Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, Sunday, October 10, 2021

The Truth or a Lie.  Pick One!

Today Billy Huneycutt is giving a message on Truths or Lies.  His message centers around the disciples being in a boat with Jesus on the Sea of Galilee when a storm comes up and tosses the boat violently.  Jesus, however, is sleeping through this storm when His disciples awaken him.  Jesus calms the storm and His followers are amazed, yet fearful of both the storm and His powers to quell it!  It showed Jesus’ unlimited power of the natural world.

No matter how bad the storm was, the truth was in the back of the boat!

(CSB Baker Illustrated Bible Study Notes) This account is replete with details reminiscent of eyewitness experience. The Sea of Galilee is surrounded by steep hills and mountains, and the confluence of cold air from Mount Hermon to the north and hot air rising from the sea can produce squalls of hurricane force. As Jesus and the disciples proceed eastward across the lake, their boat is seized by such a storm (4:35–37). Fearing death, the disciples rouse Jesus from sleep in the stern and reproach him (4:38). Jesus then rebukes the wind and the sea (4:39). The Greek words for “rebuke,” “silence,” and “be still” frequently occur in Hellenistic exorcism accounts. By describing the quelling of the storm in the language of exorcism, Mark portrays Jesus as the Strong One (1:7; 3:37) who vanquishes Satan and evil forces.

At the word of Jesus, calm replaces chaos. Ironically, the disciples are more terrified by the power of Jesus than by the terror of the storm (4:41). “Who then is this?” they ask. This is the question not only before the disciples but also before Mark’s readers: will their experience of Jesus lead to faith (4:40) or to fear and doubt?

(Gospel Transformation Study Bible Notes) It is a great source of encouragement for followers of Jesus to remember who they serve: the triune Creator of this universe. The power of the eternal Son protects and guides with utter reliability, even in great distress. 

If we have fears, uncertainty or doubt we need to place our trust in Jesus.  The truth is, Jesus won’t forsake us.  

Today’s verses are found in Mark 4: 35-41.