Faith Matters

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My Story
Have you every attempted to cheat on a test? I have.
In Mrs. Gruss’s first grade class, me and about eight other students were getting ready to take a comprehension test.
In this comprehension test, all of us students were listening to a narrator through earphones. The way the test worked was that we will listen to the recording, then guided by the narrator, we would answer the questions on a piece of paper. Following the test, the narrator would give us the correct answers, then we would mark our papers and turn them in to the teacher.
I had a brilliant idea: don’t answer the questions until the narrator gave me the answers. Well, it didn’t work. The teacher was watching me cheat.
Many of us are like my 6 year-old self. We want the right answers, but not the tests. We want to avoid the tests.
We are reminded, through the Scripture, that we are to:
James 1:2-
James 1:2–4 ESV
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
It seems like we are all going through a test right now.
Coronavirus.
Sickness or fear of getting sick.
Routine upended—life as we knew it has changed.
Jobs and the economy are under significant threat.
Restrictions on social gatherings—even the church (our safe haven) has been affected.
Discouragement, exhaustion, even depression.
In other words, our faith is being tested.
The big challenge going through this test is that everyone is going through it right now. We are all in the same boat. And, when we are all facing similar tests, we can become more discouraged—and even discouraging.
That is just what happened to the disciples two thousand years ago.
Matthew 8:23–25 ESV
23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.”
Matthew 8:
Matthew 8:23 ESV
23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.
Matthew 8:23-
I am using this story in God’s Word because God’s Word serves as a compass as we navigate through life—including the difficult times of testing.
I think we can learn important lessons about fear, faith, and the power of God—especially useful during this time in our lives.
What can we learn in this story? How can this story of Jesus shape our lives—especially as we go through difficult and challenging times?
First lesson:

Don’t Worry—Jesus is with You.

Matthew 8:23 ESV
23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.
An essential observation of this story is that Jesus was WITH his disciples.
Matt
With speaks of relationship—of friendship—of family.
Jesus goes into the boat first—His disciples follow.
With speaks of following the leading of Jesus.
We are not merely wandering aimlessly around—making it up as we go. There is something special, important in following and being with Jesus.
John 14:6 ESV
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Jesus is the trailblazer, the helmsman, the pilot, the captain. He does not just tell us where we need to go in life—he is with us—in our heart.
In other words, “with” speaks of the truth that as a follower of Christ, I am not alone.
One of the most terrifying experiences is facing a problem all by yourself. But, you are not by yourself if Jesus is with you in your life.
So, let me ask you a question! Is Jesus in your boat? Are you willing to follow Jesus? Are you willing to trust Him? I am not merely talking about believing that He exists—or even that you believe that Jesus is a savior. I am asking specifically this: is Jesus your savior? Do you sincerely, deep within your being, believe and trust that He took the penalty of your sin (which is death) and paid for it with His own life? Do you believe that He rose from the dead—defeating hell and death?
Result!
Don’t worry! Jesus is with you!
Second Lesson

Don’t Worry—Storms are normal.

Matthew 8:24–25 ESV
24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.”
Illustration: Sailing a boat on a lake in Illinois. The suddenness of the storm. The stress as the boat heeled over.
Matt 8:24
Storms can be scary. Anything in live that seems unpredictable and potentially harmful is scary.
But storms are common things. It is normal to experience storms.
It is normal to experience difficulties in life. What makes are present problem seem more challenging, is that it is a shared problem—all of us our experiencing the unpredictability and potentially harmful affects of the pandemic.
What should our response be to the storm?
Look for the opportunity to demonstrate God’s love.
Demonstrate a grateful and thankful heart that God is with you.
Worship God.
Third lesson:

Don’t Worry—Adversity is subject to God’s authority.

Matt 8:26-27
Matthew 8:26–27 ESV
26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
It is interesting that Jesus was taking a nap during the storm. He knew that the storm was subject to His authority.
First, Jesus speaks to His disciples.
He asks a question: “Why are you afraid?” Fear is an indication that we have more concern over the problem than we have confidence in the solution. Storms can be big—but our God is bigger.
Then He makes a statement: “O you of little faith.” It is not that they had no faith—but that their faith of ineffective, defective, and deficient.
The issue was very clear—Jesus was calling His disciples to a clearer understanding of who He is.
Second, Jesus speaks to the storm.
Jesus is able to command even the forces of nature—showing His sovereign control over the natural world.
Jesus still speaks to storms. The wind and the wave still knows His name.
Who are you following? Are you following fear? Or, are you following Jesus?
Is your faith effective? How can we have effective faith?
Faith is built by Biblical intake.
Romans 10:17 ESV
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Faith is built by Biblical action.
James 1:22 ESV
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Faith is built by Encouragement.
Hebrews 3:13 NIV
13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:
Faith is built through prayer.
Faith is built through worship.
Conclusion
In days like we live in presently, we need to remind ourselves that our relationship with God needs our full attention.
Joy, peace, and hope comes as we remember that Jesus is with us.
In an interesting way, joy, peace, and hope comes as we remember that storms or normal.
And, how can we experience joy, peace, and hope? Remember, adversity is subject to God’s authority.
Jesus led His disciples into the storm.
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