Storms of Life

1. Storms of Life Mark 4:35-41 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” (Mark 4:35-41)

2. Storms of Life Everyone Experiences Storms—Even Disciples Preparation Helps Us Weather the Storms Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. (Matt. 7:24-27)

3. Storms of Life Storms Often Arise Without Warning Serious Illness – Car Wreck – Accident – Job Loss – Infidelity And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. (Mark 4:37) For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. (2 Timothy 1:12) Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. (1 Peter 5:9 )

4. Storms of Life Some Storms Can Be Avoided Problems Associated With Unbelief When considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the fast was already over, Paul began to admonish them, and said to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul. (Acts 27:9-11)

5. Storms of Life Car Wrecks – Injuries - Death Some Storms Can Be Avoided Problems Associated With Sin Family Abuse – Physical & Mental For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. (Col. 3:25) Problems Associated With Alcohol Money Problems - Divorce Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long over wine, Those who go to taste mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it goes down smoothly. (Proverbs 23:29-31) Destruction of Own Body

6. Storms of Life Divorce & Heartache Some Storms Can Be Avoided Problems Associated With Sin Shame – Unwanted Pregnancy For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. (Col. 3:25) Problems Associated With Fornication, Adultery Sexual Diseases After Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Abram's wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian, her maid, and gave her to her husband Abram as his wife. He went in to Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her sight. (Genesis 16:3-4) Influence For Good Diminished

7. Storms of Life Family in Need Some Storms Can Be Avoided Problems Associated With Sin Bankruptcy - Shame For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. (Col. 3:25) Problems Associated With Gambling Stealing - Cheating Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15) Hurting Your Loved Ones

8. Storms of Life Running With Wrong Crowd Some Storms Can Be Avoided Problems Associated With Sin Drinking – Drugs For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. (Col. 3:25) Problems Associated With Dancing, Revelry Sexual Immorality For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do-- living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. (1 Peter 4:3) Destroy Influence as a Christian

9. Storms of Life Lust – Evil Thoughts Some Storms Can Be Avoided Problems Associated With Sin For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. (Col. 3:25) Fornication – Adultery Problems Associated With Pornography Rape Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness. (Gal. 5:19) One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing… (2 Sam. 11:2) Child Molestation

10. Storms of Life Some Storms Can Be Avoided Abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thess. 5:22) Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth: Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths; For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men. Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death. (Proverbs 7:24-27)

11. Storms of Life Security Found by Listening to God Proverbs 1:20-33 God Instructs Man Ignores Man Suffers God Instructs Man Takes Heed Man Is Secure

12. Storms of Life Jesus Cares Even If It Seems Otherwise Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don't you care if we drown?” (Mk. 4:38)

13. Storms of Life Job Understood Source of Evil Not God His wife said to him, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. (Job 2:9-10) That you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matt. 5:45)

14. Storms of Life Storm of the Cross Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. (Matt. 27:39-44)

15. Storms of Life God Gives Us Grace to Endure the Storm Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Ps.23:4) The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? …Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. (Ps. 27:1-5)

16. Storms of Life God Gives Us Grace to Endure the Storm Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Heb. 13:5-6) Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

17. Storms of Life Enduring Storms Strengthens Us They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:41) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

18. Storms of Life Patience – Trust But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. (Matt. 13:21) Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" (Mark 4:38) Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. (Ps. 27:14)

19. Storms of Life Patience – Trust He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD.” (1 Sam. 24:6) Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:8-10)

20. Storms of Life • Everyone Experiences Storms in their Life • Some Come Without Warning – Preparation • Some Storms Can Be Avoided • Jesus Cares – Regardless of How It May Appear • Enduring Storms Produces Maturity Don’t Panic – Trust God Who Sees All & Cares!

21. Storms of Life Don’t Panic – Trust God Who Sees All & Cares! • God Doesn’t Promise a Life Free of Trouble, But He Does Promise Protection! For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil. (1 Peter 3:12) • No Storm Lasts Forever Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Ps. 23:4)

22. Storms of Life Only Christians Have Divine Protection Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matt. 11:28-30) Faith – Mark 16:15-16 Repentance – Lk. 13:3 Baptism – Mark 16:16

24. Storms of Life Some Storms Can Be Avoided Lung Cancer Problems Associated With Sin Emphysema For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. (Col. 3:25) Problems Associated With Smoking, Chewing, Dipping Influence Bad Effects on Others Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (1 Cor. 6:19-20)

25. Storms of Life Some Storms Can Be Avoided Is Using Tobacco Sinful? • Harmful to Body – 1 Cor. 6:19-20 • Loss of Self-Control – 1 Cor. 9:27 • Hurts Influence – Matt. 5:16; Lk. 17:1-2 • Harmful to Others – Matt. 7:12 • Do you want your children, grandchildren to smoke? – Eph. 6:4 • Would you light one up in front of Jesus, offer him a pinch? – 1 John 2:6