Intro Many of us heard the story of the Titanic. Titanic got its name from its huge structure, in fact the biggest ship built in the early 1900’s. Many were proud to see that human accomplishment. In man’s mind no one or nothing can sink that ship. Not even the strongest storm. However, with an unfortunate fate, the Titanic sank on her first voyage without even reaching her destination. In 1912, the biggest ship hit an iceberg that caused its unexpected sinking with casualty of more or less 1500 lives. The luxury, pride, greatness were all buried in the sea of nowhere. Today’s study will focus on the question, what is the unsinkable ship? As we follow the footsteps of Jesus and His disciples, may His Word give us insight for new living.
I. Have you experienced unforgettable storm? Three or more may share their experiences.
II. Biblical Narration: Jesus with His 12 disciples were from a busy day of ministry. On this occasion they decided to cross over t the other side of the lake of Galilee. In the middle of their voyage, suddenly a violent storm surprised them. This time Jesus felt asleep, probably because of their busy ministry he got physically tired. The storm was so furious that winds and waves were already about to empower their small sailboat. With great fear and panic they call out to the Lord, “Lord please save us we are about to sink.” The Lord woke up and rebuked their little faith. Then He stood up and commanded the winds and the waves to calm down. Then there was complete peace. The disciples were totally amazed. “What kind of man is this, even the winds and the waves obey him.”
III. Insights and Profiles: 1. Problem: Storm v.24 A storm in life may come to us without warning. There are times when it is so furious that our life as sailboat may not have enough strength to cope. The size of our sailboat may be compared to the achievement we attain in life or the size of human resources we have acquired. But just like the Titanic, there is no amount of human strength that cannot sink. Everything in this world can sink. Money, education, honor, insurance, are no guarantee to ensure everything in life. As a matter of fact the people who have attained all of these are the very people who are prone to end their lives in suicide. Think of Elvis Presley and many others like him. Sometimes wealth is here now but he next day it is gone. Everything in this world changes, sometimes from good to worse. (Let your class cite examples).
2. Solution: Jesus v.25
The good thing the disciples did is they called upon the Lord. Many of them were veteran fishermen: Peter, Andrew, James and John. They could have said, “Don’t bother the Lord, We can handle this. We are already used to this.” But we will find that when it comes to storms in life no one is an expert. Even the best fisherman knows his limits. When natural calamities come, rich or poor become alike. Even with the sharp rebuke of faith the disciples learned a life treasured lesson: In life’s storms we can call and rely on Jesus. He is the ultimate and only solution. He may use persons or people to deliver his Word but his invisible presence is there. He can command the winds and waves of life.
3. Result: Perfect Peace vv.26-27 Jesus’ presence brings peace. If He can rebuke the winds and waves, how much more the tiny little things that usually bother us. He can give wisdom to a soul with financial difficulty so that it can overcome. He can command peace to our homes. He can forgive a restless troubled sinful soul. That is the reason why He came: “I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly”. “My peace I give you. This is peace that the world cannot give yet I leave it with you.” Conclusion: Regardless of how life has gone, we need a power greater than ourselves. Storms in life usually come beyond human strength. One biggest reality that man faces day after day is the storm of sin. Sin of man brings nothing good but chaos, guilt condemnation, and multiplied troubles. That is why we need Christ. You can count on him. He can be your Savior. He can be your friend. Read I John 1:9 When worse comes to worst there is only one ship that cannot sink. This is not the biggest or the most luxurious ship. This is the ship where Jesus dwells. If we have Christ in our life, then we are in a boat that cannot sink. Romans 8: 37-39 “I am convinced that neither life nor death, nor demons , nor principalities, nor famine, nor hardships, is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.”
Illustration Box There was a painting contest with the theme “peace”. The chairman of the judges has now come to announce the winners. When he unveiled the 3rd prize, there was a thunderous explosion of applause. The painting was so beautiful, a scene of nature’s serenity with trees, a small spring and everything in complete peace. When the second price was unveiled, people applauded with twice as much voice after the third. The 2nd prized piece painted a sunset view with a man in a boat, with its sail reflecting down the waters below. People were saying “Wow, what could be the beauty of the first prize.” They were all in suspense as to what more can defeat the 2nd and 3rd prices. When the 1st prize was unveiled, nobody applauded. People did not understand because the painter painted a picture of a storm with trees falling and streams flooding. But the chairman of the judge explained: “Many of us are just looking at the stormy side of the picture. We did not notice however, that in the middle of the storm, there you find a bird under a cave with its wings spread to her young and sleeping in complete serenity. For the judges, this is real peace. When we can be at peace with ourselves and with God in the midst of a chaos world.” Understanding the beauty of the painting and the wisdom of the painter, the people applauded with standing ovation and twice as much voice as the 2nd and 3rd prizes.
