“God Carries Us Through Our Storms!” (How To Hear The Voice Of God pt. 7)

Pastor Jim Lowe III

Sunday Morning, 9:30am Stream 08/13/23 (2nd Sunday Message)

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{All scriptures are “NIV84” unless stated}

Message Title:

“God Carries Us Through Our Storms!” (How To Hear The Voice Of God pt. 7)

If you’re going though a trial right now.

And the trial is keeping you from hearing God clearly, Prayerfully this is for you.

This is part 2 of the message from last week. From the first part:

Memory Verse:

Job 33:14

14 For God does speak—now one way, now another— though man may not perceive it.

We talked last week about what a storm is.

A Weather Storm is a term used to describe an atmospheric disturbance. This can range from rain all the way to tornadoes.

This is something that describes something we see on a regular basis. We’ve had a storm maybe every day the last week.

This term is also used to describe things we deal with in our lives.

A Life Storm is a disturbance that interrupts our physical, mental or spiritual well-being and affects us in our personal lives. (Examples: sicknesses, stress, rejection, debt, depression, loneliness, hardships and more.)

Many of us may be going through some of these things now. We were promised to have good days and bad days.

John 16:33 “In this world you will have trouble”

There is a REASON for the storms.

If Things Are Too Good Too Often, What Is Good Loses Its Value

We can see that there are other reasons for storms.

All Storms Have A Purpose

Storms keep the earth regulated. They help regulate temperature. They help regulate the air.

They bring moisture.

It helps things to grow.

Life Storms:

That trial is happening for a reason.

Storms cause us to realize how great our God truly is.

The reminder that we can trust God through all situations.

No matter how big the problem.

We have to remember God is bigger.

Remember God Is In Control Of Our Storms:

To be in control of something…

means to exercise restraint over or being able to direct influence.

When you are in a room full of people watching tv:

the person who has the remote has the control.

They can turn the tv off.

They can change the channel.

They can manipulate what the tv does. (Super Bowl tv ad?)

It’s similar to our moods.

When you allow people to directly influence your mood. they can control you.

God is in control of storms like that. In Jonah…God caused a storm.

he also caused it to stop.

Although Our Storms May Be Big, Never Forget God Is Bigger!

What Is God Saying During The Storm?

• “You Are Not In This Alone”

Deuteronomy 31:6

6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

• “This Storm RIGHT HERE Will Strengthen You”

1 Peter 5:10

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

This is to make you stronger, not take you out.

• “You Will Be Better After The Storm Than You Are Right Now”

Romans 8:28

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

all things God WORKS for the good. This is for YOUR GOOD.

Romans 5:3-5

3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.

God is trying to take us from A to B.

• “This Storm Has An Expiration Date!”

2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT)

For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

Here is the story for today.

This is after Jesus feeds the 5000.

Matthew 14:22-24

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

Jesus tells the disciples to go on by themselves. He stays there to pray.

When evening came, he was alone.

The disciples were trying to get across the lake but the wind was against them. This wind was creating resistance.

This resistance was creating a fight for the disciples. Same story in Mark:

Mark 6:48 (a)

48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them.

They were straining…because they were fighting to get across.

But who were they fighting??

We learned in Jonah that God can cause winds that create storms. Were the disciples being held back by God?

-or-

Did God allow this storm to slow them down? We don’t know…

{from last week:}

God Will Either Send A Storm Or Allow It. But Don’t Worry, He Promised He Would See Us Through It!

Matthew 14:25-26

25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

Why did they think it was a ghost? They had been out all night straining. Jesus went out during the 4th watch.

Watches Of Night:

1st Watch: (6 p.m. - 9 p.m.)

2nd Watch: (9 p.m. - 12 a.m.)

3rd Watch: (12 a.m. - 3 a.m.)

4th Watch: (3 a.m. - 6 a.m.)

They had been out all night.

They had been straining all night. They were tired, hungry, exhausted.

And here comes Jesus, walking on the lake.

This was a VERY quick example of the power of our God.

Big Problems Don’t Mean Anything To An Even Bigger God!

The wind and waves they had been fighting non-stop may had been stopping them. But here comes Jesus walking all over that problem.

Things God Is Trying To Tell Us During The Storm:

• Stay Strong! I Am Bigger Than This Storm!

Luke 18:27

27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

The storm we currently are going through is nothing for God to handle.

Psalm 62:11 (NKJV)

11 God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God.

What is this power?

The power to speak the universe into existence. The power to say a word and creation moves.

The power to change our situation with a thought.

The power to walk all over what has been holding you for:

hours, weeks, months, years!

Later when Jesus was arrested, Pilate is asking him questions. When Jesus didn’t answer, Pilate says:

Why aren’t you answering? Don’t you know I can either free you or crucify you?

John 19:11 (a)

11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.

Jesus is saying the only power you could ever have over me is if I give it to you. THIS God shows up and says:

Matthew 14:27

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Matthew 14:28-30

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

He took his focus off of Jesus and began to look at the storm surrounding them. Focusing on his problem caused him to sink further into it.

Focusing Too Much On Our Problems Can Make It Worse! Keep Your Eyes On The God Who Can Help!

The only person sinking was Peter. Jesus was standing on the water…

The disciples were in the boat.

Peter DID do something right…He called out to God!

Things God Is Trying To Tell Us During The Storm:

• It’s Okay To Ask For Help!

Peter cried out when he felt like it became unbearable for him.

Matthew 14:31

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Jesus said he had little faith…because he let his anxiety get the best of him. NOT because he asked for help.

Hebrews 4:16

16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

The bible gives many scriptures on ASKING for what you need. But also because Jesus did act immediately:

Things God Is Trying To Tell Us During The Storm:

• Don’t Lose Faith! He Will Be There To Catch You If You Fall!

Psalm 34:4 (NCV)

4 I asked the Lord for help, and he answered me. He saved me from all that I feared.

Is God not big enough to rescue you from your storm?

Each storm is a reminder that it’s not us…it’s GOD that delivers!

Jeremiah 1:19

19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

Things will come up. People will try you. Storms will come… But God is bigger!

Our Storms Are An Opportunity To See How Big God Is!

Each time God saves you…REMEMBER that!

If God Saved You Before, He Can Save You Again!

This leads to the last part.

Matthew 14:31-33

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Jesus grabs Peter. THEY walk to the boat.

Verse 32

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

When THEY climbed into the boat…the wind died down.

When we talk about Peter…we can’t forget the rest of the disciples.

The storm was for THEM.

Peter got out of the boat, went after God. sunk…was caught…

and CARRIED through the storm…

while everyone else CONTINUED struggled to watch.

• While Others Are Fighting Their Battles, God Can Carry You Through Yours!

The storm didn’t stop until Jesus and Peter got into the boat. the disciples were fighting the entire time.

Peter was able to recover faster than the others. because he was in the hands of Jesus. the other disciples could have gotten out.

but they stayed in THEIR storm.

Some of us have been fighting battles for awhile.

We hold onto things for the sake of fighting.

The disciples were still fighting their trial.

Peter is recovering in the arms of God.

It’s time to let go and let God.

Whatever Storm Is Going On In Life, If God Is With You There Is Freedom!

2 Corinthians 3:17

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

While Others Are Fighting Their Trials, Make Sure You Find God Who Will Fight For You!

God is bigger than the storm.

Ephesians 3:20-21

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

{closing}

We go through trials in life. They must happen.

But no matter how big the storm is. God is bigger.

This Week:

• Review This Message (Today’s Stream, Study Groups, Lunch Recap)

• Remember God Is Bigger Than Our Storms

• Never Forget That Even If The Storm Is Raging, God Will Carry You Through It