BUT, GOD!

TEXT:  Luke 8:22-26

The Book of Luke portrays Christ as “The Perfect Savior”— “The Son of Man”

Luke is the 42nd book of the bible; 24 Chapters; 1,151 verses; and 25,944 words.

22. Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.

23. But as they sailed he fell asleep:  and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.

24. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water:  and they ceased, and there was a calm.

25. And he said unto them, “Where is your faith”? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, “What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.”  How Many Know!!!!! BUT GOD!!!!

In our text, the disciples find themselves in a terrible storm.  Now many times storms catch us when we're not expecting them.  This was probably true for the disciples, as this storm came even when Jesus was with them in the ship!

But in this story, Jesus reveals Himself as the God who is bigger that our storms.  And I think our view of God is very important because how we view God will determine how we view ourselves. And this very moment, I'm sure that all of us know that God is bigger than our storms, but if you're like me, you just sometimes need to be reminded.  One thing is for sure in this story:  The storm was not as big to Jesus as it was to the disciples!  And even though the storm was above their head, it was still under His feet!

Jesus had a plan.  And what was that plan?  It was for Him and His disciples to make it to the other side of the lake.  That was God's plan!

We do go through various "storms of life."  Your storm may be when someone you love dearly dies unexpectedly, and you don't understand it.  It may be when your job is not going the way you need it to go.  It could be when you feel betrayed by those you love, and no one understands your heartache.  Our storm can be when life has us so confused, we don't know where to turn or what to do.  It may even be when Satan whispers in your ear, "It's no use, and it will never work. You may as well give up."

What can we do when heartache comes knocking on our door, and we feel overcome by despair or bound by a feeling of hopelessness?                          

I. We start by realizing that God has a plan, and His plan is greater than our feelings!

And His intention (the end or object intended; purpose), His interpretation (process of explaining the meaning of something), His inclination (a tendency toward a certain condition, action), His intervention (Interference so as to modify a process or situation), and His instructions (knowledge or information imparted) is bigger than any storm!!!!!

People of God, each of us has encountered situations where we just felt like throwing in the towel.  We felt like the whole world was against us.  We felt like no matter what we did things would turn out bad.  We’ve often said to ourselves, “No matter what I do, things still won’t change”.  Or we feel that we have gotten so far down that there is nothing that can bring us up.  Brothers and sisters, I want you to know right now that this is not so! “BUT GOD”!

We have to realize that because we serve a risen Savior, we can live victorious lives.  I want to talk to you right now on the subject “BUT, GOD.”

There are a number of powerful two-word phrases found in the Word of God.

Phrases such as: Healed all; gathered in; cast out; raised up; and pulled down!

Each of these phrases is used in context with the power of God.  However, there is one phrase used some 43 times in Scripture that surpasses them all.  And that phrase is “BUT, GOD”!  This small two-word phrase communicates a tremendous message to all that hear it. It is God’s response to Satan’s challenge!  It is the bottom line!  It is the last word!  It is all over but the shouting!

“But, God”, when viewed in relation to the challenges of life, is what up is to down; what life is to death; what in is to out.

“But, God” stands totally opposed to the negative roar of the world.

The world says no — “But, God” says yes!  

The world says can’t — “But, God” says can!  

The world says won’t: “But, God” says will!

The world says stop — “But, God” says go!

The world says don’t — “But, God” says do!

The world says defeat — “But, God” says victory!

“But, God” climbs the highest mountain; crosses the darkest valley; and sings songs of victory in the midnight hour!

“But, God” exclaims, “I’m going to the enemy’s camp and I’ll take back what he stole from me!”

“But, God” is courageous, confident and conclusive!” Brothers and sisters, you have to realize that I’m speaking to you right now from God’s perspective!

You see “BUT” is a conjunction word…….that means on the contrary, “yet God”!

The word “contrary” means opposite in direction or position; unfavorable or adverse.

The word “yet” is defined as, at the present time; now: and in the time still remaining; before all is done.

Too many times we look at things through our own eyes and can only see failure.  “But, God” tells us to look at it as God sees it!  People of God, I’m encouraging you to put your Kingdom glasses on and see things as God see them!  I want you to know it’s not over until God says it’s over!

Sometimes when we go to a sporting event or watch it on TV, if our team is not winning as the end draws near, we leave before it’s over, not knowing that we might see a miraculous ending!

I’m speaking to you to urge you, brothers and sisters, to stay for the entire game — wait until the last seconds tick off the clock!  Wait until the “home team” has had its chance!  Wait until the last out is made!  If you quit too soon, you’ll leave before victory is seen!  I want to tell you today that the jury may still be out in your situation — all the votes are not in -- the fat lady has not sung — God hasn’t had His final say!

I’m telling you right now that in that book of miracles we read from every day, called the Bible, there are many instances where our adversary is confounded and confused.  There are stories of his elaborate schemes going wrong because he failed to realize that God would have the final say! The devil has worked so hard to get everything just right, yet just when he thinks he is victorious, he hears “But, God”!

Things that are meant to make us feel sorry for ourselves, things that are meant to make us give up, or things that are meant for bad, “But, God” means them for good!  God takes us through things to make us stronger!  I don’t know if you realize it or not but among the thorns, you generally will find a beautiful rose! Yes, Satan means it for bad, “But, God” means it for good!  Those times when everything is going well in our lives and then all of a sudden it seems like the bottom falls out, remember Satan means it for bad, “But, God”!

II. His Interpretation Is Bigger than Our Storm (Luke 8:23)

Jesus is asleep in the storm and evidently has been asleep for a good while.  Isn't that strange?  How could Jesus sleep through a storm?  The disciples literally thought they were dying!  Obviously the storm was not as big to Jesus as it was to the disciples!
I wonder:  Do we sleep well when problems are consuming us? Not really!  When problems consume you, you normally have a hard time sleeping.  But not Jesus!!!!  He was sound asleep through all the turmoil of the raging storm.

The disciples interpreted this storm as something terrible!  The fact is — they could not change their circumstances!  There was absolutely nothing they could do about the storm! And that's hard to deal with sometimes, isn't it?  Do you ever wish you could change your circumstances?

We may as well accept that!  We need to realize that God doesn't see the storm the way we see the storm.  His interpretation is bigger than our storm. Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God sees the storm as a means of advancement.  He uses storms of life to test us to help us get closer to Him.  God uses the dark, scary, uncertain times of life as an opportunity for Him to demonstrate his power not ours and for God to get the glory, not us.

God wants to use our trials to get us to just trust Him.

I wonder:  When our "storm" starts to devastate us, do we want to take God's interpretation of our storm?  Or, do we want to just develop our own interpretation?  When trouble comes down on us, do we carelessly say like some say, "God doesn't care about me, or He would do something to help me.”  But problems are sometimes just opportunities in "work clothes". He's testing our faith.  We must not forget:  Faith is taking God at His Word despite the circumstances.  And faith is often claiming God's promise in the midst of bad circumstances.

Like the disciples, we may be in a terrible "storm”.  We may be so scared that we're biting our nails off.  But it's good to know that God's not biting His nails off . . . because His interpretation is bigger than our storm!

I’m speaking to you, people of God, on the subject “But, God”!

III. His Inclination Is Bigger Than Our Storm (Luke 8:23-24)

When the Bible says the ship was "filled" with water, it means they were losing "control" of the ship, and the water was controlling the ship.  Rather than the disciples controlling the ship, the storm was controlling the ship.  The word "jeopardy" indicates that they feared death!  They thought, "It's over!"  But they did the right thing — they went to Jesus!  And while they were literally going down, Jesus was rising up!

Jesus "arose," but not the way I would have arisen!  Have you ever been awakened suddenly and unexpectedly from a deep sleep?  Our normal response is to be startled, bewildered, confused and to rub the sand out of our eyes, right?  However, Jesus didn't do that.  He arose and immediately He inclined Himself to them.

A. His Inclination Is To Hear Us!

That's His nature!  Immediately Jesus inclined Himself to them!  God is never in such a deep sleep that He doesn't hear our faintest whisper.  Psalm 121:4  Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. Aren't you glad for that? Jeremiah 33:3 says Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.  God wants us to call on Him!

One amazing thing that doctors have verified is that a mother often has a special "ear" for her baby's cry.  Mothers can often distinguish their own baby's cry in a room of crying babies.

For most men, one child's cry is the same as another.  If you've heard one, you've heard them all -- but not to a mother.

Why?  It’s because God made her with a special "ear" for her baby.  She is inclined to hear her baby.

Same comparison applies with God's ear for the cry of His children. Psalms 34:17-18 says The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their trouble.  The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.  In your trouble, cry out to God — He's waiting for you.

B. His Inclination Is To Help Us!

Although Jesus was sleeping, the disciples misunderstood the nature of His sleep.  They evidently thought that "sleeping" meant that He was unaware of their present danger, or that He was unconcerned for their personal lives, or maybe He was unable to make the difference that they needed.
But Jesus was no less God when He was asleep than when He was awake.

Jesus was no less God when He was lying down than when He was standing up.

He rebuked the wind and storm and produced a calm!

Psalms 34:19 says Many are the afflictions of the righteous:  but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.  No matter how dark our life may seem, we must believe the truth that His inclination is bigger than our storm!

IV. His Intervention Is Bigger Than Our Storm (Luke 8:25)

These disciples had seen other miracles before, but notice what they said:  "What manner of man is this?"  The way He intervened was unreal.  They were saying, "It's not humanly possible!

Let me ask you something:  If God can control the wind and the waves, don't you think He can control your storm?  If God can alter the very laws of nature, I believe He can help us with our problems!  

There is no storm too big for God to handle!  Do you believe that?  Even the wind recognized His authority, and the storm was just a platform for Him to do His work on.

Romans 8:28 says And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."

I don't understand how He does it, but God can even use the junk in our life to bring glory to Himself.  God desires to use everything that happens to us for our good and His/God's glory.

Do you believe that He can do that in your life?  Thank God that His intervention is bigger than our storm.  “BUT GOD”!

V. His Instruction Is Bigger than Our Storm

Jesus’s disciples learned some things through the storm that they might not have learned any other way.

A. They learned something about their faith (Luke 8:25)

When Jesus asked the disciples, "Where is your faith”, He asked a good question.  I don't know where their faith was, but I know where it wasn't.  Their faith may have been in the size of the ship to withstand the storm.  Their faith may have been in their ability to out-row the storm.  Their faith may have been in the strength of their anchor.  I don't know where their faith was, but I know where it wasn't:  It wasn't in Christ!  They learned something about their faith from the storm, and we do too!  When God sends a storm my way, I see how many different things I've been leaning on!

What if Jesus asked us right now, "Where is our faith?"  Some would have to answer, "My Father is in my circumstances.”  And they’d be right, He is!  But do they really believe He can change those circumstances?

Others would confess that their faith is in people, and adding, “They usually do what they say.” Jeremiah 17:5  Thus saith the LORD;  Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.  Some people's faith is only in the pleasures that this life can offer?  But, they're so short lived.  Many only have faith in their finances and in the things money can buy.  But they don't satisfy.

B. They learned something about their future (Luke 8:26)

They did get to the other side!  God wasn't through with them yet.  He had something else for them beyond the storm.  And when the storms of life beat down on us, we need to realize that there is life beyond the storm.  God is not finished with us yet.  It is merely a setup for a comeback!!!!

Noah got drunk……BUT GOD!!!!

Jacob lied ……….BUT GOD!!!!

Moses Murdered………..BUT GOD!!!!

Rahab was a prostitute………..BUT GOD!!!!

David had an affair ………..BUT GOD!!!!

“BUT GOD” still used them.

He can use you, too.

Satan says, “You can’t make it on your own”…“But, God” says, “If I am for you, I am more than the world against you”!

Satan says, “Hold on to all your problems for no one can help you”….“But, God” says, “Cast all your cares on me for I care for you”!  

Satan says, “Take the easy way out”…. “But, God” says, “The race is not given to the swift nor the battle to the strong but to the one that endureth until the end!”

Satan says “Your enemies have you surrounded; come out with your hands up”…. “But, God” says, “I’ll make your enemies your footstool!”

Satan says, “Sickness will follow you”… “But, God” says “By my stripes you are healed!”

Satan says, “There’s nothing else the doctors can do”…. “But, God” says, “I can change the diagnosis!”

I’m just trying to tell you today, people of God, that no matter what the situation; no matter how bad it might look; no matter how bad you have been; no matter whether it is day or night, remember that whatever comes, “But, God”!

No matter how negative a situation may be, “BUT GOD”, can turn it into a positive!!!

Nobody else “But God”! “But God” can do anything but fail!  CLAP YOUR HANDS FOR GOD!!!  GIVE OUR GOD SOME PRAISE!!!

~ Evangelist Jackie Burton