Lessons from a Storm

Text: Mark 4:35-41
Title: Lessons from a Storm
Introduction: “The same day” refers to the day on which Jesus gave the “parables of the kingdom.” He had been teaching His disciples the Word and now He would give them a practical test to see how much they had really learned. After all, the hearing of God’s Word is intended to produce faith (Rom. 10:17); and faith must always be tested. It is not enough for us merely to learn a lesson or be able to repeat a teaching. We must also be able to practice that lesson by faith, and that is one reason why God permits trials to come to our lives.

The storm was a part of that day’s curriculum. It would help the disciples understand a lesson that they did not even know they needed to learn: Jesus can be trusted in the storms of life. Many people have the idea that storms come to their lives only when they have disobeyed God, but this is not always the case. Jonah ended up in a storm because of his disobedience, but the disciples got into a storm because of their obedience to the Lord.

Note: Sea of Galilee – No less than nine very populous cities stood on the very shores of the lake. The Sea of Galilee is of an oval long. It is 60 miles northeast of Jerusalem and 27 east of the Mediterranean Sea. Its more remarkable feature is its deep depression, being no less than 700 feet below the level of the ocean.

Note: Let’s carefully look into this lesson.

I. The Timing of the Storm

A. It was Unexpected – v37

Proverbs 27:1
Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Note – It did not take God by surprise.

What Does the Bible Say?

What Does the Bible Say?

It is not uncommon today for an author or teacher to criticize a church for holding up a standard in Christian living. Some have suggested that a sure sign of “legalism” is when a ministry dares to mention a “list” by which one should live. But what if the Bible presents a list? What if God’s Word says we should or shouldn’t do something? Would it be okay—at a very minimum —to obey the Bible?

Listed below are Scriptures which help to form principles for genuine Christian living. Bible Baptist Church leaders are challenged to test our attitudes, actions, appearance, and associations by the following verses.

Our Personal Walk with Christ

Joshua 1:8

“8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
Micah 6:8

“8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
Luke 18:1

“1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”
Galatians 5:16

“16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
2 Timothy 2:15

“15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17

“17 Pray without ceasing.”

Soul Winning

Text: Psalm 126:5-6
Title: Soul Winning
Introduction: This psalm is entitled simply “A Song of Degrees.” There can be no doubt as to the occasion on which it was written, for it bears evidence of having been written with reference to the return from Babylon. It may have been designed to be sung as the returning captives went up to Jerusalem, but was more probably written following that event, as to keep it in remembrance.

Note: Psalm 126 Here the restored exiles rejoice in the Lord’s deliverance (vv. 1-3), pray for the restoration of others (v. 4), and take confidence in the principle of sowing and reaping (vv. 5-6).
126:5-6 The efforts of the exiles to reestablish the nation amid difficulties will someday come to fruition like a harvest, a principle applicable to Christian work as well.

Note: It is both a prayer for captives and a testimony to the conviction that God will bring His people home rejoicing.

Note: We can also make a Practical application of this verse in relation to soul winning.

The God of All Comfort

Text: 2 Corinthians 1:1-6
Title:
The God of All Comfort
Introduction: Paul wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus, where he had been ministering for three years. He sent this letter to the church by Timothy (1 Cor. 4:17), but problems in the church only grew worse.
Paul had organized the Corinthian church during his second missionary trip.
Perhaps it was young Timothy’s timidity that made the believers at Corinth disobey Paul’s words. At any rate, Paul then sent Titus to Corinth to make sure the church obeyed the apostolic orders Paul had given them (2 Cor. 7:13-15). Paul had promised the Corinthians that he would visit them (1 Cor. 16:3-7), but circumstances were such that he was delayed along the way. He had hoped to meet Titus at Troas but this plan failed.
As you read 2 Cor. 1-2, you feel the burden and heartache of Paul, suffering both physically and emotionally. While at Troas, Paul did some preaching, then made his way to Macedonia. He and Titus finally met, most likely at Philippi (2 Cor. 7:5-6), and Titus gave Paul the good news that the majority at Corinth were behind him and would obey his word. It was this joy that prompted him to write this second letter to the Corinthians.

Earnest Prayer

Text: James 5:16-18
Title: Earnest Prayer
Introduction: Little Johnnie was saying his bedtime prayers a week before his birthday. In a loud voice he listed all the things he wanted. “Do not pray so loudly,” his mother instructed. “The Lord is not hard of hearing!” “Maybe He isn’t,” admitted Johnnie, “but Grandma is.” A lot of our prayers may be like Johnnie’s.
Note – Today, we will learn what it means to pray earnestly!

1. Our Engagement in Prayer – v16
   
   1. Confession
      Note – vs 14-15
      
      Note – Confess your faults one to another,…. Which must be understood of sins committed against one anothe
      Note – It is not the anointing that heals, but the praying. The Greek word translated “anointing” is a medicinal term. This may be an indication that James suggests using available means for healing along with asking the Lord for His divine touch. God can heal with or without means; in each case, it is God who does the healing.)Psalms 66:18
      If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

      Proverbs 28:13
      He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Fellowship or Socializing

“There is a Christian failure to distinguish between socializing and fellowship. Although socializing is often both a part of and the context of fellowship, it is possible to socialize without having fellowship. Socializing involves the sharing of human and earthly life. Christian fellowship, New Testament koinonia, involves the sharing of spiritual life. Don’t misunderstand— socializing is a valuable asset to the church and necessary for a balanced life. But we have gone beyond giving socializing the place it deserves. We have become willing to accept it as a substitute for fellowship, almost cheating ourselves of the Christian birthright of true fellowship altogether.”—Donald Whitney

The Power of God

Much of the power of Christianity today is the natural result of organized forces. Many a successful church owes its prosperity, in a great measure, to the business principles on which it is run, and its influence is made up largely of the social elements which constitute it, the numbers which attend it, or the effective machinery by which it is moved; but this may involve no spiritual power whatever.

It is not inconsistent with spiritual power; the Holy Ghost may work in the channels of order and systematic work, but all of this may exist in the most complete form and yet it be simply a religious club and ecclesiastical machinery.

A minister may build up his church just as a man builds up his business, and the ambition which accomplishes his splendid ideal may be of precisely the same kind as that which has founded and consummated the great financial enterprises of our age. There is a no more perfect organization in the world than Romanism. Its machinery is superb, but it knows nothing of spiritual power.

(Excerpt from his book “Walking in the Spirit” by A.B. Simpson; Chapter 11: The Spirit of Power)

Ejecting From Our Comfort Zones

Text: Matthew 14:22-33
Title: Ejecting From Our Comfort Zones
Introduction: The African Impala can jump to a height of over ten feet and cover a distance of greater than thirty feet. Yet these magnificent creatures can be kept in an enclosure in any zoo with a three foot wall. The animals will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will fall.

Faith is leaping when you can’t see where you’re going to land. It is taking action based on the unseen fulfillment of God’s promises.

v1-12: Death of John the Baptist
vs13-21: Five thousand people miraculously fed.

“Special Hour” Schedule

This year, I have again the privilege of teaching in our Bible Institute. The President gave me the responsibility of handling the “Special Hour” class, often called the “Inspiration” class. I’d like to share to you the schedule of lessons that will be taught in the class. I’m praying that through these messages, the Lord would stir the hearts of the students to be more yielded to His Spirit.

“Special Hour” Schedule

Bible Baptist Institute School Year 2010

The Audience of One

The Audience of One

A story is told of a famous violinist who was to perform at a concert hall of world renown. As he stood before the packed house that night and played his violin, he mesmerized the audience with his prowess and skill. As he lifted his bow off the string on his final note, the hall erupted with thunderous applause and he was given a standing ovation. He looked at the crowd for a moment and walked off the stage only to return to render an encore performance. To the amazement of the masses gathered there that night, his encore performance was even more beautiful and flawless than the first.

He looked to the audience and left the stage for the second time, but was beckoned back by the deafening roar of the multitudes that once again stood to their feet in adulation. He gave yet another encore number, leaving the audience fumbling for words that could describe what their eyes and ears just experienced. This sequence was repeated several more times until finally this virtuoso of virtuosos finished his piece, looked to the audience, nodded his head and simply walked off the stage while the ferocious cheers could still be heard long after he exited.