Three Preacher's in a Storm

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

Introduction; The word tribulation means; to thrash, to beat.] The definition gives the indication of being shaking violently. And this may be 'Burroloyge."but that sounds a lot like a storm to me. The definition of storm is; to disturb. L. The primary sense of storm is a rushing, raging or violent agitation. That sounds like tribulation to me. Jesus said we would have tribulations (storms, if you will), in our lives. So, tonight I want to preach with the Lord's help on a few Bible examaples of storms and there out comes. I want to preach on Three Preachers in a Storm. Because if we are going to have them we might as well learn what causes them, and how to survive them. In these examples we will find three things in common 1. A Preacher. 2. A congregation.( an assembly or persons;). 3. A ship or (church). Although these three things are in each example. The stories are every different.

I. One Preacher "Caused" a Storm.

Jonah 1:2-3 "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me." But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

A. His disobeidence caused him a severe problem in his life. The Word of the Lord came to Jonah And Said; Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; This man of God didn't Obey his calling and he paid for it.

B. The congregation had to suffer the storm because of what the preacher didn't do.

1.Don't get mad at your Man of God for obeying his calling either. He may be keeping the biggest storm this Church has ever seen at bay because of his willingness to Obey.

2. If the Man of God is out of touch with God, (and this one was) So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

3. the congregation will be grasping at straws. Ver.7 And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us.

C. They almost lost the ship. (A type of the Church)

1. They tried hard to keep the church a float. Ver.13 Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them. I know a lot of churches today that are still trying to keep the ship a float, but the Man of God has lost touch, and God won't bless until he ( the preacher) gets it right.

2.This man of God had to be thrown over board. So the congregation could be saved. Ver.15 So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: Why? Because if you disobey and get out of touch with God, you've got to get it right where you got it wrong! 3:1 And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying, 2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. And this time he did ! It took Jonah two times two get it right. The sad thing is most of us, like him have to learn the hard way.

A. This preacher was right with God.

He was following God's word, But he still got in a storm. Why? Ver.11 "Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul." (Acts 27:11)

B. Because of the Congregation. They were unwilling to listen to the Man of God. And it caused a storm, that almost costed them there lives. It did cost they everything that they held dear. It costed them their cargo. That's was the things they were going to need in the future. Ver.19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. You don't listen to the man of God and your going to get in a storm. It could cost you your kids, your wife, your husband, your future. They threw over the tackle. If they got out of that storm they would have needed that. The most important things in life can be lost in one bad choice. You better listen to wise council.

C, Paul was a good Pastor.

He taught his congregation to have faith. Even in the mist of a storm.

He didn't grumble and complain, "Well, I didn't cause this mess." he said; And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.

For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

1. Ok, boys here we are, you caused it, were in it, here's what we do now. We trust God. Take him at His Word. I know who I belong to , I know who I serve, and I know what a said.... Hey! It don't get better running from it . Storm or no storm Paul trusted God. We should to.

2. Paul told them in ver.31 "Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved."Don't get out of the church just because the heat is on. You may have brought it on yourself. But you can't be helped outside of the church. Stay with the ship.... Paul told them I'm riding it out and if you want to make it through, you better ride it out too.

III. One Preacher Calmed the Storm.

Mark 4: 35-41 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

A. Now, this storm was not caused by the congregation, because they obeyed the Man of God. They were in God's will for their lives. Jesus said, "let us pass over to the other side."

B. This storm didn't come because of the Man of God either, because this wasn't your run of the mill preacher. This was the Son of God. He was prefect there is no way this storm could be his fault. There's know greater preacher on the face of this earth, "No man ever spake like this man." So why, this storm.

C. I'll tell you why. Because this Man of God, and this congregation was going some where for God . They were doing everything right . They were about the fathers business. They were going to the other side. So, who Caused the storm?

D. satan caused this storm. Why? "It was just one congregation". Because, look in ver.36 And there were also with him other little ships. This congregation, This man of God had followers. They were making a difference and people were noticing. And if they made it all the way to The other side than more were sure to follow. Satan can't stand a church that is on the move for God. You better look for a storm. It might start out small, "a little discord here, a little jealousy there." What ever gets the clouds of doubt up. And before you know it a full blown storm.

E. This Man of God was at rest.

Because he was right with God the Father, his congregation was right. He could rest even when the storm was raging. And when he did stand up and speak it was with "Authority." "Peace be still, he said." "And the wind ceased and there was a great calm." God help us. So that when the storm rages, Jesus can say to our hearts, "Peace be still."

Conclusion: Jesus said, " In the world you shall have tribulation." There's no doubt it's coming, the closer you move to God the more your going to be tested. Sometimes the storms are our fault, because of disobedience. Sometimes God allows it to test our faith. Sometimes the devil is trying to destroy us, for fear that, others may follow. Whatever the case may be, how you handle the storm says a lot about how close you are to God.

Jesus, please say, "peace be still in our lives." Give us victory over our storms, or at least the courage to ride them out.