Matthew 8:1 // Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside.
- Jesus was led by the Spirit, not the crowds.
Mark 4:36 // Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.
- Are you following Jesus?
- Salvation happens when we put our faith in Jesus. Real life change happens when we choose to follow Him.
Matthew 16:24 // Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
- “Until you have given up your self to Him, you will not have a real self.” C.S. Lewis
Matthew 8:23 // Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. 24 Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat.
- Christians aren’t exempt from the storms. They’re exempt from storms with no purpose.
- “Storms help to make the sailors sturdy, and trials make Christians strong in faith.” - Charles Spurgeon
James 1:2-4 // Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Matthew 8:24 // Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.
Matthew 8:25 // The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
John 14:27 // Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
- Spiritual maturity can be measured by how quickly you move from panic to peace.
- Faith is seeing from God’s perspective in the middle of the storm.
Matthew 8:26 // Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
- Little faith is where we start. It’s not where we stop.
Matthew 8:27 // The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”
