First Presbyterian Church                                                             Rev. Michael J. Imperiale

Salt Lake City, Utah                                                                      May 21, 2006

                                                                         TAKING THE PLUNGE:

                                                                       “Life – Sharing Your Story”

                                                                                Mark 4: 35-41

Introduction

Imagine you were one of the disciples and were in the boat that day. What would you have told your spouse or family or friends about it?

I can hear Peter saying, “I almost got killed!”

Or, Andrew commenting: “That Jesus sure is a sound sleeper!”

Or, Philip: “Only God can do what I saw today!”

Imagine you are one of Jesus’ disciples and are in the boat today? What are your typical responses to the storms of life?

Do you ask for help or just tough it out by yourself?

Do you get angry or just give up? Or do you turn to God and pray?

Describe your life and how you’re doing this morning. Is it smooth sailing, enjoying the ride? Or is it choppy water, having a rough time? Whether financial difficulties, hassles with relationships, problems at work, or dealing with health issues,

life brings storms of various kinds.

One of the best ways to cope is to have Christian friends or family members to share your story with.

It’s one of the most important reasons for being part of a church family like First Pres.

Last week in the first message in this “Taking the Plunge” series,

we talked about personality and how the church needs all kinds to make this community of faith alive and healthy.

This week we look at life: sharing our story with one another.

Each of us has a story, each of us has a present experience that when shared gives strength, encouragement and help not only to our own selves

but to others as well.

Rating them from highest to lowest, here are a few common life experiences that rack up stress points in our lives:

the death of a spouse ranks highest, then divorce or marital separation, personal injury or illness, getting married, loss of a job or retirement, pregnancy or having a baby, change in jog or career,

an argument with your spouse, taking out a large loan or mortgage,

a child leaving home, trouble with the boss or with the in-laws,

completing a major achievement.

When we travel along in this boat of life,

any or all of these can swell up to challenge or threaten our well-being.

The church is meant to be a place where you and I can share life,

real life with the Lord and one another.

But we have to be intentional about it.

So I urge you to become part of a Bible study or small group.

Be part of a ministry team or discipleship group.

Then take the plunge by sharing your life story, past and present.

It will help you and others deal with the storms that come your way.

I. Jesus, the Disciples, and the Storm

The Bible tells us about Jesus, the disciples, and the storm.

After teaching for a while by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go across to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, off they went. Jesus suggested that they take a boat trip across the lake to get a little rest,

to get away from the crowds.

But he also was ready to teach his disciples an important lesson.

A huge storm came up as was common on the Sea of Galilee.

Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it.

Surely we have an analogy here to what we experience in the troubles of life.

And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping!

The disciples woke him up. “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?

Aren’t you concerned for our lives?

At least, Lord, how about helping us bailing the water.

How often you and I react to God this way when faced with a storm.

Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves,

“Quiet! Be still!”

I think he was saying this not only to the storm but also to the disciples and to us as well.

“Quiet down; settle down.”

And when the wind died down and it was completely still, Jesus said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Don’t you have any faith at all?

Why would you worry when I am in the boat with you?”

How often does the Word of God say, “Do not worry?”

Last week, Jesus said to Martha, “Martha, dear Martha, you are worried and upset about many things; you are fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing” (Luke 10:41).

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Do not worry about your life… Worrying cannot add a single hour to your life… ” (Matthew 6:25-34).

In the parable of the sower and the seeds, some fell among the weeds.

It sprouted up but then the weeds choked the plants.

These are the people as Jesus taught who “hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by life’s worries” (Luke 8:4-15).

Proverbs 12:25 wisely speaks to us, “An anxious heart weighs you down, but a kind word cheers you up.”

And Philippians 4 urges us, “Do not be anxious about anything,

but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanks giving, present your requests to God.”

There’s a whole sermon in and of itself!

“And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Are you worried about something? Talk with your Christian friends about it and let them help you regain the perspective of faith to let go of it and trust in Christ in a new way.

II. Jesus, Me, and the Storm

Jesus taught his disciples not only in words but in experiences.

He does the same with us.

The place where you were born and to whom, the house you lived in,

the schools you went to, the activities you enjoyed (or didn’t enjoy)

all added to your spiritual journey.

Matthew, Mark and Luke all tell this story of the Jesus and the storm because all the disciples told the people they were called to share Christ with.        So, it is a good thing to share each other’s stories in the church.

I grew up in a tall, narrow house in post-WWII, suburban New Jersey across the Hudson River from Manhattan.

The Lincoln Tunnel and the George Washington Bridge were impressive to cross for this little boy.

Fourth of eight children, I found myself detached,

pretty much hiding from my older brothers.

They seemed to take every opportunity to tease or pound on me.

I liked going to school but hated reading.

I’m not proud to say I graduated from high school with a B+ average having never read a single book from cover to cover.

It’s a bit ironic that my profession is mostly made up of the thoughtful use of language.       I spend much of my time reading, writing and speaking.

Although I was never big enough, fast enough or good enough to play organized sports, I always liked playing stick ball in the street or

homerun derby in the backyard with friends.

Music became my favorite expression by singing, playing trumpet and then conducting.

(Tonight I continue that love with the Choral Arts Society of Utah and the West Valley Symphony – if you can come, please do.

It sounds awesome with over 100 voices, professional soloists, and a 40-piece orchestra – that’s Aw-Kes-Tra, as they say in NJ).

But it wasn’t until college that I met my first Christian friends,

friends who had a winsome, positive, attractive, personal faith in Jesus.

It was through their friendship, their prayers and the wonderful choral music we did together that God became real to me

and I accepted Jesus Christ into my life.

But after becoming a Christian, the storms of life don’t cease.

I still struggled with a large but distanced family relationship with my parents and siblings (still do to some degree).

Depression, anxiety, and panic attacks have come and gone at various times of my personal life and development.

My parents were divorced when I was 22 years old

and my dad died from lung cancer in 1985 at the age of 63.

They were tough times.

Degree programs in music and ministry have tended to blow me out of the water because I always met fellow students who were so much smarter, talented, and capable than me

(I know that’s grammatically incorrect, but it’s the way I talk).

So I’ve struggled to be satisfied with my limitations in musical performance, pastoral ministry, preaching and leading in the church.

That’s just a bit of my life. My story is not so special, but it is unique. It’s mine. And I love to hear all about your stories as well.

Conclusion

Imagine you were on of the disciples in the boat that day?

Well, you are.

You and I have experienced different kinds of storms in our lives even with our faith in Christ.

So take the plunge: lend your personality (last week’s message)

and share your story (this week’s message) with the church,

with your Christian friends.      It will enrich your life and mine.

Let us pray together.