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Intermediate Sunday School Lesson 51 : THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Text: Matthew 8:23-27
22 January 2023

INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL 22 JANUARY 2022
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Text: Matthew 8:23-27

Subject: THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

A TEST OF FAITH

23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him.
24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.
25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then Hrose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

Matthew 8:23-27

1. The Faith of the Roman centurion

a) This was commended
b) His faith was exemplary

2. What about the Faith of the Disciples?

a) How would they measure up?
b) What if they were unexpectedly tested?

THE CROSSING OF THE SEA OF GALILEE

1. The Lord Jesus had given instructions to the Disciples

2. They would cross the Sea of Galilee and minister to the towns on the other side

3. This appeared to be a normal crossing of the Sea of Galilee

4. No storm was expected at all

A SUDDEN WINDSTORM

1. A sudden windstorm whipped up

2. This was described dramatically

a) A great tempest on the sea
b) The boat was covered with water

THE LORD JESUS

1. He was in the boat with His Disciples

2. He was resting. He was asleep!

THE FEAR OF THE DISCIPLES

1. Many of them were fishermen

2. They had been on the Sea of Galilee countless times!

3. But this sudden storm shook them with severe fright

4. They cried out!

“Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

Matthew 8:25

a) They feared that they might drown in the Sea
b) They cried out in fear!
c) They asked the Lord Jesus to save them somehow

THE RESPONSE OF THE LORD JESUS

1. His response to the Storm

a) He was not perturbed
b) He was asleep
c) Would the Father let Him drown in the Sea and not fulfil His goal of dying on the cross for Mankind’s salvation?
d) Would the storm overpower the Master?
e) He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea
f) There was immediate calm after this word of rebuke

2. His response to the Disciples

a) He had to address their problem of “Fear”
“Why are you fearful?”
Matthew 8:26a
b) He also had to address the problem of a lack of Faith
“O you of little faith?”
Matthew 8:26b
i) Little faith is virtually useless
ii) Great faith is what the Lord Jesus desires
iii) If the Roman centurion had such great faith, why not the Disciples?

THE TESTING OF OUR FAITH

1. Our Faith

a) There will always be tests
b) Some tests are minor ones
c) Others would be major ones

2. Our challenge

a) To check our faith
b) To see if it can measure up

3. Tested by fire

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:6-9

a. We may face various trials
b. We may be grieved by these trials
c. A genuine faith
i) It is more precious than gold
ii) When tested by fire it may be found to the praise of the Lord

4. The challenge

a) To love the Lord
b) To always rejoice in Him