In the storm
Mark 4:38-40
[38] But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” [39] And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. [40] He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
Anyone in here ever been in a hurricane? A tornado?
Category Hurricane | Sustained Winds | Types of Damage Due to Hurricane Winds |
1 | 74-95 mph
64-82 kt 119-153 km/h |
Very dangerous winds will produce some damage: Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days. |
2 | 96-110 mph
83-95 kt 154-177 km/h |
Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage: Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks. |
3
(major) |
111-129 mph
96-112 kt 178-208 km/h |
Devastating damage will occur: Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes. |
4
(major) |
130-156 mph
113-136 kt 209-251 km/h |
Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months. |
5
(major) |
157 mph or higher | Catastrophic damage will occur: A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof |
One of the strongest hurricanes to ever hit the US was Camille that hit Mississippi in 1969, the windspeed was so high that it destroyed all of the wind instruments. The estimate sustained winds over 175MPH
Tornados
EF-0
Wind gusts are estimated between 105 and 137 kilometers per hour (65 and 85 miles per hour). The environment sustained minor damage: tree branches are broken, some shallow-rooted trees are uprooted, and some chimneys are damaged.
EF-1
Wind gusts are estimated between 138 and 177 kilometers per hour (86 and 110 miles per hour). The environment sustained moderate damage: mobile homes are tipped over, windows are broken, roof tiles may be blown off, and some tree trunks have snapped.
EF-2
Wind gusts are estimated between 178 and 217 kilometers per hour (111 and 135 miles per hour). The environment sustained considerable damage: mobile homes are destroyed, roofs are damaged, debris flies in the air, and large trees are snapped or uprooted.
EF-3
Wind gusts are estimated between 218 and 266 kilometers per hour (136 and 165 miles per hour). The environment sustained severe damage: roofs and walls are ripped off buildings, small buildings are destroyed, and most trees are uprooted.
EF-4
Wind gusts are estimated between 267 and 322 kilometers per hour (166 and 200 miles per hour). The environment sustained devastating damage: well-built homes are destroyed, buildings are lifted off their foundations, cars are blown away, and large debris flies in the air.
EF-5
Winds of over 322 kilometers per hour (over 200 miles per hour) are present. The environment sustained incredible damage: well-built homes are lifted from their foundations, reinforced concrete buildings are damaged, the bark is stripped from trees, and car-sized debris flies through the air
the fastest ever recorded Oklahoma City 1999 318mph
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We’re still in Mark 4
Jesus has finished his parables and is headed to the East (where there’s less people) then this happens……..
Mark 4:35-41 (3 rebukes)
Jesus Calms a Storm
[35] On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” [36] And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. [37] And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. [38] But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” [39] And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. [40] He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” [41] And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
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So here we have Jesus near his normal location. Around Capernum and the Sea of Galilee and he’s getting away from the crowds. Maybe he needs a minute. He’s obviously tired, he can sleep in a storm.
You’ve heard this story before. Maybe it’s coming up for us again, because we need a reminder of who’s in charge of the storm. Not just the weather….
It seems we all go from one storm to the next. I’m not trying to be negative or over dramatize our lives. Some things that we consider as storms are likely not storms but a short wind or rain, then other times there truly are storms that seem like they won’t end, or that we will never recover from. Like this story from the life of Jesus there’s likely a lot of factors.
Such storms on the Sea result from differences in temperatures between the seacoast and the mountains beyond. The Sea of Galilee lies 680 feet below sea level. It is bounded by hills, especially on the east side where they reach 2000 feet high. These heights are a source of cool, dry air.
In contrast, directly around the sea, the climate is semi-tropical with warm, moist air. The large difference in height between surrounding land and the sea causes large temperature and pressure changes. This results in strong winds dropping to the sea, funneling through the hills. The Sea of Galilee is small, and these winds may descend directly to the center of the lake with violent results. When the contrasting air masses meet, a storm can arise quickly and without warning. Small boats caught out on the sea are in immediate danger.
The Sea of Galilee is relatively shallow, just 200 feet at its greatest depth. A shallow lake is “whipped up” by wind more rapidly than deep water, where energy is more readily absorbed.
NOTE: Mark 4:37: says…A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.
Luke 8 describes the wind and raging waves during this storm. Matthew calls it a furious storm without warning
So with many differing factors we can also have different levels of storms in our lives. Things that seem as serious as how the disciples were feeling.
Health, marriage, relationships, money, job, kids, family, home, our past..and the list goes on…..
I understand that there are some serious things that come to mind for many of you today as you walk into church. Maybe some on that list I just said, maybe something else, but I think we’re being reminded of this account because of this……
There’s really only one storm that can sink you.
Maybe you’re like…. “I don’t need another motivational speech today pastor”
I understand.
Maybe you’re like….. “I don’t need a hallmark card, nor a fortune cookie saying nor a quote, nor a win one for the Gipper speech.”
Or maybe you want a slogan to live by? Just tell me the one little thing to do to answer everything ??
Again, I understand. That’s not what we do here. What we do (every Sunday) is that we read through the scripture and we exposit.
That means we explain and describe what is being said in light of the context of scripture….the whole scripture. We don’t try to grab a saying to make everyone feel good, nor do we grab a verse to pound you on the head about your sin. I believe scripture speaks for itself and will do the appropriate encouraging and admonishing wherever God sees fit. Then God weaves (in his wonderful sovereignty) things that help us see Him and follow Him and understand Him and how He wants us to live. It’s our choice to follow. It’s our blessing and honor, it is a shame and disaster when we don’t.
So. What does this passage say?
Jesus tells the disciples they are hopping in a boat and heading to the other side of the Sea (a lake) and a massive storm pops up and they panic and He doesn’t. He shows that He’s in control of everything (and already been showing them, but they still struggle with doubt or trusting him with everything)
Are we like that?
Their situation was life and death, so as serious as it can get right? Do we think “come on guys why didn’t you just trust the Lord?”
The disciples should not have been fearful. Jesus had told them that they were going to the other side; He promised they would arrive there (v. 35). Second, He was with them; they would not die because He would not die before His time. Third, Jesus was sleeping peacefully and was not afraid of the storm. Fourth, He had demonstrated compassion for them and the multitudes many times.
That’s straight from a commentary. Those 4 things. I’d say we agree with Dr. Constable on what the disciples should have done to trust.
Can I say the same holds true for you and me today in our storms?
I might even tell you many of us are concerned or worry or fear of what might happen if we truly trust Jesus in everything. I think that’s one of the worst fears, not just trust Him to save you, but trust Him with everything in your life.
What if he asks me to do this? Or what if he asks me to do that? What if it changes who I am and what I like to do? What if it infringes on my routine?
“Justification costs us nothing, sanctification costs us everything.” – John MacArthur
Fear is this ongoing theme in the NT. Jesus says Fear not more than anything else. Maybe instead of fear of the storm, we’re afraid that God might change us or ask us to do something out of our normal way of doing things? That’s a worse fear than the tornado. It’s saying God, I know who you are and you can save me from Hell, but I don’t trust you with this thing ..I don’t trust you to really handle everything. How about we look at scripture to help us be reminded of the promises that Jesus has made us.
Here are 6 promises straight from Jesus
- You are secure…never cast out…if you know Him
John 6:37
[37] All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
- He will use you for His Kingdom
Matthew 4:19
[19] And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
- He will guide you
Luke 6:47 (build house upon a rock)
[47] Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like:
- He will give you rest
Matthew 11:28
[28] Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
- He will give you the Holy Spirit
John 14:16
[16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
- He will make a place for you
John 14:3
[3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
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There’s only one storm that can really sink you. Not knowing the Lord.