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Triumphing In Life’s Tempest Song: 1. I am a winner man (x2) 2. He has broken every fetter (x2) Introduction Jesus Calms the Storm 23Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" 26He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" Tempest is a violent storm, hurricane, or in general it is uproar. Any chaotic (or pandemonium) situation in your life is a tempest. Triumph is victory. It is great achievement or accomplishment. Examples of Life’s tempest “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). 1. The tempest of punishment for sin: 20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea, 21 "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked." (Isaiah 57:20-21). 2. The tempest of problems and troubles caused by others; it could be cancellation of exam results of a particular centre as result of cheating by a few people. It could death as a result of another person’s reckless driving. 3. The tempest of opposition. People can decide to call you names as a result of your faith like pastor, preacher and some may even make jest of you. 4. The tempest of disturbing temptation. And this can be really persistent during moment of idleness; you hear the devil suggesting all sorts of evils to you. 5. The tempest of persecution. People will ridicule you. “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” (2 Timothy 3:12). 6. The tempest of sickness, oppression, poverty and hunger. 7. The tempest of disagreement and disunity at homes and among friends. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). Sources of tempest 1. Sin “Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.” (Jonah 1:4). Disobedience and being equally yoke with unbelievers. Avoid sinful play and associations. 2. Satan “So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.” (Job 2:7). “Then Job replied: He would crush me with a storm and multiply my wounds for no reason.” (Job 9:1, 17). 3. Sinners 1 Listen to my prayer, O God, 2 hear me and answer me. 3 at the voice of the enemy, 8 I would hurry to my place of shelter, Victory over tempest 25The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" 26He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. (Matthew 8:25-26). Sequential steps to victory, just climbing up the stairs: 1. Repentance, like Jonah. 2. Restitution like Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10). 3. Prayer 4. Resist the temptations coming from Satan 5. Reject invitation to cult 6. Faith in God who alone can help us; “ 1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:1,6) 7. Hard work – don’t be idle 9We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. 10For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." 11We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:9-12). 11Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. Exhortation “See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant." (Jeremiah 1:10). 13He replied, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.” (Matthew 15:13). God bless you Evang. John B. Oseh |