Why Are Ye So Fearful & Faithless

Q: What does the Bible say about faith in difficult times?

The Bible teaches that faith is essential, especially in trials, as Christ is always with His people, offering peace amid storms. In Mark 4:40, Jesus questions His disciples about their fear and lack of faith during a storm, highlighting that true faith rests not in our own abilities but in His presence and promises. Believers are reminded that storms are a part of life, and through them, we learn to trust in Christ, who is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1). The essence of faith is recognizing that, despite overwhelming circumstances, Christ is with us, guiding us safely through to the other side. As He said, 'Let us pass over unto the other side' (Mark 4:35), reinforcing the assurance that His people will not perish but reach the promised haven ultimately.

Q: How do we know God's promises are true?

God's promises are secured in His character and faithfulness, which is demonstrated throughout scripture and in the lives of His people. The assurance of God's promises is grounded in His immutable nature; He cannot lie (Titus 1:2). In Mark 4:35, Jesus asserts, 'Let us pass over unto the other side,' a promise that affirms His intention and commitment to bring His people through life's trials. In Hebrews 11, we see examples of faith where God's promises were fulfilled, such as the Israelites crossing the Red Sea on dry ground. These accounts serve to remind us that God's word is reliable and that His faithfulness endures through all generations. The great calm that follows the storm in Mark 4 symbolizes how Christ fulfills His promises of peace amid chaos.

Q: Why is it important for Christians to hear the Word of God?

Hearing the Word of God is vital for spiritual growth, as it builds faith and provides guidance during life's struggles. The preaching of God's Word is essential for believers, as faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). In Mark 4:34, Jesus explains His parables to His disciples, which underscores the importance of understanding divine truths that many around them did not. Regular engagement with scripture fuels faith and equips Christians to face life's storms with confidence in God's sovereignty. As believers listen and meditate on the Word, they cultivate a deeper relationship with Christ, allowing His voice to provide comfort and assurance amidst trials. Thus, the act of hearing God’s Word is not a passive experience but an active engagement that nurtures spiritual vitality.

Q: What does it mean that Christ is with us in trials?

Christ's presence in trials assures believers of His control and faithful guidance through hardship. Christ's presence during turbulent times signifies that He is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1). According to Mark 4:38, even amidst the storm, Christ was in the ship with His disciples, symbolizing that His people are never alone in their struggles. This truth reinforces the saving grace of Christ, who, through His life, death, and resurrection, has conquered the storms of sin and despair. Believers are encouraged to cast their fears onto Him, for He cares for them (1 Peter 5:7). Ultimately, Christ's presence transforms trials into opportunities for spiritual growth and reliance on His power and grace.

Q: Why do Christians experience fear and doubt?

Christians may experience fear and doubt due to their fallen nature and focus on circumstances rather than God's promises. Fear and doubt often arise from the trials and uncertainties of life, as seen in Mark 4:40 when the disciples feared for their lives despite being in the company of Christ. This fear stems from a reliance on their perceptions and feelings rather than on the truth of God's promises. In moments of trial, believers are reminded that faith is a gift from God that combats fear (Ephesians 2:8-9). A lack of faith can lead to distress, but focusing on Christ's steadfastness—who calms storms (Mark 4:39)—enables believers to conquer their fears. Recognizing our vulnerabilities helps us rely more on Christ, nurturing a robust faith that overcomes worldly fears.

How many times have we sung that? Did we sing that from the heart? When through the deep waters, if these disciples went through that storm, if they were here with us this morning, boy, they'd be singing that at the top of their lungs. When through the deep waters I cause thee to go, I'll be with thee, thy troubles to bless, and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. They were in deep distress, deep water. When through fiery trials our pathway shall lie, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, if they were here this morning, they'd be singing that at the top of their lungs, from the depths of their heart. The flame shall not hurt thee, I only design the dross to consume, thy gold to refine. What a hymn. He sang one hymn. What a hymn. Mark chapter four. Look with me at Mark chapter four. Mark chapter four, look at verse one.

He began again to teach by the seaside. They were gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship and sat in the sea. The whole multitude was by him, or by the sea, on the land. This is all significant here. He's by the sea again and he entered into a ship and the people were on land and he left those people on land and got in that ship with his disciples to pass over the other side. He left a whole multitude of people and got in a ship with his chosen people to go to the other side. What a message of gospel that is, salvation that is. Our Lord was again by the seaside.

I hope you listen this morning. 60 minutes, the whole service, at most. You know, we can sit and watch a movie and listen to it and rap to it that lasts twice as long as this. And these are words of life. There's much at stake here. Salvation's at stake for those who are here. Peace is at stake. Freedom from fears and worries and doubts and freedom from overcoming sorrows and all that. It's at stake here if we just, here in your soul shall live.

The Lord again is walking by the seaside. It began in chapter one, walking by the seaside. That's where he called his disciple. On purpose, he walked by the sea, calling his disciple. Chapter two, he was again by the seaside doing what he is now, again. teaching the people. Chapter 3, it says, He withdrew Himself with His disciples by the seaside. The Lord was often in and by the sea. Why is that? Everything is significant. Turn with me to Hebrews 11. Hebrews 11. The Lord was in the sea and by the sea constantly throughout his life.

He chose to dwell in a town called Capernaum. which was a little seaside village. It means a comfortable village. That's what it meant. That's where he chose to dwell most of his adult life. It was called his city, Capernaum, a little seaside village. Only about 500 people lived there. Fishermen, low, poor people. That's where he chose to live.

But by the sea. Why was our Lord constantly by and in the sea? Because the sea was his creation. The sea shows his glory. The sea shows his person and his work. The depth of it. The power of it. The glory of it. The fearfulness of it. The sea. We're landlubbers. We're so far removed from the sea, we forget what it's like. Those old fishing men on that show, Deadless Catch, one of them said, if you don't believe in God, come out here. Well, they don't believe in God, but nevertheless, the sea is a powerful and fearful thing, an emblem of our God.

It represents His persons, vast, unfathomable, depth, the depth, oh the depth of the riches of the glory of our God, the depth of it. Life, nowhere on earth is there more life than in the sea. The riches of it. If somebody could Get all the treasures, sunken treasures, it'd be more than man has now. Oh, it's gone into the sea. Fearful, powerful, man is totally at the mercy of the sea. The greatest sailing vessels, largest ships, are at the mercy of God when they're in the sea. What a picture of our Lord and our God, Jesus Christ.

He was always by the sea. He often showed he was the master of the sea. His sea. He raised the sea, raised the stormy winds, quieted it, walked on it, ordered it, commanded the fish in it, He knew every fish in it. Get in the boat. That's why he's by the sea. A few reasons. The sea is a picture of this world.

Look at Hebrews 11. It says in verse 29, by faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, which the Egyptians a saying attempting to do were drowned. This world is full of all things, people, things, demons, devils, dangers. There's only one way we're going to pass through it. If Christ is with us, if we're in Him, we're in the ship, Christ is our one way.

The Egyptians represent the world. The sea represents the world. People drown in lust and perdition of ungodly men in this world. Riches and this and that. They drown in it. They perish in it. But no, God's people, like Noah and his family, they pass through.

This story, when our Lord said this, the Lord said, you must, through much tribulation, enter the kingdom of heaven. Didn't it? He said, in this world, you shall have tribulation, like these storms and these winds. But what did he say after that? Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world. There's only one way we overcome. It's because Christ overcame the world. And we trust him. These men had, when they went through this, they didn't have any faith. Didn't seem like it. Well, what's their hope? Not in their faith, but in their Lord. Isn't that faith though? It's not in our faith, our feelings. It's in our Lord, His faith, His power. That's how they made it. This story is familiar. We've heard it many times. I've preached it many times. So needful.

Like our Lord and his disciples, we are in the midst of this sea of life, this sea that threatens to drown us with all of its temptations and trials and trouble. We go through storms and constant, constant, seemingly contrary winds, don't we? Troubles and trials. Who sent them? What's it all about? The Lord raised this storm.

All right, look at verse one. Go back in our table. Let's begin there. He began again to teach by the seaside, and gathered unto him a great multitude. He sat and he taught them. Look at verse 10. When he was alone and they were about him, his disciples, the 12, asked him the parable. And verse 11, he said, unto you it's given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But unto them that are without, these things are in parables. And he went on to quote Isaiah 6.

Brothers and sisters, we're sitting here right now partaking of the greatest blessing that God can give us. He's teaching us in the midst of this world. He's teaching us. And there's a world of people out there that don't care. and that don't understand. Why do we? Are you with me? This is the greatest blessing. Are we going to hear it again?

So did they again and again and again. He's not going to let them forget, Brother Kelly. He's going to keep teaching them again. They're going to be reminded again and again and again. Why? Because they forget. Because they're seemingly faithless. But like a wonderful parent that he is, a father, he keeps reminding them. He knows our frames, keeps teaching.

I'm here to tell you that what we're doing right now is the most needful, blessing, blessed thing you can possibly do while you're alive on this earth. That's a fact. It'll save your soul. It'll keep you from doubts and fears and worries and overcoming sorrows and from drowning. Oh, blessing of blessing.

Verse 34, without a parable speaking out unto them. This word is like a parable to this world. They don't understand it. The Old Testament is in types, and pictures, and shadows, and symbols, and it's hidden. The veil is over their face. Isn't that what he said, John? The veil is over most people's faces in the readings of the Old Testament, which veil is done away where? In Christ. He's lifted that veil for us. Verse 34, when they were alone, he expounded unto his disciples.

Listen to me, Jane. Listen to me, Peter. Listen to me, Thomas. Listen to me, Nathaniel. Listen to me, Mindy. Listen to me, Irene. Our Lord says, I'm going to tell you what I don't reveal to everybody. I call you my friends because I tell you all things.

What a blessing. Verse John 5, 20, we know that the Son of God has come and given us an understanding that we might know him that is true and we're in him that is true. This is life eternal. Here in your soul shall live, here. Now while he was sitting there teaching them, it was a calm day, beautiful day. Like this. It's a nice day, isn't it? Pretty day. You wouldn't be here if you weren't in pretty good health. Everything's pretty good, isn't it? All right. Good health. The storm is coming. The calm before what? The storm. Oh, this world has never been so affluent Our country has never been so at peace. A bomb hadn't dropped in years and people have a carnal security.

Why is it? God bless America. Why is it that God hasn't destroyed this nation right now? It's because of this gospel I'm preaching. Christ came for a chosen few, and he revealed to them himself, his salvation, the truth of scripture. He withheld it from the masses for the saving of his disciples' souls. This is a calm day we're in right now, but storms are coming, they always do, for his disciples.

Verse 35, look at it. Same day when evening was come. Every word is significant, same day. One day, you know how much happened in the life of our Lord in one day? I've been reading through Mark, and I'm just now in chapter five after about four weeks, honestly. You know what, I'll start reading and listen and look at what all our Lord did in one day. Healed this person, that person, he went everywhere looking for his sheep and healing, healing this Lord and Savior of everyone. Today, today is the day of salvation.

Same day, he was in the ship. It's a ship that he chose. This was Simon's ship. This story's told a little bit differently than other gospels. This was Simon's ship. Simon was washing his nets and the Lord came and got in Simon's ship and said, shove off. Now, Tom, you have a boat. What if some stranger came along and got in your boat and said, come on, we're gonna fish. It wasn't his ship, and that one isn't yours either. There's nothing.

The earth is the Lord and the fullness thereof, and everything you have and I have belongs to him, and he loans it to you for his glory and his honor. You need to give him thanks for it. Ask him permission and use it for his glory. This ship, Simon had used this ship for himself for years. Now it's going to, it's going to have the Lord of glory in it for his glory and for others to hear his voice. That's our purpose. We're the light in this world.

So right when he enters in, now you're not, you're not your own. He bought with the price. You belong to him. Shove off. We're going to the other side. Until then, we're going to teach something. Same day. Now look at verse 35. He said, let us pass over onto the other side.

That's what he said, didn't he? He didn't say, shove off. I hope we make it. Did he? He didn't say, let's try to go. over the other side. He did not say, fellas, if you row hard enough, we'll make it. You and me, together, we can do this. He did not say that, did he? He said, let us pass over on the other side. And chapter five, verse one says, they came over on the other side. Boy, a lot went on between that promise and that prophecy And the fulfillment of it, a lot went on, a lot of trouble. Did they make it, John Davis? Will you? Why? It was not by them, it was in spite of them. It was not because of their faith, it was because of Jesus Christ.

You hear me, people talk about faith, faith, faith. The Lord sent a wind, blew that tent down. I'm going to talk Wednesday night about the God nobody knows and everybody's mad at. Job 1, read it. That's what we're going to look at. The Lord sent a wind that killed all of Job's children. And nobody giving God the blame for blowing that tent down. They don't believe that. Do you? He sent the wind. I'm way ahead of myself. But he reminded them. He said, we're going over to the other side. We're going over to the other side.

Hebrews 11, I meant for you to keep that place, but listen to this. Hebrews 11, it says Abraham, we're children of Abraham by faith. Listen to it, it says, Abraham sojourned in the land of promise as in a strange country dwelling in tabernacles, that is, tents, with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the promise. They looked for a city which had foundations whose builder and maker is God.

We have here no considering city. Our Lord was in Capernaum and said, we're leaving here. This is not our dwelling place. We're passing over the other side. I need to remind us over and over and over and over again, unless we drive our tent stakes too deep, this is not our home. We're passing through.

This is why the Lord sends these storms and these trials. Part of the reason. It says all God's people persuaded and embraced of the promises confess their strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Is that you? If not, then you're not a child of God. And they that say such things plainly declare to everyone around them That they desire a better country, a heavenly country.

And so God's not ashamed to be called their God. They're not ashamed of God. They're not ashamed of Christ. They're ashamed of themselves. They're ashamed of this world they live in. They're ashamed. A place full of shame. They want to go to a place where there's no more shame. No more sin. As God has prepared for them a city. That's what God does for all. We're passing over. We're just passing through and we're passing over, crossing over. And you know what's on the other side?

I hasn't seen, you haven't heard, neither have entered in our hearts fully what God has prepared for them to love. Joy unspeakable, full of glory. The former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. You wipe away all tears, all sorrow, all death, no more death, no more dying, no more sickness, no more parting, no more sin, no more hate, no more anger, no more want, no more lust, none of that. Does that sound good to you? We're passing over and we're going to get over one way. What's that way? I'm the way. I'm the way. Look at this, every word's significant. Verse 36.

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him, he was already in the ship, but they took him in the ship. They sent away the multitude. Listen now, several times, go to 2 Corinthians 6. And this was in the bulletin article, which I got three comments on, but second Corinthians six, look at that several times in scripture. It says he sent away the multitude. He sent away the multitude. He sent away the multitude. Why? So that he could be alone with them several times.

It says he sent away the multitude to be alone with his disciples. That clearly shows us that God doesn't, didn't come for it. Christ didn't come for everybody. He didn't come to save everybody. He came to save his chosen people. Those he loves, that God doesn't love everybody, that Christ came for his own, having loved his own, which are in the world. He loved them to the end. Several times he sent away the multitude. He sent them away to be alone with his disciples. Here it says they sent them away. This is significant.

Second Corinthians 14. Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers. Why? We looked at that yoke. Christ said, take my yoke upon you and learn of me. Follow me, my yoke. Why? Christ is taking us to glory. Yoke to the unbelievers of this world, they're going the opposite direction. Do you understand? They're pulling us away from our God. Listen to me now, this is not my word, this is God's word. Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers. What fellowship? None.

Their ship's not going to sail. It's going to sink, like the Titanic. Two great ships in history. One built by man, and the maker of it, the builder of it, was on board. And he said, listen, he said, even God can't sink this ship. Yes, he did. What did God do?

Noah, and a ship that the whole world says, that won't float. It's too big, it's too heavy, all those that, no way that will, ha, ha, what a laugh, what a, rose above the water. Their ship won't float, it's gonna sink. This world is sinking. Shifting sands, sinking sands, sinking sands.

Don't be like, here we go. What agreement, verse 16, hath the temple of God with idols. We have no people, religion in this world has no part or lot in this matter with us. We can't join together with them. If we pray for people, we pray the Lord will save them, the Lord will bring them to hear the truth. It says, verse 17, come out from among them. Is that what it said? Be ye separate, saith the Lord. Touch not the unclean thing. What's that?

Everything in religion is abomination to God. Another Jesus wants to save. Does this sound like a Jesus that can't save unless you let him? Does this sound like a Jesus who wants to be your Lord and you make him Lord? Does this story sound like that Jesus?

No, they're so far apart as the east is from the west. The God of the Bible no more resembles the God that men are preaching today than the sun does a candle. He says, come out from among you. Verse 18, I'll be a father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters. Saith, saith who? The Lord, what? Does he mean that? Is that true?

Look at this story. Almighty. Can't save you unless you let him. That's a God who can't save and anybody that says that doesn't know him. Anybody believes that God is lost. Well, when this was over, these disciples. Who are they fearing? What are they fearing now? Him. It says they took him. They sent them all to his way.

Brothers and sisters when when you become a new creature when God we were born again You have a new life new love new master new family new friends new heart new mind when your pilgrimage begins on this earth you leave this world and you leave your former friends and you leave your former associate and you leave all that to go with like Moses with God's people to suffer reproach and the wilderness because you're passing over the other side That's a fact. It's either so or it's not Come out from London Send them away. And if Christ really is your life, they will send you away. They won't want to be with you. I tried to maintain a relationship with some of my former friends. And I was talking to them about Christ. And they got tired of hearing it. And they cut me off. The sooner the better. It's a fact. It's a fact.

And first Peter says, you know, you used to time past would have sufficed for you to walk with them and riot and wantonness and all that. Now you don't run with them the same excess of right. And they think you're strange. They think something's wrong. Like you just got religion. No, hopefully the Lord got you, took possession of you. The world had possession of you and they had possession of you. They sent them away. These disciples willingly. Y'all leaving, we're going with him. And they took him in the ship. He was in the ship. They took him. Who took who? Who's taking who? Seriously.

Philip one time came running and said, we found him. Oh, Philip. But he was so excited. He said, we found him. No, Philip, he found you. But when he finds you, if he takes you for his own, you know what? You're going to take him. If he sets his love upon you, it's like a husband and wife. You know what?

When they ask you, will you take this man? I take him. Yes, I confess him. Yes, I shouldn't have to beg anybody to be baptized. Come on. If you realize he set his love upon you and hung on that cross for you and did what he did for you and came for you and left other people to favor you, you're getting that pull and you want to get in it every day. Won't you, Blair? Let me in it again. I failed him, but he hasn't failed me. Let me confess Him again. I denied Him. Thank God He hasn't denied me. Let me try it again.

But it ain't our baptism. It's being crucified with Christ, though. They took Him. Fact is, He chooses us, but when He chooses us, you'll choose him, over friends, over family, over everything and everyone. The fact is you won't have a choice. You no longer have free will.

And you're so glad. Thy people shall be willing, when? When they decide? In the day of thy power, gospel power. It comes and breaks down that proud self-will I made my decision. By the way, that place, that tent blew down. When they baptize people, they all wear a shirt, a black shirt that says, I decided. That's what they preach. That's what they believe. I decided. The preacher has it, and the people have it. I decided. You want to tell me what they believe? And that's what nearly every place in this county believes. What did these disciples decide or do? What went on here? Did they decide when Christ came by the seaside and chose them, was it their decision or His? Huh? When this was all over, them making it over, was it their faith or His? Which?

And everybody in glory's gonna be singing unto Him that loved us and washed us from our what? We are nothing but sinners in the hands of an angry God. But, bless God, He gave some of those sinners into the hands of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who came and saved every one of them. Not one of them is lost. Don't holler, preacher. I'm gonna get more vows. David said, if Michael doesn't like this, she doesn't know God. That's David's wife. She didn't know the Lord. She said, David, you're making a fool of yourself acting up like that. He said, I'll be more vile if you don't like it.

Wait till we get to glory and start shouting and singing. Not Pentecostal. When the Lord turned our captivity, we were like them that dreamed. And our mouths were filled with laughter, saying, what'd they say? The Lord, the Lord hath done great things for us. All we did to Him was doubt Him and rebel against Him and ignore Him and go our way.

But God. You see the divine irony there, they took him. No, he took them. But when he takes you, you'll take him. Like Moses, when he came to years, what does that mean? In the fullness of time. when it was time for God to reveal himself to Moses. How did he do that, John?

At the burning bush. That's Christ crucified, isn't it? At the burning bush. Moses, just in curiosity, I'm going to see what this site is. Moses, you're coming up here because I called you. And he came up there and said, what is it? Take your shoes off. You're on holy ground. You've just met Christ and crucified.

Now, Moses, this is what I'm going to do with you. This is what I've done for you. I'm gonna reveal myself to you. This is what I'm gonna do for you. And those people that I give you, this is what I'm gonna do, because I am that I am. That's Jesus Christ. Then it says Moses took him. Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather. Why did he choose? Because God chose him. Look at verse 36. This is so wonderful. Oh, this is wonderful. Been good so far, hasn't it? Verse 36.

They were also with him. He was in the ship. They took him. He was in the ship. And there was also with him other little ships. He was in the ship. He'd been there all day. Where? Where was he? In the ship. Deborah, he was in the ship. He was there all along. He never left the ship. Then they went through this storm. Where was it? In the ship. There's another time, just a couple of chapters later. They went through another storm.

And he was on land praying. And where is he? He hadn't left yet. Listen, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Though the therefore we will not fear. Though the earth be removed and the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. Though the waters roar and be troubled. Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.

Why? God is in the midst of her. She shall not be moved. God shall help her. And that right early. Soon as they hollered, Master, he rose. The Lord of Hosts is with us. When? Always. He said, I'll never leave you. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Stop and think about that, you sons of Jacob. He said, I'm the Lord, I change not. Therefore. You sons of Jacob are not going to be consumed. You're not going to drown. Why? He's with us. The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Where was he? He was in the ship all along. He never left the ship. Isn't that good? There's other little ships with it. Other little ships out there.

You're gonna love this. We've looked at it before, and I have. It's like I've never seen it, but I have. But this is why the gospel, you know the gospel is good news to you. Brothers and sisters, most of you have heard everything I've said a thousand times over. And I have, okay? And you're still smiling, and still laughing, and still rejoicing. That means the gospel's gospel to you. It's good news.

If at times, because it's His voice, Helen. It's His voice. It's not just dead, dry doctrine on paper. It's the Master's voice telling you again, speaking to you again. Daughter, I'm yours, you're mine. Listen to me now. Here are your souls to live. It's His voice. The voice of the Lord is powerful. Other little ships. What were these other little ships? There were other little ships. out there. Well, we have this little ship in it. It's a little ship in it.

Fellowship of the gospel. He said, where two or three are gathered in my name, for my glory, for my honor, if I be lifted up, I'll draw all my men to myself. Where the gospel is preached, where his name is found. A place that the Lord has chosen to put His name there.

They all know who did the choosing. They all know whose glory it is. They all know what this church is about. It ain't about us. Church is not about you, it's about Him. Okay? It's called out. Church means called out. Not in, not leave us in. Call us out of the world. Come out from among them. Send them away.

The church is where Christ dwells. And they're little ships because the whole world doesn't believe that. God's people all do. And so there's little ships. There's a little ship right now in Madisonville, Kentucky. There's a little ship in Dingus, West Virginia. Who knows where Dingus, West Virginia is?

If you tried to get there, you couldn't. Even GPS won't do it. Chat won't get you there. Boy, the God's people there are. Little ship up in Dingus. Little ship in Wheelersburg. It's nothing to this world. They're nothing. It's a cult. No, it's not. The God's people. They're little to the world. They're God's people. Little ships.

Now listen to me. Prepare to laugh with me. After this was all over, there's not one word of one shipwreck. No mention. There were little ships everywhere with them, other ships. Not one of them went down. No word, right? Did you hear three ships were lost? No, not one.

The Lord said, all that thou hast given me, I've lost nothing. Does that sound like it's Jesus they're preaching today? I have kept them in thy name. Father, those whom thou hast given me, I will, I don't pray for the world, I pray for them which thou hast given me. Let they be with me where I am, will we? Why? Our prayers, our faith, no, his. You believe that?

Then you're in a little ship, and you're in a good place. You're gonna pass over. This is faith that overcomes this world. The Other Little Ships. This book's big, isn't it? There rose a storm. A great storm went. And the waves beat into the ship. so that it was now full. How long did this storm go on? Long time. It seemed like a long time. It could have been six hours, three hours, could have been 12 hours. We don't know. The Lord knew. He knew. He's the one that did it. And he's the one, the duration of it, he purposed the duration of it. But while they were going through that storm, they didn't think it was ever going to end. And every one of them, to a man, thought, we're going to die. Everyone.

There arose a storm. Who raised it? Where did it come from? Well, a north wind came. That's right. Well, a south wind blew. That's right. Who raises the wind? Huh? The wind bloweth where it listeth. It listeth where he listeth, where he sends it. So is everyone born of God. So is everyone that goes through trials. Listen to this, Psalm 107. He commandeth and raiseth the stormy wind and lifted up the waves thereof.

How many waves? He decides. How long? He decides. We're going through a trial. We think, is this ever going to end? He knows. We're going to have to ride it out. And trust Him. They mount up to the heavens and go down to the depth. Their soul is melted because of trouble. Who sent it? The Lord did. Whatever it is, it is the Lord. Listen to me now. The wind. Nothing more powerful. Hurricanes, tornadoes. It's God's, it's always a story of God's destruction and wrath. Isn't it? Throughout the Scripture. Clear emblems of God's power, God's wrath, revealed from heaven, Romans 1, 18. Often death and destruction in its path, isn't it? Huh? Upon who?

An unbelieving world. Well, to his people. It's a trial of faith to his people whether it's disease or disaster. No matter how terrible it is. You know what the scriptures calls our God? The terrible God. Says let him be your fear, let him be your dread. And to say that, listen to Psalm 65. This is a God that nobody knows, but everybody's mad at. Listen, Psalm 65. By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us.

The most terrible thing that ever happened on this earth that most people could care less about The most evil thing that mankind had ever done, the most horrible, horrific, terrible sight was when Jesus Christ hung on that cross. And all of mankind said, kill him, make him suffer. We don't want him.

Who did that? God did it. The terrible and dreadful God. by terrible things and righteousness, who are at the confidence of all the ends of the earth and then that are far off in the sea. The Lord raised this wind and this stormy wind. Now this wasn't the first and it wasn't the last, but it seemed like the worst. Brother Scott used to say, every believer's gonna go through one great trial.

And the reason being so that you will confess like Job. The Lord did it. Faith is not faith in a calm. You don't need it. Right? Faith is when you're at your wit's end. Faith is you have no place to turn. You have no help in yourself. You cannot save yourself. You cannot find any peace or comfort.

And faith is looking to Him. That's when you look to Him and Him only. And that's when He lets you. The waves beat upon the ship and it was full. Wave after wave. Psalm 42, David said, all thy waves and thy billows have passed over me. Picture of Christ.

And every single one of these fellas thought they were gonna sink. Didn't they? Every one of them, these believers. In spite of all he told them. In spite of all the promises. In spite of all they'd seen. Every one of them had thought they were gonna sink.

Have you ever had, I'm not trying to be clever, But ever had a sinking feeling within you because of many things? You think, I'm going down, I'm not gonna get out, I'm not gonna get out of this. Sinking feeling because you're full of sin. Psalm 38, your loins are filled with a loathsome disease, this is gonna drown me. Full of lust, anger, wrath. You ever been so full of wrath and anger and bitterness? You ever been full of bitterness?

I have, boy. I still get there. Think, how can I be a child of God? You ever been so full of sorrow that you can't get comforted? David did. You ever been so full of doubts and fears? You think, I don't have any faith. How could I be a child of God? Everything's so full of yourself. You only think about yourself. You only love yourself. You think, why don't I? Self-pity and stuff. I'm just going to get off to myself. What do you mean? And oh, if God in his grace and mercy will give you that sinking feeling. And faith is salvation is not in feelings. But if you get to the point where you think, I'm going down. I'm so full of sin.

Listen, Christ full of grace and truth. John wrote, we've beheld his glory as of the only begotten of the Father. Full of grace and truth. Christ came to this earth and emptied himself. Gave himself for his people. And on Calvary's tree, took our sin to its fullest, the full cup of God's wrath, he drank it dry, made sin for us, you know, sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God and of his fullness have all we receive grace for granted.

I was going to have you turn to Jonah. That's what that whole story is about. Christ said, this is the one sign, the only sign I'm going to give to this evil and adulterous generation. The sign of the prophet Jonas, which very few people, Todd, know about, but you do. Why? Who is that? What's Jonah? What's that all about? Christ crucified him.

He was in the ship with these bunch of unbelievers. Jonah was in the ship with a bunch of unbelievers. A storm came up, and they all thought they were going down. They said, what can we do to stop this raging storm? And Jonah said, throw me overboard. And the ship swallowed him, or the ocean swallowed Jonah up, a whale swallowed him up. And that's where Jonah 2 says, I went down into the depths of hell. The weeds wrapped around me. When they threw old Jonah into the sea, the raging sea, and that sea got a hold of him, and that whale swallowed him, and Christ became sin on Calvary's tree. You know what happened? Peace. Calm. The raging storm stopped.

Look at verse 38. It says he was in the hindered part of the ship, asleep on a pillow. He's asleep. What pillow is he resting on? Well, Deuteronomy 33, 27. Underneath are the everlasting arm. And you don't see them, but they're underneath you too. You need to be asleep. I've said this before. You know what they should have done? They should have gone back there and snuggled up to him and said, we'll just sleep with you.

This ship can't go down. It can't go down, with Christ in it, brothers and sisters. He was in the hinder part, that's where the captain is, this hinder part, that's where the rudder is, that's where the controls are, that's where the helm is, that's where the wheel is. Now they woke him up in verse 38.

Master, carest not thou we perish? They woke him up. Don't you care? Have you ever done that, said that? Boy, they're revealing their faithlessness now. Don't you care? They're concerned about themselves. He's asleep. When he was getting ready to go to the cross, And he was sweating blood and he told him, you watch with me for one hour. And he went in and sweat blood and soon going to take their sins in his body on a tree. What were they doing? Sleeping, like many of us do when the gospel is being preached. He should have said, that's I'm done with you. Carest thou not? No, they're the ones that don't care much.

He came because he cared. He chose them because he cared. He called them because he cared. That's how you know. He constantly comforted them and promised them. They provoked him and provoked him and provoked him and didn't believe him, didn't believe him. He denied him, but he cannot deny himself. He kept comforting them and be still, peace, be still. He kept reminding them. They're so full of fear and doubts and unbelief, but he's their salvation.

In verse 39, it says he arose and rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, peace be still. I wouldn't dare try to mimic our Lord, copy him. No man spake like him. And the wind ceased, and there was great calm. He arose. He was asleep. What is this telling you? He arose and rebuked the storm and the wind, and there was peace. Be still. And a great calm.

That's Christ crucified, isn't it? Christ crucified. Our risen Christ, our Lord, he came, he lived, he died, he swallowed up the sea in fullness of it, took it in his body on a tree, went to the cross, died, buried, rose from the grave. sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high. And doing all that, he rebuked the adversary. He rebuked sin, he abolished sin, hell, death, and hell, rebuked the law, said, kept, fulfilled, blotted out, and there's peace with God.

So be still, John. That ought to give us great calm. Great calm. Now I got to give you a few more minutes, okay? Please give me, you need this, I need it. And he said unto them, verse 40, why are you so fearful? Why? This is, the ship's full. The ship's full of water, it's going down. No, it's not. They're not going down, brothers and sisters. No matter what happens to you, you're not going down. You know where you're going? Up! You hear me? The ship's going down. No, it's not. No, it's not. No, no, this well's going down. He's going to lift us up. Oh, no, we're going to drown. No, you're not. We're gonna die. No, you're not. You're about to live.

This is why scripture says death is better than birth. Ecclesiastes 7-1. We need to commit that to memory. Let these sayings sink down deep in your ears. Death is better than birth. Don't dread it. Look forward to it. Talk about it. Be conversant with it. Have a desire toward it.

Why? We're not going down, we're going up. Why are you so fearful? He that liveth and believeth me, Christ said, shall never die. Do you believe that? Do you? Probably do you? Mary and Martha had trouble with it. But it's true. Whether we believe it or not, it's true. It's true. God hath given us, God who cannot lie hath promised us eternal life. And this life is in his son. And he that hath the life, he that son hath life. Tom, do you have faith in Christ, do you?

Is he all your faith? Is he all your trust? You don't have any faith in yourself? You have any ability? Can you do anything? No, you can't. So Christ is all to you? You have life. You're not gonna die. Ain't nothing gonna kill you. It's gonna usher you into glory. Why are you so fearful? Oh, he's got COVID. Good. No, seriously. Seriously. They thought we're drowning. No, you're not. What if the boat had all gone down?

They'd all gone to glory together. Well, I really believe it. There's a lot of believers in here. If the Lord chose to blow this house down, hallelujah. We're going to glory. We're done with this place, like Chadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Burn it up. Catch it on fire with us in it. Fire! We're done with this evil adversary in this camp. We're going to be with Christ in glory. Hallelujah.

The sooner the better. Oh, is that a death wish? No, it's a life wish. You're fatalist. No, I'm a believer in what Jesus Christ actually said. He meant it. He says what he says and he says what he means. He that liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Our friend Lazarus sleepeth. Old Nathaniel got a hold of it finally said, well, let's just go die with him. Let's go. I'm ready.

Anybody? Why are you so fearful? How is it you have no faith? Now, they had faith. Now, just listen to a message by Bruce Crabtree, a good message. They had faith, but it sure didn't seem like they had any, did it? Little faith's God-given. Little faith's saving faith. But why, why is it we're so fearful? A few reasons, okay? Why is it that we seem like we have no faith? Why is it? Well, when did they start calling on the Lord? Huh?

In the calm? They're just rolling along. They probably forgot about it. He's asleep. Roll, roll, roll your boat. Having a big time, huh? Then the storm rose. That's Psalm 107. Then they called on the Lord in trouble. And he's so gracious. He calls on them when they don't call on him. And we're not calling. This is why the scripture says pray without ceasing. Because something's going to happen that you're least expecting. Pray without ceasing. And you won't be toe up and say we're going to drown. All right? That's why. They weren't listening. He just preached to them for an hour or more. He said, now listen to what I'm saying. He just told them we're passing over. He just told them we're crossing over. Didn't he? They didn't hear what he said. And so they were tore all to pieces.

That's why our faith is so little. I look into the faces of many of your good hearers, but there are times when I look into the faces of the best hearers in here, and you're sleeping, you're dull. Words of life. And then something happens and we get all tore up. We're not listening. We're not listening. We're dull of hearing. And you hear something so many times, it kind of just, isn't that right? We're all guilty. We're not listening. We need to, he said, receive the word as a little child like we never heard before.

Tell me again, Lord, I forget. Why do we get so fearful and unbelieving? Because we forgot past mercies. We forgot, we forgot, we forgot all the deliverances, all the salvation, all the mercy, and all the grace, all our lives he's kept us and done all these things. And something else comes up and this is it, I'm gone. Not going to leave you now in the worst trial ever, is it?

Why do we get so fearful and unbelieving? Because we're not looking to Him. They were looking at the winds and the wave, like Peter. He walked, he was overcoming, but he looked around him. Look, look, look, brothers and sisters, listen, we don't live by sight.

Don't stop listening to all the noisome pestles. Don't listen to it. Don't listen to it. You hear me? Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Give you peace, give you comfort, give you calm in the storm. Let the word of Christ, stop your ears like old pilgrim leaving the city of destruction. Life, life, eternal life, stop your ears up. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Remember what he said over and over. Faith cometh by hearing.

You're getting more right now than you'll get probably all week. Go back and listen to it. Chew the cud. Read the Word, but don't read it as a book to be reading. Ask Him to speak to you. Faith cometh by how? Hearing. And you're not gonna hear from Him while you're reading just words. So you gotta ask Him, Lord, speak to me in the Word. Otherwise, you'll read it and you won't retain one thing you just read. It begins with prayer. Lord, open my ears. Let these sayings sink down deep in my ear.

And if it's a wellspring in you, the word of life in you, when you need it the most is when it's going to come out. He said, like old Joe, went through everything a human being can go through 10 times over at one time in one day. But the Lord said, he had this spring in him. And with tears in his eyes and a broken heart, he could rejoice in the Lord. And it says, they feared exceedingly. What? Him. And said one to another, what matter of man is this?

Even the winds and the sea obey Him. This is our God. This is our Christ. This is our hope. This is our peace. This is our comfort. This is our life. This is our instruction. This is our everything. Christ is all. Did you hear that? Well, let's start over again. We don't have the capacity to do it. Go back and chew the cud. A lot said, wasn't it? There's a lot to retain. Oh, Lord, deliver us from fears and give us faith. Trust You. Stand with me.

Why Are Ye So Fearful & Faithless

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about faith in difficult times?

How do we know God's promises are true?

Why is it important for Christians to hear the Word of God?

What does it mean that Christ is with us in trials?

Why do Christians experience fear and doubt?

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Why Are Ye So Fearful & Faithless

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about faith in difficult times?

How do we know God's promises are true?

Why is it important for Christians to hear the Word of God?

What does it mean that Christ is with us in trials?

Why do Christians experience fear and doubt?

Sermon Transcript

About Paul Mahan

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