the Moabites and the Ammonites.
- The Moabites were the one that hired Balaam to curse the children of Israel.
- The Ammonites fought with the children of Israel many times. So these incestuous generation became a huge thorn in the flesh of the children of Israel.
Jesus was tempted after the storm. He did not relax after fasting 40 days and 40 nights. He used the Word (the foundation) to defeat the temptation of the devil.
So, when this storm is over, don’t relax. Keep waxing strong in the Word and start preparing for the next storm.

Conclusion

Beloved, without Jesus Christ, man will never find peace.
It doesn’t matter whether it is before the storm, during the storm, or after the storm. There is no peace for man without Jesus Christ.
[Joh 16:33] These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Make a decision to accept Jesus today so that He can give you peace
[Jer 29:11] For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

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Sermon

Finding Peace In The Midst of Storms