You’re Not Alone in the Struggle

He Promises to Be With You

Scripture References

Primary text

• Mark 4
• Matthew 28:18-20

Other references

• Luke 8
• Matthew 8

Overview

Jesus’ final words in Matthew 28 carry a double promise: He has all authority and He is always with His people. Pastor Sam Roberts anchored that promise in the story of Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4), showing how Christ’s presence, not the absence of trouble, secures our peace. Even when obedience leads straight into a squall, the One who said, “Let’s go to the other side,” never leaves the boat.

Main Points

1. The Great Commission begins with authority and ends with presence

• Matthew 28:18 is the forgotten first line: before Jesus commands, He declares, “All authority … has been given to Me.”
• Because His authority is absolute, His promise “I am with you always” is unbreakable.
• Mission (“go and make disciples”) is carried out in confidence, not fear.

2. Setting the stage: Sea of Galilee and a late-day crossing

• 13 mi × 8 mi lake, 700 ft below sea level, ringed by mountains—ideal for sudden, violent storms.
• Jesus teaches crowds from a boat, explains the Parable of the Sower privately, then says, “Let’s go to the other side.”
• Destination—Gerasa in the Decapolis—was Gentile, considered unclean and dangerous.

3. Obedience does not exempt you from storms

• Disciples do exactly what Jesus says, yet a “furious squall” nearly swamps the boat.
• Followers often ask, “I tithed, served, prayed—why is there still a storm?”
• God may lead into a storm not to discipline but to disciple, forging faith in adversity.

4. The clash of fear and faith in the boat

• Jesus, exhausted from ministry, is asleep on a cushion—fully human.
• Disciples panic: “Teacher, don’t You care if we drown?”
• Their worry echoes the “thorns” of the Parable of the Sower—the cares of life choking the word.

5. A word of authority calms creation

• Jesus rebukes wind and waves: “Quiet! Be still!” Instant calm reveals His divinity.
• Question follows miracle: “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
• He never said, “Let’s go drown.” He said, “Let’s go to the other side.” His word guarantees arrival.

6. “Who is this?” — Revelation after the rescue

• Awe replaces panic; disciples’ understanding of Jesus shifts from teacher to sovereign Lord.
• Storm after the storm: when Jesus rearranges our view of Him, it can be as unsettling as the crisis itself.

7. Modern witness: the dove in Dad’s cancer battle

• Story: At 14, Pastor Sam watched his father battle cancer. A pure-white dove with sea-blue eyes appeared daily—descending to the gate each time his dad left for chemo and returning when he came home—for six weeks until doctors declared him cancer-free. The bird circled the house three times and vanished.

• Takeaway: you may not get a dove, but you always get Jesus. His presence proves the promise.

8. “Daddy’s in the boat” illustration

• Illustration: Sam’s daughter Hannah piloted their boat at 55 mph toward a rock dam. She was calm because Dad knew when to throttle back.

• Confidence rests not in conditions but in who holds the controls.

9. From promise to practice

• Jesus shines His light in places we consider off-limits; disciples follow Him there.
• Knowing He is with us empowers obedience to the Great Commission—across lakes, cultures, and fears.

Key Truths

• Jesus’ authority guarantees His promise; nothing can oust Him from your boat.
• Storms are not evidence of abandonment; they are classrooms of discipleship.
• Fear asks, “Don’t You care?” Faith remembers, “He said we’re going to the other side.”
• Recognition of Christ’s presence transforms panic into awe.
• The mission of making disciples flows from confidence in His perpetual presence.

Response

• Trust Jesus’ word over the weather; rehearse what He said before the storm hit.
• Invite Him into every area of your life—boat, storm, destination.
• Replace “Don’t You care?” with worship and expectation of His action.
• Step into uncomfortable places (“the other side”) carrying the light of Christ.
• Share stories—your “dove moments”—to remind others that He is with us.

Closing

Jesus never promised a storm-free life, but He promised an unbreakable presence backed by absolute authority. The One who calms seas still calms souls, guiding every surrendered life safely to “the other side.”

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me … and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You that You are in our boat. Strengthen every person facing crashing waves with the certainty that You care and You command. Move us from fear to faith and from comfort to mission, confident that wherever You send us, You go with us. Amen.