One Family Church Sermons

FEARLESS

David went to bring up the ark of God . . . to the City of David with rejoicing. . . . 2 Samuel 6:13-23

Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets. 2 Samuel 6:13-23

As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart. 2 Samuel 6:13-23

They brought the ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it. . . . 2 Samuel 6:13-23

After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord Almighty. 2 Samuel 6:13-23

Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women. And all the people went to their homes. 2 Samuel 6:13-23

When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!” 2 Samuel 6:13-23

David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. 2 Samuel 6:13-23

I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.” 2 Samuel 6:13-23

And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death. 2 Samuel 6:13-23

STEP AWAY FROM THE WINDOW

PROXIMITY

PERSPECTIVE

IMAGE - NIAGARA FALLS

IMAGE - VIDEO NIAGARA FALLS

Michal daughter of Saul. . . . 2 Samuel 6:16

Michal daughter of Saul. . . . 2 Samuel 6:20

[The LORD] chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. . . . 2 Samuel 6:21-22

Now David was clothed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and as were the musicians, and Kenaniah, who was in charge of the singing of the choirs. David also wore a linen ephod. 1 Chronicles 15:27

PRODUCTIVITY

And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death. 2 Samuel 6:23

David thought to himself, “One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul.

The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.”

So David and the six hundred men with him left and went over to Achish son of Maok king of Gath. . . . When Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him. 1 Samuel 27:1-4

David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it, and had taken captive the women and everyone else in it, both young and old. They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way. When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep.

David’s two wives had been captured—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters.

BACK ON TRACK

David thought to himself, . . . . 1 Samuel 27:1

One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of his hand. 1 Samuel 27:1

RECOGNITION

David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. . . . But David found strength in the Lord his God. 1 Samuel 30:4, 6

REPENTANCE

David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?” 1 Samuel 30:8

REQUEST

“Pursue them,” he answered. “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.” 1 Samuel 30:8

RECEIVE

[The Amalekites] were scattered over the countryside, eating, drinking and reveling because of the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from Judah. 1 Samuel 30:16

David fought them from dusk until the evening of the next day. . . . 1 Samuel 30:17

RESPOND

David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back. 1 Samuel 30:18-19

Saul took 3,000 of Israel’s choice men and went to look for David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. When Saul came to the sheep pens along the road, a cave was there, and he went in to relieve himself. David and his men were staying in the back of the cave, so they said to him, “Look, this is the day the Lord told you about: ‘I will hand your enemy over to you so you can do to him whatever you desire.’” Then David got up and secretly cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.

Afterward, David’s conscience bothered him because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “I swear before the Lord: I would never do such a thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed. I will never lift my hand against him, since he is the Lord’s anointed.” With these words David persuaded his men, and he did not let them rise up against Saul.

Then Saul left the cave and went on his way. After that, David got up, went out of the cave, and called to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed to the ground in homage. David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of people who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’? You can see with your own eyes that the Lord handed you over to me today in the cave. Someone advised me to kill you, but I took pity on you and said: I won’t lift my hand against my lord, since he is the Lord’s anointed. See, my father! Look at the corner of your robe in my hand, for I cut it off, but I didn’t kill you. Look and recognize that there is no evil or rebellion in me. I haven’t sinned against you even though you are hunting me down to take my life. . . .

When David finished saying these things to him, Saul replied, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have done what is good to me though I have done what is evil to you. . . . “Now I know for certain you will be king, and the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand. Therefore swear to me by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s family.” So David swore to Saul. Then Saul went back home, and David and his men went up to the stronghold. 1 Samuel 24:1-22 (HCSB)

DECISIONS IN THE DARK

[David’s men] said to him, “Look, this is the day the Lord told you about: ‘I will hand your enemy over to you so you can do to him whatever you desire.’” Then David got up and secretly cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. 1 Samuel 24:4

PATIENCE

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

See, my father! Look at the corner of your robe in my hand, for I cut it off, but I didn’t kill you. Look and recognize that there is no evil or rebellion in me. I haven’t sinned against you even though you are hunting me down to take my life.

1 Samuel 24:11

PRINCIPLE

Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before His face.

Luke 9:51-52

Then Saul wept aloud and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have done what is good to me though I have done what is evil to you.

1 Samuel 24:16-17

“Now I know for certain you will be king, and the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.

1 Samuel 24:20

PROMOTION

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

Proverbs 25:21-22

1. Serve where you’re stationed.

2. Grow where you’re planted.

3. Trust in God’s timing.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:9

Saul replied, “You can’t go fight this Philistine. You’re just a youth, and he’s been a warrior since he was young.”

David answered Saul: “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep. Whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, I went after it, struck it down, and rescued the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God. . . . The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Saul said to David, “Go, and may the Lord be with you.”

Then Saul had his own military clothes put on David. He put a bronze helmet on David’s head and had him put on armor. David strapped his sword on over the military clothes and tried to walk, but he was not used to them. “I can’t walk in these,” David said to Saul, “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off. Instead, he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the wadi and put them in the pouch, in his shepherd’s bag. Then, with his sling in his hand, he approached the Philistine.

The Philistine came closer and closer to David, with the shield-bearer in front of him. When the Philistine looked and saw David, he despised him because he was just a youth, healthy and handsome. He said to David, “Am I a dog that you come against me with sticks?” Then he cursed David by his gods. “Come here,” the Philistine called to David, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts!”

David said to the Philistine: “You come against me with a dagger, spear, and sword, but I come against you in the name of Yahweh of Hosts, the God of Israel’s armies—you have defied Him. Today, the Lord will hand you over to me. Today, I’ll strike you down, cut your head off, and give the corpses of the Philistine camp to the birds of the sky and the creatures of the earth. Then all the world will know that Israel has a God, and this whole assembly will know that it is not by sword or by spear that the Lord saves, for the battle is the Lord’s. He will hand you over to us.”

When the Philistine started forward to attack him, David ran quickly to the battle line to meet the Philistine. David put his hand in the bag, took out a stone, slung it, and hit the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground. . . .

David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword, pulled it from its sheath, and used it to kill him. Then he cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they ran. . . . David took Goliath’s head and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put Goliath’s weapons in his own tent.

1 Samuel 17:33-54

STEALING THE ENEMY’S WEAPONS

PERSPECTIVE

What will be done for the man who kills that Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? 1 Samuel 27:16

YOUR GREATEST OBSTACLE IS THE ORIGEN OF YOUR GREATEST OPPORTUNITY!

When the Philistine started forward to attack him, David ran quickly to the battle line to meet the Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:48

PREPARATION

Whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, I went after it, struck it down, and rescued the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. 1 Samuel 17:34-35

Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them. . . . 1 Samuel 17:36

IMAGE - ARROW IN ICE CHEST

PREDICTABILITY

David strapped his sword on over the military clothes and tried to walk, but he was not used to them. “I can’t walk in these,” David said to Saul, “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off. 1 Samuel 17:39

Instead, he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the wadi and put them in the pouch. . . . 1 Samuel 17:40

IMAGE - "We did not hesitate to call our movement an army. But it was a special army, with no supplies but its sincerity, no uniform but its determination, no arsenal except its faith, no currency but its conscience." - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King

PRIZE

David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword, pulled it from its sheath, and used it to kill him. Then he cut off his head. . . . 1 Samuel 17:51

David took Goliath’s head and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put Goliath’s weapons in his own tent. 1 Samuel 17:54

The Philistines gathered their forces for war . . . Saul and the men of Israel gathered and camped in the Valley of Elah; then they lined up in battle formation to face the Philistines. The Philistines were standing on one hill, and the Israelites were standing on another hill with a ravine between them.

Then a champion named Goliath, from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was nine feet, nine inches tall and wore a bronze helmet and bronze scale armor that weighed 125 pounds.

There was bronze armor on his shins, and a bronze sword was slung between his shoulders. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s beam, and the iron point of his spear weighed 15 pounds. In addition, a shield-bearer was walking in front of him. He stood and shouted to the Israelite battle formations: “Why do you come out to line up in battle formation?” He asked them, “Am I not a Philistine and are you not servants of Saul? 1 Choose one of your men and have him come down against me. If he wins in a fight against me and kills me, we will be your servants. But if I win against him and kill him, then you will be our servants and serve us.”

Then the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel today. Send me a man so we can fight each other!” When Saul and all Israel heard these words from the Philistine, they lost their courage and were terrified. Now David was the son of the Ephrathite from Bethlehem of Judah named Jesse. Jesse had eight sons and during Saul’s reign was already an old man. Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war, and their names were Eliab, the firstborn, Abinadab, the next, and Shammah, the third, and David was the youngest. . . .

One day Jesse had told his son David: “Take this half-bushel of roasted grain along with these 10 loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. Also take these 10 portions of cheese to the field commander.

Check on the welfare of your brothers and bring a confirmation from them. . . .”

So David got up early in the morning, left the flock with someone to keep it, loaded up, and set out as Jesse had instructed him.

He arrived at the perimeter of the camp as the army was marching out to its battle formation shouting their battle cry. Israel and the Philistines lined up in battle formation facing each other.

David left his supplies in the care of the quartermaster and ran to the battle line. When he arrived, he asked his brothers how they were.

While he was speaking with them, suddenly the champion named Goliath, the Philistine from Gath, came forward from the Philistine battle line and shouted his usual words, which David heard.

When all the Israelite men saw Goliath, they retreated from him terrified. . . .

David spoke to the men who were standing with him: . . . . Just who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God. . . ?”

David’s oldest brother Eliab listened as he spoke to the men, and became angry with him. “Why did you come down here?” he asked. “Who did you leave those few sheep with in the wilderness? I know your arrogance and your evil heart—you came down to see the battle!”

“What have I done now?” protested David. “It was just a question. . . .” What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, so he had David brought to him.

David said to Saul, “Don’t let anyone be discouraged by him; your servant will go and fight this Philistine!”

But Saul replied, “You can’t go fight this Philistine. You’re just a youth, and he’s been a warrior since he was young.” 1 Samuel 17:1-33

PUT ME IN THE GAME

He was nine feet, nine inches tall and wore a bronze helmet and bronze scale armor that weighed 125 pounds. There was bronze armor on his shins, and a bronze sword was slung between his shoulders. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s beam, and the iron point of his spear weighed 15 pounds. In addition, a shield-bearer was walking in front of him. 1 Samuel 17:4-6

SIZE OF THE PROBLEM

The Philistines gathered their forces for war . . . Saul and the men of Israel gathered and camped. . . . 1 Samuel 17:1-2

SAFETY OF THE STANDS

“Why did you come down here?” he asked. “Who did you leave those few sheep with in the wilderness? I know your arrogance and your evil heart—you came down to see the battle!” 1 Samuel 17:28

VOICE OF DISCOURAGEMENT

One day Jesse had told his son David: “Take this half-bushel of roasted grain along with these 10 loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. Also take these 10 portions of cheese to the field commander. Check on the welfare of your brothers and bring a confirmation from them. 1 Samuel 17:17-18

VIDEO

“The poorest way to face life is to face it with a sneer . . . . A cynical habit of thought and speech, a readiness to criticize work which the critic himself never tries to perform, an intellectual aloofness which will not accept contact with life's realities—all these are marks, not . . . of superiority but of weakness. . . . It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt

FEARLESS: WHEN THE BATTLE IS BIGGER THAN YOU

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

1 Samuel 16:1-13

But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”

1 Samuel 16:1-13

The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

1 Samuel 16:1-13

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

1 Samuel 16:1-13

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.”

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.”

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”

1 Samuel 16:1-13

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

1 Samuel 16:1-13

So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

1 Samuel 16:1-13

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.

1 Samuel 16:1-13

It’s Time to Release

What God has Rejected

FEAR

But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” 1 Samuel 16:2

FAMILIARITY

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” 1 Samuel 16:6

FALSE ASSUMPTIONS

Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” 1 Samuel 16:10

HOW TO FINISH STRONG

I also saw something else here on earth: The fastest runner does not always win the race (Ecclesiastes 9:11, NCV).

But he who endures to the end shall be saved (Matthew 24:13, NKJV).

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing (2 Timothy 4:6-8, NIV).

Essentials for Finishing Strong

Essential #1: I Train Consistently

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, NLT).

• Stretching my faith

But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea (Exodus 14:16, NKJV).

• Lifting my hands and heart

In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God... (1 Timothy 2:8, NLT).

Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven (Lamentations 3:41, NET).

• Running to God in prayer

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe (Proverbs 18:10, NKJV).

• Being Coachable

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:11, NIV).

Essential #2: I Drink Deeply

to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word (Ephesians 5:26, NLT).

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you (Psalm 119:11, NLT).

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive... (John 7:37-39, NKJV).

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy

Spirit (Ephesians 5:18, NLT).

Essential #3: I Focus Eternally

So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever (2 Corinthians 4:18, NLT).

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace (Acts 20:22-24, NIV).

But none of these things move me... (Acts 20:24, NKJV).

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

YOU SEEM A LITTLE STRESSED OUT

Festive Stress

- 69% stressed by feeling a “lack of time”

- 69% stressed by perception of “lack of money”

- 51% stressed by “pressure to give or get gifts.”

- 45% would prefer to skip Christmas altogether

Common Holiday Complaints

-I can't get it all done / I can’t afford this.

-This isn't how I thought it would be.

-I’m lonely.

-I hate crowds / lines / traffic.

-My family drives me crazy.

-Your family drives me crazy.

-It’s all too much — I’m just exhausted.

Prince of peace: Sar Shalom

Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Matthew 15:34

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

Real peace comes with a price.

The peace that earth gives is a poor affair at best. It is shallow; a very thin plating over a depth of restlessness, like some skin of turf on a volcano, where a foot below the surface sulfurous fumes roll, and hellish turbulence seethes. That is the kind of rest that the world brings.

~ Alexander MacLaren

1. Interpersonal peace

2. Personal Peace

3. Divine Peace

DIVINE PEACE

(Peace with God)

SILVER CARP IMAGE

CARP AND BILL IMAGE

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1

It’s a matter of faith.

PERSONAL PEACE

(Peace of God)

HIROO ONADA IMAGE

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you. . . . Isaiah 26:3

It’s a matter of focus.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

INTERPERSONAL PEACE

(Peace w/others)

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9

It’s a matter of family.

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Your relationship (or lack thereof) with your father is one of the most influential forces in your life.

DARTH VADER AND LUKE SKYWALKER

MUFASA AND SIMBA

FATHER WOUNDS

Distant

Disapproving

Domineering

Disappearing

There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, “Father, give me my share of the estate.” So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. Luke 15:11-16

He is near you even now.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

[H]e is not far from any one of us. “For in him we live and move and have our being.” As some of your own poets have said, “We are his offspring.” Acts 17:27-28

He delights in his children.

The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

He guides with grace.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29

He pursues in love.

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”

But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” Luke 15:20-24

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

MARK 4:35-41

On that day, when evening had come, [Jesus] said to [his disciples], “Let us go across to the other side.”

And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.

IMAGE - SEA OF GALILEE

But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. Mark 4:38

And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

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.

He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

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?”

MEGA STORM / MIGHTY GOD

ANXIETY

DENIAL

RESIGNATION

RECOGNITION

And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Mark 4:38

Recognizing his power

brings rest in his presence.

On that day, when evening had come, [Jesus] said to [his disciples], “Let us go across to the other side.” Mark 4:35

Don’t let your worry speak louder than his word.

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. Mark 4:37

MEGAS

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. Mark 4:39

MEGAS

And they were filled with great fear . . . . Mark 4:41

MEGAS

It’s through our mega-storms

that we experience a Mighty God.

“Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:41