Jesus in the Middle of the Storm | Hurricane Helene
Jesus in the Middle of the Storm
Hurricane Helene
Philippians 2:1-9 (ESV) So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
SOUL TATTOO: When I am in a storm, I need to cry out to God.
Job:
Job 1:18-22 (ESV) 18 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” 22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.
David and Isaiah:
Psalm 107:28-32 (ESV) 28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. 31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
Isaiah 25:4 (ESV) 4 For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat;
The Disciples:
Matthew 8:24-27 (ESV) 23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
1. The Spiritual Storm.
Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Psalm 34:17 (ESV) When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
2. The Physical Storm.
Mark 4:39 (NIV) 39He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
Isaiah 43:2 (NIV) 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
3. The Emotional Storm.
Psalm 61:2 (NIV) 2From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
SOUL TATTOO: When I am in a storm, I need to cry out to God.
What about you, what about me?
Being Jesus’ Hands and Feet in Times of Disaster:
- Have empathy for others.
Romans 12:15 (NIV) Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
- Help take care of others spiritual, physical and emotional needs.
James 2:15-16 (NIV) 15Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?
- Being Jesus’ hands and feet is critical in this moment.
Matthew 25:40 (NIV) …Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
SOUL TATTOO: When I am in a storm, I need to cry out to God.