Introduction

When you face a major trial in your life.
When you find yourself facing life threatening situations
When you are brought to the end of your resources
Where will you turn?
Where will you run too?
You and I live in a sin-stained world.
Since the fall, thousands of wars have happened, earthquakes, tsunami floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, hailstorms have brought great destruction.
Sickness, accidents crime racism, tribalism, enthno centrism all the many isms have been happening.
Add to that the pressures of work, money loving employers, marriage, parenting, failing economies and governments.
Wherever you look you may feel overwhelmed.

Is Your Response Biblical?

So, respond by running to their drug of choice: alcohol, drugs, pleasures, eating, media seeking to find calmness or peace.
Some believers play the blame game, blaming other Christians, the church or circumstances for their lack of growth or joy.

But the problem lies deeper than that.
The problem lies in our hearts as we respond to what God allows in our lives.
Our hearts become fearful, we don’t truly depend upon Jesus, we say we believe the Bible, yet we turn to Jesus, we don’t ask His help, we don’t follow His counsel, and we wonder why our lives seem to fall apart.

It’s as if we hear God’s word and yet do not act upon it.
To follow Jesus means that at times He will lead you into great trials.
Trials test your faith. Will you trust upon Jesus in those difficult times or will you run from Him.

James 1:2–4 LSB

But we dislike trials.
We would rather trust in ourselves than trust in Jesus
We would rather solve the problem than run to Him.
Trials grow confidence in God.

2 Corinthians 1:8–9 LSB

God who raises the dead.
It’s in trials you need to see Jesus for who He truly is.
It’s in trials you need to see Him as the all-powerful Creator, the all wise one, the Loving one, the Savior.
Our passage this morning sheds some light on who Jesus is and provides a platform for truly trusting and obeying Him.
We see a glimpse of His Divine authority over creation and the demonic realm, and it reminds you and I to truly trust in Jesus.

Psalm 62:8 LSB
Psalm 56:3–4 LSB
Psalm 40:4 LSB
Psalm 115:11 LSB

Historical Background

Mathew’s overarching purpose involves providing the evidence that Jesus is the Messiah and that you should trust in Him.
In this part of the gospel, he reveals Jesus’s authority over creation and the spiritual realm.
This will be a two-part sermon again as we unpack these two narratives and reveal what it tells you about Jesus and how you should respond.

 

Part 2 here