Fear Factor
 Mark 4:35-41
Dr. Larry Halsey
Do you recognize these two men? They were brothers who ran a bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio. On December 17th, 2003 at 10:35 AM, on the sandy knolls of Kitty Hawk, they made history…

One of the pair made the first powered flight in a fully controllable aircraft capable of sustaining itself in the air. The flight lasted all of 12 seconds and measured only 120 feet. But it as 12 seconds that changed the world!

The brother are…Orville and Wilbur Wright, of course.

You are probably not aware that there was another inventor in Ohio who shared the same conviction that gripped the Wrights—That an object heavier than air can fly!

He actually built a plane before the brothers. In fact, it was a better plane. But it sat in a barn for a year before the Wright brothers’ historic flight. When the Wrights flew and the news reverberated around the world, the next day, he flew his plane.

Nobody knows his name because of fear. He was paralyzed by fear of what people would say, of ridicule he might be subjected to, if he failed.

What is your greatest fear?

The Times of London reported on a survey of 3,000 Americans who were asked, “What are you most afraid of?”

…The 5th worst fear was the fear of flying.
…Tied for 4th place were the fear of sickness and death.
…Tied for 3rd were, deep water, financial problems, and insects and bugs.

In first place, the human fear named more often than any other was speaking before a group.

A young man paced back and forth like a caged lion in a room adjoining an auditorium where a series of lectures was being given. Recognizing him, a kind lady stopped him and said, “You seem quite nervous about speaking next.”

“Who, me?” Nervous?” replied he replied. “Not me. I’m not nervous. I make speeches all the time.”

“Okay,” she replied. “Then what are you doing here in the ladies’ restroom?”

Someone said it this way:

“The mind is a wonderful thing. It starts working the minute you’re born
and never stops…until you get up to speak in public.”

What is your greatest fear? It a is universal emotion. Only in America do we market it.

Before there was the “Fear Factor,” there was the “No Fear” T-shirt fad…

…”It must be hard living without a spine. No Fear.”
…”It’s not whether you win or lose. It’s whether I win! No Fear.”

This one expresses man’s greatest fear:

…”You do not greet death, you punch him in the throat repeatedly as he
drags you away. No fear.”

No one is exempt.

Two decades ago, a Congressional study was done involving children and fear. The primary fears were:

…animals
…dark rooms
…high places
…strangers
…and loud noises.

A decade later the same study showed children’s fears:

…Parents getting divorced
…Nuclear war
…Lung cancer
…Pollution
…Muggings

In his first inaugural address on March 4, 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

That sounds nice…It was well-intentioned to embolden a depression-worn nation, but the truth is: Fear is real!

Let me repeat the question: What is your greatest fear? Maybe number one on your list wasn’t in the top 5, 2 or 3 years ago.

When our Lord and the disciples set sail across the Sea of Galilee, the Twelve were completely unaware of what lay ahead. Unbeknownst to them, when they stepped foot on deck, they would be confronted by most likely their worst fear.

At least 7 of the 12 had been professional fisherman who had grown up on that lake. And they are scared out of their wits!

The word Mark uses translated “storm” in verse 37, literally means, “to shake.” It describes a “violent upheaval,” like an earthquake or hurricane.

Old Galilee shook like an old unbalanced wash machine.

This unexpected crisis presented an opportunity to learn how to deal with the fear factor. Since nothing happens by random chance in your life—a storm isn’t about wind, rain, and waves— It’s illustrative of the storms of life that strike fear into our hearts, and challenge our faith. We all have them.

I was taught growing up in the church, “You’re never supposed to question God.” I know what they meant: “You should submit to God in any and all circumstances…never doubting his love and kindness”

But when life caves in, when you have a train wreck, if you are spiritually sensitive, it is a natural response to asked:

“Father, why is this happening? How does this fit into the ‘big picture’
of your purpose for me, (for our family)? Is there something specific I
show learn from this?”

In general terms, we learn from Scripture that:

1. (Some) Storms Have Their Origin In Satan and His purposes.

Job chapter 1 teaches you this. While Satan, under the permissive hand of the Sovereign God, reeked havoc in Job’s life and family, chapter 1:20 says, “The Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshipped.”

Job was not permitted the see the battle going on behind the scene. When you don’t understand, worship!

2. Storms Come Because Of the Sin and Stubbornness of Others.

With signs of a horrific storm on the horizon, Paul said to the ship’s captain (You read about it in Acts 27):

“Sir, I perceive that this voyage will endanger our cargo and our lives. If we
sail, we’re dead meat.”

Captain-Know-It-All refused to listen! And everybody on board got wet underwear and barely escaped with their lives.

It’s an unfair reality that in a fallen world, we are like mountain climbers roped together; the sin or bad choices of one tears everybody else off the mountain into the ravine. Romans says, “No person lives to himself, no person dies to himself.”

“I’m not hurting anyone except myself.” Don’t believe that for one second. This is your problem. If you have a car, get out and go around back and study your license plate: This is your number.

And what you need to do is not to get turn it in for this one. You need to repent. You need to ask God to forgive you, and seek the forgiveness of others you have hurt and disappointed.

Third, We Experience Storms Because of Our Own Foolishness.

When I was 12 years old, like many of my friends, I started chewing tobacco. Through middle school and high school I chewed. In college, I was the kid with the paper cup! I loved the taste! I loved to spit! (I know, that’s gross.)
When I transferred to Bible college, there it was in black and white, “Chewers are like sewers…No tobacco.” I gave it up. No discussion.

That’s been almost 40 years ago (an eternity to you kids)! Yet to this day, when I wash my truck, I can taste Red Man and Cannon Ball! Will it ever go away! No!

The principle: What you lay a hand on lays a hand on you.

What caused this storm?

1. Certainly there were natural causes.

Situated 628 feet below sea level, surrounded by mountains, Galilee has always been notorious for sudden, violent storms and waves.

A group of American tourists was standing on shore. It was a sunny, warm day. One of them commented, “I have difficulty believing the Gospel accounts about storms on the sea.” In 20 minutes they were running for cover!

Scholar Walter Kaiser says, “It’s like blowing into your tea cup.”

2. Some Have Suggested That this Storm Was Satanically Orchestrated.In verse 39, Jesus’ command to the wind and waves is almost identical to what he said to the demon-possessed man in 1:15— “Peace, be still!” Literally, it says, “Hush, be muzzled.” (It’s perfect tense: “and stay muzzled!”)In verse 39, Jesus’ command to the wind and waves is almost identical to what he said to the demon-possessed man in 1:15— Literally, it says, “Hush, be muzzled.” (It’s perfect tense: “and stay muzzled!”)It seems to me that the best explanation is found in the subtle phrase introducing verse 35— “And the same day…”

What day? A day commonly referred to by commentators as “the busy day” of our Lord’s ministry. This explains His apparent exhaustion. What a portrait: The Creator of the universe, exhausted, asleep in the stern of the boat! He missed nothing in learning to sympathize with you, every physical tiredness.

In verse 39, Jesus’ command to the wind and waves is almost identical to what he said to the demon-possessed man in 1:15— Literally, it says, “Hush, be muzzled.” (It’s perfect tense: “and stay muzzled!”)It seems to me that the best explanation is found in the subtle phrase introducing verse 35— What day? A day commonly referred to by commentators as “the busy day” of our Lord’s ministry. This explains His apparent exhaustion. What a portrait: The Creator of the universe, exhausted, asleep in the stern of the boat! He missed nothing in learning to sympathize with you, every physical tiredness.It was an extremely demanding, hectic day of ministry that culminated in the 9 parables of Matthew 13…the sower, the wheat and tares, and so forth.

The disciples heard the teaching, and now it’s time for a test! I’ve never met anyone who enjoyed tests.

Robert Duprey, a former soldier writes,

I didn’t enlist in the army—I was drafted. So I wasn’t going to make life easy
for anyone. During my physical, the doctor asked softly, ‘Can you read the
letters on the wall?’ ‘What letters?’ I answered shyly. ‘Good,’ said the
doctor. ‘You passed the hearing test.’

It was time for a hearing test!

The final course of my doctoral program was a research and design class. One afternoon as the class walked together to the computer lab, the prof slipped up beside me and said quietly, “Larry, are you getting this?” That scared me to death! I thought I was! I was tired, but was he picking up on something? He had my attention! He assigned a final project, and thankfully, I got a “A” in the course.

The Father is intent that you grow in your faith…therefore, there is a pattern—exposure to truth…a test; exposure to truth…a test.

Truth is not to be tasted; it is to be digested and lived; There are those regular times when the father says, “Okay. Let’s see if you’re getting this.” Nothing exposes the truth like storms.

It’s not that He doesn’t know how we are doing; He wants you to know.So there’s people conflict
…disappointment
…financial reverses
…unexpected brick walls.So there’s people conflict…disappointment…financial reverses…unexpected brick walls.“Is my faith and my maturity that important? Well, Jesus said, “When I return, will I find faith on the earth?” People of faith…growing, kingdom-rooted, maturing disciples.

So there’s people conflict…disappointment…financial reverses…unexpected brick walls.“Is my faith and my maturity important? Well, Jesus said, “When I return, will I find faith on the earth?” People of faith…growing, kingdom-rooted, maturing disciples.What’s at stake in the storm?

Peter would have said, “Physical survival.”

The text is alarmingly graphic: “beat” in verse 37— “and the waves beat…”—is in the imperfect tense— “they waves kept on beating…”

They watch in sheer terror, like victims on the Titanic, with no power to do anything. They are candidates for a miracle!

Thomas is yelling, “I told you we should never have followed Him.” You don’t need the devil as long as Thomas in on board.

Like a heat seeking missile, Jesus hones in on the issue in verse 40. The NIV reads, “Do you still have no faith…”

In the storm, the issue is faith. The question is: Can Jesus be trusted in the storm? To state it another way: Do you have the faith of God?

Nearing Jerusalem with the disciples, Jesus cursed a barren fig tree; passing by the next day, the disciples noted that it had dried up from the roots. It was as if it had been dead for years.

They didn’t understand this miracle. By the way, the liberals say this was Jesus’ greatest “sin.” Destroying a defenseless tree!

And in response he says, as our England translations have it, “Have faith in God.” (Mark 11:22.). Literally it read, “Have the faith of God.” (Any Willard references? ). God has faith! He in Himself…He knows He is in control; he can be trusted. Check this reference in the file and key books.

God isn’t worried.
He isn’t wringing His hands.
He’s not depressed.
He does lose sleep on outcomes.

There Are Four Reasons Why The Disciples Should Not Have Panicked In The Storm. (Four Things To Do When Your Boat Is Going Down.)

First, They Should Have Noted The Peace of Jesus—Vv 37-38.

Was he biting His nails off to the quick? He was sound asleep in the storm.

I’ll never forget my first flight on a jet. I flew alone from Charleston to meet Mary and Autumn in Philadelphia. I supposed I had terror written on my face, minutes out of Charleston, a flight attendant looked directly into my face and said, “Are you okay?” She said, “If anything happens you are near an emergency exit door.” That’s was a lot of comfort!

I kept my eyes on the attendants. Since they were calm, I was calm; if one of them smiled, I relaxed.

As long as Jesus was asleep, the disciples should have known everything was well.

In the darkest storms of life, He says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I
give to you; not as the world gives (a shallow ‘Don’t worry, be happy!’)
give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

(Say it with me.)

The peace of Jesus.

2. They Should Have Noted The Presence of Jesus.

Later, the disciples would face a storm alone— That’s grad school!

John MacArthur told about his sister’s courageous bout with cancer. One morning in the last stages of her illness, a doctor asked if he could send a psychiatrist by to see her. During the exam, he said to her:

“I will help you get in touch with your inner child.”

“Oh,” she said. “That’s not necessary. I’m in touch with my Savior.”

Jesus is present in the boat in this storm.

The Peace of Jesus.
The Presence of Jesus.

Third, The Disciples Should Have Noted The Purpose of Jesus—V35. (Read)

He didn’t say, “Let’s pass over and drown.” They had been called to the other side! You’ve been called to the other side!

By His grace, you’re going to make it home!

Some one said, “heaven is a prepared place, for prepared people.”

The culture is addicted to happiness.
The Father is committed to your Christ-likeness.

The culture shoots up on pleasure.
The Father is committed to you fulfilling His purpose.

There are Christians whose greatest dream is to be raptured from Disney World! Don’t hold your breath!

Phil 1:6, from The Message, reads, “There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.”

Fourth, The Disciples Should Have Noted The Power of Jesus—V39.

He performed dual miracle: “The wind ceased; and there was a great calm.”

The Lord’s rebuke broken their hearts: “Haven’t you seen enough of my power and experienced enough of my love to know you are perfectly safe with me?”

Verse 41 says, “And they feared exceedingly…” “Feared” is an interesting word. At first, they feared the storm—They were unable to focus on anything else. Now, they focused on the Lord. Before they were struck by bewildering circumstances. Now, they are struck with the wonder of God.

…want the bottom line? Peter and the guys did not comprehend what it means to sail with Jesus in the boat! They whispered among themselves, “What manner of man was this?” Who is this? How you answer the question will determine how you respond in the storm.

An old Proverb says, “Fear knocked at the door, faith answered, and nobody was there.”

William Frey is a pastor from Colorado who, as an undergrad student at the University of Colorado, spend a couple of hours a week reading to a fellow student named John, who was blind. Listen to this great story.

“One day I ask [John] how he lost his sight. He told me of an accident that happened when he was a teenager and how, at that point, he had simply given up on life. ‘When the accident happened and I knew that I would never see again, I felt that life had ended, as far as I was concerned. I was bitter and angry with God for letting it happen, and I took my anger out on everyone around me. I felt that since I had no future, I wouldn’t lift a finger on my behalf. Let others wait on me. I shut my bedroom door and refused to come out except for meals.’

The man I knew was an eager learner and an earnest student, so I had to ask what had changed his attitude. He told me this story:

‘One day, in exasperation, my father came into my room and started giving me a lecture. He said he was tired of my feeling sorry for myself. He said that winter was coming, and it was my job to put up the storm windows. ‘You get those windows up by suppertime tonight, or else!’ he shouted, slamming the door on his way out.”

‘Well,’ John said, ‘that made me so angry that I resolve to do it! Muttering and cursing to myself, I groped my way out to the garage, found the windows, a stepladder, all the necessary tools, and I went to work. They’ll be sorry when I fall off this ladder and break my neck, I thought, but little by little, groping my way around the house, I got the job done.”

“Then”, William Frey writes, “he stopped, and his sightless eyes misted up as he told me, ‘I later discovered that at no time during the day had my father ever been more than four or five feet from my side.”Given an impossible task? Like negotiating boat in a violent storm. He is ever so close, my friend; closer than John’s dad. He’s with you! He’s for you.Given an impossible task? Like negotiating boat in a violent storm. He is ever so close, my friend; closer than John’s dad. He’s you! He’s you.You can trust him—with everything! Your frustration; your bewilderment, you confusion! He’s in the boat!

Given an impossible task? Like negotiating boat in a violent storm. He is ever so close, my friend; closer than John’s dad. He’s you! He’s you.You can trust him—with everything! Your frustration; your bewilderment, you confusion! He’s in the boat!