Sermon Archives

March 17, 2010
Pastor Dan Selbo

"Vital Signs Leading to Life:
Jesus Stills the Storm"
John 6:16-21

Dear friends, Greetings tonight in the name of Lord Jesus, on this, the fifth week in the season of Lent, and the fourth week in which we've been building on a number of life-giving truths.

"Vital Signs Leading to Life." That's the theme we've been following, and that's what we find in the life and ministry of Jesus. We find signs. We find indications. We're given bits and pieces, (along the way) into who this Jesus is, what he came into this world to accomplish, and why it's essential (in our own lives) that we learn to follow and to trust.

We're following (in this series) the series of signs we find in John's gospel. John gives us seven signs (in his gospel), starting with the wedding at Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine, and continuing through the raising of Lazarus, where we're given the clearest sign (of all) into what was soon to happen in Jesus' own life.

And so it is that these signs (that we're following in this series) fit well into this time of year when we're making our way through Lent. Because if Lent is worth anything (in your life), then it necessarily is worth everything. And if it's not worth everything, then we have to (at least wonder), if it's worth anything at all?

I hope you realize that? I hope you understand (and get) how important in life it is? And not Lent (as a season), but as a reminder of what Jesus did. And not Lent (as a discipline in life we follow), but as a way of remembering (in our own lives) the one every Christian disciple is called to follow.

You see, Jesus doesn't leave us a choice (when it comes to who he is and what he calls us to be about), to be able to pick and choose what he has to offer, until we're able to fit it nicely and neatly into our lives.

He doesn't say, "Here's what I have to give. Take what you want and leave behind the rest." No, he says, "Here's who I am. Here's what discipleship is all about. And here's where it leads. And here's what it will cost." (It'll cost you your life.) But in losing it (for me), he says, you'll find it. In giving it away (for Jesus), it'll be given back eternally (in him) to you.

"Vital Signs Leading to Life." Tonight it's the story of Jesus stilling the sea. And it's a familiar story tonight, with a familiar theme. In fact, so familiar is it, that it's easy to miss the sign. So familiar is it, that the theme (and the lessons it carries) can easily be lost.

To help set the stage (for tonight's story) and for what it has to say to us, let's think for a moment on where we've been and about what the stories (in John's gospel) before tonight we're all about.

The first sign (as we said) was Jesus turning water into wine. We didn't read that story in this series, but you know what happened. The wine ran out, but Jesus had the servants fill the jars with water, bring them to the master, and it was some of the best wine he'd ever tasted. John says that this "the first of his signs" (Jesus performed in Galilee) "and his disciples believed in him."

And then it was the healing of the official's son. (That's where our series started.) At the exact moment in which Jesus told the man to return home (and that his son would be OK), that's when it happened. His son was healed. And Jesus wasn't even there. But (by his word) it happened. By his command it took place. And it was a sign.

And then it was the paralytic who (for 38 years) was unable to walk. And along comes Jesus, asks him if he wants to be made well, and he is. (And the man doesn't even know who Jesus is.) And Jesus doesn't hang around long enough for him to find out. But he finds out. And he tells his friends. And the word begins to spread. And it was another sign.

And then (last week) it was the 5000. Hardly anything to feed the crowd, only a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread. But in the hands of Jesus, it was all it would take. And they took it, and passed it out, and there was more left over than when they began. And they recognized Jesus, and they wanted to make him king. But he slipped away (before they could stop him). And all that was left was a sign.

And so where are we tonight, (in the story of John's gospel, in this season of Lent, and in this series in which we're talking about the signs)? Where are we tonight? We're right where we left off last week, with yet one more sign into who this Jesus is, what he came (into this world) to accomplish, and why it's essential (in our own lives) that we learn to follow and to trust.

"Vital Signs Leading to Life." Let me ask you a question. It's a familiar story tonight. We've all heard it before. And it's easy to follow. But let me ask you a question. But as you think about the people involved in the story, (in the event recorded for us by John) who do you think this event was for? Was it for Jesus, or for the disciples? Or was it for the disciples, or for us?

The signs are there for a reason. Signs, by definition, (as we've said throughout this series) point to something beyond themselves. Who was this sign for? To what (beyond itself) did this sign point?

Signs are interesting. We see them all the time. Traffic signs, detour signs, advertisement signs, signs that communicate, signs that describe. There's always a purpose for a sign. And there's always an intended target (who it's designed to reach) for every sign that we see.

And (what's interesting) about signs is that you can do with them what you want. You can ignore what the sign is saying. You can pay attention and do what it suggests. Or you can pretend it didn't even happen (wasn't even there) and didn't matter, whether or not, (in your life) it was seen.

Who was this sign for? Was it for Jesus, or for the disciples? Or was it for the disciples, or for us?

Let's talk for a moment about what happened. (A familiar story, but it's easy to miss the sign.) What happened in the story? Well, there was a boat, there was a journey, and there was a lake. There was some wind and some waves, the best effort (the disciples) could give, and a boatload of fear. And there was a voice, a willingness to trust, and they reached the other side.

Let's take them one at a time, because there are little signs (along the way) pointing to a much bigger sign (we dare not miss). First, there was a boat, a journey, and a lake. (A boat, a journey, and a lake.)

Now, this isn't a parable tonight. It's a real-life story. It actually took place. Parables (as you know) aren't real-life. They're stories, and they're stories (made-up) about real-life events, but they didn't actually happen. But they're designed (as they are), to make the points they do. They're put together (as they are) to teach what they're intended to teach. Tonight's story isn't a parable. It's a real-life event. But there are lessons (throughout this event) that are able to teach.

A boat, a journey, and a lake. If you remember the setting, (John says), "when evening came, the disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off for Capernaum." (He says), "when evening came." (What evening?) The evening after he had fed the 5000. The evening after he had filled the stomachs and raised the hopes of a crowd. (And they wanted to make him king. But that wasn't what Jesus came to become.) And so he slipped off to a mountain and went away by himself.

Later that same day (when evening came), they got into a boat, took off on a journey, and set out onto a lake. (Who was this sign for? Was it for Jesus, or for the disciples? Was it for the disciples, or for us?)

A boat, a journey, and a lake. (You tell me.) Has life ever felt like that to you? Maybe not literally, but figuratively. Maybe not exactly, but (in a way) where it begins to fit? Like you're in a boat (in life), you're on a journey (in life), and you find yourself out on a lake? And there's a destination (you have in mind), there's a reason you entered that boat to begin with, and there's something you need to cross before you make it to where you're going?

Now, this isn't a parable (as we've said), so we have to be careful that we don't treat it like one. Every little detail isn't meant to teach us a truth. But there is some truth in the fact that life is a journey. And we do have purposes and places along the way that we hope to accomplish and reach. And it's not always predictable, so we end up drifting (at times) before we reach the places we hope to go.

I could give you long list of "little journeys" I've taken (over the years) that have led me to where I am today. Educational journeys, relationship journeys, family and financial and faith journeys that have shaped what I've become. And I could give an even longer list of unexpected events and people and situations I've encountered that I never even dreamed would be part of my life. But they were. (Many of them still are.) And the journeys are not over, (for me or for you).

I don't believe (for a moment) that the events of Jesus' life happened by chance. There was a reason for what took place (in his life). There was a purpose behind so much of what Jesus said and did. And that reason was there for a reason. And that reason was designed to be a sign.

Now, I don't want this to sound "new-agey," but every life is a journey. And I'm not sure we're all in a boat, but when we push off (from the shore), there's no guarantee what we'll experience (and find) along the way. Sometimes it's what we expect. More often than not, it's not. And so, (until you reach the other side), there are no guarantees.

Now, again, it's not a parable, so we need to be careful. But it did happen. And it didn't happen by chance. And maybe that's one of the little signs we're supposed to see? Maybe it's the simple fact that life is uncertain? We know where we're going (as Christians) and there's a lake to be crossed (in this life) before we can make it to the other side, but who knows what lies (between here and there) except God? (And maybe that's all who needs to know?) Maybe that's one of the (little signs) we're supposed to see?

Hang on to those thoughts as we see what happens next. There was a boat, a journey, and a lake. There was some wind and waves, the best effort the disciples could give, and a boatload of fear.

That's (often times) how it works in life. We set out on a journey and expect there to be clear sailing, but then (out of nowhere) the wind and the waves, they just appear. And so we row a little harder. And we keep on rowing. And (when it doesn't seem to be enough), we end up afraid.

Who was this sign for? Was it for Jesus, or for the disciples? Or was it for the disciples, or for us?

Again, as I think about my own life (and those I've seen or been a part of) over the years, no one wants a storm. No one wants the wind and the waves (of life) to come their way. But it's almost a given (in life), because life is filled with storms. And they're not signs of God's anger. But they are signs of our need. And maybe that's what the sign (in the story) is trying to tell us?

Maybe you've already realized this in your own life. But storms aren't all bad. Now, they're not much fun. And they're certainly not something we hope will last. But they're not all bad. (They can even be good.) Depending on how they're used. Depending on where you look.

You know it as well as I do. (And I'm as guilty of it in my life as you.) But when things in life go well, there's a tendency in life to stop needing God. (Isn't that true?) Why do I need God? Things in life are going well. And so my prayer life suffers, because it's not (seemingly) as important. And my faith suffers, because why do I need faith when things are fine? And none of us do it consciously. But it happens. And we think we have it all covered. But we don't.

And so what happens? Along comes a storm and we row as hard as we can. And the wind continues to blow and we row even harder. And then it still doesn't happen, so we start to fear, and we think we're in trouble, and we forget to trust.

Storms (in life) aren't all bad. They can wake us up. They can get us back on track. They can bring us to a point where we stop trusting in ourselves and begin (once again) trusting in him.

There was a boat, a journey, and a lake. There was some wind and waves, the best effort they could give, and a boatload of fear. And there was a voice, a willingness to trust, and they reached the other side.

Just think about what those disciples must have been thinking about. Earlier that same day, they'd watched Jesus feed a tremendous crowd. And then they gathered up the food that was left and there was more than when they began. And the excitement was building (among the people) and the hopes were being raised (even for them). Maybe this Jesus wasn't planning to be a king? But maybe (if they could find him), they could convince him to become one?

But remember, we're talking tonight about signs. And the signs are there for a reason. And the reason is not always clear (to us), but it is to God.

Pastor Jim said it last week. Pastor Judy said it the week before. (And I'll say it again tonight.) But the signs that Jesus gives us? They're not meant to replace our faith, but to create it. They're not designed to do away with our willingness to trust, but to help it grow.

In fact, the more the people demanded signs, the more Jesus told them not to trust (in the signs), but in the one who gave them. Not to trust in the events themselves, but in where all of these events would soon lead, as he would give his life on a cross.

And so (John tells us) they heard his voice, and they knew it was Jesus. And he got in the boat, and immediately they reached the other side.

My friends, God's signs are all around us (every day). Whether they're found looking in a microscope (at the detail), or through a telescope (at the design), the signs of God's wonder and glory fill the world. But there will never be enough signs until there is faith. And there will never be faith without a relationship with Christ.

"Vital Signs Leading to Life." They're there for a reason. They point beyond themselves to something else. And his name is Jesus. And he died for you. And you will never have a greater sign than the one you already have in him. Amen.