Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Returning to looking at the Gospel of Luke
- Reading Luke 8:22-25
- The disciples suddenly find themselves in the midst of a great trial
- Do we find times of really blessing and then trial - or the opposite
- Personal example
- Example of Joseph and Mary
- Sometimes we face terrible trials that we are not expecting
God is in control of and care for us in our trials
- People in other religions may have a god, even a powerful god
- As Christians we believe in the True God who is a loving heavenly father
- Matt 8, Mark 4, Luke 8
- In Matthew 8 - Jesus went into the boat and the disciples followed
- The disciples faced a storm on another occasion - Jesus had sent the disciples into the boat
- God leads us into the storms and trials of life
- That we might learn to depend upon Him - to trust Him
- Have you ever been in a fearful situation
- Example of an overcrowded boat and speedboat
- These were experienced fisherman
- Yet water was filling the boat - v23
- They were in a fearful, lifethreatening situation
- Yet Jesus was with them
- Jesus was asleep during the storm
- He was exhausted from previous days of teaching
- He was asleep and at peace
- When He wakes - He remains calm, He is not flustered
- He rebukes the wind and the waves and they immediately cease
- Application:
- Jesus stands with us in our trials
- Nothing is too hard for Him
- We can lean upon Him
- Source of the storm
- Speculation - some say it was demonic
- Remember in the story of Job that satan had to ask permission to afflict him
- All storms are from the Lord
- God is in control of nature
- Example of nature in this area of Galillee
- Quote from the Prophet Isaiah
- We as God's people can take hold of these promises
- Psalm 32:6 - though I may be at breaking point, I will not break
- The water was in the boat with the disciples but did not overflow them
- No guarantee we will be delivered from every situation
- But the situation will not overwhelm us - Christ will be with us
God is dealing with us in our trials
- Sometimes we learn more in trials that in Sunday attendance
- The boat
- 13 people in the boat
- Other little boats also went out
- When did they turn to Jesus?
- When the water started to overwhelm them
- Why did they not go to Him sooner?
- Were these men too confident in their own abilities and only went to Him in their last moment?
- This is human nature
- We need to turn to God sooner
- Do we rely upon ourselves too much?
- We need to learn to trust God
- Until this point - constant struggle and no prayer
- 1 Pet 1:6-7 - during trials God wants our faith refined and for us to bring praise, honour and glory to Jesus Christ
- It was not enough that the disciples understand who Jesus was, but that they have faith in Him
- He addresses the disciples in another storm saying 'O, you of little faith'
- Jesus is asking that we would trust Him
- The second occasion of the boat in the storm - Jesus is on the mountain praying, He comes in the fourth watch of the night
- Sometimes we can ask 'do you care'
- Often we are busy
- Martha asked 'don't you care"
- God does care for His own - He asks us to trust Him
- A calm - v24 (a great calm mentioned in the other two gospels)
- He can bring a great calm quickly into our lives
We are to learn something precious about Jesus Christ
- We are to learn more about Jesus in our trials
- The disciples ask 'who is this?'
- Consider the earth (explanation) - He holds all things together
- Jesus Christ is the maker of heaven and earth
- He is Lord over the demonic realm, death, sickness and all things
- We are to learn of His care and power to help
- Jesus has gone through all the storms of life
- His worst trial was upon the Cross
- Quote from Isaiah (x3)
- We can trust in Him
- Rely upon Him
Closing Remarks