Main Topic
Sermon by evangelist David Fisher from Fan Into Flames Ministry, on going through storms in life, using Mark 4:35–41 (Jesus calming the storm) and Isaiah 43:1–3 to call believers to a deeper revelation of Jesus rather than just rescue from problems.
Word of God as powerful and authoritative, likened to a hammer that breaks rock (Jeremiah, Jesus’ words never passing away).
Welcome to Pastor Dave Fisher; context of recent ministry, prayer week, and sensing an increased move of the Spirit in the church and region.
Worship as an act of defiance against the devil: choosing to shout unto God with a voice of triumph regardless of circumstances.
Isaiah 43 read as a promise to God’s people: when you go through waters, rivers, and fire, God is with you and you will not be destroyed.
Honest acknowledgement that many feel they are “going through it” (days, months, even decades of trial).
Personal testimony of Dave and Shelley facing the most difficult mental, emotional, and spiritual season of their marriage.
Introduction of Mark 4: disciples in a literal storm used as metaphor for any life trial.
Common application: Jesus stills our storms; affirmation that He can, does, and will.
Central thesis: believers are not the main characters; the primary point is revelation of Jesus’ identity, not mere deliverance.
If God rescues us but we do not gain a deeper revelation of Jesus, our faith will be shaken at the next storm.
Key question from the text: “Who is this man?”—this is the heart of the narrative and the sermon.
Jesus’ simple statement “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake” implies divine direction and assignment, not a casual trip.
On the other side (Mark 5) is the demonized man with a legion; the crossing is about confronting hell and freeing a captive.
Any call to follow Jesus and advance His kingdom will be opposed by powers of darkness; storms often accompany assignment.
Demons recognize Jesus’ identity and authority even before the disciples do; they know His power over them.
Enemy’s purpose: incite fear, paralyze faith, and block God’s purpose by overwhelming us with storms and problems.
Some storms may be directly demonic; others are used by the enemy to assault mind, emotions, and focus.
When overwhelmed by what we are going through, we forget what we are going to (our assignment).
Disciples’ early lesson: following Jesus includes storms; in this world we will have tribulation, but Jesus has overcome.
Fierce storm (earthquake-like on the water); seasoned fishermen are terrified as the boat fills with water.
Core promise: Jesus is in the boat—in the midst of the storm—fulfilling God’s word, “I will be with you.”
Call to defiantly declare God’s word over symptoms and senses: choose His word over sight, feelings, and thoughts.
Warning: if we fail to discern the source of the storm, we fight the storm instead of the enemy behind it.
Contrast: disciples terrified; Jesus asleep on a cushion—same boat, same storm, radically different response.
It can feel like Jesus is present but passive, silent, or indifferent; these feelings are real but not true.
Jesus’ inner rest flows from knowing His Father, His identity, His origin, His assignment, and His destiny.
Believers likewise know their beginning (saved), their assignment, and their end (with Him), so anything in between is in the Father’s hands.
Disciples’ cry “Teacher, don’t you care we are going to drown?” contrasts Jesus’ word “We’re going to the other side.”
Only one declaration can be true; revelation of who He is corrects our conclusions about our situation.
Critique of purely informational faith: information about Jesus must become Spirit-given revelation in our hearts.
Areas dominated by fear reveal where we lack revelation of who Jesus is (e.g., healing, provision, family).
Jesus responds to their cry by rebuking wind and waves with authority (“Silence, be still” / “shut up and knock it off”).
Same language used to address demons, suggesting confrontation with spiritual forces behind the storm.
Believers are invited to speak with that same delegated authority to the spirit behind the storm.
Emphasis: the real battle is not with circumstances but with Satan, who seeks to destroy faith and block assignment.
Immediate calm reveals Jesus is doing what only God does in the Old Testament—ruling the chaotic waters.
This event unveils not just His power but His deity: Jesus is God, the eternal Word made flesh.
After the calm, Jesus asks, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”—implying they need not have feared.
The disciples become “absolutely terrified” in a holy way; divine presence is more awe-inspiring than any storm or demon.
God’s purpose is not mere survival but thriving in the midst of storms through deeper revelation of Christ.
What we magnify (storm or Jesus) will master us; magnifying Christ brings freedom from storm-mastery.
Storms can serve as opportunities for maturity and revelation (James 1:2–4 referenced).
Encouragement: do not wait for storms to seek revelation; build it now in the Word.
Call to become a defiant people against the enemy, not against God: spiritual warfare, shouting, and praise.
Personal example: walking around the house proclaiming God’s word, pleading the blood, attacking the devil by the Spirit and the Word.
Use Scripture to declare truth over fear, sickness, and oppression; don’t believe everything you think.
Weapons of warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to pull down strongholds and cast down imaginations.
Corporate ministry time: congregation invited to the altar to declare who Jesus is, not just receive prayer.
Long series of biblical declarations describing Jesus’ identity and work (never leaving or forsaking; bread of life; light; shepherd; vine; way, truth, life; resurrection and life).
Christ as reconciler, sin-bearer, seated in highest honor, head of the church, victor over sin, death, and Satan.
Christ as Alpha and Omega, visible image of the invisible God, creator and sustainer, Lamb slain yet standing, coming King.
Congregational Jericho-style shout as an act of spiritual warfare, linked to breaking chains and walls falling.
Second, louder shout encouraged, likened to (but surpassing) cheering at a football game (Super Bowl Sunday reference).
Affirmation that walls are coming down, demons are fleeing, and victories are being won because of Jesus’ kingship.
Dismissal: leave with praise, a shout, and an awareness of spiritual battle; take God’s word and do warfare in Jesus’ name
