"CLINGING TO HOPE IN THE STORM: “Don’t wait to call on Jesus."- 4-25-21
INTRODUCTION
What are you clinging on to in the midst of the storm?
“A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 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?”
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”
Mark 4:37-39 NIV
I. THE DISCIPLES WENT TO JESUS AS A LAST RESORT
A. The storm was upon them
B. The disciples waited until the boat was about to sink.
C. Jesus took care of their problem immediately.
II. WHY DO WE WAIT?
“When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.”
Psalms 32:3-4 NIV
A. Pride - I don’t need help like everyone else.
1. Lack of humility
During the Battle of the Wilderness in the Civil War, Union general John Sedgwick was inspecting his troops. At one point he came to a parapet, over which he gazed out in the direction of the enemy. His officers suggested that this was unwise and perhaps he ought to duck while passing the parapet. "Nonsense," snapped the general. "They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist--." A moment later Sedgwick fell to the ground, fatally wounded.
Today in the Word, August 30, 1993
B. Self-assurance - I don’t need any help.
1. Think too highly of ourselves
John Flavel has said, "They that know God will be humble, and they that know themselves cannot be proud."
quoted in MBI's Today In The Word, November, 1989, p.20
C. Embarrassment - I don’t want anyone to know.
III. DON’T WAIT TO CALL ON JESUS
A. Jesus is always present.
B. Jesus is always prepared.
"He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”
Mark 4:39 NIV
“Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”
Psalms 32:6-7 NIV
CHALLENGE
Don’t wait until your ship is sinking to call out to Jesus.
Take this opportunity right now to call out to Jesus for help. Lay aside your personal attempt to "right your ship." Humble yourself before the Lord.
INVITATION
It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word. You may want to follow Jesus. You may want to proclaim your faith. You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things). Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church. If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I would be honored to speak with you in the upper parking lot following the service about what God is doing in your life.
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