This is the manuscript of the sermon at Christ Church Los Angeles, Sunday February 16, 2025.
Some of us carry burdens heavy as stones, others feel the winds of change whipping around us, and still others weather storms we thought would surely break us. Life, as we all know, isn't a calm, predictable sea. It's often a tempest, a series of waves crashing against the fragile boat of our hopes and dreams. We face trials – illness, loss, disappointment, fear – and sometimes, it feels like we're being tossed about with no land in sight. But even in the midst of the fiercest storm, there's an anchor that can hold us steady, a light that can guide us through the darkness. That anchor, that light, is faith. Today, we'll explore what it means to have faith through life's storms, how it can sustain us when the waves threaten to overwhelm us, and how it can ultimately lead us to a place of peace and strength.
Matthew 8:14-27 NIV [14] When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. [15] He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. [16] When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. [17] This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” [18] When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. [19] Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” [20] Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” [21] Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” [22] But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” [23] Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. [24] Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. [25] The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” [26] He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. [27] The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
Sermon
Let's be real today, some of us are carrying some heavy stuff – like, seriously heavy. Some of us might feel like life's throwing some curveballs, and some of us have been through storms that felt like they'd knock us flat. Life isn't exactly smooth sailing, right?.
We all go through tough times – sickness, losing people we love, disappointments, fear – and sometimes it feels like we're just getting tossed around out there with no end in sight. But even when the storm's at its worst, there's something or better yet someone, that can keep us grounded, something or better yet someone, that can show us the way through the dark. That something is faith and that someone is God, His love, His word and His promises. So today, we're going to talk about what it means to have faith in God, when life gets stormy, how it can give us hope when we feel like we're drowning, and how it can bring us to a place of peace and strength.
Text
Matthew 8:26 NIV [26] He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
In the passage that James read we see the disciples in a dire situation, facing a powerful storm. Their fear and desperation are evident, yet Jesus remains calm and unshaken. This story is a powerful reminder that even in the most tumultuous times, our faith in God can bring us peace and assurance.
Luke and Mark also write about this event which shows how important it is in demonstrating the power of Jesus. In Luke it is at 8:22-25 and in Mark it is at Mark 4:35-41.
We all face tough times. Today, I want to share how strengthening our faith can help us weather those storms. It's about finding an anchor in the midst of disappointment, worry, anxiety, and fear – an anchor that keeps us grounded. These trials, these storms, are not meant to destroy us, but to refine us, to build our resilience.
Let’s look at what happened before the storm:
Matthew 8:1-3 NIV [1] When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. [2] A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” [3] Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.
Here Jesus heals a man with leprosy, demonstrating his compassion and power over sickness and disease. Highlighting Jesus's ability to restore and cleanse.
Matthew 8:5-13 NIV [5] When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. [6] “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” [7] Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” [8] The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. [9] For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” [10] When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. [11] I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. [12] But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” [13] Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.
Here Jesus heals the servant of a Roman centurion who demonstrates great faith in Jesus's ability to heal from a distance. This emphasizes the power of faith and the reach of Jesus’ authority beyond that of Jews only.
Then Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law from a fever, showing his care for his followers.
Matthew 8:14-15 NIV [14] When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. [15] He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
Then Matthew writes.
Matthew 8:16-17 NIV [16] When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. [17] This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
Next Jesus talks about the cost of following Him
Matthew 8:18-22 NIV [18] When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. [19] Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” [20] Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” [21] Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” [22] But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Just before they set out to cross the Sea of Galilee Jesus discusses the challenges of following him. He tells a scribe that following him may mean having no place to lay his head, and he tells another potential follower that discipleship must take priority even over family obligations.
So, we see that the storm on the Sea of Galilee follows a series of events where Jesus demonstrates his authority over disease, distance, and even the expectations of those who want to follow him. Then He and His disciples get into a boat to go over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.
Now, The Sea of Galilee is known for sudden and violent storms. It is located in a depression, surrounded by hills. This makes it susceptible to strong winds that can suddenly whip down from the hillsides, creating turbulent conditions on the water.
The sea is also below sea level, which can lead to warm air rising and meeting cooler air descending from the hills. This clash of air masses can create unstable atmospheric conditions and trigger storms.
These factors combine to make the Sea of Galilee a place where storms can come up quickly and unexpectedly, posing a challenge to those who sail and travel on it. One of those storms pops up in the scripture we read this morning.
The disciples, many of whom were experienced fishermen, were terrified. So this must have been an especially violent storm. While this storm was raging and the boat was being tossed around, where was Jesus? He was Asleep!
Mark 4:38 NIV says that Jesus was asleep in the stern sleeping on a cushion. I wondered why Mark was so specific about Jesus sleeping in the stern of the ship here’s what I learned.
In ancient seafaring, the stern was where the rudder was located, it was the place from which the ship was steered. It was the area of the ship associated with control and navigation. So, the fact that Jesus was asleep in the stern, seemingly unconcerned while the storm raged, emphasizes his ultimate control even in the middle of chaos. It suggests that even when things seem out of control, he is still in charge.
The disciples panicked and woke Him up saying “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
Jesus, who is always calm even in the middle of chaos, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was completely calm.
Then he turned to his disciples, who I am sure were still shaking, with fear, and asked a simple yet profound question: “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
Let’s read the text again
Matthew 8:26 NIV [26] He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
Remember now this was after seeing all the things that happened before the storm.
This isn’t just about Jesus calming a literal storm. We can look at it as a metaphor for the storms we face in our lives. It reminds us that even when we feel like we’re drowning, even when we feel like God is absent or asleep at the wheel, He is there. He is always there.
As Psalm 23:4 reminds us, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff,2 they comfort me."
The disciples' fear wasn't just about the storm; it was about their faith. They had seen Jesus perform miracles, we just talked about some of them, they had heard his teachings, yet in the face of the storm, their faith faltered. They forgot who was in the boat with them. They forgot the promise found in Isaiah 41:10: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."3
How often does our own faith take a hit and we weaken? We face a challenge, a hardship, and we forget all the times God has been there for us before. We forget the promises He has made. We let fear take over, and our faith weakens in the storm.
So how do we strengthen our faith in the midst of a storm?
Talk to God. Share your fears, your doubts, your anger. He can handle it. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
We strengthen our faith with Scripture: Immerse yourself in God's word. Romans 15:4 tells us, "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope."
When we immerse ourselves in scripture we can find comfort and strength in the stories of those who have faced trials and tribulations and found God’s grace to be sufficient.
Here are a few examples:
Joseph read his story in Genesis 37-50. Joseph faced betrayal by his brothers, false accusations, and imprisonment. Yet, through it all, God's presence was with him. Joseph's story shows how God can work even through difficult circumstances to bring about good. Joseph rose to a position of power and was able to save his family and the surrounding nations from famine.
David (Various Psalms and 1 & 2 Samuel): David's life was filled with trials, from fleeing from King Saul to facing personal failures. The Psalms, many of which are attributed to David, are filled with cries for help, expressions of trust in God, and celebrations of God's deliverance. David's life shows us that even when we make mistakes, God's grace can still be with us.
Job (Book of Job): Job's story is a profound exploration of suffering and faith. He lost everything he had, yet he maintained his faith in God.
While we might not understand why suffering happens, Job's story reminds us that God is sovereign and that even in the midst of immense pain, we can choose to trust in Him.
Paul The Apostle Paul's life was marked by persecution, imprisonment, and physical suffering. Yet, he constantly spoke of the sufficiency of God's grace. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul describes a "thorn in the flesh" and how God's response was, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Paul's experience teaches us that God's grace empowers us to endure and even thrive in the midst of our weaknesses. Philippians 4:13 which says, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength," is another powerful statement of reliance on God's grace.
We strengthen our faith by leaning on your brothers and sisters in Christ. Sharing our burdens, supporting each other, and praying for one another.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV [24] And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, [25] not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Even in the midst of the storm, try to find things to be grateful for. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Focusing on the good can shift our perspective and remind us of God's blessings.
Faith that God is with us, even in the midst of the storm.
Faith that He will see us through.
Faith that even when the waves crash around us, we will not be overwhelmed. As Romans 8:28 assures us, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to9 his purpose."
As we navigate the storms of life, let us remember that our faith in God is our anchor. As it says in
Psalms 46:1 NIV God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
We can hold steadfast to our faith, trusting that God will see us through every storm. Learn to trust in the power of Jesus, to recognize His presence in our lives, and to nurture our faith so that it becomes strong enough to weather any storm.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we acknowledging Your power and presence in our lives. Strengthen our faith, Lord, and help us to trust in You through all of life's storms. Grant us peace, courage, and wisdom to navigate the challenges we face. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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