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The Second Rebuke

The Second Rebuke

Words of Faith 6-7-18

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2018

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Luke 8

   [22] One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. [23] As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

   [24] The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"

   He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. [25] "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples.

   In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."

 

     Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves. But that was not the only "rebuke". There was also one for the frightened disciples. "Where is your faith? Why didn't you trust me?"

       Have you been in such a situation? Do you know what it is like to have a life storm come down upon you as if out of nowhere? There are treacherous life storms that can come with no warning at all onto the most peaceful of situations. There are storms that come over the hill before we can see them.

     The life storm may be announced with a bad medical test or a pink slip. It may come with a family crises or a call bringing bad news. It may come as a financial setback or in the form of a terrible injustice or a catastrophe. And the question is not if the storm will come, but how will you handle it when it comes.

       Some people think that if they have a lot of preparation or a lot of financial resources they can handle the life storm. The truth is if you drag too much "stuff" into the boat you will sink it. The truth is that you can be the wealthiest man in the world and it is not enough for a big storm that requires a little more. You cannot insure for yourself safety from the financial storm. You can exercise daily, eat healthy, and take vitamins and still find yourself weathering a cancer storm. Those things are good but they are not the final answer.

       So what can you do to survive the life storm?   What can you do to have victory over the storm? What can to do to get to where God wants you to be?

       First, call on the Master. The problem was not that they woke up Jesus. We need to call on the master when the storm hits. That is our first cry.

       Second, stand on His Word. The rebuke of Jesus was not due to His being awakened. The rebuke of Jesus was because they had no faith in His Word. What had Jesus said? "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." That was His Word on the trip. If Jesus meant anything else, don't you suppose he would have said it? I think so. Do you suppose that Jesus knew the storm was coming? You bet. Did it bother him? He was sleeping like a baby. Don't worry over the storm that is not yet here! Rest in Him. What He says.

     This is the key. Talk to a hundred survivors or storms and you will hear of a hundred who were clinging to some Word from the Lord some phrase of Scripture. In this story, Jesus said, "We are headed to the other side of the lake." He has told us the same thing in a hundred different ways. He has said that we are headed for glory. We are headed for reward. Even should the physical boats of our lives sink, we are going to the other side! We cannot be sunk.

       This is the power of planting the Word deeply in the heart. That is your provision. The strongest argument for Scripture memorization is the storm. When the storm comes what will you stand on? Who will you believe?

       Here are a few such Scriptures:

       Philip. 1:6   Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

       John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

      Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

       2 Cor. 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

       1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

       Jeremiah 29:11   For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

       Luke 8:22 Let's go over to the other side of the lake...

       In the light of all that truth the cancer storm can't kill you. The family calamity storm can't take you from Jesus. The church confusion storm can't knock Jesus out of the boat! The financial crises storm can't take away the provision that Jesus has for you.

     Are you in a storm? Call on Jesus to rebuke the wind and the rain. Stand confident in His Word. God is in charge. We are going to the other side! Receive the calm.    

 

     Lord, I give thanks that You have a plan. You have charted the course of my life and You are aware of the dangers I will encounter. I give thanks that Your Word is greater than any life storm I may encounter. I trust You to calm the storms and bring me through. In Jesus' name.