WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.319 Welcome to the Awakening Church podcast. 00:00:02.479 --> 00:00:07.040 We pray this message encourages you and provides the hope and light of Jesus Christ. 00:00:07.200 --> 00:00:08.640 Thanks for tuning in. 00:00:20.399 --> 00:00:21.039 Life. 00:00:23.280 --> 00:00:26.079 Life's filled with uncertainty, isn't it? 00:00:27.600 --> 00:00:35.759 Whether it's the global crises all around, we have global instability, wars, and civil wars. 00:00:38.000 --> 00:00:41.920 Maybe it's the political polarization closer to home. 00:00:42.079 --> 00:00:45.600 I don't know if you knew this, but this is an election year. 00:00:46.399 --> 00:00:51.280 And there's this, you know, thing happening that I think has all of us nervous. 00:00:52.320 --> 00:00:57.039 Maybe it's inflation and the cost of living is just killing you. 00:00:57.840 --> 00:01:03.119 And technology, the world of AI, the revolution that's coming, that has come, that will come. 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:05.840 What does that mean for work? 00:01:06.640 --> 00:01:10.480 Tech area, we've seen so many layoffs. 00:01:10.719 --> 00:01:11.680 Or personally. 00:01:12.400 --> 00:01:14.159 Maybe it's relationally. 00:01:15.439 --> 00:01:17.519 Maybe you're dating, there's uncertainty. 00:01:17.680 --> 00:01:18.480 Is this the one? 00:01:18.640 --> 00:01:20.480 Should we take the next step? 00:01:20.640 --> 00:01:24.319 Or you're married, you're wondering, will we even make it? 00:01:24.400 --> 00:01:26.959 Um, maybe with your kids, you're just so concerned. 00:01:27.040 --> 00:01:33.280 Like, like I don't know the world they're going to grow up in, or I don't know how to help them navigate it. 00:01:33.840 --> 00:01:35.120 Or a friend. 00:01:35.439 --> 00:01:38.959 Maybe it's with your work or your future. 00:01:40.400 --> 00:01:45.840 Life is just filled with uncertainty, and uncertainty breeds anxiety, doesn't it? 00:01:46.239 --> 00:01:50.319 It just has a way of doing that. 00:01:50.560 --> 00:01:56.239 And then anxiety has become the default mode for us in America. 00:01:56.799 --> 00:02:00.000 It's our default mode as humans today. 00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:05.120 And so, how do you navigate a world of uncertainty? 00:02:06.480 --> 00:02:11.599 What do you do when the storms of life threaten your peace? 00:02:12.159 --> 00:02:22.879 You know, there's those storms on the horizon that you can see out in the future, kind of like the storm of whatever's gonna happen in our country and several months with the presidential storm. 00:02:22.960 --> 00:02:27.039 And some of those storms just stay out there, they never materialize. 00:02:27.120 --> 00:02:30.719 You're worried and anxious about them, but they never actually come into reality. 00:02:30.800 --> 00:02:34.800 And others hit us closer to home. 00:02:34.960 --> 00:02:37.120 And then there's the sudden storms, right? 00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:53.120 It's just a beautiful day, life's going well, and then all of a sudden the wind picks up, the clouds darken, and in a moment you realize that your life has just shifted and turned. 00:02:55.199 --> 00:03:06.319 Today, as we close our anxiety series, I want to take you to a passage in which the disciples find themselves caught in the midst of a literal storm. 00:03:06.479 --> 00:03:08.719 For many, it'll be a familiar passage. 00:03:09.120 --> 00:03:19.199 And it's here we see Jesus and how he meets with the disciples and how he meets each of us in the uncertainty and the storms of life. 00:03:19.360 --> 00:03:23.120 If you got your Bible, would you open up to Mark chapter 4, verse 35? 00:03:23.360 --> 00:03:25.360 Mark 4, 35. 00:03:25.520 --> 00:03:26.800 It begins this way. 00:03:28.639 --> 00:03:36.479 That day, when evening came, he said to his disciples, Let us go over to the other side. 00:03:37.039 --> 00:03:40.719 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along just as he was. 00:03:40.879 --> 00:03:43.280 I love that line, just as he was in the boat. 00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:45.199 He had had a long season of ministry. 00:03:45.280 --> 00:03:46.400 He's just tired. 00:03:46.719 --> 00:03:49.360 We're just taking him just as he was. 00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:52.560 There were also other boats with him. 00:03:52.879 --> 00:03:58.719 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat so that it was nearly swamped. 00:03:58.800 --> 00:04:22.160 And in fact, in uh Israel, the Sea of Galilee is just almost 700 feet below sea level, and there's mountains or hills, depending on your definition of mountains around it, and so you get this clash of cold air and the hot Mediterranean air, and it's known to have some sudden storms come upon it. 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:25.439 One of those hits them. 00:04:27.360 --> 00:04:32.240 And notice, and Jesus was in the stern sleeping on a cushion. 00:04:32.560 --> 00:04:34.079 Isn't that lovely? 00:04:34.480 --> 00:04:39.199 And the disciples woke him up and said to him, Teacher, don't you care if we drown? 00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:41.360 And isn't that in the middle of our storms? 00:04:41.439 --> 00:04:43.199 That's the question we ask, right? 00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:45.120 Don't you care, God? 00:04:46.079 --> 00:04:47.360 Where are you? 00:04:48.720 --> 00:04:50.160 What's going on? 00:04:51.600 --> 00:04:53.600 Why didn't you show up? 00:04:54.319 --> 00:04:57.759 It just feels like you're asleep. 00:04:58.480 --> 00:05:03.360 He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, Quiet, be still. 00:05:03.600 --> 00:05:06.720 Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:08.160 In fact, it was a great calm. 00:05:08.240 --> 00:05:11.519 They went from a great storm to a great calm. 00:05:11.680 --> 00:05:14.879 And then he said to his disciples, Why are you so afraid? 00:05:15.199 --> 00:05:17.439 Do you still have no faith? 00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:22.399 And then they were terrified and asked each other, Who is this? 00:05:23.519 --> 00:05:28.319 Even the wind and the waves obey him. 00:05:29.600 --> 00:05:38.879 The first thing we actually need to acknowledge as we begin this conversation together is that there is no storm-free existence. 00:05:39.920 --> 00:05:41.519 Storms happen. 00:05:42.079 --> 00:05:44.480 Storms are a part of life. 00:05:45.120 --> 00:05:50.000 No one escapes storms in life. 00:05:50.399 --> 00:05:53.360 There is no storm-free existence. 00:05:53.680 --> 00:05:54.959 Now think about this. 00:05:55.680 --> 00:06:01.600 Because this actually rocks to some of the core beliefs for some of us. 00:06:01.839 --> 00:06:07.439 The disciples are following Jesus very closely, I might add. 00:06:07.600 --> 00:06:10.000 They left everything behind to follow him. 00:06:10.800 --> 00:06:14.639 They're obeying and doing what Jesus said. 00:06:15.680 --> 00:06:23.519 So they're following him, they're obeying him, and they find themselves in the midst of a furious storm. 00:06:23.600 --> 00:06:27.519 They're in the center of God's will and they're in the middle of a storm. 00:06:28.160 --> 00:06:29.839 See, some of us don't believe that. 00:06:29.920 --> 00:06:36.079 We're like, if we're really in the center of God's will, we will experience a storm-free existence. 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:39.839 And that simply is not the case. 00:06:40.079 --> 00:06:41.920 That's called the prosperity gospel. 00:06:42.639 --> 00:06:48.000 In fact, the prosperity gospel and the what is it called? 00:06:48.160 --> 00:06:49.600 The myth of progress. 00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:58.160 We have to beware of these two concepts because these things will not help you navigate the storms of your life. 00:06:58.399 --> 00:07:02.240 No, they'll cause you to be shipwrecked in life. 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:09.600 The prosperity gospel says something like this it is not God's will for you to experience storms. 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:14.959 If you have enough faith, you will have the wind of God's favor at your back. 00:07:15.519 --> 00:07:21.680 Experiencing the calm seas of good health and the smooth sailing of increasing wealth. 00:07:22.240 --> 00:07:29.920 The myth of progress is the culture's version that has been widely bought in of the prosperity gospel. 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:34.480 The myth of progress says every advancement always leads to a better future. 00:07:34.720 --> 00:07:41.279 Every single advancement, the more education and technology we can create our own utopian society. 00:07:41.439 --> 00:07:48.480 If we get more education, if we get more advancement, we can live a storm-free existence. 00:07:48.639 --> 00:08:02.879 Here's what's interesting: the progressing of technology has led to deep regression emotionally and mentally in our world, hasn't it? 00:08:04.480 --> 00:08:08.639 Beware of the prosperity gospel and the myth of progress. 00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:11.759 There is no storm-free existence. 00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:15.360 Storms are a part of life from which no one can escape. 00:08:15.519 --> 00:08:17.439 One moment, all is well. 00:08:18.800 --> 00:08:22.000 Well, the next, all goes to hell. 00:08:22.720 --> 00:08:27.040 So stop being surprised by the storms in your life. 00:08:28.959 --> 00:08:30.000 Why do we do this? 00:08:30.160 --> 00:08:33.039 Like, oh my gosh, I can't believe this is happening. 00:08:33.279 --> 00:08:34.159 What in the world? 00:08:34.320 --> 00:08:34.960 I can't believe. 00:08:35.120 --> 00:08:36.000 Oh my goodness. 00:08:36.240 --> 00:08:36.879 Really? 00:08:37.840 --> 00:08:38.960 You can't? 00:08:39.679 --> 00:08:42.720 Even Jesus said, what in this life you'll have? 00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:45.279 Thank you, one of you. 00:08:45.360 --> 00:08:46.480 That was so good. 00:08:47.279 --> 00:08:48.240 So good. 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:51.519 In this life you'll have trouble. 00:08:52.639 --> 00:08:54.720 But take hard, I've overcome the world. 00:08:57.360 --> 00:09:02.639 You can be with Jesus, you can be in God's will, and you can be in experiencing a storm. 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:05.440 And you're in the center of God's will as well. 00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:09.919 Stop, let's stop being surprised by these storms. 00:09:10.000 --> 00:09:12.320 And let's begin to ask, okay, how do we navigate it? 00:09:12.480 --> 00:09:14.240 How does Jesus meet us in this? 00:09:14.320 --> 00:09:16.720 How does he want to lead us through this? 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:24.399 You know, one of the things that always perplexed me about this story was Jesus' response to the disciples. 00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:27.200 He, you know, they're terrified. 00:09:27.519 --> 00:09:33.120 He gets up, calms the storm, and then remember what he says to them? 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:35.679 Why are you so afraid? 00:09:36.159 --> 00:09:38.480 Do you still have no faith? 00:09:39.200 --> 00:09:44.320 And I'm gonna go like, um, Jesus, I know you slept through this part of it. 00:09:44.799 --> 00:09:52.480 But while you were sleeping, a storm, a squall, a fierce wind came upon us. 00:09:52.960 --> 00:09:55.039 The waves were threatening us. 00:09:55.200 --> 00:09:57.039 It was coming over the boat. 00:09:57.200 --> 00:10:00.320 We thought the boat's going down and we're gonna drown. 00:10:00.559 --> 00:10:03.120 You want to know why we were afraid? 00:10:06.399 --> 00:10:13.519 Yeah, because there's a great calm now, but there was a great storm, and Jesus, it almost sounds harsh, doesn't it? 00:10:14.159 --> 00:10:16.559 Like, Jesus, give them a break. 00:10:19.440 --> 00:10:21.279 And yet, here's what's fascinating. 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:29.519 I missed it, and so you to understand Jesus' comment there, you have to go to the very first thing that Jesus said to them. 00:10:29.840 --> 00:10:40.000 In Matthew, uh Mark chapter 4, verse 35, Jesus said to the disciples, let us go over to the other side. 00:10:41.519 --> 00:10:45.919 Jesus said, We're going to the other side. 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:51.600 Jesus didn't say, I'm headed to the other side. 00:10:51.919 --> 00:10:53.600 Hope you guys make it. 00:10:54.399 --> 00:10:58.559 Jesus didn't say, you know, some of us, we're gonna make it. 00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:01.519 We're going to the other side. 00:11:02.559 --> 00:11:05.759 You know, if you you really hang in there, you're gonna make it. 00:11:05.840 --> 00:11:08.320 No, he said, let us go to the other side. 00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:09.120 We're going. 00:11:09.279 --> 00:11:10.080 We're all going. 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:12.799 I didn't promise that there won't be a storm along the way. 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:15.759 I promised that we're gonna make it to the other side. 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:17.679 And so we're headed there. 00:11:17.840 --> 00:11:23.759 And so my promise is we're getting in the boat together, and you're gonna end up on the other side. 00:11:23.840 --> 00:11:32.720 So whatever you hit in the middle of it will not hinder you, will not hurt you to the point of keeping you from going to the other side. 00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:45.919 See, so many of us in the storms of life forget or do not know the very promises of God, of what he said, that this is true. 00:11:46.720 --> 00:11:48.720 I love what uh Howard Hendrix said. 00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:54.240 He said, Don't question in the darkness what God has clearly shown you in the light. 00:11:54.480 --> 00:12:00.960 Because when the storm begins to rage, you begin to forget it all, and you begin to throw it all out, and you're like, I don't know anymore. 00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:06.399 He says, No, don't question in the darkness, in the storm, what God showed you in the light. 00:12:06.559 --> 00:12:09.679 Jesus spoke while you're on the shore, we're going to that shore. 00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:14.320 And then in the middle, you got into a boat with a storm raging and you thought you're gonna die. 00:12:14.399 --> 00:12:16.399 He said, No, I already said, we're going. 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:19.440 My promises are sure. 00:12:19.679 --> 00:12:21.679 I like how Corey Timboom said it. 00:12:21.759 --> 00:12:32.879 Uh, she said, uh, when you're on a train and it goes into a dark tunnel, that's not the time to tear up your ticket and step off the train. 00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:37.120 It's the time to trust that the engineer knows what he's doing. 00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:49.440 See what you need, what I need in the middle of a storm, is we need to hold on to the promises of Jesus. 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:53.759 We need to hold on to the promises of Jesus. 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:58.000 I wrote a few down. 00:12:58.480 --> 00:13:01.919 Because I don't know that we know the promises of Jesus. 00:13:03.200 --> 00:13:10.080 I wrote a few down just so that maybe it just gets your mind going, like that you would begin to get your heart around. 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:16.720 This is what Jesus has said, this is what Scripture says, this is what God says to be true, this is my promise for you. 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:25.840 So when you're in the storm of suffering, remember John 16, 33, we just quoted, in this life you'll have trouble, but take heart, I've overcome the world. 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:27.519 James 1, 2 through 4. 00:13:27.679 --> 00:13:31.440 Consider it pure joy or all joy when you face trials of many kinds. 00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:32.000 Why? 00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:35.360 Because the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:40.639 Perseverance must finish its work so that you be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 00:13:40.799 --> 00:13:42.080 I don't understand the storm. 00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:43.039 I don't like this storm. 00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:44.559 In fact, I hate this storm. 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:52.720 But what I'm confident of is that, Jesus, you're gonna see me through it, and on the other side, you're gonna produce something in me that otherwise could not be produced. 00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:57.840 There's a maturity and a completeness that you're working even in the midst of this storm. 00:13:58.399 --> 00:13:59.679 Amen by myself. 00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:02.080 The suffering, storm of suffering. 00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:03.519 What about the storm of shame? 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:04.480 We talked about that last week. 00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:09.360 Romans 8, 1 says, Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus. 00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:12.960 You hear the voice of condemnation, that is not the voice of your father. 00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:15.440 That's the voice of your enemy. 00:14:16.159 --> 00:14:19.679 That's the slanderer, that's the accuser of the saints. 00:14:21.200 --> 00:14:25.360 Psalm 139 says that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. 00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:26.960 What about the storm of anxiety? 00:14:27.039 --> 00:14:29.120 That's what we've been talking about this whole series. 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:35.440 We haven't even quoted the most famous anxiety uh passage, uh, Philippians 4, 6. 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:41.759 Do not be anxious about anything, but with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. 00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:48.000 And the peace of God, which transcends all human understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:52.240 Like my peace is available to you in your anxiety, in your anxious moment. 00:14:52.399 --> 00:14:57.360 When you pray, my promise is supernatural peace to come alongside you. 00:14:57.600 --> 00:15:00.159 What about the storm of sin and guilt? 00:15:00.320 --> 00:15:01.279 What do I do with that? 00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:02.559 1 John 1:9. 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:10.639 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness. 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:20.159 Psalm 103, 12 says this as far as the east is from the west, so far has God taken, removed your sin, your transgression from you. 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:22.960 What about the storm of loneliness? 00:15:23.440 --> 00:15:30.559 Psalm 65, 8 or 68, 5 says that he's a father to the fatherless. 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:34.399 Jesus said this many times. 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:36.240 He's Emmanuel, God with us. 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:41.759 And in the Great Commission, he says, Surely I'm with you even to the very end of the age. 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:48.720 There's never been a moment, Father Jesus, that you've ever been alone, that his presence is far from you. 00:15:48.879 --> 00:15:53.679 Even if you feel far from him, he's never been far from you. 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:57.200 What about the storm of your identity? 00:15:57.679 --> 00:15:59.759 In fact, just sit in Ephesians chapter 1. 00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:05.440 It's amazing that he's blessed us in the spiritual realm with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus. 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:11.360 That's how he starts it off, the Apostle Paul, and then he goes on to say, He chose you before the foundation of the world. 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:14.799 He predestined you into adoption, into sonship. 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:16.879 Like you are fully forgiven. 00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:18.480 You're redeemed. 00:16:18.799 --> 00:16:19.919 That's your identity. 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:24.399 That's who you are, not who you think you are, who he says you are. 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:28.559 What about the storm of spiritual attack? 00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:30.080 Ephesians 6, 10. 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:34.080 Finally, brothers and sisters, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:34.879 Whose power? 00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:35.600 His. 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:38.320 Put on the full armor of God. 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:44.480 Or 1 John 4, 4 says that greater is he that's in you than he that is in the world. 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:47.919 What about the storm of death and loss? 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:54.480 1 Corinthians 15, where O death is your victory, where O death is your sting. 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:56.879 Thanks be to God. 00:16:58.559 --> 00:17:00.639 Jesus has gotten the victory. 00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:05.920 John 11, I love John 11, because how does Jesus meet you in the storm of your suffering? 00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:12.720 He shows up, Lazarus and died, Jesus shows up, and he weeps. 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:15.440 He weeps. 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:18.400 He hurts with you. 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:22.400 And then he connects you to his promise. 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:25.440 I am the resurrection and the life. 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:29.599 The one who believes in me will never die though they die. 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:33.359 What about the storm of doubt? 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:38.960 James 1.5 says, if you lack wisdom, if you need wisdom, ask God. 00:17:39.119 --> 00:17:40.960 He gives generously to all. 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:44.720 Or Philippians 1.6, we quoted it last week, it's one of my favorites. 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:59.200 Gosh, I clinged on to Philippians 1.6 for right as I became an adult and just like I didn't say this last week or last service, but most of my adult life, the predominant feeling that I felt was I'm a failure. 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:05.839 And I'll never really measure up. 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:10.720 He who began a good work in you. 00:18:13.359 --> 00:18:14.799 Who did the work? 00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:16.960 Who started the work? 00:18:17.359 --> 00:18:18.799 God started it. 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:24.480 He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:32.799 Like one of my one of my favorite attributes, I'm not even sure this is legal, but one of my favorite attributes about God is his faithfulness. 00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:35.839 We just read, like, think about it. 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:38.319 It's his faithfulness that we experience forgiveness. 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:40.640 1 John 1 9, we just quoted, right? 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:44.319 If we confess our sins, he's faithful, he's just. 00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:47.039 Even in our doubting. 00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:52.960 2 Timothy says, when we are faithless, God remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself. 00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:58.160 I'm like, thank you, God, that you're faithful even when I'm faithless. 00:18:59.839 --> 00:19:02.160 What about the storm of defeat? 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:14.000 You know, when Jenny and I were dating, we're going to do a marriage series in June. 00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:16.079 I'm looking forward to it. 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:21.039 But when we were dating, this might be TMI, I apologize. 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:23.759 We struggled physically and with our purity. 00:19:24.319 --> 00:19:26.000 We really liked each other. 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:27.440 We still do. 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:39.200 But we were wanting to honor God with our sexuality, and we really liked each other, and we're struggling with honoring God, and felt really defeated. 00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:45.279 I came across 2 Peter 1, 3. 00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:47.119 I was like, I'd never seen this verse before. 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:48.559 I'm like, this is amazing. 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:58.720 His divine power has given you everything you need for life and godliness through the true knowledge of him who's called you by his own glory and goodness. 00:19:59.200 --> 00:20:03.119 Like, wait a second, I've been trying to do this on my power, on willpower. 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:08.400 It ain't working, but his power has given me everything I need. 00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:11.279 Like he didn't leave me lacking in any way. 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:14.079 He's not left you lacking in any way. 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:18.000 He's given you his divine power. 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:21.119 In the middle of the storm. 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:24.480 Hold on. 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:26.880 Hold on. 00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:31.519 The promises of God. 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:34.640 And it's the promises of God. 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:41.119 The promises of God that then inform the very presence of Jesus. 00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:52.559 See, what was interesting is Jesus was asleep in the middle of the storm. 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:55.759 The disciples interpreted it what? 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:56.880 As apathy, right? 00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:58.319 Don't you care? 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:02.720 Jesus, don't you care? 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:10.960 But if you understand his promises, then you'll understand his presence in the middle of the storm. 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:15.119 Jesus was not apathetic, he was what? 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:16.400 At peace. 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:21.839 We're going to the other side. 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:25.920 This storm doesn't much concern me. 00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:29.599 Because I said, we're going to the other side. 00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:34.559 I'm not all frantic and riled up by it. 00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:37.759 My presence is I'm at peace. 00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:41.680 Let me ask you, how much anxiety did Jesus experience because of the storm? 00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:44.720 None. 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:50.319 How much anxiety did the disciples experience? 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:52.559 A ton. 00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:57.680 And that's the difference when we misinterpret the presence of Jesus. 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:04.319 When we think he is apathetic indifference, our anxiety goes up. 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:15.039 When we understand that he actually is in control and at peace, our anxiety goes down. 00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:30.799 And so in the middle of the storm, would you take your cue from the presence of Jesus? 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:33.200 Jesus was asleep. 00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:35.839 By the way, this is a little side note, but this is fun. 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:38.960 Sleep is spiritual. 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:41.839 Some of you need to hear that. 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:44.240 Some of you don't need to hear it. 00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:46.160 Some of you sleep too much. 00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:49.440 And you're like, well, wait a second, Ryan. 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:51.599 No, slothfulness is sin. 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:54.799 But sleep is spiritual. 00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:58.799 We are made with limited ability and limitations. 00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:00.880 Jesus is asleep. 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:01.200 Why? 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:02.480 Because he needed it. 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:08.880 We get to see the incredible reality of Jesus' humanity and divinity at work in this moment. 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:14.000 And instead of for some powering through, you actually need a power nap. 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:16.319 It's the most spiritual thing you could do today. 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:22.880 But what if you took your cues from Jesus instead of the storm in your life? 00:23:24.880 --> 00:23:32.319 The disciples are in the boat, they have the presence of the Son of God, and they are taking their cues from the storm. 00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:35.759 Their response is because of what's happening around them. 00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:36.880 They're freaking out. 00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:40.400 Instead of looking at Jesus and going, okay, what are you doing? 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:41.519 How are you responding? 00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:44.400 And I'm gonna follow the way you're responding. 00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:49.440 You know, over the summer in July, we're gonna do a series uh on the encounters of God, our team's working on it. 00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:50.960 I'm excited for it. 00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:55.839 And one of my favorite encounters is Isaiah, the prophet Isaiah. 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:59.440 It's been one that's deeply shaped me throughout the years. 00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:02.000 Uh Isaiah chapter 6 is where you pick it up. 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:06.960 Verse 1, it says, In the year that King Uzziah died, and by the way, that's that's a storm. 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:13.759 Uzziah was a great, godly king uh for the most part, uh, and he was an incredible military leader. 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:19.039 So all of a sudden you have political, economic, uh, secure, national security threats. 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:21.839 Uzziah was a friend of Isaiah's. 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:27.200 He was a part of the royal court, and so you have that loss, he's got this storm going on. 00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:34.079 It says, in the year that King Ziah died, I saw the Lord seated on the throne. 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:38.960 By the way, when we encounter the king, he's always seated. 00:24:39.680 --> 00:24:46.640 Jesus said that of Jesus that he is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:49.119 Why seated? 00:24:49.279 --> 00:25:00.079 Well, because when a king is seated, they are in control, they have perfect sovereign rule, they are not frantic or hurried or concerned. 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:05.680 God is not pacing, oh my goodness. 00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:11.039 What's gonna happen to the presidential debate uh election? 00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:11.599 I don't know. 00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:16.480 This He's not pacing, AI, wow, that's really threatening my sovereignty. 00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:18.240 Um, what is going on here? 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:22.720 He's not worried or concerned, he's seated and in control. 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:26.319 He has all things under his dominion and rule. 00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:30.880 In fact, the only time he stands by the way is to welcome one of his martyred ones home. 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:35.200 What if we took our cues from Jesus? 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:41.359 Whatever storm you're going through, it hasn't taken him off guard. 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:46.000 It doesn't threaten his ability in the midst of it. 00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:48.160 He's seated. 00:25:49.279 --> 00:26:00.160 And I think one of the reasons we don't take our cues from Jesus is we don't really understand who Jesus is and what power he holds. 00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:03.680 Like we don't really know Jesus and who he is. 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:09.599 Notice, I mean, Jesus spoke to the storm and it was silenced. 00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:14.160 This isn't just a story that we read and we open up. 00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:18.559 Jesus is in the middle of the storm that's threatening their life. 00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:20.559 And he got up and he said, Quiet. 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:24.240 I can't even do that with my kids. 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:26.480 Quiet. 00:26:28.400 --> 00:26:29.119 Be still. 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:32.960 It's literally the word to muzzle an animal like a dog. 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:35.200 Like I'm just gonna hold you. 00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:46.559 It takes us back to the creation where God spoke and all things came into existence. 00:26:47.440 --> 00:27:01.440 And Jesus, the creator of all, just with a word, with a word, and the wind, and the waves, obey him. 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:11.440 See, I think our problem is that we expect too, not that we expect too much from Jesus, but we expect too little. 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:20.000 See, here's the interesting part is I don't think the disciples woke Jesus up to calm the storm. 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:22.240 And here's the reason why. 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:25.599 When they call when Jesus calmed the storm, what happened? 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:27.680 They were terrified. 00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:29.200 They're freaking out. 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:32.559 They're like, who is who who is this? 00:27:35.759 --> 00:27:39.200 I think, it's just my guess. 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:43.680 I think the disciples woke up Jesus to bell water. 00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:51.759 I do, because they got 11 guys, they're all belling water, water's coming on board, and they got one guy asleep. 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:53.839 Dead weight, doing nothing. 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:56.000 Like, come on, Jesus, come help us. 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:58.559 At least, do something. 00:28:00.799 --> 00:28:04.960 I remember we were going through quite a storm in the early days of awakening. 00:28:05.119 --> 00:28:12.640 I was reading this passage and I had that moment where I recognized for the first time, like, oh, the disciples actually didn't wake up Jesus to calm the storm. 00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:17.440 And then I began to ask this question, it so impacted my prayer life. 00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:22.319 Where have I been asking God to bell water where he wants to calm storms? 00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:26.799 Like his power, do you understand it? 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:29.440 That he's the God of the universe. 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:37.920 Remember, we just said it, his divine power has given you everything you need. 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:49.359 The same spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives and dwells inside every single believer. 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:53.279 The Apostle Paul wanted us to understand his power at such a depth. 00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:57.680 He prayed this prayer for the church of Ephesus and for you and me. 00:28:57.920 --> 00:29:13.920 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he's called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. 00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:33.200 That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead, seated him, remember, he's seated at the right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion in every name that is invoked, not only in the present age, but also in the one to come. 00:29:33.359 --> 00:29:43.519 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be the head over everything for the church, which is the body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:45.680 That is Jesus. 00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:47.839 Would you get a view of Jesus? 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:54.000 Would you look up and begin to see him and all his breathtaking wonder and power? 00:29:56.240 --> 00:29:57.839 It changes you. 00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:03.839 See, in the middle of the storm, you gotta hold on to the promises of Jesus. 00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:07.839 Begin to take your cue from his presence. 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:14.160 And rely on the power of Jesus. 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:20.799 That word rely is hard for us. 00:30:21.279 --> 00:30:22.559 It's hard for me. 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:26.640 I don't like to rely on anybody. 00:30:31.920 --> 00:30:38.079 And what's even harder is how the Apostle Paul tells us how to rely on the power of God. 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:45.920 In fact, this verse is one of those that a few that I write probably several times a week in my journal. 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:48.960 I journal, but it's it's just it's how I pray. 00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:54.160 I just pray because my mind gets kind of all scattered and it just helps me focus. 00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:55.599 So I just write my prayers. 00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:58.480 I write a few verses on repeat. 00:30:58.640 --> 00:31:02.000 One is, you know, um, this is the day the Lord has made. 00:31:02.079 --> 00:31:02.799 I'll rejoice in it. 00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:06.160 I just write it my today that Jesus, you made today. 00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:11.680 And I don't know what's coming, I'm knowing where I'm headed, but I'm gonna rejoice in this day that you've made. 00:31:11.920 --> 00:31:15.680 Another um waking up to new mercy. 00:31:16.480 --> 00:31:20.160 Your great is your faithfulness, your steadfast love endures. 00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:24.240 I'm greeted this morning with new mercy. 00:31:24.799 --> 00:31:28.319 And then I write this one over and over. 00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:33.599 But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you. 00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:35.599 This is God speaking to Paul. 00:31:36.400 --> 00:31:40.799 For my power is made perfect in weakness, and there it is. 00:31:41.119 --> 00:31:44.799 How do you rely on God's power? 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:46.720 Weakness. 00:31:47.839 --> 00:31:49.359 It's our weakness. 00:31:52.319 --> 00:31:57.759 Notice he goes on, therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness so that Christ's power may rest on me. 00:31:57.920 --> 00:32:04.640 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness and insult and hardship and persecution persecutions and difficulties. 00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:10.160 For when I am weak, then I am strong. 00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:15.119 I don't like being weak. 00:32:17.119 --> 00:32:19.119 It's allergy season. 00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:23.119 Um, you notice my handkerchief. 00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:32.400 Yesterday, uh my brother and sister-in-law and their family's coming over from out of town, excited. 00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:36.720 We're gonna throw a little barbecue and getting ready before they come. 00:32:36.880 --> 00:32:43.440 And um, my backyard, I think, is the like resting place for all the pollen in Silicon Valley. 00:32:43.599 --> 00:32:47.200 It just seems to come and just gravitate there. 00:32:47.359 --> 00:32:55.200 And so Jenny gets out the blower to blow off our patio where we're gonna eat, and she's like, I'm gonna do it because it messes with you. 00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:58.640 By the way, um, I'm just allergic to life. 00:32:58.960 --> 00:32:59.839 Just anything. 00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:02.079 I take allergy meds year-round. 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:06.480 I'm just like the world says, Ryan, we hate you. 00:33:06.559 --> 00:33:09.920 Um, and and we're gonna prove it to your nose. 00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:19.119 And and so she said, I'm gonna, I'm gonna, I'm gonna do the you know, the blower, and you just you don't do it. 00:33:20.240 --> 00:33:21.759 What is in me? 00:33:23.440 --> 00:33:25.519 That goes, nah. 00:33:28.880 --> 00:33:30.079 What is that? 00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:34.400 Like she goes inside, I see the blower. 00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:37.839 I'm like, I don't like somebody telling me I can't do something. 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:42.079 I don't like receiving help. 00:33:42.559 --> 00:33:46.400 I want to be really sufficient in and of myself. 00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:47.920 I want to do it. 00:33:49.359 --> 00:33:51.359 So I see the blower and I take it. 00:33:52.400 --> 00:33:55.519 And I begin to blow, and Jenny's like, wait a minute, I'll do it. 00:33:55.599 --> 00:33:58.880 And through the window, I'll do it, as this stuff's everywhere. 00:33:59.119 --> 00:34:00.880 And I'm like, I got it. 00:34:01.279 --> 00:34:08.400 In the middle of it, it's as if pollen attached to my vocal cords, and I felt I'm like, ah, I'm like, I'm like I couldn't even talk. 00:34:08.559 --> 00:34:17.440 Right at that moment, my brother and sister-in-law and their family comes in, and I'm like, ah, you know, I'm like, I'm like, I'm like drinking all this water, trying to get it out. 00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:22.400 My eyes are watering, my nose is running, I'm sneezing, and I'm a mess. 00:34:24.239 --> 00:34:28.480 Because I want to blow, thinking, what is that? 00:34:28.880 --> 00:34:31.599 And then I woke up this morning, it was still hanging on. 00:34:31.679 --> 00:34:35.360 And my sneezes, by the way, as I've gotten older, they just get louder. 00:34:37.199 --> 00:34:39.199 Hey, pray for my family. 00:34:40.159 --> 00:34:44.480 And so I get up early and I'm just sneezing nonstop, my nose is draining. 00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:45.840 There's like a puddle, right? 00:34:46.159 --> 00:34:48.719 I got my sermon notes and a puddle right there. 00:34:49.039 --> 00:34:49.679 I know. 00:34:51.360 --> 00:34:54.719 What is broken in me? 00:34:58.880 --> 00:35:00.559 I don't want to receive that help. 00:35:00.639 --> 00:35:01.679 I can do it on my own. 00:35:01.760 --> 00:35:04.000 There's something, there's the pride. 00:35:08.000 --> 00:35:10.000 There's something broken in us. 00:35:12.320 --> 00:35:19.280 And the truth is, as long as we think we're strong, we'll never experience the power of God in our life. 00:35:22.159 --> 00:35:28.639 When I'm weak, then I'm strong. 00:35:28.960 --> 00:35:35.920 When I recognize I'm not a sufficient, then I'll experience his grace being sufficient. 00:35:44.159 --> 00:35:45.360 Let me ask you. 00:35:50.639 --> 00:35:53.199 What's the storm you're on going through? 00:35:55.119 --> 00:35:56.960 Maybe it's on the horizon. 00:35:57.920 --> 00:35:59.760 Maybe you're in the middle of it. 00:36:03.920 --> 00:36:07.360 What's the promise that you need to hold on to? 00:36:07.519 --> 00:36:09.119 I love Psalm 63. 00:36:09.199 --> 00:36:13.760 It talks about being in a dry and weary land, a different metaphor where there is no water. 00:36:14.079 --> 00:36:16.960 He says, My soul clings to you. 00:36:17.119 --> 00:36:18.960 Like sometimes that's all we got. 00:36:19.119 --> 00:36:21.199 Is God, I'm just clinging to you in this moment. 00:36:21.280 --> 00:36:22.400 I'm just holding on to you. 00:36:22.480 --> 00:36:23.760 I'm just hoping in this moment. 00:36:23.840 --> 00:36:25.760 I'm gonna hold on to your promise. 00:36:25.920 --> 00:36:27.519 I'm gonna look to your presence. 00:36:27.599 --> 00:36:30.639 And gosh darn it, I all I don't have any power. 00:36:30.880 --> 00:36:32.320 So would you be powerful in me? 00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:34.880 He says, That's where you'll meet me. 00:36:36.000 --> 00:36:37.920 That's where you'll meet me. 00:36:39.360 --> 00:36:42.880 As long as you keep trying to figure it out. 00:36:45.679 --> 00:36:47.280 I want to meet you. 00:36:48.159 --> 00:36:50.400 I want you to experience my power. 00:36:55.039 --> 00:36:55.679 Life. 00:36:58.800 --> 00:37:01.280 It's just filled with uncertainty, isn't it? 00:37:02.239 --> 00:37:04.559 Uncertainty produces anxiety. 00:37:09.760 --> 00:37:11.760 And Jesus wants to meet you. 00:37:13.519 --> 00:37:14.880 He wants to lead you. 00:37:16.639 --> 00:37:17.920 He wants to guide you. 00:37:18.960 --> 00:37:23.199 So as the band comes up, just take a moment. 00:37:25.280 --> 00:37:25.760 Right? 00:37:26.559 --> 00:37:27.599 Where you're at? 00:37:29.199 --> 00:37:31.199 What's the promise you need to hold on to? 00:37:33.679 --> 00:37:38.960 And maybe like me, you need to confess your self-sufficiency and say, Gada, I'm tired. 00:37:39.280 --> 00:37:40.159 I need you. 00:37:40.800 --> 00:37:41.920 I'm weak. 00:37:44.079 --> 00:37:46.800 And in my weakness, you say you're strong. 00:37:49.119 --> 00:37:50.800 I give it over to you. 00:37:53.199 --> 00:37:55.519 We hope you are blessed by this message. 00:37:55.760 --> 00:38:00.159 Please subscribe to our podcast for access to every episode as they're uploaded. 00:38:00.320 --> 00:38:02.400 And hey, we'd love to connect with you. 00:38:02.559 --> 00:38:08.480 Take a next step by filling out our virtual connection card at awakeningchurch.com slash card.