When the tempest rages and how soon we forget

In the storm when Jesus was walking on the water, the disciples were rowing the boat and they forgot that Jesus was with them. Jesus is in all our storms of life.Jesus was not in the boat but He watched them with compassion. He saw them struggling and He left them until they couldn’t take it anymore. This time Jesus was right there and if they had called upon Him, they wouldn’t have struggled so much.We are admonished to remember Jesus is with us. Here is an example of the suffering of the people in their storms and Gods intervention.

Late 107:23-31

23 Pawlkhatte, teembaw tawh tuipi-ah pai uh a, tui liante tungah sumbawl na a sem uh hi. 24 Amaute in tuithuk tungah Topa' gamtatna a lamdang a septe a mu uh hi.

25 Bang hang hiam cih leh amah in thu pia a, tuipi hualte a piangsak huihpi a nungsak hi.

26 Amaute, vanah kilawnto-in, a thukna-ah kiasuk uh hi. A lauhuai siatna sungah amau' lungsim han'na a bei hi.

27 Amaute zukham bangin hoisuk hoito uh a, a cihna ding mel uh thei nawnlo uh hi.

28 Tua ciangin amaute in a lungkhamna uhah Topa ko uh a, amau' cihmawhna panin amah in a honkhia hi.

29 Amah in huihpi daisak a, tuipi hualte a bei hi. 30Tua ciangin, tua tuihualte a khawl manin amaute a lungdam uh hi.

Amah in amaute' utna khua-ah a paipih hi.

31 Ama itna kip leh mihing tate tungah a lamdang a sepnate hangin amaute in Topa tungah lungdamna ko ta uh hen. 32 Amaute in mihon kikhopna sungah amah pahtawi-in, upate' kikhopna sungah amah phat ta uh hen.

The object lesson is deep and meaningful. The Lord stills the sea. If you are on a boat and not in a very large ship, it can be frightening. I was on a boat and the back was low and it would go up and down. There is an experience of the depths of the sea. This is the experience of life. We reel to and fro. In the last days we will be meeting such an experience of spiritual and mental struggles. Sr White writes of the experience of Jesus in the boat. Jesus is as much in danger as were the disciples. The disciples had their own struggles between each other and then the Lord permits them to go through a storm.

Many a time we have struggled through the storms of life and we have come through as we have been strong. But many a time a struggle is coming where we can’t handle it anymore. Some may have gone through that already. The disciples had been through many a storm and handled their boats and come through safely but now this is too much.

Absorbed in their efforts to save themselves, they had forgotten that Jesus was on board. Now, seeing their labor vain and only death before them, they remembered at whose command they had set out to cross the sea. In Jesus was their only hope. In their helplessness and despair they cried, “Master, Master!” But the dense darkness hid Him from their sight. Their voices were drowned by the roaring of the tempest, and there was no reply. Doubt and fear assailed them. Had Jesus forsaken them? Was He who had conquered disease and demons, and even death, powerless to help His disciples now? Was He unmindful of them in their distress? {DA 334.4}

Jesus is in all our storms and we forget. How do we get into our storms? Many times they come when the Lord has commanded us to do something. Jesus came to save us and He ended up in the storm.

Have you been through experiences where you see the Lord blessing and you can do anything but there comes a point in time where you think He will fail you? That’s exactly what they felt.

Again they call, but there is no answer except the shrieking of the angry blast. Already their boat is sinking. A moment, and apparently they will be swallowed up by the hungry waters. {DA 334.5}
Suddenly a flash of lightning pierces the darkness, and they see Jesus lying asleep, undisturbed by the tumult. In amazement and despair they exclaim, “Master, carest Thou not that we perish?” How can He rest so peacefully, while they are in danger and battling with death? {DA 334.6}

Jesus is asleep in this fearful storm. These are the issues of life. Certain people are at peace and some are struggling and saying how can you be at peace as some are resting in Jesus and others are struggling.

Their cry arouses Jesus. As the lightning’s glare reveals Him, they see the peace of heaven in His face; they read in His glance self-forgetful, tender love, and, their hearts turning to Him, cry, “Lord, save us: we perish.” {DA 335.1}
Never did a soul utter that cry unheeded. As the disciples grasp their oars to make a last effort, Jesus rises. He stands in the midst of His disciples, while the tempest rages, the waves break over them, and the lightning illuminates His countenance. He lifts His hand, so often employed in deeds of mercy, and says to the angry sea, “Peace, be still.” {DA 335.2}
The storm ceases. The billows sink to rest. The clouds roll away, and the stars shine forth. The boat rests upon a quiet sea. Then turning to His disciples, Jesus asks sorrowfully, “Why are ye fearful? have ye not yet faith?” Mark 4:40, R.V. {DA 335.3}
A hush fell upon the disciples. Even Peter did not attempt to express the awe that filled his heart. The boats that had set out to accompany Jesus had been in the same peril with that of the disciples. Terror and despair had seized their occupants; but the command of Jesus brought quiet to the scene of tumult. The fury of the storm had driven the boats into close proximity, and all on board beheld the miracle. In the calm that followed, fear was forgotten. The people whispered among themselves, “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” {DA 335.4}
When Jesus was awakened to meet the storm, He was in perfect peace. There was no trace of fear in word or look, for no fear was in His heart. But He rested not in the possession of almighty power. It was not as the “Master of earth and sea and sky” that He reposed in quiet. That power He had laid down, and He says, “I can of Mine own self do nothing.” John 5:30. He trusted in the Father’s might. It was in faith–faith in God’s love and care–that Jesus rested, and the power of that word which stilled the storm was the power of God. {DA 336.1}
As Jesus rested by faith in the Father’s care, so we are to rest in the care of our Saviour. If the disciples had trusted in Him, they would have been kept in peace. Their fear in the time of danger revealed their unbelief. In their efforts to save themselves, they forgot Jesus; and it was only when, in despair of self-dependence, they turned to Him that He could give them help. {DA 336.2}

Can you see it was Jesus waiting? It was not until they were in despair that they turned to Him to give them help. When we meet those times which we will meet more intensely than ever before, it this we need to remember so the moment the storm comes whatever it is which will create fear in our hearts, we are to remember how Jesus relied on the Father like we have to rely. He was right in the storm with them. We are to take these lessons and remember them when it’s the toughest moments that we are meeting. We should be resting in Jesus all the time.

How often the disciples’ experience is ours! When the tempests of temptation gather, and the fierce lightnings flash, and the waves sweep over us, we battle with the storm alone, forgetting that there is One who can help us. We trust to our own strength till our hope is lost, and we are ready to perish. Then we remember Jesus, and if we call upon Him to save us, we shall not cry in vain. Though He sorrowfully reproves our unbelief and self-confidence, He never fails to give us the help we need. Whether on the land or on the sea, if we have the Saviour in our hearts, there is no need of fear. Living faith in the Redeemer will smooth the sea of life, and will deliver us from danger in the way that He knows to be best. {DA 336.3}

If we fail to remember, if we keep on trying to do it ourselves and we get into dispair, Jesus comes to help. I have had to deal with this frequently. If the fear comes, I have to answer to the fact, am I really trusting the Lord. If it ever came to me as I hear of others, would I be fearful?

I was once called to the army. I would say I wouldn’t go. People would say what if you are married and someone came to you with a gun, wouldn’t you fight? If you were in the war, would you have stood firm to taking up arms?

The danger in which we find ourselves is the test for us to release ourselves to release the fear and trust in the Father as Jesus did. Perfect love casteth out fear.

There is another spiritual lesson in this miracle of the stilling of the tempest. Every man’s experience testifies to the truth of the words of Scripture, “The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest. . . . There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” Isaiah 57:20, 21. Sin has destroyed our peace. While self is unsubdued, we can find no rest. The masterful passions of the heart no human power can control. We are as helpless here as were the disciples to quiet the raging storm. But He who spoke peace to the billows of Galilee has spoken the word of peace for every soul. However fierce the tempest, those who turn to Jesus with the cry, “Lord, save us,” will find deliverance. His grace, that reconciles the soul to God, quiets the strife of human passion, and in His love the heart is at rest. “He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven.” Psalm 107:29, 30. “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” “The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.” Romans 5:1; Isaiah 32:17. {DA 336.4}

Do I find restlessness in me? Then something is not subdued. That is self. If self is subdued, we would find rest. Every time we get into a restless state, we can measure up how much of self is there.

Can you control the things that come up inside of you? It overwhelms us like a big wave to engulf us. When the passions of the heart arise, we can’t control them. We need to rely as did Jesus on the power of God.

Psalm 37:23 The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth [him with] his hand.

Psalm 107:31 Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men! 32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Amen.

How soon we forget. Deut 8:18

Thesis: To stress the danger of forgetting important spiritual matters.

1. I was at vocational school and standing in line waiting to get some breakfast from the

 cafeteria when I saw it. There was a skyscraper billowing smoke and rumors of a

 drunk pilot flying a 747 into it. Little did I know what would happen as the day went

 on. It was Tuesday September 11, 2001.

2. As we recently marked yet another anniversary of this tragic event, I am reminded of

 how easy it is to forget. Recount the patriotism and emotions of the nation.

 Soon it began to taper off.

3. Important dates are often fogged over by time. We forget about important news

 stories and events. It is easy to forget things.

4. Sometimes it is dangerous to forget. There are something’s we should never forget.

 With this sermon, let’s look at two things, Times when God’s people forgot and Things

 God’s people should never forget.

I. Times When God’s People Forgot. A. The Israelites forgot how they left Egypt.

1. God through Moses led Israel from Egypt by a mighty hand. He knew

 Pharaoh would not let them go if He did not (Ex 3:19).

a. Through ten consecutive plagues God proved His power and

 might to Pharaoh and the Israelites (Ex 13:3).

b. When they were finally released God parted the Red Sea

 allowing them to pass through on dry ground and later drowned

the Egyptian army (Ex 14:29-31).

2. Three days later, the people begin to complain (Ex 15:22-27).

a. The complaining continued and they longed for Egypt

 (Ex 16:1-3; 17:1-6).

3. The power of God was fresh in their minds. However, their hunger and

 thirst blurred their memory of slavery and they forgot about their

 deliverance from Egypt by the mighty hand of God.

a. God never wanted them to forget their rebellious spirit

 (Dt 9:6-7).

b. The reason (Dt 9:4-5).

B. The Israelites forgot crossing the Jordan.

1. Before Israel was able to enter into Canaan, one thing stood in their

 way, crossing the Jordan River.

2. The priest went before the people carrying the Ark of the Covenant.

 a. As they entered the Jordan, the waters were withheld and they

 crossed over on dry ground (Jos 3:14-17).

3. God commanded 12 stones be taken from the river bed and placed on

 the opposite side of the river as a memorial (Jos 4:1-6).

a. This would serve as a reminder of the miraculous way they

 crossed the Jordan. Proof God was with them.

4. Many years later after they conquered the land and Joshua died, the

 nation forgot about this important time (Jud 2:11-15).

C. Solomon forgot the word of the Lord.

1. Solomon was the wisest man on earth (1 Ki 4:29-34).

a. God’s people prospered greatly during his reign.

2. Being king had responsibilities (Dt 17:18-20).

 3. Solomon was encouraged to faithfully follow God.

a. His father David warned him (1 Ki 2:3-4).

b. Warned by God (1 Ki 9:4-5).

4. Unfortunately when Solomon was old he departed from the Lord

 (1 Ki 11:4-8).

a. The consequences were devastating (1 Ki 11:9). The door to

 idolatry was opened wide.

b. The effects of his sin were still visible nearly 300 years later

 (2 Ki 23:13).

II. Thing’s God’s People Should Never Forget.

A. We should never forget what Christ did for us.

1. The death of Christ is the most important moment in the history of the

 world. No other event has ever had even close to the same effect.

2. Christ’s death is important for those who have accepted it.

a. It brought forgiveness and redemption (Col 1:13-14).

b. It brought reconciliation with God (Col 1:19-20).

c. It removed the condemnation of sin (Rom 8:1).

d. It freed us from our sins (Rev 1:5).

3. We must also remember His life (1 Pt 2:21-25).

a. His example in love (Jn 13:34-35).

b. His example in service (Jn 13:15).

c. His example in forgiveness (Lk 23:34).

4. Every week there is an opportunity to remember it in a special way

 (1 Cor 11:23-32).

B. We should never forget where we were.

1. Our past is important. Where you were (Eph 2:1-2; Dt 5:15).

2. When you forget the past.

a. You will lose sight of the importance of evangelism. Souls are

 lost are you convinced they need to be saved like you?

b. The importance of the church (Mt 16:18; Acts 20:28).

c. The Lord’s sacrifice (Col 1:13-14).

3. We must ever be thankful (Col 3:15).

C. We should never forget God’s word.

1. God has always intended His word to be taught and understood by His

 people.

a. The Law was read publically every seven years (Dt 31:10-13).

b. Col 1:6, 4:16; 1 Th 5:27; Rom 10:17.

2. Just as Solomon forgot God’s word, it is possible for you to forget also.

3. Our forgetting and departing from God’s word can be caused by simply

 neglecting it. How much did you actually read your Bible last week?

4. We forget God’s word by not teaching our children (Dt 6:4-9;

 Eph 6:4).

a. When children depart and leave the church, how much time did

 you as a parent spend teaching them at home? Emphasizing

 Bible class and worship?

b. We are always only one generation away from apostasy

 (Jud 2:11). One generation away from closing the doors of this

 church.

5. We depart from God’s word by forgetting salvation is conditional.

a. Your salvation is dependent upon continued obedience to God

 (1 Jn 1:5-10; Rev 2:10; Dt 8:11).

6. As soon as we begin to lose sight of what God has said, we fall

 (1 Cor 10:12).

Conclusion:

1. There is always real danger in forgetting. When we forget, our faith grows weak.

 When we forget, sin lies at the door.

2. Although it is easy to forget a lot of things in life, let us never forget. . . .

A. What Christ did for us. B. Where you were before Christ. C. What God’s

 word says. Psa 119:11.

Written by Admin

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