In Times Like These

We're gonna turn to Matthew chapter eight. Matthew chapter eight. While you're turning there, I have a thank you note from Ernesto and Amor. They fled the scene just in time, got out of Dodge, to The Philippines. And, so praise the Lord for that.

They wanted me to read this to the members of Missouri Avenue Baptist Church who handed us those beautiful cards and for Katie who inserted something in the card. Thank you very much. All of you will always be remembered. We will be praying for you loving Christ, brother Ernesto and Orr. So, please, do keep them in your prayers, that the Lord will provide, for them there, will keep them safe, and, provide them with ministry opportunities.

He was looking forward to the opportunity of having a radio ministry when he got to The Philippines. So be in prayer for that ministry that he will have opportunity to share the word of God and the love of God with many there in The Philippines. So they were certainly an incredible blessing, to our church. They've been here as long as I've been here and several years before that. And, their faithfulness was greatly appreciated.

They still have family here in the area. Keep them in your prayers as well. So Matthew chapter eight. Pastor? Yes.

The Pizaros called us. Yes. Yes. Thank you for that. The Pizaros had they they went through this.

They've through it a couple times down in Puerto Rico. So, yeah, they're missionaries. So keep them in your prayers. But, yes, appreciate that. I got several calls.

The Espinos that were just with us called to check on us. Things in Greenville and particularly in the Asheville area are still not good. My aunt and uncle may still be without water or power, I forget which one, in Black Mountain, which is just outside of Asheville. So things are still very rough up there in that area, and dozens of people have passed away due to that. So please keep all of them, in your prayers.

The Kiawats that were just with us here a couple weeks ago that we took on as missionaries headed to Japan, they, checked on us and and and several others. So I really appreciate, their thoughts and concerns. Miss Edna Lee Lowry, checked in on us from Tennessee, and others. So, Matthew eight twenty three. And if you'll bear with me for just a few minutes, I won't draw out this difficult voice for you to listen to for too long.

Verse 23, Matthew eight. And when he had entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, and so much that the ship was covered with waves, but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him and awoke him saying, Lord, save us. We perish.

He saith unto them, why are ye fearful, o ye of little faith? Then he arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled saying, what matter of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him? I I know David Vogt taught last Sunday morning in Sunday school from the book of Job. I thought that would seem a little bit fitting for some people today, but we won't go there seeing he went there last week.

I did think of a couple of songs that I thought were fitting today. And unfortunately or fortunately, but I can't sing them for you. But one of them is in times like these, and I'd like to to read it for you. In times like these, you need a savior. In times like these, you need an anchor.

Be very sure. Be very sure. Your anchor holds and grips the solid rock. This rock is Jesus. Yes, he's the one.

This rock is Jesus, the only one. Be very sure. Be very sure. Your anchor holds and grips the solid rock. Let's go to the Lord in prayer once more.

Lord, thank you for your word today. Thank you, Lord, for the inspiring words of this song. Thank you, Lord, for your hand of protection upon our congregation and many others, Lord, in your care. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to praise your name today in this place. Lord, we pray, as we spend a few minutes here together today, that you would be honored and glorified, and that we would be drawn closer to you, strengthened in our faith and our relationship with our Lord and Savior.

In Jesus' precious name, we do pray. Amen. There are three points this morning. First one is with Christ in the vessel, a little song we sing with and the kids, with Christ in the vessel, you can smile at the storm. Number two, the ark of safety.

And number three, the ark of Christ. So back to point number one. With Christ in the vessel, we can smile at the storm. Though Jesus' disciples weren't smiling to start with, were they, in this passage? When Jesus was out on the sea with his disciples in a small fishing vessel, they got caught in a violent storm.

The Sea Of Galilee is not a sea as we think of it. It's a very large lake. But due to the mountains around it, these storms would come through and it would funnel the wind, sort of like some of this wind was funneled in places here. It would really stir up the sea. Their fishing vessels were not all that large and all 12 of the disciples plus Jesus were on this small fishing vessel, so it was pretty laden down with weight.

They were seized, his disciples, with panic as they bailed water out of the boat, fearing it would capsize in the storm, and they were in danger of drowning in the rough seas. And remember, several of these men were were seasoned fishermen, and yet they were they were scared. It must have been some doozy of a storm. Finally, they woke up Christ who was seemingly oblivious sleeping in the hold of the ship. They cried out, master I I can't cry out this morning.

Master, we are going to sink. But with calm words and absolute confidence, Christ stood up on the deck. He calmed the sea with just a simple command. Peace, be still. He not only calmed the sea, but he calmed their hearts.

And in a moment, it is just like the storm had had never been. How? Well, the man standing on that vessel was God himself. The one the Bible tells us in John one that all things were created by him. He spoke them into existence.

He could control them easily with just the thoughts of his mind and the words of his mouth. They thought to themselves, what manner of man is this that even the winds and the sea obey him? Well, they were yet to completely understand as this was fairly early in their time with Christ. Fully realized that this man was indeed the son of God that was on that boat with them. He said to them, why are you so fearful?

Oh, of little faith. I'm sure that some of us at times were a little fearful with the oncoming storm. Those words meant just a little more Wednesday night as I watched through the bars and out on the porch. The winds howled. We were here for Irma, we thought that was bad.

These winds were far worse in rain than Irma. It seemed for two or three hours that they never dipped below 50 miles an hour. It just kept blowing and kept blowing. We listened to the winds howl. We watched the waves of water fly by through the air across the parking lot.

And as I did, I also thought of another song, which I can't sing this morning either. It's not in our hymn books and the one that I used when I was in Georgia. And it's called Master, the Tempest is Raging. It tells the story of this, but in a song. Master, the tempest is raging.

The billows are tossing high. The sky is overshadowed with blackness. No shelter or help is nigh. Carest thou not that we perish? How canst thou lie asleep when each moment so madly is threatening the grave in the angry deep?

The winds and the waves shall obey my will. Peace be still. Peace be still. Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea or demons or men or whatever it be, no water can swallow the ship where lies, the master of ocean and earth and skies. They all shall sweetly obey my will.

Peace be still. Peace be still. They all shall sweetly obey my will. Peace. Peace.

Be still. And as we watched that wall of water flying by and listening to that howling wind, I did have a peace, and I hope you did too. Because as Dan's saying, we're sheltered safe in the arms of God. It's nice to have a big concrete building behind you, but the real peace doesn't come from buildings. It comes from Christ.

We were reminded of that when the shingles started flying off. I think of another boat we read about in Genesis. We call it the what? The ark, Noah's ark. I thought of that as well.

So God told Noah to build this big boat, not on a lake, mind you, but on land, and wait for the floodwaters to come and lift this huge boat off the ground. Waters that would destroy the world and humanity around them. He must have thought often over the years as he built the ark of the flood to come and the dis devastation it would bring. It must have weighed heavy on his heart at times. We had only the anticipation or dread for a matter of days before the storm.

Noah had a hundred years. Must have troubled him knowing the judgment of God, but yet he must have been comforted that God had provided him with the means to save his family and secure him safely through it. Eventually, the Lord said, now it's time, Noah. Noah walked up the ramp and into the ark with his family, and God closed the door. Shortly thereafter, the flood came, the walls of water descended, the winds blew, the ship lurched, and then it began to what?

To float safely above all that water. It poured for forty days and forty nights. It only poured here for about twelve, fifteen to 20 inches of water, quite a bit. Can you imagine forty days and forty nights of that? But Noah and his family were safe and secure in the ark.

They could hear the rains pour down all around them, and yet they were safe because God was keeping them safe and secure. As I stood inside the bars out in the hallway and watched the other night, the winds blew and howled. I did it with without fear while in in awe at the power of the storm. Like Noah, we or at least I felt safe within these walls. Now, as it turns out, these walls were not quite as secure as Noah's art.

But nonetheless, I felt safe not only because of the concrete surrounding me, but because God was with me. And while I did fear a little and pray a little for others, I did not fear for my family that was here and my family that was safe an hour north of here, David and Emily. And I thank the Lord for that. But the most secure place to be is not in a fishing boat or an ark, but in the ark of God, in the ark of Christ. It's not a boat, big or small.

It's not a church building made of concrete. It's a person who holds us in his hands through the greatest of storms, who holds the world in his hands, who answers and hears our prayers, who can steer storms wherever he so chooses, start to tear them apart whenever he so chooses, and keep his children safe. And the storms are not usually windy hurricanes with dousing waters. The storms of life come in many varieties. There is the storm of health problems, pain, and uncertainty.

Remember, we serve the Lord Jesus who cured all manner of illness. Our great physician hears and answers our prayers according to what is best. There are storms which are material in nature. We must always remember our security is not in the things that we possess, but the one who possesses us. The one who provides us with all things for our good and his glory.

The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. And as Job found out, God can provide again if he so wishes far greater things than he ever allowed to be taken away. The storms of life come in the form of loss and sorrow. But do remember, our Lord will never leave us, and one day he will wipe away all tears from our eyes.

Storms of persecution may be on the horizon if this election goes the wrong way or the next one. But remember, great is your reward in heaven for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Don't forget to pray. Don't forget to trust. Prayer means trust.

If you don't trust, then you're not really worshiping in prayer as it is meant to be. So don't forget to pray and don't forget to trust. And you can stand and watch the walls of water fly by and the chunks of roofing and yet feel a calmness in your heart because you know you're not alone. You are safe in the arms of Jesus. I wanna read a few verses from John chapter 10 here in closing.

John ten twenty seven. My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish, Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My father, which gave them me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of his hands. I and my father are one.

We can be confident no matter what giant we face, storm comes our way. Jesus is with us. We are safe in his arms. He will never leave us nor forsake us. We are secure in his love.

Nothing can separate us from it, And he will take care of you. But you must be in Christ. I would not have been safe at all wandering around out in the storm the other night. No, I would have been in a lot of danger. It is arrogant to think that we are impervious to the dangers of life and of eternity and sin and hell.

And yet, so many, it seems, are oblivious to the storm that they're in and the dangers of which they are vulnerable. We need to get in the ship with who? With Jesus. Only with Christ in the vessel can we, what, smile at the storm. To smile at the storm without Jesus is foolishness, like the man who built his house on the sand.

In times like these, you need a what? You need a savior. Be very sure. Be very sure. Your anchor holds and grips the solid rock.

If so, you can know he is holding on to you. And Christian, why do we fret? Trust in the Lord. Talk to him in prayer. Leave your burdens with the Lord, and he will give you peace.

Live wisely and trust Jesus and we will not have reason to fear. Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Let's pray. Dear heavenly Father, thank you, Lord, for your word today. Thank you for the blessings that are ours, the protection, the security, the confidence that we have in Christ.

We pray, Lord, if there's one here today or one listening that has yet to get in the ship with Jesus, I, Lord, I pray that they would do that today. They would recognize that they're a sinner in need of a savior. They are in grave danger, Lord. You came and you you died for them to secure them an ark of safety in which they can hide in Jesus Christ who died for them and rose again, who will give them eternal life if they will trust you today. And we pray, Lord, for your children that we would learn to trust you more.

We thank you for your protection. We pray for your provision and help for those who are suffering need today. And we pray, Lord, that you would draw us closer to you. In Jesus' name, do pray. Amen.