I. Matthew 8:18
A. Jesus decided to pass over the Sea of Galilee when he saw the
multitude following Him.
B. It must be understood that Christ knew beforehand the storm would
arise.
C. He deliberately put his disciples in harms way so they can see His
power and learn to trust in Him.
II. Matthew 8:18-22
A. Mark 4:36 – Jesus warned the people of the hardships of following
Him, and sent them away.
1. The people left.
2. They were willing to be with Christ as long as they could receive
good, but they were unwilling to suffer trials in this life because of
their following Christ.
3. The command of verse 35 was to all, but was effectual to only a few.
B. Matthew 8:26 – Jesus said the disciples were afraid.
1. It is not necessarily wrong to be afraid, but it is wrong to let our
concern about this world elevate to the place where we become fearful.
2. We should take our concerns to Christ immediately, and not wait
until our concerns becomes anxiety and our anxiety becomes fear.
III. Three types of followers:
A. The multitude who follow to be fed, and to be healed of their physical
infirmities.
1. Matthew 8:18-22 – The multitude will immediately go away when
commanded by Christ, even though they have said they would do many things
to follow Christ.
2. It must also be understood that the multitude is not wrong when they
obey Christ.
3. It is not given to them to be constant followers of Christ.
4. God will reward each according to whatever talent, or work he has
given them to do.
5. When the storms of life come along, the multitude is safe and sound
in their homes. They may have slept through the storm.
B. The ones who get into little boats to follow Jesus.
1. I have heard it said the little boats are false churches.
a. I do not know if they are or not, but I do know the little ships
do the work they were designed to do and would have carried Christ just
as the ship Christ was in carried him.
b. False churches will not stand up under the test of tribulation.
2. The little ships are the devices of men to follow Christ.
3. The people in the little boats probably saw the storm approaching
and left for a safer place. If they didn’t, they would have perished in
their little boats.
C. The ones who are in the ship with Christ.
1. The people in the ship with Christ continued on their way even
though they saw the storm approaching.
a. They continued to obey the commands of Christ through hard times.
b. Christ is asleep and no disciple woke Him up to ask Him whether
they should change course, or anything, until the ship was full of
water.
2. Verse 40 - Christ wanted the disciples to understand the total
picture.
a. They were not going to die now because they had a work to do.
b. They would only die when their work on earth was finished.
c. They did not understand God’s plan for them or Christ.
d. They were not going to die, because God had other plans for them.
e. They could not die because they were in the ship with Jesus and He
was to die on the cross of Calvary for the sins of the world.
3. I think also that Christ wanted the disciples to understand He would
take care of them, regardless of the situation.
a. When they awoke Christ, the tone of their voice betrayed their
fear.
b. It would not be wrong to awaken Christ, but it is wrong to awaken
Him out of fear.
D. Verse 41 - The disciples didn’t really understand the power of
Christ, neither do we.