When the Storms Are Raging
God is a God of mercy – Rom 8:31, Ps 103:13-14, Eph 2:4-5, Rev 21:4-5
Jesus says He has overcome the world – John 16:33

He Has Mercy for the Weak
Storms bring out a fear of helplessness – Luke 8:22-24, Ps 6:2-4
There is also an underlying existential fear of insignificance – Ps 13:1-2
But Jesus has matchless power – Luke 8:24-25, Ps 33:19
Jesus validates needs and invalidates fears – John 10:27-238

He Has Mercy for the Afflicted
There are also storms in the mind – Luke 8:26-28
Jesus has the power to restore anyone into their right mind – Luke 8:29-36

Already and Not Yet
Cry out for mercy confidently for He understands and dignifies suffering – Is 53:4
‘Already and not yet’ explains the tension of when and how He answers – Rom 8:18-21

Reasons He Would Delay
So we might learn mercy – Matt 9:11-13 – Matt 5:7 - Luke 10:30-37
So we might learn obedience – Heb 5:8
So we might learn how to be fruitful – Titus 3:14

For Further Thought and Discussion

Getting Started
1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?

2. What role does the Bible currently play in learning God’s heart toward you?

Going Deeper
3. How do you handle the fears of helplessness and insignificance?

4. What do you do if someone you know is not in their right mind?

5. How have you handled God’s partial or delayed answers? Why is learning mercy part of the reason?

6. What is the difference between grace, compassion, forgiveness and mercy? Which are actions?

7. What do you know from the scriptures about God’s mercy?

8. What have you learned about God’s mercy by being merciful yourself?

9. Where in your life has God been merciful to you?

10. Where do you stand today? Are you hard on people or easy? Are you rigid in life or flexible? Are you stingy or generous with your life?

Application
11. What is one practical application of this sermon you need to make in your own life?