THIS WEEKS MESSAGE: Perfect(ing) Storms The Bible has a lot of stories about storms. Probably because God knows we have a lot of storms in our lives. Just as God uses storms in the Bible in the lives of people to change them. God still uses the storms in our lives to grow, change and perfect us. • Jonah Jonah 1:4 (NIV) 4 Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. Jonah 1:12 (NIV) 12 “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” God created this storm because of Jonahs disobedience, not to punish, but to bring him back into Gods will for his life. Disobedience will always bring storms into our lives. God set it up that way. So what is the answer to storms that are caused from disobedience? Repentance. To bring our lives in line with Gods will. So some of the storms in our lives are caused by God to bring us back into his perfect will for our lives. But not all of them... • Paul Acts 19:21 (NIV) 21 ... Paul decided to go to Jerusalem,... After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.” Acts 23:11 (NIV) 11 ... the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” Acts 27:21-26 (NIV) 21 After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” Paul wanted to go to Rome with the Gospel. It was Gods will for Paul to go to Rome. But on the way to Rome Paul finds himself in the middle of a huge storm and shipwrecked, not because of his own disobedience but because of the disobedience of those he was traveling with. God didnt cause this storm, but He did allow it in Pauls life and used Paul to be part of the saving of other lives. Sometimes you may find yourself in some storms even when you are in Gods perfect will for your life. Maybe youre involved a storm, not because of your own disobedience, but because of the disobedience of those youre connected to or associated with. Maybe theyve been disobedient, but God wants you in the middle of the storm to use you to help bring His salvation to their lives. So trust God, ride it out. and let God use you. • Disciples Matthew 14:22-33 (NIV) Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” This storm is one that Jesus used in the lives of his disciples as part of perfecting their faith in Him. When Peter step out of that boat, he wasnt just stepping out onto the water. He stepped out on the Word of Jesus. Jesus said, COME Peter stepped out on that word. But When Peter stepped out on the C and took his eyes off Jesus, all he saw was the O- ME (C_O_M_E). Our faith in God is more valuable than anything else we posses in this life. We cant receive anything from God except by faith. Faith is something that is required to please God. And faith is something that is still rewarded by God. Some storms are used by God to refine and perfect our faith so we learn to stand on the Word of God no matter what storm we may find ourselves in the middle of. 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT) So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials (storms) for a little while. These trials (storms) will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. James 1:2-4 (NASB) Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials (storms) knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Closing thought We live in a world full of storms. Sometimes storms are caused because of our own disobedience. Sometimes God allows us to go through them to help someone else. Other times He uses them to build and perfect our faith. But one thing all these storms have in common is that God is always able to get His people going through their storms and to the destination He had intended for them. Jesus is still the author and the finisher of our faith. This is why we are to fix our eyes upon Him, especially when were in the middle of the storms of life. He who has begun a good look is faithful to complete it. So if you are in the middle of a storm, and if your life is hidden in Christ, youre not alone, youre not going under and you will make to your destination. Jesus never promised smooth sailing, but He did promise a safe passage. So, if you are in a storm, remember that God is working and Jesus will get you to the other side. Trust Him. He will not abandon you or let you down. You have His Word on it. Pastor Rick McCoy Lead Pastor at C3 Church Please share these teachings with your friends and if youre a pastor feel free to preach it to your congregations. If your looking for a place to worship please join us any Sunday morning at 10:30 am or Wed evening at 7 pm at 5220 Blair Oaks Drive in The Colony, Texas. Check us out at iamccc for directions.
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 16:07:12 +0000
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