Walk Through the Storm

Welcome to this edition of PowerPoint with A little later in the program to tell you that you got moments were the first years the message walked through the store. Take your Bibles over them 14th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew.

The fact is that God honors faith because faith honors God say what is faith what we practice tonight everyday simple faith. When you get on an airplane you're putting faith in the pilot and the copilot and their controllers to get you to your destination.

Best thing when you go to the doctor. The doctor writes a prescription that you can even read it you take it to a pharmacist that you don't even know and they put little pills in a bottle that you don't even recognize and you take them. You do that you take it by faith healer restaurant you. You order a meal, you anticipate that the meal will be healthy and wholesome and and nobody spinning in your food etc. and that your eating a good meal that we we live by faith every day, but by simple faith were talking of course about faith in God and that we can trust in God. In Hebrews chapter 11 verse one where Tobit may is the substance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen the evidence of things not seen. Later on in that same chapter and verse six, where told that without faith it is impossible to please him is been said, if you please, God, it doesn't matter whom you distantly.

But if you displease God. It doesn't matter who you please Jesus that according to your faith be it. I do you not according to your feelings. The event that you not according to your finances, be it either you not according to your fortune, the offender you are, your fortune, be it unto you. But according to your faith be in on to you where to live by faith. We are to know our faith and how do we know our faith.

Romans 1013 faith comes by hearing and hearing by one the word of God, whether it is in a worship setting like this one with the word or whether as a small group of discipleship when we're in the word in the word is in us.

We are building our faith.

Remember this, that faith is like a muscle. If you don't use it you will lose when you exercise your muscles when you move your muscles, they get stronger and more mobile. And so when you exercise your faith when you use the faith that you have been you began to grow, so you not only are to know your fate, but you are to grow your faith, why in order that you may show your faith that others may see your faith and then that you may so your fate, while again what we have in Matthew chapter 14 is an epic story about faith and how we walk on water to get out of the boat to get out of our comfort zone and to wall where Jesus walked were told in the Scriptures that we are to walk in his steps. And so when you talk about walking on water. He has called us to get out of the boat and spiritually walk on water. Now this is a miracle.

Of course, and we believe in miracles, but every miracle is also a message.

And there are lessons in the miracles that we learn especially related to faith so let's read this this great passage from Matthew 14 beginning in verse 22 immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side while he sent the multitudes away, and when you sent the multitudes away, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Now when evening came, he was alone there, but the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves of the wind was contrary. It was the fourth watch of the night when Jesus came walking on the sea. Verse 26 and when the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were trouble. That's an understatement, they were terrified to see if the sea of Galilee with the thing about the sea of Galilee. The storms can seemingly come out of nowhere and very fast, and the winds can be contrary and so they enter a storm. Jesus sent them in the suit storm and in the middle of the night, the fourth watch of the night, which is the darkest part of the night Jesus comes walking on the water. Verse 26 they were trouble saying it is a grossly freaked out and they cried out for fear but immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, be of good cheer is I do not be afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water so he said, and with Peter come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. I wonder what that was. Was it was like walking on Jell-O was like walking on pavement was he walking on air.

It was walking on the water with Jesus through the storm.

Verse 30 says, but when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid that his Peter was afraid and beginning to sink market in your Bibles beginning to sink he cried out, saying, Lord, save me and immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said oh you of little faith, why did you doubt and when I got into the boat, the wind ceased and then those who were in the boat came and wants this worship him. That's the bottom line of the store. It brings us on our knees face-to-face with the power of God and what God will do with people who believe and worship and obey him, and they said surely you are the son of God, so how do we walk on the water, which, how do we walk in the storm and what do we learn here. Lesson number one if you're taking notes is point number one.

Point number one is that storms inevitably come in line storms will come in line now by storm.

I'm not talking about a physical storm, though this was a physical but of course I'm talking about difficult and dangerous and disasters that may come our way. Hardships that had us seemingly out of nowhere you're having a good day.

The sun is shining and then the phone rings and you're in the middle of the store or you find yourself facing a collapse in your career, you get a pink slip, a dismissal are your child is a bad doctors report on and on.

We all know that storms are representative of seasons and times in our lives when we're facing difficulty. There was darkness all around the disciples.

They were distant from the shore. They were in the middle of the night. They could see their hands in front of their faces. The wind, the direction of the wind was blowing them.

They were like a court in the sea bobbing up and down they figured they are going over under and and Jesus is nowhere to be found because Jesus is not in the boat at this point with them. Sometimes storms come so suddenly and would Dale like horse in our lives now. The fact is, we can always play it safe stay at the shore never get launch out into the deep. We can disobey God and sometimes we disobey God, he allows the storm to come into our lives.

Like Jonah.

Jonah disobey God, he ran 180° in the wrong direction from the will of God. So God sent a storm at sea. Jonah was thrown overboard and was swallowed by the great fish because God was was directing his disobedient prophet back to him back into his will.

These are storms of correction that may come to our lives when we are disobedient to God.

But all the storms that come to us are storms of discipline, one someone, storms of correction, but storms of perfection when God is perfecting us correcting us in our lives and he actually allows the storms or sends a storm into our lives. Did Jesus know that he was sending his disciples into a storm when he told him to get into the boat and go to the other side. Of course he did. Of course Jesus knew a storm was coming. And Jesus knows of the storms hit us and he uses these storms in our lives. Turbulent times in our life. Maybe turn our lives upside down so that we can look closer to him and to use these these winds that blow against us in our lives as as a way to drive us closer to him.

The fact is, no one is immune.

Christianity is not immunity from problems and trials and struggles and storms in our lives.

Storms are inevitable. The good news is that what comes to cut comes the past doesn't come to stay in the storms Passover and ultimately you will get through the storm and they are to our personal benefit in line. We can be more productive and more useful in the kingdom of God because we go through stormy season we are able to learn how to rise above and to be unsinkable were talking about how to have an unshakable and unsinkable faith in times like these, and I discovered in my life that some of the very things that I read most of the things that drive me.

But know this, the one who stirred up the storm one is our security, the one who has created us has created the storm and allow the storm to enter our life here listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and today's message walk through the storm when he set aside daily time to connect with God to give me the ability to live a godly life and to fill his plans for you in the coming year and we'd like to help you walk even more closely with the Lord in the year ahead by sending you pastor grams 180 day devotional moments in the word. It's our way to thank you for your gift today to help proclaim the gospel or people around the world to PowerPoint call now to get your copy of moments in the word.

When you get: 800-795-4627 that's 1-800-795-4627 can also text the word PowerPoint to 313131 text PowerPoint to 313131. And don't forget to visit Jack Graham.org shop E store gift online or sign up for Dr. Graham's free daily email to both our website again is Jack Graham.Ward analogy back. Today's message walk through the store number two Jesus is watching us in Jesus is watching. Verse 23 says that he went up on the mountain by himself to pray in Mark's gospel gives us an added detail about what Jesus was doing on the mountain while he was praying verse 48 says he saw the disciples straining at the old they neither thought as you may well a thought in your lifetime. Where is God in this he is watching and when we say, watching not watching passively but passionately God is watching over us. Proverbs 15 verse three says the eyes of the Lord are in every place.

Watching the evil of good is an encouragement to know that while we may lose sight of Jesus.

He never lose sight of these always watching over us. He was on the mountain, they were on the sea, but he is praying powerfully over them. Nothing escapes the attention of God.

He knows who you are. He knows where you are right now and what you are going through and he cares. Romans 834 says that our God ever lives to make intercession that he is at the right hand of God, Jesus Christ, who is inter-seating for us. The God who is watching is praying for us.

Now if I told you right now if you're going to restore the message of Jesus is in that room right now he's just a few feet away and he's praying for you know you think you can endure any storm your faith. Three.

Let me remind with God. The distance makes no difference. He he is watching over us.

He is with us and he is praying for us.

It is a simple but profound truth that Jesus is inter-seating for you.

He is praying for you and so in the middle of your storm right now. What ever you may be going through and the winds are howling.

Listen very careful because Jesus is with you, watching over praying for you and in his own way, and his own time. He will come to you just as he did the disciples in our world where facing great storms today politically internationally. Great storm is coming to America is the storm is spreading rapidly throughout the earth. Terrorism is on the move we've experienced in our country in Europe. Of course were saying it in the middle east and in these days we need to be sharing ramping up our message of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world right here right now around us in our communities and less bring faith the people who are not of our faith in me Jesus Christ as Lord and say that's the way to defeat the terrorist and the terrorism that is all around us.

Thirdly for taking notes what to do when you face the storms Jesus helps us, comes to us in our store. After watching Jesus then comes to them with them and when did he come at the last possible moment looking verse 25 again in Matthew 14 it was the fourth watch of the night that Jesus went to them walking on the sea. What is the fourth watch of the night is the last part of the evening in Jewish chronology and it is the darkest before the dawn. So is the deepest part of the sea.

It is the darkest part of the night and Jesus comes to them at the right time. You know with God timings nothing but timing is everything and maybe you been in the middle of a problem for some time and you wonder where is God. Why does he come through in my life. Let me remind you that he is never early. He's never laid he's always on time and if he delays. For some reason it is not a denial but he's waiting for the perfect time and the perfecting time in your life, as he is making you more like Romans 828 says this fall. We know that all things work together for the good to them who love the Lord of those who are called according to his purpose. So God is watching God is waiting in God while he is waiting is working in your life and why is he working in your life. Romans 829 says that he is making us more like his son. That's verse 28 for those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son and order the he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

What that means is that God is using storms and circumstances in our lives working them all together even when things seem to be above our heads that he is working his own way. All will he will work it together and the purpose is to make us more like it, don't you want to be more like she's that's the calling of every Christian is day by day to grow in our faith to become more like Christ. More godly, more Christlike, more spirit filled in our lives.

And so God uses situations and seasons like this and at the right time.

Just what we need in the above he shows up as he did here walking on the water. Why did Jesus walk on the water. This wasn't just a publicity start our marketing strategy.

But why was he walking on the water. I'll tell you one to show us that everything that is over our heads is under his feet that he has authority over all the storms that assailants that he is Lord of life and Lord of all and GI wish I could've seen this. Of all the things that are seen in the Scripture. This is one of right this to see Jesus with regal Royal stride walking across the water. The following is beer the wind in his face and blowing his hair just the powerful presence of God and became not only on this mission, but he came with a message and he said something to the disciples. He said cheer is similar to what he said earlier when he said in this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. He said cheer up and he said it is I know they thought it was a ghost.

You know why they can recognize Jesus. They were looking for their faith needed to grow. They were looking at the winds they were looking at the way they were looking at their circumstances. So when Jesus shows up.

They were Jesus showed up and he said it is in the words there literally mean I am Jesus said cheer.

I am you recognize the I am. That's the name of God.

This a declaration of his deity that I am is the Almighty God. He revealed his name it, but would to Moses at the burning bush. This of the covenant personal name the holy name of God I am and Jesus often described himself as the I am. I am the way the truth and the life.

No one comes to the father except by me. I am the bread of heaven. I am the true vine.

Jesus is the great I am and therefore he is overall he is Almighty God.

And if you have Almighty God watching over you with you coming to you there's no problem that you play snowstorm that you fear, but that he is more than enough. I am is also an incomplete sentence. I am what anything you need. Everything you need uni-provision. He is your provision in a strength. He is your strength.

You need hope he is your hope whatever unique he is the great I am the Lord, the Lord is the great I am. He is the perpetual one altogether what he is always with us, so he came walking so when Jesus came walking on the water heater which is overcome with a burst explosive person of faith and he says, Lord, if that is you let me come to an Jesus said, come, I don't you dare get on the water without Jesus. This is a name and an claimant is an Lord in this year you tell me if this is your word.

This is your will invite you to come to you and I'm on my way.

Jesus said, come. And Simon Peter began walking on the water on his way to Jesus but then the Scripture tells us that he began to sink going under the cried out to the Lord and Jesus reached out his hand and he saved he delivered an point of this passage is Jesus is teaching us to get out of the boat and come to him and the trustee may believe in him the rest of those guys were in the bows they don't know what all God Simon Peter, Simon Peter said I'm going to the Savior.

I'm going to follow Jesus pull out and he got out of that, but you said Willie began to see Jesus picked them up and I don't know how Simon Peter got back to the boat either.

He walked back with Jesus or Jesus carryback. Either way, that's a good thing and he demonstrates for us what it means to take a step of faith and obedience to God. The fact is, if we are trusting in God we can be fearless in the face of any storm in line with wristbands, doctors report whether is that phone call in the middle of the night. That thing that we dread the most.

That problem that we can solve that storm that is stirring around us.

God has sent some of you, God has sent you into a storm right now, you're either in a storm or hear coming out of the store are your head and into all of us questioning you have the one is the great I am listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and today's message. Luckily the storm looking ahead to a new year can fill you with expectation.

They can also fill you with desperation if things get worse. But if the world gets crazier. But if you don't have the strength to face what comes your way. It's their spending daily time in God's word that we find the strength, peace and hope we need and we want to help you do that by sending you pastor grams 180 day devotional moments in the way moments in the word is our special thanks for the gift this month so called to request your copy today: 800-7956 27 that's 1-800-795-4627 can also text PowerPoint 231-3131 text PowerPoint to 31 and don't forget to visit Jack Graham.org shop E store online or sign up for Dr. Graham's free daily email devotional our website again is Jack Graham.Ford pastor. What is your PowerPoint whether many people that are wanting to give up, but I would say don't you day here give up, let me remind you that the same Jesus who walked in glory and power. On the surface of the raging sea of Galilee, through that storm is walking into your life. Jesus rise above the storm. He walks through the storm and this is a demonstration of his immense and unmatched unequal power that Jesus is Lord over life and Lord over the problems and everything that is over our heads of storms and rains that fall into our life.

All of that is under his feet.

I'll say it again everything that's over our heads is under his control. God's got this so no matter what you're facing. Trust in the power of the one who treads across the waters that sometimes seem to bury us in the same Savior, who lifted Peter out of the sea when his faith faltered. He will lift you up as well.

Never doubt that. Don't be afraid. In fact, take heart into exactly what Christ told his disciples to do cheer up, because the one coming to save you has overcome the world.

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