WHEN YOU'RE READY to QUIT

My father took the family fishing on a large lake in Canada. As we went far out into the lake a storm began to rage, water came over the sides of the boat as we navigated the rough waters in our tiny craft. Never had I been on the water when it was so rough and I never have been again. I just wanted to quit fishing that day and get back on dry land. But my Father knew what he was doing and safely navigated the tiny boat back to land and safety. Thanks to that experience I never quit fishing and from then on I trusted my father that he could safely get me to shore.

Text: Luke 8:22-25

I. WHEN YOU’RE READY to QUIT

Remember…Jesus is PRESENT in PERILS

Luke 8:22 …he went into a ship with his disciples

You can be certain that wherever he sends you he will go with you.

We may boldly venture anywhere when we have Jesus with us.

Let us go over to the other side…

To follow the LORD we must learn to be obedient to His commands.

The disciples were simply following the suggestion they were given.

…they launched forth

No questions asked, they willingly got into the ship.

They trusted the word of the LORD and set sail for the other side.

Though the waters may be deep we must trust and obey.

When we walk with the Lord in the Light of His word,

What a glory he sheds on our way,

While we do His good will, He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey for there’s no other way,

To be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey

Luke 8:23…as they sailed he fell asleep…

There may be times when it seems as though He is not there.

Prayers may go unanswered, you can’t get through to heaven.

He is not asleep, HE is simply testing your faith and patience.

…there came down a storm of wind…

Although we may begin our journey in peace we must be prepared.

The storms of life come on us suddenly and rock the boat.

…they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.

The enemy of our soul is determined to stop our mission.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring

lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8)

Jesus was headed for a demon possessed man on the other side.

Great storms await for those who have great things to do.

What great victory awaits you if you “Don’t Give up and quit!”

II. WHEN YOU’RE READY to QUIT

Remember… Jesus is the PRINCE of PEACE

Luke 8:24…they came to him, and awoke him

Sometimes the fear of storms cause a child to wake their parents.

Oftentimes we just sail through life without really noticing the Lord.

It is in a time of great storms that we truly seek the face of God.

Mark 4:38 reads like this… And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him,

…Master, carest thou not that we perish?

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained,

So deep with dread and fear?

As the burdens press, and the cares distress,

Does He care enough to be near?

O yes, He cares, I know He cares,

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, The long night dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

In your darkest hour there is comfort knowing Jesus cares.

There is no relief for poor souls that are under a sense of guilt, and a fear of wrath, like this, to go to Christ, and call him Master, and say, "I am undone, if thou do not help me.” HENRY

…he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water

Although Satan rages Christ rebukes him to bring you peace.

When our dangers are over, it becomes us to take to ourselves the shame of our own fears and to give to Christ the glory of his power. HENRY

Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased,

…and there was a great calm.

From raging seas to “great calm” Jesus brings sweet peace.

What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,

Buried deep in the heart of my soul,

So secure that no power can take it a way,

While the years of eternity roll,

Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace,

Coming down from the Father above;

Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray,

In fathomless billows of love.

What a wonderful peace awaits you if you “Don’t Give up and quit!”

III. WHEN YOU’RE READY to QUIT

Remember, Jesus is the PLANNER of PROBLEMS

Luke 8:25…Where is your faith?

Where does your faith come from?

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (Romans 12:3)

If God gives faith then God may also increase faith through trials.

A child was possessed by a demon that made him foam at the mouth.

The disciples could not cast the devil out.

He told Jesus it would often cast him into a fire.

Jesus said “all things are possible to him that believes”

And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. (Mark 9:24)

The miracles of God increase our faith!

He plans our problems so that we will have faith in Him!

…they being afraid wondered

They went from fearing for their lives to fearing Jesus.

The Psalmist writes… The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. (Psalm 111:10)

We give praise to the Lord when we have victory over our problems.

…What manner of man is this!

These men caught a glimpse of his might and marveled.

Do you truly recognize what a mighty God we serve?

Micah foresaw the future when all men will marvel at his might.

The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay their hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be deaf. They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth

by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not

his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. (Micah 7:16-18)

In the midst of your problems you will find he has mercy.

…for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

He owns the cattle on a thousand hills!

The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. (Psalm 24:1-2)

All things were made by him and for him.

He is the potter who not only created the clay but forms it.

Jesus has a plan for your life as long as you “Don’t Give up and quit!”

HE will be PRESENT in your PERILS no matter how deep and troubling they may be. HE is the PRINCE of PEACE that passes all understanding and will bring calm even though the storms of life rage seemingly ever out of control. HE is the PLANNER of your PROBLEMS and HE has a plan for your life that will PROSPER your soul and bring you ever closer to HIM as you lift up your voice in PRAISE to HIS HOLY name!!!