Making sense out of the Storm

Text: Matthew 14:22-33
Topic: How God uses storms to get our attention . . . and then to save us.
Big Idea: We can learn much from the account of Jesus walking across the water in the midst of the storm, and from Peter's boldness to walk on the water toward him.
Keywords: Faith; Rescue; Tragedy; Trials; Trouble; Trust
Introduction:
• We ask "Why me?" when we go through storms unbelievers don't go through.
• Matthew 14:22-33 gives us five principles to help us make sense out of the storm.
Do what the Lord tells you to do.
• Jesus told the disciples to go to the other side of the lake, and they obeyed.
• We often think storms are a result of our disobedience. But it's not necessarily so.
• This passage show you can do exactly what God asks and still face a storm.
Don't get so focused on the storm that you lose sight of Jesus.
• Often God brings storms in order to speak to us; storms get our attention.
• Jesus says, "Be of good cheer. It is I. Do not be afraid."
• The children of Israel had forgotten who God was, and what he could do.
explanation: You're picking a basketball team, and a tall guy walks up. You ask him a few questions about his skills, because you don't know him. Then Michael Jordan shows up; you don't quiz him about his skills, because you know him, and what he can do.
• Whatever you're facing, I Am is on your side.
You won't do anything great for God if you won't get out of the boat.
• Peter was willing to leave the "boat people" behind; we must be willing too.
• The boat is full of the scornful, the doubters. Don't let them get in your way.
• The only person who could have stopped Peter was Peter himself.
In a storm, God will reveal to us that we're not all we think we are.
• We have a tendency to think more highly of ourselves than we should.
• When Peter tried everything he could think of, he blurted, "Lord, save me."
• Storms will keep us from taking ourselves so seriously and God so lightly.
God will save us in the midst of our storms.
• Some of us doubt God's love for us and are always trying to help him out.
• The storm didn't stop until after Jesus and Peter were back in the boat.
• God doesn't have to stop the storm; he can walk with us right through the storm.
Conclusion:
• We don't see God like we should until we go through some storms.