Events- Christ
The key to staying calm in difficult times is to have faith that realizes Christ's presence and to keep our eye off the waves and our heart concentrated on Christ.
John Nelson Darby emphasizes that no matter how turbulent the circumstances may be, God's love and thoughts towards us remain unwavering. He challenges believers to maintain their faith in Christ's presence, which provides calmness amidst life's storms. Darby illustrates that Peter's sinking was due to his focus on the waves rather than on Jesus, highlighting the importance of keeping our eyes on Christ rather than the chaotic events around us. He reassures that as long as we are united with Christ, we are secure regardless of the difficulties we face. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a shift in focus from worldly events to the steadfastness of Christ, ensuring that believers remain untouched by the adversities of life.
Text
However high the waves may rise, there is no drowning of His love and thoughts towards us. The test is to our faith. The question is, Have we that faith which so realizes Christ's presence as to keep us as calm and composed in the rough sea as the smooth? It was not really a question of the rough or the smooth sea, when Peter was sinking in the water, for he would have sunk without Christ, just as much in the smooth as in the rough sea. The fact was, the eye was off Jesus on the wave, and that made him sink.
If we go on with Christ, we shall get into all kinds of difficulty, many a boisterous sea; but being one with Him, His safety is ours.
The eye shoudl be off events, although they be ever so solemn, and surely they are so at this present time, and I feel them to be so; for none perhaps has deeper sense than I of the growth of evil, and of the solemn state of things; but I know all is as settled and secure as if the whole world were favorable. I quite dread the way many dear saints are looking at events, and not looking at Christ and for Christ. The Lord Himself is the security of His people, and, let the world go on as it may, no events can touch Christ.
We are safe on the sea if only we have the eye off the waves, with the heart concentrated on Christ and on the interests of Christ. Then the devil himself cannot touch us.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Faith in Christ
- The Dangers of Focusing on Events
- The Security of Christ
- Christ is the Lord's security for His people
- No events can touch Christ
Key Quotes
“The eye should be off events, although they be ever so solemn, and surely they are so at this present time, and I feel them to be so;” — John Nelson Darby
“We are safe on the sea if only we have the eye off the waves, with the heart concentrated on Christ and on the interests of Christ.” — John Nelson Darby
“Then the devil himself cannot touch us.” — John Nelson Darby
Application Points
- We must prioritize keeping our eye on Christ and His interests, even in the midst of turmoil.
- Faith in Christ is the key to staying calm and secure in difficult times.
- We are safe as long as we have our heart concentrated on Christ and His security.