Christ in the Vessel
Developing faith and trusting in Christ's presence is essential in overcoming life's storms and finding strength in the Lord's power.
Charles E. Cowman preaches on the journey of faith, emphasizing that even when following Christ's command, we may encounter storms and challenges. These trials are meant to strengthen our faith, intensify our prayers, and increase our desire for deliverance, leading us to fully appreciate God's eventual rescue. The sermon highlights the importance of trusting in Christ during both calm and turbulent times, as our true faith is revealed and strengthened in the midst of life's storms.
Text
"Let us pass over unto the other side" (Mark 4:35).
Even when we go forth at Christ's command, we need not expect to escape storms; for these disciples were going forth at Christ's command, yet they encountered the fiercest storm and were in great danger of being overwhelmed, so that they cried out in their distress for Christ's assistance.
Though Christ may delay His coming in our time of distress, it is only that our faith may be tried and strengthened, and that our prayers may be more intense, and that our desires for deliverance may be increased, so that when the deliverance does come we will appreciate it more fully.
Christ gave them a gentle rebuke, saying, "Where is your faith?" Why did you not shout victory in the very face of the storm, and say to the raging winds and rolling waves, "You can do no harm, for Christ, the mighty Savior is on board"?
It is much easier to trust when the sun is shining than when the storm is raging.
We never know how much real faith we have until it is put to the test in some fierce storm; and that is the reason why the Savior is on board.
If you are ever to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might, your strength will be born in some storm. Selected
"With Christ in the vessel,
I smile at the storm."
Christ said, "Let us go to the other side"--not to the middle of the lake to be drowned. --Dan Crawford
Sermon Outline
- I. Going Forth at Christ's Command
- A. Expecting storms even when following Christ's command
- B. Needing faith to overcome the storms
- II. Christ's Delayed Response
- A. Testing and strengthening our faith
- B. Increasing our prayers and desires for deliverance
- III. The Importance of Faith
- A. Trusting in Christ's presence in the midst of storms
- B. Appreciating deliverance more when it comes
- IV. Finding Strength in the Lord
- A. Developing strength in the power of His might
- B. Being born in the midst of storms
Key Quotes
“With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm.” — Charles E. Cowman
“Why did you not shout victory in the very face of the storm, and say to the raging winds and rolling waves, 'You can do no harm, for Christ, the mighty Savior is on board'?” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- We must learn to trust in Christ's presence in the midst of storms and appreciate deliverance more when it comes.
- Our faith is tested and strengthened in the midst of storms, and it is essential for overcoming life's challenges.
- We can develop strength in the power of the Lord's might by going through storms and trusting in Christ's presence.