With Jesus in the Boat — Erlo Stegen

Jesus Calms the Storm

Today I want to share with you in the Bible what a man of God said. This is one of the best parts of the Bible. This is one of the most beautiful things that has happened in the Bible. The smallest child can understand it.

And there he was amazed. He took all the food in my goose. Still today I see the story so wonderful that it is of the highest importance. Full of glory and majesty. And that a person can pray in admiration and worship and the whole country will be glorified.

And also so high and so deep that the worst person in the world can not understand it all. And also so high and so deep that the worst person in the world can not understand it all. And we find this word in Matthew chapter 8 from verse 23.

Now when he Jesus got into a boat his disciples followed him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea so that the boat was covered with the waves but he was asleep. Then his disciples came to him and awoke him saying Lord save us we are perishing.

But he said to them why are you fearful oh you of little faith. Then he arose and rebuked the winds and the sea and there was a great calm. So the men marveled saying who can this be that even the winds and the sea obey him.

Crossing the Sea of Galilee

When I started this morning preparing for this service I thought I would have three points. I thought I would have three points. And as I was preparing I noticed it was nearly 11 o 'clock and I was still busy with the first point.

I thought well I'll have to leave the other points and I had to agree with this man of God who said there is such height and such depth in this portion. Jesus wanted to cross the sea of Galilee. So he went got into the boat and his disciples followed him.

The sea of Galilee is not all that big. Sometimes we imagine things differently. I remember years ago when I held some services along the coast here at Emshali. I remember when I held some services along the coast here at Emshali.

I remember when I held some services along the coast here at Emshali. Yes it does swell when it comes down in flood but it's not big if you compare it with others. But there are hymns and choruses about the Jordan that we cross when we cross into the promised land.

But in a spiritual sense it's when we leave this world and go into eternity. But in a spiritual sense it's when we leave this world and go into eternity. So one imagines the Jordan to be a big river when it actually isn't.

So the sea of Galilee is also not that big, it's a few miles long. So the sea of Galilee is also not that big, it's a few miles long. Maybe three miles long and two miles wide. Maybe one day one must do the exercise and actually measure it.

Maybe one day one must do the exercise and actually measure it. But the sea of Galilee is surrounded by mountains all right around. But the sea of Galilee is surrounded by mountains all right around. They are high mountains around about a thousand feet which surround the sea.

The water of the sea is clear, very clean, but at the same time very deep. The water of the sea is clear, very clean, but at the same time very deep. Now because of the conditions there with the mountains all around and the valleys, these storms arise very suddenly with the wind blowing over the wind and very turbulent winds.

So the sea can have extremely strong winds. So the sea can have extremely calm conditions and moments later there can be a terrible storm when this wind arrives and with the wind blowing against the mountains and from all sides it becomes very turbulent, very stormy conditions.

Now Jesus wanted to cross the sea from one side to the other shore. And he took his disciples along. He wanted to cross over to the other side because he was exhausted, extremely tired. He needed some rest and also time just to be quiet.

Jesus' Exhaustion and Compassion

We know about the Lord Jesus' ministry, his work of preaching and teaching and healing the sick. We know about this. And then once when I went to Russia, on that trip I was busy all the time. I was busy all the time.

And on that trip we were busy, busy day and night from one sick person to the other, one who needed help to the other, day and night. I was exhausted and then my eyes were opened and I said, Oh Lord, now I know the meaning of how busy you were.

I'm sorry I never realized what you went through. I remember once when I was in my room I eventually said they should call a doctor. Because my heart was beating so strangely I thought well I didn't realize that I'm coming to Russia to die here.

So Jesus got into the boat. I don't know whether you know what a fishing boat is like. It's not a comfortable luxury yacht. There's no couch, there's no comfort whatsoever, just a wooden bench. There's no roof, no shelter, so you're exposed to the elements.

And especially when it's hot, it gets extremely hot there. But if it rains, you just get drenched. And so the Lord lay down on the bench. There was no pillow, no comfort whatsoever. The Bible even says foxes have their holes and birds have their nests, but the Son of Man has no place to rest his head.

And so like it is when you are extremely exhausted, the Lord lay down on that bench, on that wooden bench, and he fell into deep sleep. Now you can imagine this in your mind's eye, this picture, just picture it in your mind.

This boat, fishing boat, crossing the sea, the disciples rowing to get to the other side, and Jesus lying there fast asleep. Imagine the Lord, the Son of God, the Creator of the Universe, who holds the world in His hands.

But here He takes on the flesh, and there He is prepared to go through all this, in spite of the fact that He has all this power within Him. But here He takes on the flesh, and there He is prepared to go through all this, in spite of the fact that He has all this power within Him.

It says that men will grow weary, and so will young men, run and grow tired, but the shepherd of Israel will not grow weary, he will neither slumber nor sleep. But here He takes on the flesh, and there He is prepared to go through all this, in spite of the fact that He has all this power within Him.

But here we see the Almighty taking on the flesh, lowering Himself to this point. Why did He do it? Because of His love for you, that He became weaker and poorer than even you and I are, just to help us.

Why did He do it? Because of His love for you, that He became weaker and poorer than even you and I are, just to help us. Why did He do it? Because of His love for you, that He became weaker and poorer than even you and I are, just to help us.

So He became a servant, He became poor, that we may become rich. It was for our benefit that He did this, that He humbled Himself to this point. Can you imagine God, the Almighty, being prepared to do this for us?

What does it do to you? What does it mean to you? You've got to really be inspired by hell, not to be moved by this. Here we realise how no man ever experienced such exhaustion, going through such suffering, but He, the Shepherd of Israel, did it for us.

Christ's Suffering for Human Sin

The Lord's suffering did not start in the Garden of Gethsemane, no, it started right in the beginning when He started His ministry. It says that Lot, when he went to Sodom and Gomorrah, it says that his righteous soul was tormented day and night.

Day and night because of the words and the actions of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. Now if Lot suffered, how much more did our Lord suffer? He being God Himself, righteous, without blemish, totally blameless and innocent, what must He have gone through?

What must He have gone through? When Lot was born, no angels announced His coming, but when Jesus was born, how didn't they announce His coming? What didn't He go through? Through Him, heaven and earth were shaken, but how doesn't He suffer?

When He's amongst us, He hears the gossip, He hears what is being said, He sees what's being done. How mustn't that make Him suffer? Now remember, when I had those three points in mind, the contents of the second point was repentance.

And I wanted to say repentance, Bekirah, is not a small thing. Because the person who truly repents, thousands of sins come to his mind when he repents. Thousands of sins that you have done in your past come to your mind.

Or you must have a very superficial repentance. I said, Bekirah, that is not a small thing. That is thousands of sins. Thousands of sins that you have done. You will have to go through rivers, full of rivers, over the highest mountains, to do justice there.

That is not a small thing. Many people say they are wrong. It's nonsense. They don't know what they are talking about. That's why they live as long as it is. And yet, you have made me work with your sins.

And yet, you have made me work with your sins. And the Bible says we have wearied Him with our transgressions, our sins. But we say we converted and we've never realized that. That means our repentance wasn't genuine.

The passion of Christ didn't start with His crucifixion. It started the first day when He saw your sin, my sin, and the sin of mankind. And it broke His heart. He suffered like nobody else in this world can suffer.

Day and night, meeting with people, having to do with the sins of mankind. Where earth is like hell, there is a team in Standerton today that they were sharing with me. They started with services Friday evening.

They started with services Friday evening. They got there late because there was a road that was closed. But when they got there, there were about 300 people waiting for them to hear the service. They got there late because there was a road that was closed.

But when they got there, there were about 300 people waiting for them to hear the service. They got there late because there was a road that was closed. But when they got there, there were about 300 people waiting for them to hear the service.

They got there late because there was a road that was closed. But when they got there, there were about 300 people waiting for them to hear the service. They got there late because there was a road that was closed.

But when they got there, there were about 300 people waiting for them to hear the service. They got there late because there was a road that was closed. But when they got there, there were about 300 people waiting for them to hear the service.

They got there late because there was a road that was closed. But when they got there, there were about 300 people waiting for them to hear the service. Now that's how he prayed. But I say that you don't steal because you're poor, because you have nothing.

But you steal because you're a thief. That's why people steal. They are thieves. People say, oh, I sin. Well, some politicians, they say it's because of apartheid, that they are immoral. How they combine that, I don't know.

There are people with very big brains and there are some with no brains. But they say that's the reason why. That's why they say that's the reason why. That's why they say that's the reason why. That's why they say that's the reason why.

Naming Sin and Calling for Repentance

Be honest about your state. Don't say, well, you are immoral because you had nothing and you had to go into that prostitution. You are that way because you are a prostitute. You're immoral. And you do it because of the state you're in.

You're a sinner and you need to be honest about it. And don't say, well, I took that thing because the other one has so much and I have so little. No, it's because you're a thief. Name it as it is. And you're not homosexual because maybe you say, well, there are no women around.

That's why you are the way you are. No, you need to be honest about it and realize you are sinning and that's why you're doing it. You're a sinner. Call it by name. Imagine what the Lord must have gone through.

He being God, three times holy, and He is amongst mankind who is defiled. And that stench of that sin rose up to heaven to the point where God sent men to go and investigate whether it can really be so.

And so the Son of God was prepared to become the Son of Man. He lowered Himself, became a servant. And so the Son of God was prepared to become the Son of Man. He lowered Himself, became a servant. And so the Son of God was prepared to become the Son of Man.

He lowered Himself, became a servant. And so the Son of God was prepared to become the Son of Man. He lowered Himself, became a servant. And so the Son of God was prepared to become the Son of Man. He lowered Himself, became a servant.

And so the Son of God was prepared to become the Son of Man. He lowered Himself, became a servant. And so the Son of God was prepared to become the Son of Man. He lowered Himself, became a servant. And so the Son of God was prepared to become the Son of Man.

He lowered Himself, became a servant. And so the Son of God was prepared to become the Son of Man. He lowered Himself, became a servant. And so the Son of God was prepared to become the Son of Man. He lowered Himself, became a servant.

And so the Son of God was prepared to become the Son of Man. He lowered Himself, became a servant. And so the Son of God was prepared to become the Son of Man. He lowered Himself, became a servant. And so the Son of God was prepared to become the Son of Man.

He lowered Himself, became a servant. And so the Son of God was prepared to become the Son of Man. He lowered Himself, became a servant. And so the Son of God was prepared to become the Son of Man. He lowered Himself, became a servant.

And so the Son of God was prepared to become the Son of Man. He lowered Himself, became a servant. And so the Son of God was prepared to become the Son of Man. He lowered Himself, became a servant. And so the Son of God was prepared to become the Son of Man.

He lowered Himself, became a servant. And so the Son of God was prepared to become the Son of Man. He lowered Himself, became a servant. And so the Son of God was prepared to become the Son of Man. Well, even if you get used to things and to your filth, but God doesn't get used to your filth.

In fact, in the end, it will be smeared into your own face. You'll never get into heaven with it. And so the Lord in heaven, when he looked down and saw mankind in this lost state, the Lord said to the father, I'm prepared to go.

I'll be, I'll go and be among them, walk among them, live among them and become like them so that I can help them and save them out of their sin. And the father said, will you be able to do it? And praise God, the son was prepared to do it and praise God is not like us because we are so sloppy and so slick.

We say one thing today, tomorrow we do the opposite. Say, Oh my God, I thank you that you're not like modern Christians. Years ago, people came, God has called us here, God has called us here. He wants to serve.

Today, they are thinking other things. Our children are growing up. We don't know what will happen to us when we are older. Who is this madman? Is this madman? He belongs to an asylum. What did he say when he came?

And what Tommy Rot is he reading, speaking now? Rage with the wind. Most of mankind are schizophrenic. I don't know whether it's your own conviction or whether your sister or your brother, your mother, your father has put that thing into your head.

The Disciples' Fear in the Storm

But that's mankind Jesus had to deal with. His pain didn't start when those nails were driven through his hands. His pain started when those who were with him started arguing and debating as to who was the greatest among them.

And when they started getting upset with one another, that's when his pain started. He experienced what no other person ever had to experience. I wish you all could understand German, and I could speak a bit of German to you.

How didn't he suffer because of our sins? The sins with which we wearied him. It must have gone very, very deep with him. And he says, you have wearied me, you have exhausted me, you have caused me much work because of your sins, your thoughts, your words, your deeds.

How much shame and suffering didn't he go through? He was mocked for our sakes, to bring us salvation. We should be ashamed of the suffering that we have brought upon him. So he was exhausted, he got into the boat and he slept.

And that terrible storm arose. It was so bad that the waves went right into the boat and must have gone right over him as well. But he didn't awake. These disciples were experienced boatsmen. It wasn't the first time that they went into a boat.

That was their trade, that was their life. But with fear of death, in their eyes and faces, they shook him. Wake up, we are dying. It must have been something. There were experienced fishermen who were used to this type of experience, But they were terribly afraid and they woke him with fear in their eyes and their voices.

They saw that the end had come. So they turned to him and said Oh Lord you must save us now. They were sure that they would die that day. That would have been their grave to see that day. They were afraid that they would die that day.

But they were sure that they would live that day. They were sure that they would live that day. And so this man who was so exhausted got up out of that deep sleep went to the edge of the boat and looked out towards these huge waves that were approaching and he spoke to the waves he commanded them to stop and the wind to stop blowing and everything thing became perfectly calm in a moment and they were amazed they couldn't believe it.

They said what kind of person is this what you go to Nina Ringo Barney and he said to them but what are you like you men of little faith why do you fear. There was no sign of fear in him nothing whatsoever he was he was not perturbed by the situation that had arisen.

Jesus in the Boat of Life

Now friend this that we read about here is a picture of your life the boat the ship of your life a perfect picture you can't find a better picture. As I want to ask you a personal question today is Jesus in your boat.

Is he there into the boat of your life woe to you if the storm comes and you don't expect it and he's not with you. Oh now maybe you know that he's not with you. But then you say well it's alright because grace and joy and peace and kindness they are there so they'll they'll comfort me.

But the Bible says cursed is the one who trusts in the arm of the flesh. It doesn't help when you get into that storm and they just say well my wife is there my children are there or whoever else is there or maybe well I'm well off and that will carry me through.

The Lord said cursed is a person who trusts in the arm of the flesh. Eyes is no that you don't. And this uses one thing is important and that is Jesus. It can't even talk. Brought me to sell it to the munch and was cool mania.

I got sick. I'm cursed. I'm cursed if I trust in men. And if it's my husband I cannot just trust him because he can disappoint me. He can come back with AIDS because he's been unfaithful. But blessed is the one who has Jesus in his boat.

The Bible says plain and clearly cursed. Damned is the man that trusts in men or in the arm of the flesh. If I believe so. But would you call a DC with a moon to attend Bella Kumamoto. No man. England in young go to a buffoon.

Dino Mabino Taka beset again. No Mabino call of Nani. No Mabino Sabu to buffet. But since I ain't a hot one baby Lord Jesu M2G. But the disciples now in spite of the fact that they were weak they were in the flesh and they were very weak in this moment.

But one thing saved them and that was that Jesus was with them in the boat. That's the only safe way. That's the only blessed way. You're not really peppy Lillie. I can. Yeah he on a footy in Lillie's pussy.

So if you've got Jesus you'll be victorious to the end. Um I'll know Jesus. I'll be with you to the end. They shouldn't have feared. No a thousand times. No they shouldn't have feared because Jesus was there.

He says I will not leave thee. I will not forsake thee. Why do we fear we. Even when death comes which will come. But you don't need to fear because you will. You're entering into life thereafter. I guess I shall.

And I'm injured. Who says over sizzle we need. I'm a be but you know I see Lima sitting cool and cool and buoyant over local cool. Yeah. How I see Lima. Gingham fish a long time ago. Shit with Jesus in my boat.

I need not despair. Even if I would lose my wife and I have to. She has to be carried to her grave. I would not need to despair because I could say Lord. Well now she's got it even better. She doesn't just need to live with me.

She can now live with you. It's far better for her that way. I'd be a fool if I'd say Lord no rather let her come back to be with me again. Oh Joe. Pay a humbunding cozy told him big gun is a cozy feeling sunk as a few.

And I saw the sazos. I'm gonna knock job watching closing pill in goes it until I'll bomb. Become a lie. You Job lived for the Lord. The day came when he got the message that all his children had died at once.

Imagine to meet up with that. We also don't know what we'll still meet up with. But Job he said Lord you have given you've taken and praised be the name of the Lord. Know about Maggie Zulu. Normal Tuma.

Whether there's lightning or thunder. No more bagging and it's Coco. No more bagging. And oh satani when you're facing hell and the devil the Lord will be there to protect me like a hen protects its chicks.

And you can say Lord you've promised to be with me. What more. When they started. When they started off in the boat things were going well. Everything seemed to be normal. Perfect peace joy concave. It will say Kota gagged.

We'll have a way to lump whom be present volunteer. Awesome Kali Lee. Lumps of a gag of bengalo was sad or shangana. Nessie there is a missing a car. But the journey across the sea of life is not always going to be so perfectly calm and still and peaceful.

Remaining Faithful Through Life's Storms

There will be those storms that will come. My daughter's net invest met Jesus in the boat. Met on Sonder on. We'll see. They ought to be no chase get to get. Make sure make sure we have. When I'm Zulu make sure would to be no chase.

My oh my oh my life was waiting. I'm Sanjay who have whom I got no chase. My yeah not my daughter not in this garden. Then goddess is calling my yeah the SIV who's years easy. God's would take not all of you old and young you men you woman you children everyone make sure that Jesus is in your boat woe to you.

If the storms come and he's not with you and don't say well I don't want these people in my life and I'd rather get along without them. But remember what the consequences will be. But whatever you do make sure that Jesus is in your boat.

Prayer for Repentance and Christ's Presence

Let us bow our heads. Let me show you Lord. We've heard this wonderful story of how the disciples were out there in this on the sea full of fear because of the storm having no hope anymore. But you were there in the boat though you were asleep.

But because you were in the boat they were saved from death. Because Lord you are the Almighty. You control everything in heaven and on earth and even below the earth. Lord now my echo. So we lost our way.

Lord now may everyone ask himself an answer in truth as to whether you are in his or her boat. And if you're not that that person will repent turn to you.