Finding Rest In The Storm
07 FEBRUARY 2021 | TRADITIONAL SERVICE
Rev David Ho
Scripture Passage: Mark 4:35-41 (NIV)
WATCH | SERMON (VIDEO)
READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary | To find rest in the storm, we need to see a bigger God, exercise a bigger faith and align to a bigger purpose.
In the Covid-19 crisis, are you weathering a storm? Does God care? The boat trip in the text was commanded by Jesus. Yet, here was this life-threatening storm. Note the disciples’ accusatory tone “do you not care that we are perishing?” In life, we do encounter storms in the course of doing God’s work. It is a mystery of the Cross. However, the real issue is how we respond to the storm. Here are 3 spiritual postures that will help us find rest and grow deep amidst the storms of life:
- See a bigger God. v41- Who is this, even the wind and the waves obey him! Witness the progressive revelation of Jesus as God.
- Exercise a bigger Faith. v40- Why are you so afraid, do you still have no faith? Without faith, one cannot please God and becomes a spiritual bankrupt. Faith is not automatic. It must be exercised by standing on God’s promises, trusting in a sovereign God. Jesus’ Gethsemane example was praying God’s will, trusting completely, confronting the storm of the Cross, a Saviour who saves through and beyond pain and death.
- Align to a bigger Purpose. v35- Let us cross over to the other side. This was Gentile territory. Jesus calls us to leave our puny, fragile self-made boats to get into His unsinkable boat. By alignment, His power has, and will vanquish the hostile forces of Satan.
KC’s testimony: once engaged with occultic practices , he encountered Jesus, saw a bigger God, and renounced the inner sinister presence. He later had cancer and was given a few months to live. He never lost faith and received a medically miraculous healing. It recurred a few times before the current remission and he testified that because of his close walk and sustained confidence in God, he inexplicably felt deep inner peace, echoing the life and work of Charles Albert Tindley, the great Minister and hymnist who overcame slavery and illiteracy because he knew a God who stood by him. In the midst our pain and suffering, God is ever near and can use it for a purpose beyond our understanding. Peace and rest is not defined by the absence of problems but the presence of Jesus.
(Sermon notes by Kwun Pillai)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. How can the storms of life help us to see God more clearly? Share a storm or an incident that you've been through that led you to see God in a bigger (or more personal/intimate) way?
2. Why were the responses of Jesus and the disciples so different? In what areas of your life are you tempted to respond with fear rather than faith?
3. Why did Jesus rebuke the disciples in verse 40, for their unbelief or ‘have no faith’ - what did He hope they knew or could learn from the experience?
4. Share a time when you encountered a storm in your life that caused you to question whether God is “sleeping.” What lessons did you learn from it?
5. How does aligning your life priorities and goals to God’s bigger purpose (i.e. to extend His unstoppable and unbreakable Kingdom) help you to find rest in the storm?
6. When facing a storm, is it easy or difficult for you to turn to God (i.e. step into/stay on the boat with Jesus) - what helps or hinders? What are 1 or 2 things that you would do differently to find rest in God during the storms?
7. Jesus said to the storm “Peace! Be still!” and the storm was stilled (v. 39, ESV). What is an area of your life that you need Jesus to speak life and peace into? Spend time sharing and praying for one another.