The storms of life… vs. 22-25

• Jesus got into the Boat – and the dicsiples followed Him… vs. 22
  • Jesus told the disciples to cross over to the other side…
    • Jesus wanted to leave the western Galilee and head over to the east side…
    • But when they got out into the middle of the sea – to far to turn back…
    • A great windstorm arose – the waves began to fill the boat with water…
    • They were in danger of sinking and losing their lives in the violent storm!
  • The Sea of Galilee is a rather small lake – about 20km x 11km…
    • But it is very low – 207 meters below sea level…
    • In contrast Mount Hermon in the north is over 2,814 meters above sea level…
    • The cold air rushes down from Mt. Hermon into the warm low-lying Sea…
    • The effect is there are HUGE storms that suddenly break out on the Galilee!
    • These are no small storms – 8’-12’ waves – certain death in a little boat ~ 26’ x 7’…
      
• Peace in the storm… vs. 23-25
  • Jesus example for the disciples…
    • As they sailed out into the sea – Jesus fell asleep…
    • This is the only time we read about Jesus sleeping in the Bible – in the midst of the storm!
    • Jesus had no fear – no worry – no concern – because He knew who was in control…
    • It did not matter how big the waves were – He was greater than the waves!
  • The way to find peace in the midst of the storm (4 things)…
    • 1^st – Knowing where to find help…
      • In a panic – the disciples woke Jesus – ‘we are perishing!’
      • The disciples only saw the waves – and thought they were about to die…
      • But they still knew where to look in the midst of the storm – they went to Jesus!
      • Being a believer in Jesus does not mean we do not face hardships in life…
      • Matthew 5:45 – “God makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
      • The difference as a Christian is we have someone to run to in those hard times…
      • Those who are in the world are justified in worrying  – they have no guarantees…
      • A stranger has no guarantee someone will help – a son can always count on his family!
      • Jesus says to us His kids – Matthew 6:34 – “Do not worry about tomorrow…”
      • We can always run to Jesus in any trial – have the confidence He is there to help us!
    • 2^nd – Do not look at the wind & waves…
      • Why are you fearful – Oh you of little faith…
      • Jesus had told the disciples they were going to the other side…
      • Therefore it did not matter what happened – God’s Word was going to be true!
      • If we look at the Storms of life we will be overwhelmed – fearful and unsure…
      • When we look at the how much money we owe/need – our empty cupboards…
      • When we listen to the bad news the doctor gives to us…
      • It’s easy to become overwhelmed – all we see is the HUGE wave about to drown us!
    • 3^rd – Instead look to Jesus…
      • Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves – there was a calm…
      • If we are worried about something – if find our lives in turmoil – chaos…
      • If we are worried about money – sickness – our family / relationships…
      • Then chances are – our problem is we got our eyes off of Jesus – off of His Word…
      • Its when we listen to God’s Word – we have peace in the midst of the Storm…
      • God promises to take care of every need we have – Matthew 6:33 / Luke 12:32…
      • God promises He is the Great Physician – He is the one who will heal us – I Peter 2:24
      • When we put our eyes on Jesus – we have peace in spite of our circumstances!
      • * Philippians 4:6-7 – “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
    • 4^th – Recognize God is greater than the storm…
      • The Disciples marveled – ‘Who can this be – even the wind and the water obey Him’…
      • So often we forget who created the wind and the waves – storms of life…
      • Our circumstances – trials – difficulties – storms – are no surprise to God…
      • They are not greater than God – and He is MORE than able to overcome them!
      • More often than not He has allowed them so that we learn to cry out to Him!

Walking on the Fence… vs. 26-39

• They sailed to the other side – the county of the Gadarenes… vs. 26
  • Part of the Decapolis (10 cities) that lie on the east side of the Sea of Galilee…
  • The name Gergesenes come from the Hebrew – ‘Gergishite’…
  • Gergishites were the original Canaanite dwellers of the east side of the Galilee…
  • There were 12 tribes in Israel that came with Joshua to conquer the land of Canaan…
  • The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and ½ tribe of Manasseh settled the area of the Gadarenes…
  • These 3 tribes decided not enter into the Promised Land with Joshua…
  • They were content to settle in the pleasant grazing lands east of the Jordan river…
  • They were also the first of the 12 tribes to be conquered…
    
• Demon possessed man…. vs. 27-33
  • When Jesus stepped out of the boat – a possessed man came from the tombs towards them…
    • This man had once lived in the city – in a house – lived a normal life…
    • But he had been possessed for a long time – now he was Naked – lived in the tombs…
    • He had been bound hand and foot – but even chain he could break – untamable!
    • The demons often seized the man – and drove him to wander in the wilderness…
    • His name was Legion – potentially referring to up to 6000 demons – VERY possessed!
  • Jesus – Son of the most High God…
    • Legion gives Jesus a title denoting His authority…
      • Immediately recognized Jesus as God almighty – He had all the power!
      • With a word – Jesus commanded them to come out – they had to obey!
    • Make no mistake – we are at war – we battle against spiritual powers every day…
      • We are in a battle for the hearts of minds of those who do not know Jesus!
      • For those who are blinded by satan to the message of the Gospel – II Corinthians 4:4
      • Not a battle that we fight with sticks and swords – we fight with prayer & God’s Word!
      • * II Corinthians 10:4-5 – “We use God’s mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil’s strongholds.  With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ.”
      • Our enemy does not stand a chance – because Jesus has ultimate power and authority!
      • In Christ we have victory – no weapon can defeat us! Isaiah 54:17 / I John 4:4
  • Do not torment me – do not cast us into the bottomless pit…
    • The origins and ultimate end – of satan & his demons…
      • Revelation 12:4 – 1/3 of all the angels rebelled along with satan against God…
      • As a result God cast them out of heaven – they were banished to the earth…
      • But there is a final judgment that awaits these fallen angels – Jude 1:6
      • When they will be cast into the Lake of Fire prepared for them – Matthew 25:41
      • * II Peter 2:4 – “God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to [Tartarus] and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment.”
    • In fact we will help God to judge the fallen angels – I Corinthians 6:3
      • Already Jesus has given us complete power over fallen angel…
      •  Luke 10:19 – “Behold, I give you the authority… over all the power of the enemy.”
      • But it appears one day we will also take part in helping judge the fallen angels!
      • We will look at satan in amazement – this is the guy who caused all that trouble!
      • * Isaiah 14:16 – “Everyone there will stare at you and ask, ‘Can this be the one who shook the earth and the kingdoms of the world?”
  • The demons begged – let us go into that herd of many swine…
    • There was a herd of many swine – (Imperfect/Indicative)…
      • Pigs were not allowed to be eaten by Jews according to the Law of Moses…
      • Yet here there was a whole herd of swine ~ showing the compromise of these Jews…
      • Side note – we are no longer under the Law – we can eat anything – Matthew 15:11
    • Jesus gave them permission – they entered the pigs…
      • The whole herd ran violently into the sea and perished!
      • The world – satan – sin – give the promise of a happier / better life…
      • And for a while it may seem like it is a better option – you’ll have ‘more fun’…
      • Going to the parties / drinking / telling the dirty jokes / gambling…
      • But the reality is satan/sin can only do one thing – kill and destroy!
      • Always the end of sin is death (both here and eternally)…
      • We end up destroying our innocence – hurting those we love – far from God!
      • * John 10:10 – “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
      • The GREAT news is Jesus came to give back what sin stole from us – abundant life!
        
• The Response of People… vs. 34-39
  • When those who watched the pigs saw what happened – they ran to tell everyone…
    • They whole city came out and saw the ‘crazy man’ clothed in his right mind…
    • The multitude was greatly afraid – and they begged Jesus to leave!
    • The same people who would had not entered into the Promised Land…
    • Were the same people who were willing to raise pigs (contrary to the Law)…
    • Were the same people when Jesus freed this man from bondage – asked Him to leave…
    • If we only want to get close to Jesus – but not fully live for Him…
    • If we walk with one foot in the world and one foot in Christ…
    • We will be the Christians who compromise our walk with Jesus…
    • We cannot live our life on the fence – we will either live our lives for Jesus…
    • Or find one day we ask Jesus to go away and leave us alone…
  • The man who had the demons wanted to follow Jesus…
    • Jesus would not allow him – instead tell everyone what God had done for him…
    • Jesus knew the people there needed someone to share the Good news…
    • So that when Jesus returned some time later to the Gadarenes…
    • The people would be excited to see Him – bring everyone to meet Jesus!
    • Why the change of heart – the man ‘legion’ that Jesus healed and left behind…
    • Because he would share about Jesus – the people would become hungry to receive Jesus!
    • When we first share the Gospel with someone – they just might ask us to leave…
    • But as they see the work God has done in our lives – as we continue to love them…
    • There will come a day when they are hungry to receive the Gospel of Jesus!

Don’t give up on those who are hard hearted – sometimes it takes a 2^nd time around!