storms of life

How to Build a Storm-Proof Life – Luke 6:46-49

/ Bob

In the 6th Chapter of Luke’s Gospel we find the parable of the wise man who built his house on the rock. Jesus begins by separating the wise from the foolish by saying that the wise do what He says and the foolish don’t. Then He uses the parable to bring it home.

There is a focus on the foundation laid by the wise and the foolish builders. One lays his foundation on the rock; the other lays no foundation at all. As we read Luke 6 in The Message we see the bottom-line of what Jesus is saying:

“Why are you so polite with me, always saying ‘Yes, sir,’ and ‘That’s right, sir,’ but never doing a thing I tell you? These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on. (Luke 6:46-47 MSG)

So the question to us as followers of Jesus is simple. If we claim Jesus to be our Lord, then we need to build our lives on Him as the foundation using the words He has taught us for the framework and finishing work.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, January 14, 2024. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is Jesus Storyteller: Timeless Truths from His Parables. You can find printed and digital versions of this series online at: https://gc2press.org/jesus-storyteller-luke-study-guide/ .

Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .

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Trusting God in the Storms of Life

/ Bob

Friday night we were anticipating some serious weather as a cold front approached. We heard reports of high winds, hail, lightning and tornadoes associated with this front. We took precautions to try to mitigate damage from high winds and other effects of the storm. We turned on the television to watch the weather reports and waited for the front to blow through while we reviewed our response actions should a tornado warning be sounded. The front blew through mildly in our area even though there were dozens of tornadoes that did plenty of damage across 4 states. We had rain and lightning and strong winds though nothing was severe.

We all face storms in different ways. Even my wife and I have different ways of responding to the approach of a storm system. However, one thing is universal – we all face storms whether they be weather related or the storms of life. Paul dealt with storms in his missionary journeys. In fact, 4 times he was shipwrecked at the hands of those storms. Three of those shipwrecks are mentioned in 2 Corinthians 11:25 and one is recorded by Luke in Acts 27 & 28.

Paul was being transported to Rome because he had appealed to Caesar during his trials in Judea. The ship they sailed on the Mediterranean Sea ran into a violent storm and set them adrift for over 2 weeks. The storm terrified those onboard – even the sailors for whom this was their way of life. However, Paul remained steadfast and was the calming influence for the entire ship. God’s faithfulness was demonstrated in Paul’s life and in his response to the storm. Because of God’s providential care and Paul’s God-given peace, all 276 people onboard the ship made it safely to land. Because God is always faithful we can trust Him always – especially when we seem to be adrift in our lives or when all seems lost.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, November 6, 2022. It is part of a series of Bible study sessions from The Gospel Project – a Bible study curriculum developed by Lifeway Christian Resources. Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com .

Website – FromTheBackPorch.org

Twitter – From the Back Porch @ nationalfast

Facebook – From the Back Porch in Texas

Email – fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com

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Bridge Over Troubled Waters

/ Bob

Jesus sends us as Christians into the world to be salt and light and ambassadors for the Kingdom. However, He never promised us that our mission would be easy. In fact, He promised us that in this world we will face troubling times. In Matthew 14:22-36 (also Mark 6:43-56 & John 6:16-24) we discover that Jesus sent the disciples into a troubling situation, but He knew where they were and what they were dealing with. If you have ever faced troubling times – times when the waves were beating against your ship of life – times when your legs and feet seemed to give way beneath you – times when your best life-preserving skills simply didn’t help – then you know what it means to truly need the One Who can walk on the troubled waters and the One Who can calm the angry wind and waves. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

In this study we learn that:

  1. We must go where Jesus sends us and do as He commands us knowing that it may be be a bumpy ride.
  2. When we face the storms of life we should know that it may be the obstructionism of Satan or the teaching and testing of God.
  3. We must realize that Jesus sees us in the storm and is waiting for us to see Him – and call to Him.
  4. We must worship Him and respond to Him as the omnipotent ruler of this world.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, October 24, 2021. Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com

Website – FromTheBackPorch.org
Twitter – From the Back Porch @ nationalfast
Facebook – From the Back Porch in Texas