“O Ye of Little Faith”

Scripture: Psalm 107:23-32

C.I.: How to Deal with F.E.A.R.

During this series…. – Today we will conclude this series by noting the final thing that diminishes our faith, fear !

I. Jesus Teaches Us How to Overcome Fear, (Matthew 8:23-27)

A. F = Follow Jesus No Matter What , (v. 23)

1. “And when He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him.”
a. The words, “… His disciples followed Him” tell us about the nature of true discipleship.
1) Some follow Jesus – until His teachings become difficult, ( Jn. 6:60-66 ), “‘This is a difficult
saying, who can listen to it?' … As a result many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with
Him anymore”
2) Others who follow Jesus – until adversity arises, ( Matt. 13:20-21 ), “The one on whom the seed
was sown in the rocky places, this is the one who receives the word with joy; yet he has no firm root in
himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word….”
3) Others stop following – because they prefer to follow the teachings of men – ( Acts 20:30 ),
“From among your own selves, men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples….”

b. Everyone faces difficulties in this life...
1) Yet believers who follow Jesus – seem to face the worst kind of difficulties:
a) Those from the world - ( Matt. 10:22 ), “You will be hated by all on account of Me, but the
one who has endured to the end will be saved.”
b) Even in the home - ( Matt. 10:34-36 ), “Do not think I came to bring peace upon the earth
but a sword [We can't be at peace with this world – quote Jms. 4:4 ] - For I came to set a man
against his father, daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-
law; a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.”
c) ( Rev. 12:17 ), “The dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the
rest of her offspring, - who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus”
2) Yet those who follow Jesus – no matter what – will find themselves still standing after the storm passes!


B. E = Experience Life's Storms on God's Terms – Not Ours , (v. 25)

1. “And behold, there arose a great storm in the sea, so that the boat was covered with waves; but He Himself was asleep.”
a. Notice some things about the nature of storms:
1) It was totally unexpected – “Behold, there arose…” – No warning, no sign of trouble, BAM!
2) But remember our first lesson, “If Jesus brings us to it – He will bring us through it!”

b. Experiencing life's storms on “God's terms” – means to experience them - while trusting in God!
1) When people trust in others/themselves – they should be afraid! – Trust in God removes fear!
2) ( Psa. 56:4 ), “In God whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid .”
3) ( Rev. 2:10 ), “ Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, Satan is about to cast some…!”
4) While we all face storms – only those who trust in Jesus – will come through safely!

d. Today, mankind is also in a desperate situation. – We too are in need of someone to save us!
1) ( Acts 2:21 ), “And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
2) Yet what does it mean to, “call on the name of the Lord” ? – There are many thoughts…
a) “Pray the ‘Sinner's Prayer.'” – (Where does Bible say this?) – I Jn. 1:9 is for Xns.
b) “Invite Jesus into your heart.” - Rev. 3:20, 17 is also talking to Christians.
b) Others say, “Just believe in Jesus, Jn. 3:16!” There's more to it ( Jms. 2:19; Jn. 3:36 )
3) Back in Acts 2 - we are told what “calling on the name of the Lord” means, quote vs. 36-41 .
a) At his own conversion, the Apostle Paul was told the same thing, ( Acts 22:16 ).
b) Therefore, let us approach God on His terms – according to His word!!!

C. A = Approach God in Confidence, (vs. 25)

1. “And they came to Him, and awoke Him, saying, ‘Save us, Lord; we are perishing!'”
a. Notice what they didn't do. - They didn't pass Jesus a pail – and tell Him to bail.
1) They had confidence He would be able to save them! (don't know how – but they believed).
2) ( Matt. 21:22 ), “All things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
3) Therefore, ( Heb. 4:16 ), “Let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace….”

b. A couple of important lessons to be learned…
1) #1 = People can wait too long to come to Him - i.e. die & be eternally lost, ( Jms. 4:14 ).
2) #2 = We must come to God in CONFIDENCE! – Not as a last resort!!!
a) They believed Jesus could save them, “Save us, Lord”
b) They confessed their need, “…we are perishing”


D. R = Rely Totally on Jesus , (v. 26)

1. “And He said to them, ‘Why are you timid, you men of little faith?' – Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and
it became perfectly calm.”
a. They had 2 human experiences: one they recognized ( fear ), the other they didn't ( lack of faith ).
1) Jesus rebuked them - not for disturbing His sleep with their pleas. – But rather for disturbing
themselves with their fears!
2) There is no excuse for fear. – Our lack of control - doesn't mean God isn't in control!

b. “And the men marveled, saying, ‘What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?'”
1) This is the question which is put before each one of us today – “…what kind of man is this?!”
2) He is a Man who warns us – about the things that diminish our faith:
a) Doubt = ( Matt. 14:31 ), “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
b) Worry = ( Matt. 6:30 ), “O you of little faith. Do not be anxious…!”
c) Fear = Today's lesson!

CONCLUSION:

1. As God's people we must seek to avoid; doubts, worries, fear!

2. Imagine what we (individually/collectively) could do for the glory of God – if we were not afraid?!

3. Jesus was asleep physically, - but today many are asleep spiritually - ( Eph. 5:14 ), “Awake, sleeper, and rise from the dead, and
Christ will shine on you.”

4. As one of our guests today, wouldn't you like to no longer be afraid of death, or standing before God in Judgment? – If you
were to die today – wouldn't you like to be certain you were going to heaven??! – Call on His name…!!! – Acts 22:16