“When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep.” (Matthew 8:23-24)
(This one’s in preaching style.) I want to talk about faith. But more than that, I want to talk about who’s in your boat – the focus of your faith.
And actually it could be a question, too. Who’s in your boat? (with a question mark). Do you know the answer to the question? Do really know who it is that’s in your boat if you’re a Christian? It’s a serious and important question to answer and discuss I’m convinced.
And some of us – it affects us, our understanding of who Jesus is. And this is how it affects us. When the storms of life come up, we either remain calm or we become frazzled depending on our understanding of who Jesus is. We either are at peace or we’re a bundle of nerves. We either have a heart rate that’s steady or it shoots right up and through the roof. How many of you know what I’m talking about? Which one is you? Some of us – it affects us, our understanding of who Jesus is when the storms of life come up.
And so we need to know who this Jesus is that’s in our boat. It’ll make all the difference. (Elbow the person next to you and say, “He’s right.” Go ahead.)
Of course, the disciples sure didn’t know who they had with them in their boat in Matthew 8:23-27.
And let me just give you a real quick point before we look at the passage.
And it’s never until you’re put in a situation where you need faith – like Peter and James and John and the others in our story – that you find out whether you have any. Right?
Which brings me to…
WHO’S IN YOUR BOAT POINT #1: SOMEONE WHO HAS POWER OVER ALL DISEASE.
And it’s really something when you think about it. Because they (the disciples) have already been around Jesus for a while. I mean, it wasn’t a huge and long while, but you would have thought it would be long enough for them to realize who He was.
I mean – and if you just look up prior a few verses to Matthew 8:14-17. And here we read about some pretty amazing things the disciples have been around Jesus for a while seeing.
He heals Peter’s mother-in-law in v. 14-15 of a fever. (Matthew 8:14-15)
And then in v. 16 – and I have the verse in a block quote below because it’s just so powerful. And let’s just read and consider it together, shall we?…
And when evening had come, they brought to Him (Jesus) many who were demon-possessed; (and now here’s the part of the verse I wanted you to see) and He cast out the spirits with a word, and HEALED ALL who were ill – and He cast out the spirits with a word, and HEALED ALL who were ill. (Matthew 8:16)
Do you see that there? Jesus “HEALED ALL who were ill” is the part I wanted you to see.
And it would have been quite amazing if Jesus healed 90% of them, or 80% or even half – 50%. But He healed 100% of the cases that were sent His way.
And I was thinking, can you just imagine the health care system today if you had somebody like that around? Wouldn’t have to worry about prescription drugs for one thing. Right? Wouldn’t you like that? Nowadays, it’s one of the biggest costs. Isn’t it?
And it’s really point #1 here now to remind you who’s in your boat. Who’s in your boat? Someone who has power over all disease.
Not just three quarters of the diseases. Not just nine out of ten. But over all disease and sickness.
Are you in need of a cure?
Watch for Who’s in Your Boat – Part 2 to come soon.
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