The disciples’ first boat ride ended with questions: “…What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him!”” (Matthew 8:27, CSB) The second boat ride ended in worship, “…Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:33, CSB) In the first storm, Jesus was their last resort. Today he was their saving grace. In other words, they responded in faith the second-go-around.
• They were able to learn from their first try;
• And though it seemed as if Jesus wasn’t with them, he really was;
• They weren’t caught in a situation because of disobedience, they were in God’s will;
• Jesus kept his promises to them;
• And they praised him in the storm.
• Meanwhile, Peter set himself apart and truly began to believe Jesus’ promise that “…Everything is possible for the one who believes.” (Mark 9:23, CSB)
We have much to learn from these men. We will have storms in life and that doesn’t mean we lack faith. These storms are opportunities for growth, for worship. They are opportunities for us to say, “God, this is tough and I feel alone, but I know you’re bigger than this storm. These winds and waves don’t get to tell me ‘No.’ I know you’ll get me through this, because I know you’ve promised. Lord, save me!”
“The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see.” Hebrews 11:1 (MSG)
Faith is the currency of the Kingdom of God. We need faith to enter the Kingdom, and indeed, every transaction requires faith. How Firm a Foundation is a series of sermons which examines tales of faith in the New Testament. These are real stories, with elements to emulate and mistakes to learn from. You will walk away with a realistic view of faith and practical principles for everyday life.
