What Sort of Man is This?

Living Hope Presbyterian Church

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Matthew 8

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?”

ESV: The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ©2011 Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Sermon Summary: The sermon delves into the story from Matthew 8:23-27 where Jesus and his disciples encounter a great storm while crossing the sea. The main focus is on the disciples’ fear and lack of faith in the midst of the storm, contrasted with Jesus’ power and ability to calm the sea. The sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting in Jesus, even in the face of life’s storms, and highlights Jesus as the powerful and compassionate Savior who brings calm to chaos.

Key Points:

• Following Jesus requires total commitment and acknowledgment of our need for Him.
• Jesus leads his disciples into the storm to reveal his power and authority over nature.
• Fear and faith are juxtaposed in the disciples’ response to the storm.
• Jesus’ question, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” challenges the disciples’ trust in Him.
• Jesus demonstrates his divine authority by calming the storm, leading to the disciples’ amazement and recognition of his power.

Bible Verses Mentioned:

• Matthew 8:23-27
• Psalm 107:23-30

Humor and Anecdotes:

• The speaker shares a childhood memory of being afraid to ride an escalator alone due to warnings about shoelaces getting caught, leading to humorous fears of being swallowed by escalators.

Key Quotes:

• “Following Jesus does not end your problems. But you’re in the boat with Jesus. Or better, he’s in the boat with you.”
• “Fear looks at the storm. Faith looks at Christ.”
• “Fear is understandable, but fear is never a fruit of a lively faith.”

Themes:

• Trusting in Jesus amidst life’s storms.
• The contrast between fear and faith.
• Jesus’ divine power and authority over nature.
• The importance of acknowledging Jesus as Savior and following Him wholeheartedly.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you differentiate between fear and faith in your own life when facing challenges or uncertainties?
2. In what ways can we deepen our trust in Jesus during difficult times, like the disciples did in the storm?
3. Reflect on a time when you experienced a “great storm” in your life. How did your faith (or lack thereof) impact your response to that situation?

Metaphors and Stories:

• The storm on the sea serves as a metaphor for life’s challenges and uncertainties, highlighting the need for faith in Jesus to bring calm.
• Jesus calming the storm symbolizes his power over chaos and his ability to bring peace in the midst of turmoil, showcasing him as the ultimate Savior and Lord.