Dr. Rob White - December 3, 2023
Into The Darkness
June 24th, 2018
Christ doesn't promise that we will not experience difficult times, but does promise that, if we walk in faith, he will redeem the difficult times.
Scripture Text: Mark 4:35-41
A sermon by Rev. Dr. Rob White for Athens Universal Life Church
From Series: "Blast From The Past"
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In the sermon “Into The Darkness,” the Minister delves into the biblical narrative of Jesus and his disciples encountering a storm on the Sea of Galilee. Through Mark 4:35-41, the passage unfolds, illustrating not only the physical storm faced by the disciples but also the metaphorical storms that each individual contends with in their lives.
The story begins with Jesus suggesting to his disciples that they cross to the other side of the sea. Little did they know that a fierce windstorm would soon challenge their journey. As the waves crashed over the boat, the disciples, fearing for their lives, woke Jesus, who was peacefully sleeping at the stern. With just a few words, “Peace! Be still!” Jesus calmed the storm, leaving the disciples in awe of his divine power.
The sermon draws parallels between the literal storms we face in nature and the metaphorical storms within ourselves. Storms of fear, doubt, and despair can be as tumultuous as a tempest at sea. The Minister encourages listeners to find solace in the example of Jesus, who, in the midst of chaos, found peace in the power of faith.
The message emphasizes the transformative nature of faith during life’s difficulties. Just as Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee, our faith has the power to bring calmness to the storms within us. The sermon acknowledges the inevitability of facing challenges but emphasizes that, with faith, one can navigate through them, emerging stronger on the other side.
The Minister shares anecdotes of personal challenges and those of well-known figures like Charles Colson and Helen Keller, demonstrating the universality of facing storms in life. The narrative of a malignant tumor, the challenges of unrequited love, and serious illness underscores the diverse nature of life’s storms.
As the sermon unfolds, the Minister reinforces the central theme: the importance of nurturing faith in good times so that it becomes a source of strength in challenging times. Drawing inspiration from a Christmas Day radio address during World War II, the Minister quotes a powerful message: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”
The sermon concludes with a poignant poem by Annie Johnson Flint, affirming that, while God doesn’t promise a life free from storms, He assures us of strength, rest, light, and grace to navigate through them.
In essence, “Into The Darkness” encourages listeners to embrace faith as an anchor during life’s storms, finding solace and strength in the knowledge that, with God, they can overcome any tempest that comes their way.
