In a world filled with various trials and tribulations, this week’s sermon series The Gospel of Luke, Part II: A Journey through Galilee reveals the ability of Christ to not only calm the storm at the Sea of Galilee, but His kindness to invite His disciples and us today to trust in Him. As the brokenness of this world threatens to feed our doubts about God and His character, His Word and works throughout history reveal His grace, His goodness, and His nearness to those who trust in Him.

Tyler’s Main Points

• We can trust Jesus amidst the storms of life because of who He is.

• God uses trials to refine our faith.

• Jesus is God and is good. 

• Jesus is compassionate towards you. 

• Jesus desires to help you. 

• Jesus is with you.

Key Takeaways

• When we find ourselves amidst trials, we can become forgetful of the abundant evidence that God has provided to show He cares for us.

• God has given us His Son, His Spirit, His Word, and His people to reassure us and remind us that He cares for us.

• God cares for you. He sees you and knows what you’re going through during your times of trouble.

• Rather than focusing on the wind and the waves, Jesus bids His disciples to trust in Him.

• This story is not intended to make us believe that our trials will cease when we turn to Jesus. Instead, He uses our trials to deepen our faith in Him and find joy amidst our suffering.

• God is able to work in any and all seasons to bring us into deeper intimacy with Him. As you draw near to Him, He will refine your faith and use your trials to minister to others throughout your spiritual journey.

• As Charles Spurgeon declared, “I know that God is too good to be unkind and is too wise to be mistaken, so when you cannot trace His hand, know that you can trust His heart.”

• Jesus knows what it is like to suffer, face temptation, and experience the trials of this broken world.

• Jesus is eager to give you grace in your time of need through His strength, comfort, peace, Word, and people.

• Tyler’s application from today’s passage: 1) Be honest with God. 2) Be diligent to remember who He is. 3) Be bold to ask what you need

Discussion Questions/Application

Personal application:

• In who/what are you prone to place your faith in times of trouble? How is Jesus superior to the objects of your misplaced faith?

• Spend time journaling major “stones of remembrance”— evidence that God cares for you amidst your trials.

Discuss with your community group:

• What trials are your group currently experiencing? Individually and together, apply Tyler’s suggestions: Be honest with God and each other, be diligent to remember who He is, and be bold to ask what you need.

• Take turns sharing a recent stone of remembrance.

Passages Referenced

Luke 8:22-25; Mark 4:38b, Romans 5:8; Hebrews 4:15-16

Worship Set List

Lift Up Jesus, Yes I Will, You are the Lord, Christ our Hope in Life and Death, Firm Foundation (He Won’t)