A Storm and a Story of a Struggling Faith
Introduction
It has been on my heart in these days of meeting to preach about some of the storms that we find in God’s Word. And as we study some of these various situations in the scripture that involve storms, we’re calling our series “Storm Stories.” Specifically, we’re magnifying the concept of faith as it relates to the storms that we go through. So basically, we’re dealing with “How Faith Works in Foul Weather,” or if you prefer … “Trusting Christ in Tempestuous Conditions.”
On Sunday morning, I tried to deal with “A Storm And A Story Of A Saving Faith” from what is presumably the very first storm on record … the great flood of Noah’s day. As we studied the account of Noah and how he faced a storm that was a direct result of sin, as the clouds of condemnation rolled in on his world, he was very literally saved “by grace through faith.”
Last night, we looked at Mark chapter 4. In Mark 4:39 Jesus subdued a storm that had brought a great deal of dread and doubt into the hearts of his disciples. And in verse 40 of Mark 4, He said to them, “Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” According to the Strong’s Concordance, the word “no” is an absolute negative, which suggests that their faith was nearly non-existent as a result of the storm that they had just encountered. So last night, we dealt with “A Storm And A Story Of A Scarce Faith.”
Tonight, as our Bibles are open to Mark 6:35-41, I want to try deal with “A Storm And A Story Of A Struggling Faith.” While Mark doesn’t record it, Matthew tells us in his account of this situation that this was the storm in which Peter was invited to walk on the water towards the Lord Jesus. But Matthew 14:30 says, “When he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” Then in verse 31, “Immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” The word “little” means that his faith was lacking confidence. His faith had something to be desired. He had a struggling faith. Because of what we’re going to see in this account of God’s Word and because of what the disciples had faced that night, I think it could be said of all of them that they had a struggling faith.
And let’s be honest, when we face the disturbances in life that we would call “storms,” we’re all subject to struggle in our faith. The storms of life bring restlessness and anxiety and worry and often a great sense of helplessness.
The night of September 5, 1996, in some ways was one of the most restless nights of my life. I’m not just being facetious when I say that it was a dark and stormy night. At that time, we were living about 30 miles south of the Raleigh – Durham area in the central part of North Carolina. At midnight, Hurricane Fran made landfall on the North Carolina coast as a category three hurricane. When it finally reached the Raleigh – Durham area, there were still sustained winds of 40 mph with peak gusts of nearly 70 mph. When it was all said and done, Hurricane Fran had dumped about 9 inches of rain in our area. It had caused approximately 1 ¼ billion dollars in property damage in North Carolina alone. And it was ultimately responsible for 34 deaths.
Angie and I lived with our two small children in a 50-year-old house that was surrounded by huge trees. That night it sounded like we lived next to a war zone. The wind whistled through in every direction like locomotives, as broken tree branches crashed against the house all night. Torrential rains beat against those old windows in nearly horizontal sheets. And all we could do was wait for it to end. It was a long, scary night.
Our text tonight shows Jesus’ disciples going through a storm. I think for them, it must have been a long, scary night. It must have been quite a storm because for a period of about 9 to 12 hours these men, some of whom were seasoned fishermen, were caught in the grasp of this storm in the middle of the Sea of Galilee unable to make any progress. The Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary says, “By this time, therefore, they must have been in a state of exhaustion and despondency bordering on despair.” Some of you, because of your own storm, can relate to that tonight.
How did Jesus respond to their storm? He came to them, and “He talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid” (Mark 6:50). In essence, His message was, “Because I am here, you can be cheerful, not fearful.”
Just before we get into our study of God’s Word, let’s pause and ask the Lord to speak that word of encouragement to many who are going through storms here tonight. (PRAY)
As we consider this storm story in Mark chapter 6 …
I. Let’s Notice The Contrary Circumstances
A. We Know That This Situation Was Contrary Because Of The Direction Involved
1. There Is An Emotional Struggle Involved In This Direction
(Mark 6:45) And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
The Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary says, “The word ‘constrained’ [eenangkasen (NT:315)] implies reluctance on their part, perhaps from unwillingness to part with their Master and embark at night, leaving Him alone on the mountain.”
2. There Is An Evident Separation Involved In This Direction
(Mark 6:46-47) And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. {47} And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. (Notice the contrast of locations in verse 47.)
Though we have the express word and commandment of Christ, yet when the things commanded are contrary to our reason and will, we draw back, and are loath to obey Christ’s will.
(G. Petter from The Biblical Illustrator)
B. We Know That This Situation Was Contrary Because Of The Difficulty Involved
1. In This Verse There Is A Word That Reminds Us Of The Difficulty Of Our Labor
(Mark 6:48) And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
C.S. Robinson wrote, “This word ‘toiling’ is quite inadequate to express the full force of the term. One of the oldest of English versions has it, ‘harassing themselves.’ Tyndale renders it, ‘troubled.’ Alford suggests (the word), ‘distressed.’
(From The Biblical Illustrator)
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says this word “toiling” means “properly, to test (metals) by the touchstone.”
touch·stone – n. (1) A hard black stone, such as jasper or basalt, formerly used to test the quality of gold or silver by comparing the streak left on the stone by one of these metals with that of a standard alloy.
(2) An excellent quality or example that is used to test the excellence or genuineness of others.
They were trying to do exactly what Jesus had told them to, but they were experiencing difficulty. The labor of rowing was revealing what they were made of.
2. In This Verse There Is A Wind That Reminds Us Of The Difficulty Of Our Lives
(Mark 6:48) And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
The word “contrary” here means opposite, antagonistic, or against. This unseen element was working against them.
In John 3:8 Jesus said, “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” Jesus said the new birth is like the wind; you can’t figure it out. Isn’t that how life is, especially when the wind is contrary?
C. We Know That This Situation Was Contrary Because Of The Duration Involved
1. We Notice The Approaching Darkness Of The Situation
(Mark 6:47) And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
A.T. Robertson says of this phrase, “when even was come,” that it was “late evening,” around “6 p.m.,” or from “sunset on.”
(John 6:17) And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
2. We Notice The Apparent Delay Of The Savior
(Mark 6:48) And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
The Jews, who used to divide the night into three watches, later adopted the Roman division into four watches, as here. So that … the fourth watch, reckoning from 6:00 p.m., would be three o’clock in the morning. “So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs” (John 6:19) – rather more than halfway across. The lake is about seven miles broad at its widest part, so that in eight or nine hours they had only made some three and a half miles. By this time, therefore, they must have been in a state of exhaustion and despondency bordering on despair. (JFB Commentary)
Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament agrees that the fourth watch was “between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.”
Truly, their darkest hour must have been just before the dawn when the Son rose and came to their aid.
Sometimes we feel like crying out with the Psalmist David… (Psalms 13:1) How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? For ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
We often want the Lord to work on a different timetable – our timetable. But if He waits three days to come to Bethany, or if He waits nine hours to show up in our storm, He’ll be right on time!
II. Let’s Notice The Capsized Confidence
Their boat didn’t turn over in the storm, but their faith did.
A. There Was A Fearful Faith
1. There Is Fear In Their Supposing
(Mark 6:49) But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
spirit – Greek 5326. phantasma, fan'-tas-mah; from G5324; (prop. concr.) a (mere) show ("phantasm"), i.e. spectre.
(Mark 6:50) For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
The word “troubled” means to stir or agitate, like churning water. Because they thought they were seeing a ghost, what was going on in their spirits reflected what was going on in the stormy sea. It was like churning water.
2. There Is Fear In Their Screaming
(Mark 6:49) But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
cried – Greek 349. anakrazo, an-ak-rad'-zo; from G303 and G2896; to scream up (aloud):--cry out.
B. There Was A Failing Faith
Matthew’s account in Matthew 14 records something that neither Mark nor John have in their accounts, and that is when Simon Peter walked on the water. Turn to Matthew 14:27.
1. We Note That Peter Was Distressed Because Of What He Saw
(Matthew 14:30) But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
He focused on circumstances instead of Christ.
2. We Note That Peter Was Doubtful And Thus He Began To Sink
(Matthew 14:30) But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
(Matthew 14:31) And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
When Jesus mentioned Peter’s doubt and the failure of his faith, He may have been referring to Peter’s not believing it was actually Him in verse 28…
(Matthew 14:28) And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
Or He is referring to the doubt exhibited as he walked on the water. In either case, there was a failure of faith.
C. There Was A Forgetful Faith
(Mark 6:52) For they considered not the miracle of the loaves...
1. They Had Taken This Miracle For Granted In Spite Of Its Reach
(Mark 6:44) And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.
2. They Had Taken This Miracle For Granted In Spite Of Its Recentness
(Mark 6:45) And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
The miracle of the loaves had taken place just prior to this.
(Mark 6:52) For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.
This word “hardened” is the Greek word poroo (po-ro’-o) [NT:4456]; apparently from poros (a kind of stone); it means to petrify, i.e. (figuratively) to indurate (which means to render stupid or callous).
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says that this word means “to grow hard or callous, become dull, lose the power of understanding.” In the KJV the word is translated as “blinded” or “hardened.”
PREACHING NOW
Vol. 4, No. 34 - October 11, 2005
Joe McKeever is a cartoonist and frequent contributor to Preaching. His website (www.joemckeever.com) is a great place to keep up with what is happening in New Orleans, particularly among many of the churches. (Joe is Director of the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans.) In a recent entry, Joe talked about visiting one church where the hurricane and resulting flooding literally tore the bricks off the church structure.
“How can a storm tear the bricks away from a church like that?” I asked Ed and Freddie, both of them builders. “Look here,” one of them said. A quick inspection showed that the workers who constructed St. Bernard Church had not tied the masonry to the wood structure of the building. The metal ties were there, but it was a rare one that was fixed into the masonry. I said, “How can you be sure the workers are tying your brick and your house together?” They both answered, “Be there and watch it done. Or know your contractor.”
“For years that little church has sat there looking strong. As sturdy as a brick house, we might say. Paul Gregoire, admissions director for our seminary, has been pastor of that church longer than any other minister in our association. When the storm came, it revealed a weakness in the construction no one had ever noticed. There’s a sermon there. Life’s storms do not cause the weaknesses; they reveal them. That’s why in the good times, when we’re well and the children are behaving and the bills are paid, this is the time to make sure of the solid construction of our lives, our faith, our relationship with the Lord. Because sooner or later, the storm is coming.”
III. Let’s Notice The Comforting Christ
A. There Is Comfort In His Watching
1. The Bible Gives Us The Mention Of How He Sees Us
(Mark 6:48) And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
saw – Greek 1492. eido, meaning to see and by implication to know: --be aware, behold, consider, (have) known (-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, understand, wist, wot.
The fact that “He saw them” tells us not only that He could see and perceive, but also that He could know and understand.
2. The Bible Gives Us The Measure Of How He Sees Us
(Mark 6:47) And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
(John 6:19) So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
(1 furlong = 1/8 mile / 25 furlongs = 3.125 miles / 30 furlongs = 3.75 miles)
Again, according to the Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, “The lake is about seven miles broad at its widest part, so ... they had only made some three and a half miles. However Jesus could see that far! We can’t get far enough away from Him to where He cannot see us and know what we’re going through.
B. There Is Comfort In His Walking
1. Because Of His Approach
(Mark 6:48) And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
(John 6:19) So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
2. Because Of His Authority
(Mark 6:48) And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
The waves may be over our heads, but they’re under His feet.
walking – Greek 4043. peripateo, per-ee-pat-eh'-o; from G4012 and G3961; to tread all around, i.e. walk at large (especially as proof of ability). He was just taking a casual stroll on top of the stormy waves just to show them that He could.
C. There Is Comfort In His Words
Do we need a wonder or do we need a word? It’s not always the visible that helps us, but it’s the verbal – the Word of God.
We don’t need a miracle from God as much as we need a message from God.
1. There Is A Tender Element In His Words
(Mark 6:50) For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
talked – Greek NT:2980, means to speak, converse, with one.
(From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
The phrase “be of good cheer” comes from a single Greek term tharseo, which means to have courage. The word is also translated “be of good comfort.”
When I was in Bible college, our missions instructor would sometimes begin the class by singing a little chorus that expresses very well what the Lord Jesus was saying to His disciples. The chorus says...
Cheer up ye saints of God, There’s nothing to worry about;
Nothing to make you feel afraid, Nothing to make you doubt;
Remember Jesus loves you; So why not trust Him and shout,
You’ll be sorry you worried at all, tomorrow morning.
2. There Is A Transforming Element In His Words
A word from the Lord affected...
a. The Worship
(Matthew 14:33) Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
b. The Wind
(Mark 6:51) And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.
c. The Waiting
(John 6:20-21) But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. {21} Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
The received word of God makes the time pass a whole lot faster.
Furthermore, the Bible says they started out going simply “unto Bethsaida” (Mark 6:45), which means a fishing house; but they arrived in “the land of Gennesaret” (Mark 6:53), which means a garden of riches. It was the same destination, but after a word from the Lord, it seemed like a better place.
Conclusion
Back in 1928, far out in the great Pacific Ocean, several hundred miles off the coast of Oregon, a little ship, the Helen B. Sterling, was fighting for life in a terrible storm. Waves mountain high were sweeping over her. Water was pouring into her hold, and it seemed impossible to keep the vessel afloat much longer.
Going to his radio cabin, the captain sent out his call for help. Perhaps it would be heard by someone. There was but little hope, for the ship was hundreds of miles from land, and for all the captain knew, there might be no other ship near enough to hear the call.
The storm grew worse, and the brave sailors realized that the end was near. Again the cry was sent forth, “Help!”
Many miles away the Australian battleship Melbourne was steaming toward home. Suddenly through the air came the despairing cry of the Helen B. Sterling. Immediately the great battleship changed her course and at full speed steamed toward the sinking vessel.
Hours passed. Meanwhile the Sterling, battered by the mighty waves, was rapidly settling down. Would the Melbourne reach her in time? It seemed impossible.
Going to the radio cabin again, the captain sent out this message:
“Can’t last another hour. Waterlogged. Sea sweeping right over us. Clearing boats, but impossible to live in this sea. Farewell!”
Then, back from the captain of the Melbourne came this stirring and beautiful message:
“We are certain to reach you. Keep good heart!”
The captain of the Melbourne kept his word. Just before the Sterling sank, the great battleship drew alongside, and by gallant efforts, transferred the crew of the wrecked vessel across the boiling sea to safety.
You may feel like you are sinking in the storm tonight. But can I just remind some desperate heart that Jesus can come to where you are. He is certain to reach you so “Keep good heart!” “Be of good cheer. It is He. Be not afraid!”