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Writer's pictureMatt Beaney

#1003. Who is this who commands the storm? (4/3/23)

This week in our devotions in Luke we reflect upon Jesus’ power over creation (verses 22-39); His power over dark forces (verses 26-39); finally, we see His power over sickness and death (40-56). May we be inspired to see the glory of Christ so as to deepen our faith and step out in faith. Today, we see Jesus' power over creation as He commands the storm. 

‘One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out.  As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.  “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” (Luke 8:22-25)

Lesson: Jesus reveals His identity and power over creation so we can put our faith in Him in all things. 


You can listen to this devotional below (It’s also available on Spotify on the Community Church Putney podcast) 



I don’t know if you’ve ever been led into trouble by someone else. Maybe an older friend led you astray. Here, surprisingly, Jesus leads His disciples into trouble. He tells them, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” Their lives are endangered by a storm because they obeyed Jesus! Jesus’ will is not always easy and fun but it’s always for good and for our good. This experience is designed to teach them - and Luke’s readers - about who Jesus is. Like the disciples, we are to ask the question, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” And we are to come to the conclusion that He is Lord, God and Saviour.  The psalmist writes of How revelation of God helped him to view storms in a new way:


‘The seas have lifted up, Lord, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the Lord on high is mighty.’ (Psalm 93:3-4)

Response - Trust Jesus in the storms

Jesus reveals His identity and power over creation so we can put our faith in Him in all things. Do we say, “Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the Lord on high is mighty”? Or do we confess that we are going to drown?  In your storms at the moment, it may seem that Jesus is asleep. It may seem unfair that you are in such a situation after you have sought to follow Him faithfully. Let’s see beyond the storm to Jesus’ goodness and plan to work in us through what is happening around us. 

 

COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY - SIV WEEK

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

Please ensure that the members of your group are aware and familiar with using the daily devotionals which is accessed in Church News or the 'Teaching' button on the website. 


2. Icebreaker

How has God been speaking to you from His Word, or maybe from our week of prayer, this week and how has this helped you? (Again, as with last week, this parable of the lamp on a stand, that we are looking at today, is very much linked with knowing and doing God’s Word).


3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.


4. Study and pray together

Previously, in chapter 8, Luke used The Parable of the Soils, The Parable of the Lamp on a Stand, and His teaching about His family, to teach us about how we are to love His Word and seek to put it into practice. Now, in Luke 8:22-56, he gives us 3 accounts that are applications of this.

Firstly, we see Jesus’ power over creation (verses 22-39); 

Secondly, His power over dark powers (verses 26-39); 

Finally, we see His power over sickness and death (40-56). 

In response, may we ask, 'Who then is this, that [these things] obey Him?' and move to a place of deeper faith and greater obedience. 


This week is SIV (Serve, Invest and inVite) week and so we will focus on how this text teaches us about how we are to seek to bring our community to Jesus. 


What is SIV? 

SIV stands for Serve, Invest, and Invite. This is our very simple strategy to help bring our community to Jesus. We believe that God has placed us in relationships and in specific locations to be 'salt and light.' and to ‘fish for people’.  We can effectively bring people to Jesus by 'Serving' them - demonstrating the love of Christ in practical ways; by 'Investing' in the people to whom we feel the Spirit is leading us; and by 'Inviting' them into our homes by showing hospitality and inviting them to church events, to Alpha, and ultimately, inviting them to come to Jesus through the gospel. 


Please read Luke 8:22-56

  1. These incidents that reveal Jesus power over creation, demons, sickness and death are to fill us with awe and confidence. How should such a vision of God help us as we seek to witness to people? 

  2. After setting the man free from demonic possession, He is told, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” What are the various stories that we could tell in regard to what Jesus has done for us?

  3. We are told, ‘So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.’ How have you been serving, investing and inviting recently - what stories do you have to share? 

  4. Who, in your community, are you regularly praying for to come to Christ?

  5. Do you have any plans for how you plan to serve, invest and invite in the places and to the people that God has given to you? Why not make a note so that you can pray and hold yourself accountable? 

  6. Are you planning to do anything together as a group?

  7. Our passage from Luke makes it clear that it’s Jesus will to reveal His glory to us and to others. Let's pray for ourselves and our community together. Let's pray for the particular people that God is putting on your heart. Let's pray for the Holy Spirit to empower and direct us in how to Serve, Invest and Invite.

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