A talented videographer in our church came out to take a few pictures of the Redeemer sanctuary, when a storm started to roll in. He got some very cool footage.
Seeing this stormy video instantly took me back to our recent mission to Odessa, Ukraine on April 26-28. As I shared in my daily journal sendouts, “I stole another sermon from Pastor Tony.” Your incredible rightly handling the Word of Truth in Mark’s Gospel chapter 4:33-39 made a powerful impact on these brave believers. I even stole the title of my sermon from you. “Lessons in Storm Theology.” Little did all of us know that only 4 days after I had the opportunity to bring the message on “Lessons in Storm Theology” Putin’s hand-picked pro-Russian agitators would storm the mayor’s building, set the building on fire and 46 people died in this failed Russian takeover.
On Sunday morning I began my message by stating, “I believe the message I will be sharing today couldn’t come at a better time.” I assured them that all of America is aware of what they are going through and believers from every corner of our nation are praying for peace and calmness to overcome the evil they are facing. Here is the important points I shared about Lessons in Storm Theology and being prepared for the storms ahead, but resting in His peace that through every storm Christ would be there.
I exhorted, “Because Storms were coming! Because we may have just gone through a storm or either in a storm now, or we will face a storm soon.”
I made the commanding statement, “If anyone knows about storms of life it’s you folks. Many of you lived during the 60 black years of communist rule. Those storms you faced each day, you will never forget! Storms keep coming. When one passes, another one seems to be right behind.
Some of the storms find you terribly afraid. Some of the worst of storms severely test your faith. But through every storm Jesus was there. He promised He would never leave or forsakes us.”
Then I shared the 4 lessons in Storm Theology! Mark 4:35-41.
Verse 35: Jesus knew, the storms were coming. Jesus knew their faith was shallow. Jesus knew how to build their faith. Remember, the disciples were being perfectly obedient; they were doing exactly as Jesus ordered. But even when you are following Christ, storms will come before you for His greater glory.
Verse 37 we find the first lesson in Storm Theology: 1. Storms will come 2. Storms have a purpose, to build our faith by listening to His Words 3. Christ is the Master over every Storm! 4. There is no fear when we see the works and understand the words from our Holy sovereign Lord I said, “God is more interested in your character than your comfort; God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.
When the storms come, always remember: In Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD. Every moment, THANK GOD.
After my message Senior Pastor Nicholi Schuduk brought his own message on storms he had faced and warned the congregation that more storms are just ahead. See Tony, your sermon on Storm Theology has reached over the ocean! All for His Glory and all for His honor.
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Seeing this stormy video instantly took me back to our recent mission to Odessa, Ukraine on April 26-28. As I shared in my daily journal sendouts, “I stole another sermon from Pastor Tony.” Your incredible rightly handling the Word of Truth in Mark’s Gospel chapter 4:33-39 made a powerful impact on these brave believers. I even stole the title of my sermon from you. “Lessons in Storm Theology.”
Little did all of us know that only 4 days after I had the opportunity to bring the message on “Lessons in Storm Theology” Putin’s hand-picked pro-Russian agitators would storm the mayor’s building, set the building on fire and 46 people died in this failed Russian takeover.
On Sunday morning I began my message by stating, “I believe the message I will be sharing today couldn’t come at a better time.” I assured them that all of America is aware of what they are going through and believers from every corner of our nation are praying for peace and calmness to overcome the evil they are facing.
Here is the important points I shared about Lessons in Storm Theology and being prepared for the storms ahead, but resting in His peace that through every storm Christ would be there.
I exhorted, “Because Storms were coming! Because we may have just gone through a storm or either in a storm now, or we will face a storm soon.”
I made the commanding statement, “If anyone knows about storms of life it’s you folks. Many of you lived during the 60 black years of communist rule. Those storms you faced each day, you will never forget! Storms keep coming. When one passes, another one seems to be right behind.
Some of the storms find you terribly afraid. Some of the worst of storms severely test your faith. But through every storm Jesus was there. He promised He would never leave or forsakes us.”
Then I shared the 4 lessons in Storm Theology! Mark 4:35-41.
Verse 35: Jesus knew, the storms were coming. Jesus knew their faith was shallow. Jesus knew how to build their faith. Remember, the disciples were being perfectly obedient; they were doing exactly as Jesus ordered. But even when you are following Christ, storms will come before you for His greater glory.
Verse 37 we find the first lesson in Storm Theology:
1. Storms will come
2. Storms have a purpose, to build our faith by listening to His Words
3. Christ is the Master over every Storm!
4. There is no fear when we see the works and understand the words from our Holy sovereign Lord
I said, “God is more interested in your character than your comfort; God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.
When the storms come, always remember: In Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD. Every moment, THANK GOD.
After my message Senior Pastor Nicholi Schuduk brought his own message on storms he had faced and warned the congregation that more storms are just ahead. See Tony, your sermon on Storm Theology has reached over the ocean! All for His Glory and all for His honor.
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