Sermon Tone Analysis

Presented by OrLando Yarborough III

Purpose of This Presentation:

· (Life vs Your Best Life.)

· Following Christ does not eliminate the storms of life.

· Life has storms.

That’s life (in this fallen world).

· Yet, the question is how can you live your best life in the midst of it all?

even in the midst of a storm?

· Opening passage: Matthew 14:20-36 (NKJV)

(LET’S PRAY)

Following Jesus

· Jesus has a reputation of making the most compelling arguments to follow Him.

To give two examples, Jesus will speak to your...

· Purpose.

Matthew 4:19 (NKJV)

· Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

· Fulfillment.

Matthew 19:21 (NKJV)

· Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

· Sometimes it’s difficult to choose Jesus Christ.

But sometimes it’s rather easy.

“Choose Jesus to have life and it more abundantly.

Sounds good.”

(John 10:10)

· Some of us today are here—where we are in life—because we chose to follow Jesus (…and we keep choosing to follow Jesus).

· Q: How many of you can remember a time in life when you chose Jesus and, in doing so, entered a new adventure?

· Chose Jesus and entered school, began work...moved to another city, another state, another country?

· Chose Jesus and focused your major in a different direction, focused your career in a different direction, focused your relationships in a different direction.

· You stepped out and followed Jesus (...maybe beginning to feel more fulfilled but have entered an unfamiliar territory of life).

Matthew 14:20-22 (NKJV)

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· In our text

· The disciples are following Jesus.

· Jesus performs an astonishing yet needed miracle to feed the multitude who followed Him.

And Jesus engages His disciples in the process of this miraculous provision.

· Jesus sends the disciples away in a boat, seemingly ahead of Jesus, to their next destination.

· There can be many configurations to get to “the other side.”

· Why this path?

...

· Accept that Jesus is routinely trying to get the disciples to trust Him/actively build their faith in Him.

(And Jesus does the same for us.)

...To trust the person (divine intent and agenda), purpose (divine calling), and power (divine ability) of Jesus.

Q: Could it be that God is focused on building your faith in Him?

Faith that saves you.

· Ephesians 2:8 (NKJV)

· For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God,

Faith that moves mountains.

· Matthew 17:20 (NKJV)

· So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Faith that pleases God.

· Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

· But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him,] for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

· God’s agenda is not always your/our agenda.

But when we embrace God’s agenda, then life and it more abundantly can open up, perhaps, in ways you/we can't truly imagine.

Matthew 14:23-24 (NKJV)

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· Matthew 14:24 (CSB) Meanwhile, the boat was already some distance from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them.

Here's The Scene:

· Jesus is having alone time with God...is away by Himself and in prayer.

· (Meanwhile) The disciples are in their/the boat (that Jesus put them in) in the middle of the sea, in a storm.

· Sea—half way between their starting point and their destination.

· I tell you, God is so strategic:

· If I had known early on about some trouble I had experienced, I would have never taken the trip.

Had I known…I would have chosen a different path forward.

· The disciples, too.

Well, how do you know that preacher?

Several times the disciples made comments and decisions to avoid the danger Jesus led them into.

Most notable was Jesus’s crucifixion--for example, Peter lied and cursed to dissociate with Jesus at all cost during the violent trial and crucifixion of Jesus.

· In our text, we see how...

· Following Christ’s direction can get you way out ahead, far along, into the thick of things.

But don’t sweat—we serve a mighty God.

· Middle of the sea—too far in the journey to turn back.

Seemingly, too far away from the destination to be unconcerned/nonchalant with the present trouble.

· Storm—to a boat the wind can be nearly everything.

(To have the wind at your back is to make good progress--to progress faster than you otherwise would.)

To have the wind against you is to have a direct assault on your progress.

· How in the midst of a storm can you live your best life?

· How can you live your best life when...

· The winds are contrary to your progress?

· Your friends who are supposed to propel you are against you?

· Your family hasn't helped as much as you thought they would?

· Your professors and employers have interests that work against you?

· Your body is not as healthy as you need it to be?

· Your environment is not as supportive as you hoped it would be.

How in the midst of a storm can you live your best life?

The life afforded to you in Jesus Christ?

Matthew 14:25 (NKJV)

· ----

· Matthew 14:25 (CSB) Jesus came toward them walking on the sea very early in the morning.

· In the midst of this uphill battle, Jesus shows up on the horizon.

· Back home we would say:

· “He may not come when you want Him but He’ll be there right on time.”

· Psalm 30:5 (NKJV)

· For His anger [is but for] a moment, His favor [is for] life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy [comes] in the morning.

· In the text, there are a few things I want to pull out for you quickly (and then we'll close):

· -----

· While urgent, the wind is often not the main focus of our learning.

But listen here to what is the main focus:

· Jesus is present.

Can you see Him?

Jesus.

Immanuel "God with us (Matthew 1:23)"....by way of:

God's Holy Spirit.

John 14:16-17 (NKJV) 16 “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- 17 “the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

God's people.