Jesus in the Midst of the Storm

What is fear here is a destructive force that plagues us every time went down see it as a demon that harasses us and oppresses us in difficult times.

Fear is that spirit that has no I thought that overruns my beloved listen. The problem with all of us is the problem with all of us is the same as problem was with the disciples, they expected Jesus and the blessings they expected Jesus and the medicals they expected Jesus and the successes. But they did not expect him in the middle of the store. Welcome to leading the way with pastor and International Bible teacher, Dr. Michael, I think we can all relate to navigating life storms coded 19 offered a new perspective on how the disciples felt when that storm came up on the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus was seemingly absent on the mountainside praying today a look at what you can learn from this fear filled event that the disciples experienced, and how in the midst of the storms in your life.

Jesus is with you. Let's all listen as Dr. Michael USF begins one of the greatest challenge all of us to me.

You do all believers is to be able to recognize Jesus in the middle of the school. The one thing I think that stumps just about all of us is that capacity to be able to recognize the Lord Jesus in the midst of perplexing times recognizing Jesus in the midst of the storms of life is neither unique to us more.

Is it just for us. It's not new. This was a problem, even of the disciples. They walk toward Jesus. They talk with Jesus, but Jesus this was a problem for them in Matthew chapter 14 particular verses 24 and 25 that we are told that Jesus came to the disciples in the middle of the storm and he was walking on the water and they thought he was a ghost. Now let me ask you please don't let your familiarity with this passage. Rob you of the new insight that God has for us in this day for this time in this hour I'm going to give you a perspective on this particular incident that took place on the lake of Galilee. But let me give you first the background. The background is this Jesus had just become very popular with the crowd. Jesus's fame was riding high. Jesus had just fed thousands upon thousands of people with only few loaves and fishes. Jesus had become so popular with the crowd that the religious leaders began to see him as a threat. Always the case.

So persecution began in earnest. Right in the middle of popularity.

King heard beheaded John the Baptist for a belly dancer and when Jesus heard of John the Baptist death. He went away to be alone with his father, presumably to brief over the death of John the Baptist. Why because Jesus love John the Baptist, Jesus and John the Baptist were first cousins Jesus and John the Baptist were childhood companions companions and Jesus was grieving over John the Baptist death and it was at this precise moment that Jesus told his disciples about and meet me on the other side of the Lake of Galilee. So the disciples on the clear direct command from the master they get in the boat go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

I wanted to listen to me very carefully please him right on this one. You and I may face unexpected storm and I say unexpected because when the disciples got on the boat. The water probably was like glass. There was not a sign of window is not a sign of a storm anywhere around. It was totally unexpected, but they went in obedience to the master another disciples lived the Jesus they ate with Jesus.

They knew Jesus intimately heard his heartbeat. They walked with him, but in the middle of the storm that failed to recognize him. They failed to recognize we was the same with us. It is easy to sense the presence of God in the church. It is easy to sense the presence of God in prayer and praise. It is easy to sense the presence of God and answered prayers. It is easy to sense the presence of God when you are serving him and ministering in his power is easy. Here's the question what happens when you at night alone the recognize Jesus and the disciples didn't. But you know what before you start blaming them.

The patient before you start blaming them. We 2000 years later do exactly the same thing every one of us why that was so wrapped up when the moment the struggle they were so The pulsing of the way and felt the threat of death. They were listening to the howling winds that were looking at the fund on the lightning in the sky. They were there were literally squinting through the pelting rain and then when they saw Jesus, he thought he was a ghost here this incident in Matthew 14. The disciples were about to learn, probably the toughest lesson possibly the hardest and yet the greatest lesson. They knew that Jesus could meet the needs they knew that they saw him feed the multitudes that they saw him paying taxes with money out of the mouth of a fish they saw him heal the sick, they saw him exercise power over the devil they saw him, and then heard him speak the words of life path they have never learned to recognize him in the middle of the storm. What about you again just don't when the disciples because for a long time we have been taking from God's hand and then would take some more and recheck some more more more and then would take some more more more and more. But when the storm hits. We can see him we don't recognize him recheck forgiveness for our sins.

We take up provisions for our needs and even out once we take blessings after blessings from his hand without multiplying all the investments we take safety and with tech security.

We take love and protect ministry from his hand. But then when things fall apart we find it difficult to recognize Jesus we think is a ghost I wanted to look with me very carefully versus 2526 and 27 of Matthew 14 and in the fourth watch of the night Jesus came to them walking on the sea, but when I disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified saying it's a ghost and they cried in fear, but immediately he spoke to them saying that cart it's I fear not, what is fear.

Fear is a destructive force that plagues us every time. Went down fear is that spiritual force that can actually destroy us if we welcome it and if we hosted in our lives. Fear is that demon that harasses us and oppresses us in difficult times. Fear is that spirit of Satan that he unleashes upon us that plagues us when were down and discouraged fear is that talking enemy that has no power over us fear is that spirit that has no authority over us, my beloved, listen the problem with all of us is believing. I say all of us. The problem with all of us is the same as problem was with the disciples, they expected Jesus and the blessings they expected Jesus and the medicals they expected Jesus and the successes they expected Jesus in the abundance they expected Jesus and the happy times that expected Jesus and the good times but they did not expect him in the middle of the storm all deep down most people wish that he would be there. Deep down, people ask where are you deep down we wonder what happened to him. Deep down we are asking asking ask, but we don't seem to recognize for the disciples to see the storm was just an act of nature to the disciples. The storm was just an unexpected disaster to the disciples.

The storm was Justin accident of fate to the disciples.

The storm was just a fearful and lonely time for the disciples. The storm was Charles day and the nightmare that needed to be forgotten and to be got over very quickly so we can get back to real life.

But is the truth. Storms a part of life storms are to be expected, but the question is can you recognize Jesus in the midst of the storm. Why is it important to recognize Jesus in the middle of the storm was it so important.

I heard preacher said it's okay to express your doubt it's okay to have valid alcohol who would want to understand that it's okay to confess your doubt the Lord is not good to live in your doubt is not of God, and that is why I'm preaching this message today.

Listen carefully. The reason why it's so important to recognize Jesus in the midst of the storm because in God there is no fear in himself. There is no fear in God sake, why, why God has no fear him and explain to you why God has no fear because God knows a pastor present in the future.

God has no fear because he controls the past, the present and the future. The reason God has no fear in himself is because the future is like the past, so he has no fear in him whatsoever, and so should his children, his children need not fear because God has no fear in himself, you know most of my sermons have several points today. I have just one not pray to God that he threw the part of his Holy Spirit to imprinted upon our hearts, our minds and our hearts is not a message that you hear at once.

It's a message that you need to hear all the time.

If you forget everything I said already. I don't want you to forget what I'm going to tell you I have one point in the point is this, be sure to know the difference between ghosts and God. Be sure to know the difference between ghosts and God. If you are unable to distinguish between ghosts and God need to ask the Lord to show you the difference when the storm came upon the disciples.

It came suddenly it came quickly. It came unexpectedly. They did not give a thought to the fact that Jesus was watching them on top of the mountain looking down and seeing them. They did not give a thought to the fact that Jesus always always always near. They did not give a thought. They probably actually thought the ghost was Satan is coming to destroy them. They probably question Jesus's command them to go to the other side did we hear him right is that really true, you think that's we went the right way. I wonder if he's angry with us. Probably they thought that the Lord Jesus Christ did not tell them that at all but probably ask why. Why is this happening to us when we have given everything to follow him. Why is it happening to me why why they probably thought that where is Jesus when they need them the most is that where is Jesus when it hurts so much. Please hear me right when you are in the midst of the storm.

It is easy to mistake Jesus for a ghost. It is easy. Ghosts are imaginary ghosts are unreal ghosts in our lives of those wild imaginations that make all storms to be greater than they really are ghosts in our lives.

Other than getting carried away with wild thinking and and vivid imagination ghosts in our lives. Other distorted reality that makes the storms of life to be far bigger than they really are the one ghost in our lives. Most often, the Texas is a ghost of doubt that is doubting the promises of God.

Think about it is think about affirming Vic with me in terms of this incident.

Not one of the disciples said that when amended guys a way to manage relevant equipment. Jesus said to meet him on the other side. Not one of them said that what is happening here. I believe the Lord was teaching them and I believe with all my heart. The Lord is teaching us this day to trust him in the middle of the storm of life to recognize him in the middle of the thunder and lightning of life to see him in the middle of pelting rain to believing his promises in the middle of anger and frustration wanted to notice one thing here it says Jesus came in the fourth watch of the night know that is no the fourth watch is the fourth watch is just before dawn. It's the worst possible time. It's a time when all hope begins to fade. At that time Jesus comes. Why because Jesus knew that all in the most desperate hour that his children are ready to go and to trust him because Jesus knew that until the full fury of the storm is engulfing them that were not ready recognize him because Jesus knew that only when they had reached the limit of their endurance will they be ready to invite him into the ship is not what happening with us. We think we can do things God can move when we think we can do things he waits until we declare bankruptcy consent were no strength of all we have no brilliance about all we have no intelligence about all we have no ability about all know the Lord Jesus at Depaul.

It is when you are weak that you are strong, so those who love the Lord Jesus must learn to recognize him in the middle of the storm.

Those who love Jesus must learn to distinguish between ghosts and God knows so fear not of God. Ghosts of doubt, not of God. Ghost of anxiety not of God. Ghost of denial of reality, not of God. Ghost of indifference not of God.

Ghosts of unbelief not of God, not of God.

But you know what I believe I have another word from the Lord to those of you who turn to him only in times of trouble and then you ignore him in the times of calm I have a word from the Lord for those who seek him only when the desperate and then they forget all about him and the good times.

I have a word from the Lord.

Listen carefully, God will answer your prayers.

God will come to your aid, God willing.

Doubt you with this piece.

Why, because God wants you to see his love and his mercy and his grace because God wants his love, his mercy and his grace and his answer to prayers to take place because he wants a permanent relationship with you. Not only the times of trouble.

God answers your prayer in the prayers of those who only remember him in times of trouble.

Not because he doesn't know the heart not because he does not know what you going to do next. Know but because he wants his mercy and grace to woo you to himself.

And if you keep coming to God.

Only in the times of trouble and then you run away from him in the good times listen to me very carefully. My friend, if you only put your trust in him and the difficult times, but in the good times is not the king of your life. Listen carefully, God's mercy to you, God's grace to you God answering of your prayers will serve as witnesses against you in the day of judgment. The Bible tells us that if this kind of cheap repentance persists. These folks judgment is going to be far greater than any storm in life. I believe God wants to get your attention.

I believe God speaking to you in the midst of the storm.

I believe God is saying to you, do not misinterpret my patience as weakness.

Do not confuse my mercy as a lack of concern for the way you live your life. Do not mistake my love by taking it for granted you listening to leading the way with Dr. Michael you sent them the number to call is 866-626-4356 866-626-4356 and by the way, if you'd like to talk specifically with someone about how to find Jesus in the midst of your storm. Please reach out to leading the waste team members and LTW.org/Jesus, that's LTW.org/Jesus you know. From the earliest days of leading the way one of the key mainstays of ministry is the use of technology we use it to reach the lost and to equip the saints and difference accelerated in recent months as we've seen so many people leaning to the use of technology to stay connected with family and with community even to go to church and to connect to the world for a quick reminder to connect with leading the way social media pages and digital platforms. Today I'll highlight stuck. Make sure you connected with leading the race official page will get you in line for daily information from Dr. USF as well as some timely links for current programming on radio, television and other media. And if you haven't already, make sure that you've got leading the ways our plan all of your mobile devices, there are still many ways to strengthen your walk with Christ through the content and the resources available in these apps learn about all of these when you visit LTW.org LTW.Borg hello my friends just a quick reminder that in addition to listening to this radio broadcast, leading the way also produces compelling television programs seen in this area. Just like we do on radio. We did deep into the truth of the word of God and unfolded to make it practical for daily living. So if you've been encouraged by this survey.

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