MESSAGES
The word "peace" is a word often spoke and often heard, but sadly, it's seen very little. Today mankind yearns for peace as never before. People are actively promoting world peace. We have the United Nations and World Council of Churches offering the world a pseudo-peace, but hardly one that's worth the paper it's printed on.
Our own United States capital has many Peace Monuments. In fact, we build one after every war. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you…" (John 14:27). There will never be true peace as long as God remains away from the conference table, and we attempt to pursue peace without God.
Peace describes an orderly, prosperous society; a harmonious relationship between men, nations, and God. Peace isn't obtained by signing a piece of paper. It's obtained by signing your life over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. World peace will never arrive until we first have inner peace.
Thousands of people are trying to find peace in a pill, their job, money, education, sex, relationships, etc., but all to no avail. The Bible says, "There's a way that seems right to a man, but its end leads to death" (Proverb 14:12). Mans way leads to Aides, abortion, alcoholism, greed, covetousness, murder—but not peace.
Neither is peace found in a beautiful sunset, or in a romantic dinner with your spouse, or fly fishing on the Colorado River, or soaring out of an airplane at 20,000', or scuba diving at 100 feet. Ok, Pastor Steve, just where do we find peace? True lasting peace is found in a boat. Say what! Stay with me.
In the gospels we read where Jesus and His disciples had gotten into a boat in order to cross the lake (Matthew 8; Mark 4; Luke 8). As they were out in the middle of the lake, a great storm came upon them. Allow me the privilege to share some spiritual truths from this story.
As we begin the story, we read that Jesus got into the boat first, with His disciples following behind. Jesus says elsewhere to His disciples, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him take up his cross and follow Me" (Mk 8; emphasis added). Jesus calls each and every one of us to follow Him wherever He goes. We need to get in the boat. At times we'll experience some smooth sailing. Other times we'll go through some rough seas and storms. But remember, Jesus is in the boat with us.
Prior to the boat ride, Jesus gave his disciples some very encouraging words, "Let us cross over to the other side" (Mk 4; emphasis added). He didn't say to His disciples, "Come, lets go into the middle of the lake, wait for a large storm, sink to the bottom, and drown." He knew the storm they would encounter, and He knew they would make it across.
Though Jesus knew that a storm was waiting for them, it didn't sop Him from getting in the boat with them, and remaining in the boat with them. Just as He knew what storms they would go through, He knows what storms you and I will go through as well, and yet He has told us, "I will never leave you or forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
This storm came upon them without any warning, and they had no time to prepare for it. In the same way, life seems to fall in on us without warning. It can be the death of a loved one, a sudden job change, or a broken marriage. Whatever storm it might be, stay in the boat. Jesus didn't jump ship, nor are we to.
Notice what Jesus was doing while the storm was pounding on these guys. He wasn't shaking with fear, or shouting, "Set the sail, and get this ship a moving!" He was sleeping. Jesus was asleep in the boat, and yet, He was very much in control.
Perhaps when storms begin to break upon us, we might think that God is asleep, that He's not listening. We begin to cry out, "Where are You God? I don't hear You! I don't feel You! I don't see You!" Where is God at these times? He's in the boat! He's not only in the boat with you, but He got into the boat before you.
If you're going through a storm right now, and you sense Jesus asleep, relax! If He's not doing anything at the moment, that means He's resting. And if He's resting, then you need to rest also. How do you do that? By coming to Him and giving your storm over to Him. Jesus says, "Come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28; emphasis added).
The disciples came to Christ in the storm and cried out, "Lord, save us. We are perishing" (Matthew 8). They didn't jump ship, and they didn't bail out. Instead, they bailed up buckets of prayer to the Lord. They knew who to turn to.
First the storm arose, and then Jesus arose, but only after the disciples sought Him. He helped them get through their storm, and He's there to help us get through our storms. The Bible says, "For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).
When Jesus arose, we're told that He rebuked the wind. He said, "Peace, be still!" (Mark 4). Immediately there was a great stillness on the sea. Their calamity had turned to calmness. The peace these men experienced came not from the boat, but rather, from the One who was in the boat with them—Jesus Christ.
The very thing that you and I are so often looking for—peace, can be found right in the boat of life. How's that! Because the Prince of Peace is in the boat with us.
Picture a massive hurricane raging over the ocean. On the surface of the water are violent winds causing giant waves and creating a scene of total havoc. Yet, a mere 25' below the surface, the waters are clear and calm. The fish go on living their lives totally unaware of all the havoc that is just above them.
So it is in the life of a Christian. It's been said, "When there is depth, there is peace." As we sink our spiritual roots deep into the Word of God, our faith will grow, and we'll pass the stormy test when they occur.
The disciples responded to this by saying, "Who can this man be that even the winds and sea obey Him" (Mark 4). In other words, Who is this Man? This Man is none other than the Son of God, God in living flesh, Messiah, Savior, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Lord of lords, and King of kings.
This Man wants us to get in the boat of life with Him, and stay in the boat with Him. Only then will our storms be calmed. Only then can we experience in our lives, the peace of God that passes all understanding.
The reasons that these men, as well as us, are able to survive the storms of life are fourfold. First, Jesus promised to be with them. The Bible says, "…for He who promised is faithful." Second, Jesus was with them. Jesus says, "I will never leave you or forsake you." Third, They called upon Jesus. The Bible says, "For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Fourth, They could see Jesus at perfect peace in the storm. Isaiah says, "God keeps them in perfect peace whose heart and mind is set on Him."
Someone once said, "I would rather be in a storm with Jesus than to be watching a beautiful sunset without Him." When times get hard, stay in the boat with Jesus. When people won't listen to you; when work is the pits; when marriage is disappointing; when fear overcomes you; when tragedy strikes you. No matter what, stay in the boat. It's the safest place to be.
God bless you,
Pastor Steve |
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