God's Purposeful Storms; Luke 8:22-25

Delivered during the Sunday morning worship service, 11/6/2022. Some time after the teaching of the parable of the Sower, Jesus and His disciples get into a boat to go to the "other side". During the voyage a "perfect storm" arises that despite the best efforts of the disciples, threatens to sink the little boat. In desperation they wake the sleeping Jesus who rebukes the wind and the waves and returns the lake to a perfect calm. After explaining the physical nature of the storm, we will explore the profound figurative meaning of the text. Leaving the stunning revelation of Christ's divinity until next week, our focus for this message will be on the disciples' faith (or lack thereof!); and how Jesus used the adversity of the storm to bolster their faith, thereby preparing them for the rigors that lay ahead. Through this example, we can better deal with the storms in our own lives and ministry-- learning even to be thankful when God's purposeful storms create in us a deeper and more robust faith.