The Perfect Storm (Lesson One)

In October of 1991 a storm stronger than any in recorded history hit the coast off of Gloucester, Massachusetts.  Boats encountered waves of 100 feet.

The Sea of Galilee is mostly peaceful but at times the surrounding mountains act like a funnel.  Cold winds crash into hot air rising off the water, producing storms.  Jesus and the Disciples set sail for the other side heading toward a Perfect Storm. 

Many times in our lives, things line up and produce a Perfect Storm.  We need to exercise faith no matter what the circumstances.

Luke 8:22-25 NASB

(22)  Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." So they launched out.

(23)  But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger.

(24)  They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm.

(25)  And He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?"

In any circumstance, we must look at everyone involved.  In this instance, we have Jesus and the disciples. 

Jesus possessed sovereign authority.  He spoke peace be still.  He responded to human desperation.  These men were fishermen.  How many storms had they been in before?  This must have been a huge storm.  Lastly, we see Jesus confronting fear and faithlessness.  Jesus asked, how can you be afraid when I’m in the boat?

The Disciples were devoted followers.  Yet Jesus asks them where their faith is?  Times of crisis clouds our thinking and puts our faith to the test.  On one hand they believed in the Lord’s ability to rescue them.  On the other hand, they questioned if He even cared.  How could he sleep when they were going to die?

How is your faith?  

Non-existent, Weak, Mediocre, Growing, Strong, Fantastic.

Now that we have explored everyone involved, next week we will look at the principles learned.