Book: Mark 4:35-41

Where is Your Faith?

By James Wiese on June 26, 2021

Sermon for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost June 27, 2021
Text: Mark 4:35-41 CW 3 Year Series B 21:2267
Theme: Where is Your Faith?

This was a good fishing lake. The beach was used by men who earned their living by fishing. It was done at night. However, during the early part of the day, you could watch the men sitting near their boats, preparing their nets. It was like that every day.
But today the beach was crowded with people. Some came out of curiosity. Others couldn’t tell you why they came. For many it was an emptiness in their hearts, longing for something more. Those who stood out in the crowd were the sick, the crippled, the helpless. So many! Their faces lined with years of suffering. But this day, in their eyes was a new gleam of hope. Jesus had come!
The crowd on the beach pushed forward. They wanted to hear. Many wanted to touch Him. Had you been there, you would have seen Jesus as someone looking like any other man, except He appeared tired, very tired. The crowds gave Him little rest. He could not even sit down to eat a bite of food with His disciples because the people constantly pressed Him. I suppose that He could have sent them home. But, tired as He was, He couldn’t do that. They were like sheep without a shepherd. So many needed Him.
Newcomers arrived. But those nearest Him didn’t want to step back. For a moment, it looked like the crowd would push Him right into the lake. But look! Jesus stepped into one of the boats along the shore and His friends rowed Him out a little way. Now, everyone could hear and see Him.
“When you light a lamp,” Jesus said, “You don’t put it under a bed or a bushel basket. No, you set the lamp on a table so that everyone in the house can see it. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see, and glorify your Father in heaven.” With hungry hearts the people listened. No one ever talked to them like this before. They listened as He told them one parable after another.
But now it was growing dark. At last Jesus turned to His friends in the boat and said, “Let’s go over to the other side.” The people there need Him too. His friends picked up the oars. Jesus went to the end of the boat and laid down to rest. It had been a long day. But He had reached so many lives. At once He fell asleep.
It was about 7 miles across the top of the lake. His friends took
turns rowing and always kept an anxious eye on the sky. This lake was known for its sudden, violent storms because of its position between the snow-covered mountains and the plains below sea-level. It wasn’t long before the sky darkened with heavy, black clouds. The wind picked up; the waters rose, choppy; and the little boat rose and fell on the swells. More violently the wind blew. The waves broke against the side of the boat and began to spill into it. No matter how hard or how fast they bailed, the boat began to fill.
These were not cowardly men. Many of them made their living on this lake. They had seen such storms and heard about others where men never came home. Were they to drown just now …now that life seemed to be worth living…now that they had found the divine Teacher? With fearful eyes they looked at one another.
Meanwhile, Jesus’ eyes were closed as He slept most peacefully in the back of the boat. Finally, they shook Him awake. “Didaskale, ou melei soi oti apollumeqa! ”Teacher,don’tYou care that that we are about to perish!”
Without a word Jesus arose. He didn’t take hold of an oar. He didn’t grab a bailing pail. He simply spoke in a quiet tone, with the authority of heaven: “Hush! Be still!” Immediately the winds grew silent. The waves fell. All was calm as a quiet afternoon. Then He turned to His friends and asked, “Why are you so afraid? Do you not yet have faith? Where Is Your Faith?” (Lk.8:25).
Do you hear the note of sadness, the tinge of disappointment in His’ voice: “Why are you so afraid? Where’s your faith? Do you not yet have it?” After all that they had been through and seen of their divine companion whose grace and power were evident in the sermons He preached and the miracles He performed. Faithless after all that! How could they deny His abilities?
So, what happened out there on the stormy water when the wind howled and the waves crashed, tossing their little boat about? Well, the first thing that happened was that they looked to themselves to get them out of their predicament. Have you done that, too? Looking to yourself first? Is God just a last resort? But when human abilities fail and our little boats got swamped, we panic, like they did: “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
After hearing and seeing so much of His loving care for all, such little confidence they had in their Friend. At least they went to Him, but barely. They only crept upon their faith in Him, so much so that the Lord felt constrained to gently chide: “Why are you so afraid? Where Is Your Faith?” (Lk.8:25)
It’s almost to be expected, isn’t it, for if we are honest, we are weak in ourselves. That’s not such a bad thing to see. When our voyage through life is battered by the tempests of troubles that arise, we too are shaken. In fact, it can be expected that even the firmest believer will be fearful, for we are not yet perfected. Sin and temptation still affect us here. No matter how brave a front you put up, who can face calamity, who can look into the jaws of death without wincing? Illness, misfortune, accident! Even Job, the most righteous and upright man of his time, was shaken.
God does not expect that we will not be shaken either. Nor does our Christian faith demand us to put on a false front of manly bravado. The Lord Jesus Himself wept at the grave of His friend. And the Apostle Paul did not berate Christians for crying because of their losses. But in their shaken state he reminded them that “we do not grieve like the rest of men who have no hope” (1Th.:4:13). For we’ve got the surest hope of all – Christ – by our side. He will be our anchor in every storm of life.
So, dear friend, if in your weakness you find yourself beginning to creep ahead in fear of what life might bring…if you find yourself allowing the storms of trouble to cause you great alarm…if you find yourself beginning to permit the clouds of adversity to darken the memory of the Savior’s sunshine of grace, it is good to hear His gentle voice reminding: Where Is Your Faith? It’s a question that gently shakes us to our senses, for without Him we are lost. And then He goes to work to help us.
After the disciples woke Him, Jesus rose to His feet. With a wave of His hand and a word from his lips the turbulent sea was smoothed; the howling wind subsided. “Hush! Be still!” And it was so. The wind died down and all was quiet. And there in the mystic calm that followed the storm, our Lord stood in all His glory. And, that we would not miss the impact of it all, He asked, “Why are you so afraid? Where is your faith?” It was a question given to point to His grace, for in His great love, so undeserved at times because of weakness, He provides what is needed to comfort and take care of us. It was as if He said, “Here is the faith that will comfort and take care of you. Here it is, in me – your Savior.”
And so it is that in the times of our weakness, and especially, after the trouble has subsided, He does His work that we might be more mindful of our weak state and His strength. For if we did not go through the struggle and fail, how would we ever find our strength and rest in Him? We would think that it was our arm and our ability that got us through and solved the problem.
This is my fear for myself, for our church, and especially for our country in these times. When things seem to be against us, illness, crime, murder, homes lost, jobs not found, finances failing, our people make plans to pull ourselves out of our difficulties. That is good to the extent that the Lord gives us our brains and the abilities to make it through and then says, “Work so that you eat.” We must do all within our power to do the work the Lord gives us to do in our families, in our church, and in our land while it is day.
And yet who was it that got the disciples out of their troubles? It was not they, the experienced men of the sea, who saved themselves. It was the Lord who provided the means for survival. As they went to Him, He did not abandon them but poured out His grace upon them. And so that they might not miss the moment, there He stood in the wreckage of the storm, arms outstretched in blessing over them. Even the wind and the wave must obey Him.
What a picture you have, dear friend, of the Lord in your life. He stands tall in the boat, arms outstretched over you, blessing you with calm after the storm has done its part. The Savior never abandons His people, not even in their weakest moments. Oh, He might allow the storms to show us our weakness and inabilities, but that is done not to harm us. It happens that He might gently shake us as He points us to His grace in our lives.
You see, the Lord Jesus holds not just the winds and the waves in His hands, but He wants to hold our very souls. With His blood He cleansed us from our sin when we were unable. With His Spirit He made us His own through the waters of Holy Baptism and the hearing of His Word. (So family, Savannah and Noah, and all of you, keep teaching RaeLynn that Word. Baptism is not the end. It’s just the beginning. And what a beginning in faith it is.) Through the continued hearing of His Word He will guide, strengthen, and keep (her and) us as His own now and forever.
So, dear friend, Where is Your Faith? What better, safer, more comforting, and happier place can it be than in Him who stands in the calm of every storm to bless you? Here is your faith; it is in Christ Jesus, your Savior. Stand boldly in Him. God grant us all such a faith for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Zion Lutheran Church of Springfield

(A member congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)

4717 S Farm Rd 135 (Golden Avenue)

Church phone: 417.887.0886 Pastor’s cell phone: 417.693.3244

www.zionluthchurch.com email: revelehmann@gmail.com

The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost June 27, 2021

“He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!”

The wind stopped, and there was a great calm.” Mark 4:39

F o r O u r V i s i t o r s

The family of Zion welcomes you as we worship the Lord today. We encourage children to worship with us. However, if you need to leave with your child, there is a nursery room to the right as you exit the sanctuary. The rest rooms are located in the hallway between the sanctuary and the fellowship hall. Visitors, please sign our guest book to the right, just outside the sanctuary. We’re glad that you are here and pray that through our worship the Lord grants you peace.

U p o n E n t e r i n g G o d’ s H o u s e

“God is our Refuge and Strength, an ever-present Help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea….Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46).

W h a t T h i s S u n d a y i s A b o u t

Who is this? It is a question about Jesus’ identity that the disciples asked after He calmed the storm that overwhelmed them on the sea.

Who is this? It the question that the Lord asked of Job after Job had lashed out at God and accused Him of being powerless and not caring.

Who is this? It is a question about the Lord Jesus that the Apostle Paul strove to answer in his preaching. As Jesus’ spokesman, Paul felt compelled by Christ’s love to tell others that He is the Redeemer.

Who is this? He is the all-powerful God, the Creator of all things, whose true work is seen in His reconciling sinful mankind to Himself. In Him life is given, faith is strengthened, and confidence prevails. He is Lord of all, Lord in all, and Lord to all whose trust is placed in Him

To that end we pray: O Lord, our God, govern the nations on earth and direct the affairs of the world so that Your Church may worship You in peace and joy; for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

– T h e W o r d o f G o d f o r T o d a y –

Old Testament Lesson: Job 38:1-11

Dare a person question God and His ways? God is the omnipotent, omniscient Creator. He was there at creation; He knows what needs to be done. Who is man to question Him? Will God not do what is best?

Epistle Lesson: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Christ makes the world a new creation, reconciling it to God. He gives His Church this good news to proclaim, bidding each listener to receive it as his own. Those who believe it, stand in awe of Christ’s reconciling love. His love compels them in love to proclaim it.

Gospel Lesson: Mark 4:35-41

“Lord, don’t you care what happens to us?” We are tempted to question Him when things don’t seem to go right in our lives. Does the Lord care when life’s storms threaten us? He never will forsake us. Even though He appears to sleep, the Savior will rise to help us in our need.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Organist: Jane Rips The Preacher: Pastor Edwin Lehmann

Trio: Lois Wiese, Jane Rips, Pastor

Point to Ponder: “If you want to go abroad with Christ, bad weather will not fail to come, and Christ will want to sleep. Then we really feel the temptation. Otherwise, if He were not sleeping and were to check the bad weather soon, we would never find out what it means to be a Christian, and, I suppose, would think to boot that we were helping ourselves by our own power. Here, however, temptation strengthens faith. Therefore, one must say: ‘No human power was able to help; God alone and His dear Word have done it.’”

— Martin Luther on At Times Christ Seems to Have Left us to Ourselves

Thy holy wings, dear Savior, Spread gently over me,

And through the long night watches, I’ll rest secure in Thee,

Oh, may whate’er betide me, Be Thou my hiding place.

And let me live and labor Each day, Lord, by Thy grace.

Outline of Our Worship

Lord, Hear Us

Opening Thoughts on the Service

Opening Hymn: #234

Today’s Order of Worship: Morning Praise: Hymnal pg.45

Lord, Feed Us

Psalm of the Day: #46 Hymnal pg.84

Job 38:1-11

2 Corinthian5:14-21

Trio: Thy Holy Wings, Dear Savior

Mark 4:35-41

Sermon Hymn: #433

Sermon Text: Mark 4:35-41 Where Is Your Faith?

Lord, Accept Our Response

“We Praise You, O God” Te Deum Laudamus: Hymnal pg.48

“Lord, Have Mercy”

Prayers, Lord’s Prayer & Prayer for Grace Hymnal pg. 50

Lord, Bless Us

The Benediction Hymnal pg. 51

Closing Hymn: #405

Silent Prayer

The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost – Series B

Old Testament Lesson: Job 38:1-11 – The Lord Answers Job

¹Then the Lord responded to Job out of a violent storm. He said: ²Who is this who spreads darkness over my plans with his ignorant words? ³Get ready for action like a man! Then I will ask you questions, and you will inform me.

⁴Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you understand anything about it. ⁵Who determined its dimensions? I am sure you know. Who stretched out the surveying line over it? ⁶What supports its foundation? Who set its cornerstone in place, ⁷when the morning stars sang loud songs together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

⁸Who locked up the sea behind doors when it burst out of the womb? ⁹When I clothed the sea with clouds, when I wrapped it with thick darkness as its swaddling cloths, ¹⁰when I broke its power with my decree, when I locked it up behind barred, double doors, ¹¹I said, “You may come this far, but no farther. Here is the barrier for your proud waves.”

Epistle Lesson: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 – The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹⁴For the love of Christ compels us, because we came to this conclusion: One died for all; therefore, all died. ¹⁵And he died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves but for him, who died in their place and was raised again.

¹⁶As a result, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we knew Christ according to the flesh, we no longer know him that way. ¹⁷So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. The new has come! ¹⁸And all these things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. ¹⁹That is, God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them. And he has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, inasmuch as God is making an appeal through us. We urge you, on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. ²¹God made him, who did not know sin, to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

Gospel Lesson: Mark 4:35-41 – Jesus Calms a Storm

³⁵On that day, when evening came, Jesus said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side.” ³⁶After leaving the crowd behind, the disciples took him along in the boat, just as he was. Other small boats also followed him. ³⁷A great windstorm arose, and the waves were splashing into the boat, so that the boat was quickly filling up. ³⁸Jesus himself was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. They woke him and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to drown?”

³⁹Then he got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” The wind stopped, and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still lack faith?”

⁴¹They were filled with awe and said to one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!”

C a l e n d a r & A n n o u n c e m e n t s f o r Z i o n L u t h e r a n C h u r c h

Today

June 27

Mon

June 28

Tues.

June 29

Wed.

June 30

Thurs.

July 1

Fri.

July 2

Sat.

July 3

Next Sun.

July 4

9:00 am

Divine Worship Service

on line – Facebook

10:15 am

Fellowship & Brief Bible Study

Pentecost 5

11 am

Midweek Bible Class

5 pm

Confirmation

Choir

9:00 am

Divine Worship Service

with Holy Communion

on line – Facebook

10:15 am

Fellowship & Brief Bible Study

Pentecost 6

A Brief Bible Study on God’s Word for Today

The world is a confusing place. We often feel it doesn’t deal fairly with us. We go through the emotions of anger, or at other times terror, when we don’t understand the turmoil around us. But Jesus reminds us of His presence and changes our eyesight to see the great and enduring salvation He has won for us. This gives life a new perspective and purpose.

The Gospel Lesson: Mark 4:35-41 (answers are found on the back side)

What miraculous action did the disciples observe?
Why did Jesus rebuke them?

Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Dea Windsor; Clyde Johnson; Dave Ballou; Greg Miller; Lou Schulz; Norine Richardson; Barbara Long; Jodi Milam; William & Laurie Moon; Patsy Mickelson; Lance & Jodi Milam; Pastor Tim Buelow and Kathleen Huff in W. Virginia; Pauline Jaeger, Randy’s mother, diagnosed with cancer; the family of Sherry Wiese, Jim & Lois Wiese’s sister-in-law; Linda Yount’s family; Ken Burns, former member at Zion who is very sick and in hospice care in Iowa.

During the Upcoming Week elections will continue to be held on-line for Wis. Synod officers and ministry positions. The synod first vice president was voted on last week. This week the synod secretary position will be filled. Pastor Lehmann is a delegate this year. If you have suggestions or questions to the election or convention process, please share them with him.

No Face Mask Regulations Facemasks are no longer required in a church setting. If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask, especially with the upswing in Covid cases in our community, you may do so. Masks, disposable gloves, and sanitizer are in the narthex and the fellowship hall for your use. We are again passing the offering plate in our worship service.

Forward in Christ’s next edition for July has arrived. Copies for family and friends may be found in the narthex. Copies of Pastor’s Daily Devotions this past week from Psalm 93 will also be found there.

The Week in Review

Last Sunday’s Worship Attendance: 38; Communed: 32; Bible Class: 15; Offering: $1,598; Midweek Bible Class: 6.

Next Sunday’s Lessons:

Pentecost 6: Lamentations 3:22-33; 2 Corinthians 8:1-9,13-14; Mark 5:21-24, 35-43 (Series B)

Answers to Today’s Gospel Lesson Brief Study:

Jesus calmed the rough seas just by talking to the wind and the waves. Here was another example of Jesus divinity as He showed them He could do what was impossible for humans to do.
They should have realized there was nothing to be terrified about with Jesus nearby. Faith does not gain its perspective from what it sees around us, but by the person with us. Does your faith rest on Jesus despite the turmoil around you?

This week I am praying for……

Christian Memorial Service for Christopher John Bruck

By James Wiese on August 29, 2020

Christian Memorial Service for
Christopher John Bruck
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Springfield, Missouri
Sunday, August 30th, 2020

This brief order of worship is intended for the memorial service of one who has departed this life in the Christian faith. With the Word of God, the Christian Church comforts the bereaved family and friends and confesses its lasting hope in the resurrection of the dead in Christ. In Him, our Savior, we find joy in all times, even in the hour of sadness.

The Order of Service

Psalm 46: God Is Our Refuge and Strength

Greeting and Prayer

Psalm 23: The Lord Is My Shepherd

Hymn: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” insert #411

Resurrection Comfort
Pastor: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. The apostle Paul writes to the Romans: “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Jesus gives us this comfort: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” Death has been swallowed up in victory! Thanks be to God!
Congr: He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pastor: When Christ, who is our life, appears,
Congr: Then we also will appear with Him in glory.

Pastor: We will be before the throne of God
Congr: And serve Him day and night in His temple.

Pastor: Never again will we hunger;
Congr: Never again will we thirst.

Pastor: For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be our
Shepherd; He will lead us to springs of living water.
Congr: And God will wipe away every tear from our eyes.

Pastor: Let us pray….

Duet: “Because He Lives”

Scripture Lessons:
Isaiah 40:1-11 Comfort from the Shepherd to believers in distress.
John 3:14-18 God loved the world, so He gave His Son.
(One of Chris’s favorite Bible passages.)

Hymn: “On Eagles’ Wings” insert #440

The Sermon: “Here Is the Calm in Your Storm – In Me, Jesus! Mark 4:35-41

The Confession of Faith: The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and
is seated on the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.
Pastor: Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer

All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Benediction

Hymn: “How Great Thou Art” insert #256

Silent Prayer

The Organist: Jane Rips
The Preacher: Rev. Edwin Lehmann,

After glorifying God for the saving mercies He has shown to His servant now fallen asleep in Jesus, we leave comforted and strengthened by God’s Word. In faith we press on, awaiting the time He gathers each believer in His arms to His heavenly home and reunites us with our loved ones who passed this life in Him.
Thank you for coming today. May Christ be glorified in all that we say and do. And may He grant you safe travels on your way home.

They are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Revelation 7:15-17

Christian Funeral Service – Christopher John Bruck

August 29/30, 2020 Text: Mark 4:35-41 20:2210

Theme: Here Is the Calm in Your Storm – In Jesus.

If you could come up with one word that best describes Chris Bruck to you, what would it be? One word, just one!

I had a hard time with this one. I finally came up with the word “coy.” I don’t know if that’s right. Do you know what coy means?

A coy person tends to show himself as quiet, almost shy, bashful. I don’t think that I would ever call Chris Bruck bashful. Quite the opposite! He would tell you straight up what he thought. But he could pretend to be quiet, always thinking, looking to see what you would say or do first. He could catch me off guard.

Once when we were considering what to do in Sunday Bible class, he suggested having members write down questions that they had, especially as they sought to witness to the truths of God’s Word to family and friends. So, I asked the members to write down their questions. There were about 20 of them that came back to me. Twenty. And everyone of them was, guess whose….Chris’s! See, he didn’t tell me that beforehand. He just kept it to himself.

Another example, sort of. Chris sang in the choir. I don’t know how well he read music, but he liked music, so he joined the choir. We would go along in practice. Then he would ask a question, a loaded question, if you know what I mean, or he would tell a story or a joke. Then, while I was trying to figure out what he was saying, he would laugh and laugh – a type of Santa Claus laugh.

He also had what I would call a “poker” expression on his face. But then he would zing you with something and get the biggest kick out of what he accomplished. I don’t know if I have described it well, but that’s what I mean by “coy” – pretending to be one thing, but then playfully being another when you weren’t expecting it.

When you are not expecting it and are caught off guard…

When a person isn’t expecting it….. I wasn’t expecting this, that we would be here today under these circumstances, at least not yet. Chris is only 2 years older than I am. I wasn’t expecting this.

I thought he would come out of the virus alright. But the Lord had other plans, and there are a lot of things happening right now during this pandemic that we simply are not expecting. It catches us off guard.

Do such things catch Jesus off guard? No. He knows; He has His purposes, and He promises us that “all things work together for good to those who love Him” (Rm.8:28), even when we can’t see it. In fact, the psalmist writes that He “fulfills His purposes for me” (57:2). But we don’t always expect them. It catches us off guard.

Do you think that these disciples expected this storm to come up on the lake – and that their Lord had a purpose in it for them? No. According to Mark’s account, He had been teaching parables about the Kingdom of Heaven to the crowd all day long. He taught the Parable of the Sower and the Seed; He taught the Parables of the Growing Seed and the Mustard Seed (Mk.4). He also healed many people (Mt.7). He talked to them like no one had ever talked to them before, about forgiveness, life, and faith in Him.

But it was growing dark. Jesus turned to His 12 friends and said, “Let’s go to the other side of the lake.” They got into a boat and picked up the oars. As they did, Jesus went to the back of the boat to rest. There He fell asleep, worn out by the day’s work.

It was about 7 miles to cross the lake. Somewhere in the middle, an unexpected storm began to brew and caught the disciples off guard. The wind sprang up, the water grew rough, the waves dashed against the boat, tossing it about as though it were just a piece of driftwood. No matter how hard they pulled or how fast they bailed, the boat began to fill with water.

These men were no weaklings. They were fishermen, at home on this lake where they made their living. They had been in many a storm. But not one like this, that caught them off guard by its severity. It was a storm the likes of which men don’t come back alive. Were they going to drown just now – when least expected – when life seemed so worth living because they had found the Messiah? With troubled, fear-filled eyes, they stared at each other.

…the Savior stands forth and quiets things.

Meanwhile, Jesus still slept quietly in the back of the boat. They shook Him awake. “Lord, don’t you care! We are going to drown!” Without a word to them, He rose to His feet. With a wave of His hand and a word of rebuke to the wind and the sea He called to the elements, “Hush! Be still!” The sea immediately grew calm and the howling winds subsided. And there, in the glorious, mystic calm that followed the storm, our Lord stood forth in His glory. And so that we might not miss the impact and comfort of it all, but might grow firmer in our faith in Him, He called, “Why are you afraid? Where is your faith? It is here in me – Jesus, your Savior. I am the calm in your storm.”

Think about that, dear friends, as we are gathered here today. The Savior stood forth and quieted things. Then He spoke to His disciples, not during the storm, but after the raging tempest subsided. He spoke, not before He acted, but following it. He spoke, not before the trouble arose, but after it had surfaced. And in that you have the picture you need for your time of grief.

It is a strong picture of the One who sees His people in their need in the situations that life brings. When they are caught off guard and aren’t expecting that which takes place, He stands forth to help and embraces each believer in His arms. He knows where you are and invites, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Mt.11:28).

What better, safer place can each of us be today, when we have so many fears, so many questions at the loss of our friend, Chris? What better place to find ourselves than in the calming arms of the Savior. “He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers them in His arms and carries them close to His heart” (Is.40:10-11). Here is the calm in your storm – in Jesus.

He holds not just the wind and the waves in His hands, but He holds you and all who believe in Him, like Chris did, as the Savior who died for his sins and rose again for his life. He holds us and holds back the fears that could so easily arise within us. With His blood He cleansed us. With His Spirit He makes us His own. And with His Word He will guide, strengthen, and keep you, Dee and you girls, safe in the days that lie ahead. Will there be sad times? On, I am sure! But we will also remember the good times we had with our friend. And most of all remember that the Lord blessed you with a husband, a father, a brother, a friend who knew Christ Jesus as his Savior. He is the calm in the storm for Chris now, for the Lord has drawn our friend into the safe Haven that is above. In what better, safer, and happier place can the believer be in these unsettling times than safely, calmly gathered into the Savior’s arms.

Here is the calm in your storm too – in Jesus, your Savior. God grant you that comfort and rest in faith for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Christopher John Bruck

Christopher John Bruck, 69, entered the Church Triumphant, Thursday, August 13, 2020. He was born April 15, 1951, to Christine Owens and Joseph Bruck in St. Louis, MO. He entered God’s Kingdom of Grace through the washing of Holy Baptism in June of 1951 in Ferguson, MO.

On October 15, 1982, Chris was united in marriage with the love of his life, Delores Pinson, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wentzville, MO. God blessed their marriage with the births of Jennifer and Angela.

Chris was a construction superintendent for commercial buildings in the St. Louis area. He enjoyed many hobbies and interests including being a private pilot, flying radio-controlled airplanes and helicopters, playing softball, coaching, boating and skiing, and computer gaming. In these later years he would often visit in the pastor’s office, appearing a little more tired than usual after staying up into the wee hours of the night gaming on the computer with friend Jim.

Chris and Dee became members at Zion Lutheran Church, Springfield, MO, in 2012, transferring from Apostles Lutheran Church (now, Christ Alone), in Dardenne Prairie, MO. He served Zion as congregational president. In summer one might see him bouncing around on the riding mower or, with sheers in hand, trimming bushes. In his own quiet way, he did many things behind the scenes for the welfare of our congregation as he served the Lord here. We could always count on him at district conventions in Minnesota to try and stump the pastors with many good questions about matters of faith.
Chris is survived by wife Deloris “Dee” Bruck; daughters Jenifer Bruck and Angela Meek; son-in-law Kyle Meek; grandchildren Ashanti Bruck, Aja Woodley, Ayce Woodley, (Step) Breanna Clevinger, Mckenna Boss, Rylyn and Olivia Meek; sisters and brothers Dorothy (Dottie) Wilmes, Betty Wittman, Janet Bruck, Donna O’Connor, Paul and Joe Bruck; nieces and nephews Crystal Syring, Ryan and Regan Sommer, Tami Asbridge, Blake Arnold, April, Trevor, Kara and Joe Bruck IV, Travis Bullock, Amber Byington, and Nick Bruck. Brother Raymond and sister Mary Feshenfeld preceded him in death.
As we bid God-speed to our member, friend, and brother in faith, we say “Farewell” only for a time, for we shall see him again, soon, above. Through faith in Christ, the Lord now graciously takes Chris to the best place he could be, by the Savior’s side. God grant us all
such a blessed life of faith and quiet rest at last.

Where’s Your Faith When Storms Blow In?

By James Wiese on July 16, 2017

The 3rd Sunday after Pentecost June 25, 2017
Text: Mark 4:35-41 ILCW – B 17:2017
Theme: Where’s Your Faith When Storms Blow In?

Questions, questions, questions. In school I used to cringe when the teacher asked me questions. I was always afraid that I did not have the right answer for which he was looking. And if I didn’t answer correctly, how embarrassed I would be!
This weekend our lessons are full of questions – questions for Job, and now the disciples – questions about faith. I wonder if they cringed when they heard them as much as I used to cringe.

I. “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” Do you hear the sadness and disappointment in Jesus’ voice when He asked them? After all that these disciples had heard and seen of Jesus’ power and greatness — the proofs of His divine being, the signs of Him as the Messiah, the astonishing miracles, the perfect life, the wondrous teachings — after all that Jesus felt that their faith in His saving presence should be strong enough to weather a storm on a lake. But what happened out there on the turbulent sea when the winds rose, the waves crashed, and the boat took on water? They panicked! “Teacher, have you no concern for us? We are perishing!”
Ah, so little courage and confidence! Jesus felt compelled to chide them for their lack thereof, especially since He was with them: “Do you not yet have faith?”
It was as if our Lord were saying, “What’s the matter here? Why all the panic? Did you really think that these waves could destroy us? Am I not here? Have you so quickly forgotten who I am and what I can do? Was there no one among you who could say, ‘Don’t be afraid; pluck up your courage? Have faith in our Jesus. Whether we live or we die we are the Lord’s and His gracious will shall be done for our good.’ Could no one say such things? But your panic I notice; your doubts I see. Where is your faith when the storm blows in?”
Oh, this is a text for close self-examination – for each one of us. Where is our faith when the storm blows in?
When the voyage through life is suddenly battered by tempests of trouble, even the firmest believers among us feel shaken. Strange is the one who can face calamity without wincing – the news of a life-threatening illness, the accidental death of a loved one, the unanticipated arrival of great misfortune – all these and more cause great shock in us. Christianity does not expect us to put on a false mask of stoic indifference. Even Jesus wept when He stood at the grave of His friend Lazarus. Yes, our lives are shaken.
But if we allow the storms of trouble to blow in and shatter us completely, letting the clouds of adversity fully block out the sunshine of our heavenly Father’s mercy…if in the dark hour we have no remembrance of the Savior’s promise, “I am with you”…if there is no readiness to utter, “Lord, Thy will be done”… are we not also in need of chiding from our Savior: “Where is your faith?”
Where? That word is meant for us to look inside ourselves. It is meant to engage us in an inner search and examination. God said to the Christians in Corinth through the Apostle Paul: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves” (2:13:5). So look inside, dear friend. What do you see?
Can you see in yourself what the disciples displayed? For a time they put too much confidence in themselves and their own abilities. After all, many of them had grown up on this lake. As experienced fishermen and seasoned sailors, they had often pulled themselves out of the frequent storms that fell upon the Sea of Galilee. Is that where their faith was – in themselves? Was it not in the Lord and His Word, where it ought to be? No wonder such fear!
Where is your faith? This question is not about the strength of faith. It’s about the object of faith – in whom or in what is faith placed? In self, in others, or in Christ? That becomes critical.
Here there can be some measure of gladness seen in the disciples. After trying and failing to get themselves out of the trouble, they did finally run to Jesus. In the midst of the storm a cry rang out into the night: “Teacher, save us! We are going to drown and perish!” (Mt.8:25). Suddenly they perceived that all their skill and cunning as sailors was not going to cut it. There was only one who could save them from the storm. So in the midst of their distress, they went to Him. Facing death, they knew Him to be their only help and salvation.

II. The account of this storm on the lake is an historical event in the life of our Lord and His disciples. It really did happen. But as we think about it a little further, it also becomes a parable of all our existences. We are the occupants of that boat too. We are the ones, along with the disciples, crossing stormy seas of life.
When you have your health and relatively good wealth, it seems possible to be able to keep things together. During such good times it is also sadly true that for many there may be only a lukewarm reliance upon Jesus. But when trouble comes, when the curse of sin begins to eat at the soul, when a serious or terminal illness strikes and the storms of life buffet you on every side, then you will want to know that Christ is there with you, that He is at your side, not just the one who can heal the sickness of the body, but one who has taken care of the greater needs of the soul. You want to know that the One who can save eternally is at your side for you cannot make it to heaven on your own. With man this is impossible. At such times the cry of distress goes out from our lips: “Lord, save us.”
That is the right word – “save.” When we have that, salvation from sin, we have it all for Jesus came not to heal us from our bodily illnesses (although He does so many times). “He came to seek and to save that which was lost.” He helps us in all our undertakings. But the greatest request that we can bring to Christ is this, “Lord save me.” And He did at the cross.
Where is your faith? Is it there when the storms of life come in? Then you will make it, dear friend, you will make it whether He heals your body or not. Your soul resides in His arms and you see Him eternally much like the disciples saw Him in our text.
Jesus rose to His feet. With a wave of His hand and a word from His lips the turbulent sea was smoothed and the howling wind subsided. And there in the mystic calm that followed the storm, our majestic Savior stood before them in all His glory. And so that we might not miss the impact and comfort of it all but might grow more firm within, He reminded us: “Here is the faith that will save, comfort, and strengthen you. It is in me, the Savior.”
And there you have one of the greatest pictures that you need for your times of sadness, stress, and grief. Tuck it deeply into the recesses of your heart. It is a comforting picture, a strong picture of the One who sees His people in their greater need, helps, and embraces them in His eternal care as their eyes are on Him.
Ah, the loving concern of Him who holds not just the winds and the waves, and not just the health and the welfare of the body in His hands, but who holds the soul of the one who knows Him as the Savior. What better, safer, more comforting and happier place can we be than in His hands.

Where is your faith when storms blow in? Don’t let the stormy seas in your life become greater than your Savior, even if He appears to be sleeping in the back of the boat. This calls for faith, not fear. Here is where faith needs to be…here in the Lord Jesus and in His saving presence. He is more than just a sensational miracle worker. He is the divine Savior with unlimited grace and power to save eternally lost sinners. There is no other place for faith to be. God grant us such faith, ever growing, for His name’s sake. Amen.