Who Then Is This?

A Bible Study and Sermon on Luke 8:22-25

---

Scripture Text (Luke 8:22-25, ESV)

“One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side of the lake.’ So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!’ And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’ And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, ‘Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?'”

---

Introduction

The question echoing across the churning waters of Galilee that day still reverberates through the centuries: “Who then is this?” It’s the most important question any human being can ask. The disciples had left everything to follow Jesus. They had witnessed His teachings, His miracles, His authority over demons and disease. Yet in this moment of crisis, they confronted a revelation so profound that it shook them to their core.

This passage isn’t primarily about a storm—it’s about an identity. It’s about discovering who Jesus really is and what that means for our lives today.

---

I. The Setting: A Divine Appointment (v. 22)

A. Jesus’ Intentional Direction

“One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side of the lake.'”

This wasn’t a casual suggestion. Jesus deliberately led His disciples into what He knew would become a life-threatening situation. Notice:

• The initiative was Jesus’ – “He said to them”
• The destination was clear – “to the other side”
• The promise was implicit – If Jesus says we’re going to the other side, we will arrive

B. Application for Today

Jesus still leads His followers into storms. Not because He’s cruel, but because storms reveal what fair weather conceals. In the calm, we think we know who Jesus is. In the storm, we discover who He really is.

Key Truth: God’s will doesn’t always lead to smooth waters, but it always leads to transformation.

---

II. The Storm: When Circumstances Overwhelm (v. 23)

A. The Unexpected Crisis

“And as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger.”

The Sea of Galilee is notorious for sudden, violent storms. Surrounded by mountains, cool air rushes down and clashes with warm air over the water, creating dangerous conditions within minutes. Luke, a physician and careful historian, uses medical precision: they were “filling with water”—a progressive, life-threatening situation.

B. The Sleeping Savior

Perhaps the most unsettling detail: Jesus was asleep. Consider what this reveals:

1. His humanity – Jesus was genuinely exhausted from ministry
2. His trust in the Father – He rested in perfect peace
3. His sovereignty – Even asleep, He was in complete control

The disciples faced a terrible irony: they had the Creator of wind and waves sleeping in their boat while they panicked about drowning.

C. Modern Storms We Face

Like the disciples, we face storms that threaten to overwhelm:

• Financial devastation
• Health crises
• Relational breakdown
• Loss and grief
• Spiritual darkness
• Mental and emotional anguish

And often, Jesus seems to be “asleep”—silent, absent, unaware of our desperation.

Key Truth: Jesus’ apparent absence doesn’t indicate His actual absence. He is present in your storm.

---

III. The Cry: From Panic to Prayer (v. 24a)

A. The Desperate Appeal

“And they went and woke him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!'”

Notice what the disciples did right:

• They went to Jesus – not away from Him
• They called Him “Master” – acknowledging His authority
• They were honest – “we are perishing!”

But notice what they got wrong:

• They thought their crisis was beyond Jesus’ concern
• They doubted His care (“we are perishing” while He slept)
• They had little faith that He would act

B. The Nature of Faith

These were experienced fishermen. They knew when a storm was deadly. Their fear wasn’t irrational—it was perfectly reasonable given their circumstances.

But faith isn’t the absence of fear. Faith is where we turn with our fear.

The disciples made the right choice: they turned to Jesus. They just didn’t yet know who they were turning to.

C. Our Response in Crisis

How do we typically respond when storms hit?

• Self-reliance – “I’ll fix this myself”
• Denial – “It’s not that bad”
• Blame – “God, why did You let this happen?”
• Despair – “There’s no hope”

Or do we wake Jesus? Do we bring our honest, desperate prayers to Him?

Key Truth: Prayer in crisis isn’t a sign of weak faith—it’s an exercise of what faith we have.

---

IV. The Miracle: Divine Authority Revealed (v. 24b)

A. Jesus Rebukes Creation

“And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm.”

The Greek word for “rebuked” (epitimaō) is the same word Jesus used to cast out demons. He speaks to the storm as if it were a personal force—and it obeys instantly.

Consider what happened:

1. No gradual calming – the storm didn’t slowly dissipate
2. No natural explanation – this defied meteorology
3. Complete transformation – from chaos to perfect calm

B. The Significance of This Miracle

This miracle points us directly to Jesus’ identity. In the Old Testament, only God controls the seas:

• Job 38:8-11 – God set boundaries for the sea
• Psalm 89:9 – “You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them”
• Psalm 107:28-29 – “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed”

The prophets looked forward to a day when God’s Messiah would demonstrate this authority. Jesus wasn’t just calming a storm—He was revealing His divine nature.

C. What This Means for Believers

Jesus has authority over:

• Natural forces – wind, waves, weather
• Spiritual forces – demons, darkness, death
• Personal forces – fear, anxiety, despair
• Circumstantial forces – the chaos threatening to overwhelm you

Key Truth: The same Jesus who spoke peace to the storm speaks peace to your soul.

---

V. The Question: Where Is Your Faith? (v. 25a)

A. Jesus’ Gentle Rebuke

“He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?'”

Jesus doesn’t say “Why don’t you have faith?” but “Where is your faith?” The question assumes they have faith—but it’s misplaced.

Their faith was in:

• Their own abilities as fishermen
• The boat’s seaworthiness
• Their assessment of danger
• Everything except the Word of the One who said, “Let us go to the other side”

B. The Purpose of the Storm

Jesus allowed the storm to expose the location of their faith. Trials reveal what we truly believe about God:

• Do we trust His promises when circumstances contradict them?
• Do we believe He cares when He seems silent?
• Do we rest in His sovereignty when chaos reigns?

C. Growing Faith Through Storms

Faith isn’t strengthened in the classroom—it’s forged in the crucible. God doesn’t waste our suffering. He uses it to:

1. Expose false securities – we discover what we’re truly trusting
2. Deepen dependence – we learn we cannot save ourselves
3. Reveal His character – we see His power, love, and faithfulness
4. Prepare us for ministry – we comfort others with the comfort we’ve received

Key Truth: God is more interested in developing your faith than in providing your comfort.

---

VI. The Response: Fear and Marvel (v. 25b)

A. A Strange Reaction

“And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, ‘Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?'”

Notice: they were more afraid after the miracle than during the storm. Why?

• In the storm, they feared for their lives
• After the miracle, they feared the One who controlled their lives

This is holy fear—the appropriate response to encountering divine power. They suddenly realized they were in a boat with Someone far more powerful than any storm.

B. The Central Question

“Who then is this?”

This is the question Luke wants every reader to answer. The entire Gospel builds toward Peter’s confession in Luke 9:20: “The Christ of God.”

But the disciples aren’t there yet. They’re wrestling with the evidence:

• He teaches with unprecedented authority
• He heals the sick and raises the dead
• He casts out demons
• He forgives sins
• And now He commands creation itself

C. Our Answer Determines Everything

How we answer “Who is Jesus?” determines:

• Our eternal destiny – is He Savior and Lord?
• Our daily priorities – does He deserve our allegiance?
• Our response to suffering – can we trust Him in the storm?
• Our purpose in life – are we living for His glory?

Key Truth: You cannot remain neutral about Jesus. The question demands an answer.

---

VII. Jesus’ Purpose in the Christian’s Life

A. He Is Our Savior

Just as Jesus saved the disciples from physical death, He saves us from spiritual death:

• We were perishing – drowning in sin, unable to save ourselves
• We cried out – “Lord, save me!”
• He responded – not with rebuke for our weakness, but with rescue

Romans 10:13 promises: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

B. He Is Our Peace

The same word Jesus spoke to the storm—“Peace, be still” (in Mark’s account)—He speaks to our anxious hearts:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Jesus doesn’t just calm external storms—He brings internal peace that transcends circumstances.

C. He Is Our Lord

The winds and waves obeyed Jesus. Do we?

• Lordship means surrender – trusting His direction even into storms
• Lordship means obedience – following His commands
• Lordship means worship – acknowledging His rightful place

D. He Is Our Teacher

Jesus used the storm as a classroom. Every trial in our lives is an opportunity to learn:

• The weakness of our faith
• The strength of His power
• The faithfulness of His character
• The security of His promises

E. He Is Our Companion

Jesus was in the boat with the disciples. He didn’t send them into the storm alone. He didn’t watch from shore. He was with them.

Matthew 28:20 – “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Hebrews 13:5 – “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Your storm hasn’t separated you from Jesus—it’s revealed that He’s been there all along.

Key Truth: Jesus’ purpose in your life is to be your everything—Savior, Lord, Peace, Teacher, and Companion.

---

VIII. Practical Applications

A. Bring Your Storms to Jesus

Don’t try to weather the storm alone. Don’t wait until you’re sinking. Wake Jesus with your honest prayers. He can handle your desperation, your doubt, your fear.

B. Trust His Word Over Your Circumstances

Jesus said, “Let us go to the other side.” He didn’t say, “Let us go to the middle of the lake and drown.” When God makes a promise, circumstances cannot cancel it.

C. Expect Faith to Be Tested

Trials aren’t signs of God’s absence—they’re invitations to deeper faith. When the storm comes (and it will), ask yourself: “Where is my faith?”

D. Let Jesus Reveal Himself

The purpose of your storm may be to show you who Jesus really is. Don’t waste your suffering by missing the revelation. Pay attention to how He moves, speaks, and acts on your behalf.

E. Share Your Testimony

When Jesus calms your storm, tell others. The disciples’ experience became testimony that has strengthened believers for 2,000 years. Your story can do the same.

---

Conclusion

“Who then is this?”

The answer changes everything.

He is the eternal Son of God, Creator of heaven and earth, who took on human flesh to rescue perishing sinners. He lived the perfect life we couldn’t live, died the death we deserved, and rose victorious over sin, death, and hell. He now sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding for His people.

And this Jesus—this One who commands even winds and waves—invites you to trust Him with your life, your fears, your storms, your eternity.

Perhaps today you’re in a storm that’s threatening to sink you. Perhaps you’ve been crying out and Jesus seems asleep. Perhaps you’re wondering if He cares, if He sees, if He can help.

Hear His word to you: “Let us go to the other side.”

If Jesus has spoken, you will arrive. The storm is real, but it’s not more real than His promise. The waves are high, but they’re not higher than His power. The danger is genuine, but it’s not greater than His love.

Wake Jesus. Call out to Him. Cry “Master, Master!” He will respond. He will reveal His power. He will bring you safely to the other side.

And when He does, you’ll join the disciples in wonder: “Who then is this?”

And you’ll spend the rest of your life—and all of eternity—discovering the glorious answer.

---

Discussion Questions

1. Why did Jesus lead the disciples into a storm? What does this teach us about following Jesus?
2. What “storms” are you currently facing? How does this passage speak to your situation?
3. The disciples were afraid during the storm but more afraid after Jesus calmed it. Why? What does this teach us about the fear of the Lord?
4. Jesus asked, “Where is your faith?” Where is your faith right now—in circumstances, in your own abilities, or in Jesus?
5. How does Jesus’ authority over creation impact your daily life and your approach to problems?
6. What does it mean practically for Jesus to be Lord of your life, not just Savior?
7. How can you “wake Jesus” more consistently in prayer? What holds you back from bringing honest, desperate prayers to Him?
8. What has this passage revealed to you about who Jesus is? How should this change how you live?

---

PROMPT: Explain how Jesus was fully man.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15

Jesus’ Full Humanity: Understanding the Incarnation

This is one of the most profound and essential truths of Christianity—that Jesus Christ was (and is) fully God and fully man at the same time. Let me explain what Scripture teaches about His complete humanity.

Biblical Foundation

John 1:14 declares: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” This wasn’t an illusion or a temporary appearance—God the Son truly took on human nature.

Philippians 2:6-7 tells us Jesus “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”

Evidence of Jesus’ Full Humanity

1. He Had a Real Human Birth

• Born of a woman (Galatians 4:4)
• Grew in Mary’s womb for nine months
• Experienced normal human development: “Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52)
• He had a human genealogy traced through both Mary and Joseph (Matthew 1, Luke 3)

2. He Had a Real Human Body

• He experienced hunger (Matthew 4:2, 21:18)
• He experienced thirst (John 19:28)
• He grew tired and needed rest (John 4:6, Mark 4:38—as we saw in Luke 8:23, He fell asleep.)
• He felt physical pain (the crucifixion)
• He bled real blood (John 19:34)
• He died a real death (John 19:30)

3. He Had Real Human Emotions

• Compassion – He was “moved with compassion” for the crowds (Matthew 9:36)
• Sorrow – “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death” (Matthew 26:38)
• Joy – “Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit” (Luke 10:21)
• Anger – He overturned the money changers’ tables (Mark 11:15-17)
• Love – He loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus (John 11:5)
• Grief – “Jesus wept” at Lazarus’ tomb (John 11:35)
• Anguish – In Gethsemane, His sweat became like drops of blood (Luke 22:44)

4. He Had Human Limitations (While Remaining Sinless)

• He didn’t know everything in His human consciousness – “Concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark 13:32)
• He grew in knowledge – Luke 2:52 says He increased in wisdom
• He needed prayer – He regularly withdrew to pray to the Father (Luke 5:16, Mark 1:35)
• He was tempted – Hebrews 4:15 says He “has been tempted as we are, yet without sin”
• He had to learn obedience through suffering – Hebrews 5:8

5. He Experienced Human Relationships

• He had a mother, brothers, and sisters (Mark 6:3)
• He developed friendships (John 11:5, 15:15)
• He experienced rejection and betrayal (John 1:11, Matthew 26:48-49)
• He needed human companionship in His darkest hour (Matthew 26:38)

Why Jesus Had to Be Fully Human

1. To Be Our Substitute

Only a human could die for human sin. The penalty for sin had to be paid by one of us. “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death” (Hebrews 2:14).

2. To Be Our High Priest

“Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17).

3. To Sympathize With Our Weaknesses

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

Jesus knows what it feels like to be:

• Exhausted from work
• Hungry and thirsty
• Rejected by friends
• Misunderstood by family
• Betrayed by someone close
• Tempted to take the easy way out
• Facing death with fear

4. To Be Our Example

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). We can follow His example because He lived as a human.

5. To Fulfill God’s Original Design

Jesus is the “second Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45), the human being who succeeded where Adam failed. He lived the perfect human life in complete obedience to God.

Important Clarifications

What Jesus’ Humanity Was NOT:

• Not a mere appearance – Docetism (an early heresy) taught Jesus only “seemed” human. This is false.
• Not a possession – Jesus didn’t just “inhabit” a human body. He was (and is) human.
• Not temporary – Jesus remains fully human even now in His resurrected, glorified state (1 Timothy 2:5)
• Not sinful – He was tempted in every way like us, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). He had a true human nature, but without the corruption of sin.

The Mystery of the Incarnation:

Jesus didn’t cease being God when He became man. He was fully God and fully man simultaneously—what theologians call the “hypostatic union” (two natures united in one person).

• His divine nature: eternal, all-knowing, all-powerful, unchanging
• His human nature: born in time, grew in knowledge, experienced limitations, could suffer and die

These two natures were united without mixture, confusion, separation, or division in the one person of Jesus Christ.

Practical Implications for Us

1. Jesus Understands Your Struggles

Whatever you’re going through—exhaustion, temptation, pain, grief, betrayal—Jesus has been there as a human. You can bring everything to Him, knowing He truly understands.

2. Jesus Qualified to Save You

His full humanity means His sacrifice was valid. A real human died for real human sins. Your salvation is secure because Jesus was truly one of us.

3. Jesus Shows Us True Humanity

In a world confused about what it means to be human, Jesus is the perfect example. Humanity isn’t found in self-assertion but in loving obedience to God and sacrificial love for others.

4. Jesus Remains Our Mediator

Right now, a human being sits at the right hand of God interceding for you (1 Timothy 2:5, Romans 8:34). Jesus hasn’t shed His humanity—He represents us before the Father as one of us.

Conclusion

Jesus’ full humanity is not a doctrine to merely understand intellectually—it’s a truth meant to draw us closer to Him. The infinite God became finite. The eternal One entered time. The Creator became a creature. The immortal One tasted death.

He did all of this for you.

When you’re tired, remember Jesus slept in the boat. When you’re tempted, remember Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. When you’re suffering, remember Jesus’ sweat drops of blood in Gethsemane and bled on a cross. When you feel alone, remember Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

And when you wonder if God understands, remember: He became one of us to save us.

That’s the glory of the Incarnation—God with us, God as us, God for us.

PROMPT: Briefly explain Jesus as Lord.

Jesus as Lord

What “Lord” Means

“Lord” (Greek: Kyrios) means master, ruler, and supreme authority. In the Old Testament, it was the title used for God Himself (YHWH). When the New Testament calls Jesus “Lord,” it’s declaring He is God and has absolute authority over all creation.

Biblical Declaration

Philippians 2:9-11 – “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

What Jesus’ Lordship Means

1. He Has Authority Over Everything

• Nature (He calmed the storm – Luke 8:25)
• Demons (they obeyed His commands)
• Death (He raised the dead and conquered death Himself)
• Sin (He forgives and breaks its power)
• Your life (every area, every decision, every moment)

2. He Deserves Total Obedience

Jesus asked, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46). Calling Him “Lord” without obeying Him is meaningless.

“No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). Jesus isn’t a Lord among many—He’s the only Lord. You cannot compartmentalize your life, giving Him Sundays but keeping the rest for yourself.

4. He Has the Right to Rule

Jesus is Lord by virtue of:

• Creation – “All things were made through him” (John 1:3)
• Redemption – “You were bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20)
• Resurrection – His victory over death proved His divine authority (Romans 1:4)

The Two Responses

1. Acknowledge His Lordship Now (Salvation) “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

2. Acknowledge His Lordship Later (Judgment) Every knee will bow—either willingly now in worship, or unwillingly later in judgment (Philippians 2:10-11).

Practical Implications

Jesus as Lord means:

• He gets the final say in your decisions
• His Word overrides your feelings, culture, and opinions
• His priorities become your priorities
• His glory is the purpose of your life
• His kingdom takes precedence over your comfort

The Bottom Line

Jesus is either Lord of all, or He’s not Lord at all.

You cannot accept Him as Savior while rejecting Him as Lord. You cannot claim to follow Him while living for yourself. True Christianity is surrendering every area of your life to His rightful authority.

The question isn’t “Is Jesus Lord?”—He already is, whether you acknowledge it or not.

The question is: “Is He YOUR Lord?”

PROMPT: Remark briefly how Jesus’s divinity is shown with His command over the storm.

Jesus’ Divinity Revealed in the Storm

The Divine Claim

When Jesus rebuked the wind and waves and they instantly obeyed Him (Luke 8:24), He was doing something that only God can do.

Old Testament Background

The Scriptures are crystal clear about who controls the sea:

• Psalm 89:9 – “You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them” (speaking of God alone)
• Psalm 107:28-29 – “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble… He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.”
• Job 38:8-11 – God alone “shut in the sea with doors” and commanded, “Thus far shall you come, and no farther”
• Nahum 1:4 – “He rebukes the sea and makes it dry”

The Unavoidable Conclusion

Only the Creator controls His creation. When Jesus spoke to the storm as if it were a living thing—using the same authoritative word He used to cast out demons—and it instantly obeyed, He was demonstrating divine power.

The disciples’ response confirms this: “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”

They weren’t asking “What technique did He use?” They were asking, “What kind of being is He?”

The Divine Identity

This miracle reveals that Jesus is:

• The Creator – He commands what He made
• YHWH in the flesh – He does what only the LORD does
• God incarnate – Fully divine, exercising the authority that belongs to God alone

The Implication

If Jesus is divine enough to control nature with a word, then:

• His claims about Himself are true
• His promise of salvation is reliable
• His authority over your life is absolute
• His power in your storms is unlimited

No mere human, angel, or prophet can command creation. Only God can. Jesus did. Therefore, Jesus is God.

That’s why the disciples were terrified—they suddenly realized they were in a boat with the Almighty.

PROMPT: What should modern Christians’ response be in light of this passage?

Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways,
    and how small a whisper do we hear of him!
    But the thunder of his power who can understand?
Job 26:14

The Modern Christian’s Response to Luke 8:22-25

1. Worship Jesus as God

If Jesus commands creation with a word, He deserves our complete worship and adoration. This isn’t optional—it’s the only appropriate response to discovering who He truly is.

Practical action: Don’t just pray to Jesus—worship Him. Acknowledge His divine nature regularly in your prayer life and gather with other believers to exalt Him corporately.

---

2. Trust His Promises Over Your Circumstances

Jesus said, “Let us go to the other side”—and they made it, despite the storm. When God makes a promise, circumstances cannot cancel it.

Practical action: Identify what God has promised you in His Word (salvation, His presence, His provision, His purpose). When storms contradict those promises, choose to believe God’s Word over what you see.

---

3. Bring Your Storms Directly to Jesus

The disciples did the right thing—they woke Jesus. They didn’t pretend everything was fine. They didn’t try to handle it alone. They brought their desperate situation to Him.

Practical action: Stop trying to manage your storms independently. Pray honestly and desperately. Tell Jesus exactly how you feel: afraid, overwhelmed, confused, angry. He can handle your raw emotions.

---

4. Examine Where Your Faith Actually Is

Jesus asked, “Where is your faith?” Not “Do you have faith?” but “Where is it located?” The disciples had faith—it was just misplaced (in their abilities, the boat, their assessment of danger).

Practical action: Ask yourself honestly: What am I really trusting right now?

• My bank account or God’s provision?
• My health or God’s sovereignty?
• My performance or Christ’s righteousness?
• My plans or God’s purposes?

---

5. Expect Trials—They’re Part of Discipleship

Jesus intentionally led His disciples into the storm. Following Jesus doesn’t mean avoiding difficulties; it means facing them with Him.

Practical action: Stop being surprised or offended when trials come. Instead, ask: “What is Jesus teaching me through this? How is He revealing Himself? Where is He growing my faith?”

---

6. Remember Jesus Is in the Boat With You

Jesus didn’t send the disciples into the storm alone—He was with them. Even when He seemed asleep, He was present. Even when He seemed unaware, He was in control.

Practical action: In your darkest moments, remind yourself: “Jesus is here. He hasn’t abandoned me. He’s in this storm with me.” His presence is your greatest security.

---

7. Surrender Full Lordship to Him

If Jesus commands winds and waves, He has the right to command your life—every area, every decision, every ambition.

Practical action: Identify areas you’ve been withholding from Jesus’ lordship (career, relationships, finances, time, ambitions). Consciously surrender them: “Lord, You have authority here too.”

---

8. Share Your Testimony

The disciples’ experience became a story that has strengthened believers for 2,000 years. Your stories of Jesus calming your storms will encourage others facing their own.

Practical action: When Jesus brings you through a trial, don’t keep it to yourself. Tell others what He did. Your testimony might be the lifeline someone else needs.

---

9. Develop Holy Fear (Reverence)

The disciples were more afraid after the miracle than during the storm. They realized they were with Someone infinitely powerful. This is healthy fear—not terror, but awe and reverence.

Practical action: Cultivate reverence for Jesus. Don’t treat Him casually or flippantly. Approach Him with confidence (Hebrews 4:16), but also with deep respect for who He is.

---

10. Live with Eternal Perspective

If Jesus has power over storms, He has power over death. If He kept His promise to get the disciples to the other side of the lake, He’ll keep His promise to get you to the other side of eternity.

Practical action: When facing trials, zoom out. Ask: “Will this matter in 100 years? In eternity?” Let the temporary nature of your storm be dwarfed by the eternal security you have in Christ.

---

The Ultimate Response

Stop living as if Jesus is just your spiritual advisor or emergency contact.

He is:

• The Creator who spoke the universe into existence
• The Sovereign who controls every molecule
• The Savior who died to rescue you
• The Lord who deserves your total surrender
• The Companion who promises never to leave you

The Question That Demands an Answer

The disciples asked, “Who then is this?”

Have you answered that question?

Not intellectually—personally. Not theoretically—practically.

If Jesus is who this passage reveals Him to be, then:

• Your life is not your own
• Your storms are not random
• Your fears are not the final word
• Your future is secure
• Your purpose is His glory

---

The proper response to Luke 8:22-25 is a life completely yielded to Jesus—trusting Him in every storm, obeying Him in every circumstance, and worshiping Him with everything you are.

Because if He commands even winds and water, and they obey Him…

Shouldn’t you?

Jesus is fully man 

Jesus is fully God

Our faith must be in Him, not in circumstances 

The right response should be awe and worship 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

PROMPT: Write an illustration about being rescued in seemingly insurmountable circumstances.

The Impossible Rescue: A True Illustration

The Miracle of the Andes (1972)

On October 13, 1972, a Uruguayan rugby team’s plane crashed high in the Andes Mountains. Of the 45 passengers, 33 survived the initial impact—but their nightmare was just beginning.

The Seemingly Insurmountable Circumstances

They were utterly trapped:

• 11,800 feet high in one of the world’s most brutal mountain ranges
• Temperatures plummeting to -30°F at night
• No survival gear, no proper clothing, no food
• The fuselage of the plane was their only shelter
• Surrounded by peaks so treacherous that rescue teams couldn’t reach them
• An avalanche buried eight more survivors

Search and rescue gave up after 8 days. The world declared them dead.

The Descent into Despair

For 72 days, they faced impossible choices and unimaginable suffering. Several more died from injuries, cold, and starvation. The survivors were literally wasting away—their bodies consuming themselves.

They had three options:

1. Wait for rescue – but no one was looking anymore
2. Stay and die – the certain outcome if they did nothing
3. Attempt the impossible – cross the Andes on foot

Every option seemed hopeless.

The Impossible Journey

Finally, two men—Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa—made a decision. They would climb out. Never mind that:

• They had no climbing equipment
• They had no proper clothing
• They were already half-starved and weak
• The mountains ahead were considered impassable even by experienced mountaineers
• They had no idea which direction led to civilization

For 10 days, they climbed. Altitude sickness. Freezing nights. Exhaustion. Every rational calculation said they would die on those mountains.

The Moment of Rescue

On day 10, after climbing what they thought was the last ridge, expecting to see the green valleys of Chile…they saw more mountains. Peak after peak stretching endlessly. Parrado later said it was the moment he almost gave up completely.

But then, far below, impossibly far, he saw something: a thin trail of green along a river.

They descended. On December 20, they stumbled upon a peasant farmer on horseback. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing—two emaciated, frostbitten men emerging from mountains no one could cross.

On December 22, helicopters rescued the remaining 14 survivors.

Against every odd, in circumstances that were absolutely, mathematically, logically impossible to survive—they lived.

---

The Spiritual Parallel

Like Those Survivors, We Face Impossible Circumstances

The Bible says we were dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1)—not dying, not sick, but dead. Trapped in a situation we couldn’t escape:

• Separated from God by our rebellion
• Unable to save ourselves no matter how hard we tried
• Destined for eternal death
• With no rescue coming from our own efforts

Every option was hopeless:

• Wait for ourselves to improve? We couldn’t
• Stay as we are? Eternal death
• Try to climb to God? The mountain is too high, the gap too wide

But What’s Impossible With Man Is Possible With God

When the situation was utterly hopeless, Jesus descended into our impossible circumstances.

He didn’t send instructions from heaven. He didn’t shout directions from a safe distance. He came down into the wreckage with us.

• He entered our trapped, broken world
• He faced our temptations, our suffering, our death
• He made the climb we couldn’t make
• He paid the price we couldn’t pay
• He crossed the impossible gap between holy God and sinful humanity

And then He reached down and pulled us out.

The Rescue Changes Everything

Those 16 survivors didn’t rescue themselves—they were rescued. They couldn’t save themselves—someone came for them.

The same is true for you.

You don’t climb out of your sin—Jesus pulls you out. You don’t earn your salvation—Jesus gives it. You don’t make yourself worthy—Jesus makes you worthy through His blood.

Romans 5:6-8 says: “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly… God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

---

PROMPT: What is the essence of Jesus’ statement, “Peace be still?”

The Essence of “Peace, Be Still”

The Original Words

In Mark 4:39, Jesus says: “Peace! Be still!”

The Greek is striking:

• “Siōpa” (Peace/Silence) – literally “be muzzled” or “be silent”
• “Pephimōso” (Be still) – “be muzzled and remain muzzled”

This is the same language Jesus used to silence demons (Mark 1:25, Luke 4:35). He’s not making a gentle request—He’s issuing an authoritative command to a rebellious force.

---

The Essence: Divine Authority Over Chaos

1. Jesus Treats Chaos as a Personal Enemy

He doesn’t say, “Wind, please calm down.” He rebukes it—as if the storm were an enemy that needed to be subdued and silenced.

This reveals something profound: Jesus has authority over the chaotic, destructive forces that threaten us. Whether natural, spiritual, or circumstantial, chaos must bow to His word.

2. One Word From Jesus Changes Everything

The storm went from raging fury to absolute calm instantly. Not gradually. Not eventually. Immediately.

The essence is this: Jesus’ word is more powerful than any storm you face. One syllable from Him rewrites reality.

3. The Same Word He Speaks to Creation, He Speaks to You

Here’s the beautiful parallel: The same Jesus who said “Peace, be still” to the storm also says to His disciples:

• John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you”
• John 16:33 – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
• Mark 5:34 – “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace”

The peace Jesus commands over external chaos is the same peace He offers for internal chaos.

---

What “Peace, Be Still” Means for You

1. Jesus Has Authority Over What’s Threatening You

Whatever storm is raging in your life right now—financial, relational, physical, emotional, spiritual—it is not beyond Jesus’ authority.

The winds and waves obey Him. So do:

• Your anxiety
• Your circumstances
• Your enemies
• Your illness
• Your broken relationships
• The chaos in your mind

2. His Peace Is Not Circumstantial—It’s Supernatural

The world’s peace depends on everything going right. Jesus’ peace exists in the middle of the storm.

Philippians 4:7 – “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

You can have peace while the storm still rages—because Jesus is in the boat.

3. He Speaks Peace With the Same Authority He Spoke Creation

Remember: Jesus is the Word through whom all things were made (John 1:3). When He speaks, things come into being or cease to be.

• He spoke light into darkness (Genesis 1:3)
• He spoke the universe into existence (Hebrews 1:3)
• He spoke peace into chaos (Mark 4:39)
• He speaks peace into your soul (John 14:27)

4. The Command Reveals His Nature

“Peace, be still” shows us that Jesus is opposed to chaos, destruction, and fear. These things are not from Him. He came to bring:

• Order instead of chaos
• Life instead of death
• Peace instead of panic
• Hope instead of despair

1 Corinthians 14:33 – “God is not a God of confusion but of peace”

---

How to Apply This Today

1. Speak Jesus’ Peace Over Your Chaos

When anxiety rises, when circumstances overwhelm, when fear grips you—declare Jesus’ authority:

“Jesus, You who calmed the storm, speak peace to my heart right now. You have authority over this situation. I trust Your word more than my circumstances.”

2. Remember: He’s Already Spoken the Final Word

At the cross, Jesus declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30). The battle is won. Sin is defeated. Death is conquered. Satan is crushed.

Your current storm cannot undo what Jesus accomplished. The outcome is already secured.

3. Rest in His Presence, Not in Calm Circumstances

The disciples panicked because they focused on the storm instead of on who was in the boat with them.

Peace doesn’t come from the absence of storms—it comes from the presence of Jesus.

4. Obey What He’s Already Told You

Notice: Jesus calmed the storm, then addressed their faith. Sometimes, He calms our storm first. Sometimes He calls us to trust Him in the storm.

Either way, obedience brings peace. When you do what He says, even when it doesn’t make sense, you experience supernatural calm.

---

The Ultimate Fulfillment

Jesus Is Our Peace

Ephesians 2:14 – “For he himself is our peace“

The essence of “Peace, be still” is not just that Jesus gives peace—He IS peace.

When you have Jesus, you have:

• Peace with God (justification – Romans 5:1)
• Peace from God (sanctification – Philippians 4:7)
• Peace of God (His own divine tranquility – John 14:27)

One Day, All Chaos Will Be Silenced Forever

Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

The same Jesus who said “Peace, be still” to the storm will one day say it to all suffering, all evil, all chaos, all death.

And it will obey.

A Solemn Warning: The Question You Cannot Avoid

“Who Then Is This?”

The disciples asked this question as they watched Jesus command the storm: “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”

It’s a question that demands an answer. And your answer has eternal consequences.

---

The Inescapable Reality

Jesus Is Lord, Whether You Acknowledge It or Not

Philippians 2:10-11 declares: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Notice: this isn’t optional. It’s not “might bow” or “could confess”—it’s will bow, will confess.

The only question is when and under what circumstances:

• Will you bow now in worship and surrender—and be saved?
• Or will you bow later in judgment and terror—and be lost?

---

Two Responses, Two Destinies

1. Acknowledge Jesus as Lord Now (Salvation)

Romans 10:9 – “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

This means:

• Admitting you are a sinner who cannot save yourself
• Believing Jesus died for your sins and rose from the dead
• Surrendering your life completely to His authority
• Turning from sin and following Him as your Master

This is the path to eternal life.

2. Refuse Jesus as Lord Now (Judgment)

John 3:36 – “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

To reject Jesus as Lord means:

• Remaining under the condemnation of your sin
• Facing God’s judgment without an advocate
• Spending eternity separated from God in hell
• Experiencing the full weight of God’s wrath against sin

This is the path to eternal destruction.

---

The Urgency: Tomorrow Is Not Promised

You Don’t Know When Your Storm Will Come

The disciples didn’t expect the storm. It came suddenly, violently, and could have killed them in minutes.

Your life is the same.

• James 4:14 – “You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes”
• 2 Corinthians 6:2 – “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation”
• Hebrews 9:27 – “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment”

You assume you have time. You think you’ll deal with Jesus “later.” But what if later never comes?

What if tonight is your last night? What if this week brings the accident, the heart attack, the moment when your time runs out?

And then you stand before the Jesus you rejected—the One who commands even winds and water.

---

The Dangerous Delusions

“I’m a Good Person”

Romans 3:23 – “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

Your good deeds cannot outweigh your sin. You’ve lied, lusted, been selfish, prideful, and rebellious against God. One sin is enough to condemn you, and you’ve committed thousands.

“God Is Too Loving to Send Anyone to Hell”

God’s love doesn’t cancel His justice—it fulfills it. God is so loving that He sent His Son to die in your place. But if you reject that sacrifice, you face justice alone.

God doesn’t send people to hell—they choose it by rejecting the only way of escape.

“I’ll Get Right With God Later”

Proverbs 27:1 – “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring”

Every day you delay is a day you gamble with your eternal soul. Every time you hear the gospel and ignore it, your heart grows harder. Every time you say “not now,” you risk never having another opportunity.

---

The Same Jesus Who Saves Also Judges

He Calmed the Storm—He Will Also Send the Final Storm

The Jesus who spoke peace to the waves will one day speak judgment to the wicked.

• Revelation 6:16-17 – “They called to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?'”

The “Lamb”—the gentle Jesus—becomes the Judge. And there will be no escape, no second chance, no reprieve.

He Commanded Nature—He Will Command Your Destiny

If winds and waves obeyed Jesus instantly, what makes you think you can resist Him forever?

You may ignore Him now. You may mock Him, reject Him, live as if He doesn’t exist. But one day you will stand before Him, and your knees will buckle, and your tongue will confess what you denied your whole life:

Jesus Christ is Lord.

---

The Gracious Offer Still Stands—Today

But It Won’t Stand Forever

Right now, at this moment, Jesus offers you:

• Forgiveness for every sin you’ve ever committed
• Peace with God instead of His wrath
• Eternal life instead of eternal death
• Adoption as God’s child instead of condemnation as His enemy

All you must do is surrender.

Stop running. Stop resisting. Stop pretending you’re in control.

Confess that Jesus is Lord. Believe He died for your sins and rose again. Turn from your sin. Follow Him.

---

A Final Plea

If you died tonight, where would you spend eternity?

Not where do you hope to go. Not where you think you deserve to go. Where does your current relationship with Jesus Christ guarantee you will go?

If there’s any doubt, any uncertainty, any fear—deal with it now.

The disciples asked, “Who then is this?”

You must answer that question before you die.

And your answer will determine where you spend forever.

---

The Choice Is Yours—But Not Forever

Matthew 7:13-14 – “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

Jesus is the narrow gate. He is the only way to God (John 14:6).

Will you enter while there’s still time?

Or will you face the storm of God’s judgment alone?

---

“Who then is this?”

He is your Creator, your Judge, and your only hope of salvation.

What will you do with Him?

PROMPT: Write a gospel plan of salvation based on scriptural references from the book of Romans.

The Roman Road to Salvation

God’s Plan of Salvation from the Book of Romans

---

Introduction

The book of Romans is the Apostle Paul’s masterful explanation of the gospel—the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Within its pages lies a clear path that shows:

• Our Problem (we are sinners)
• God’s Standard (His holiness and justice)
• Our Inability (we cannot save ourselves)
• God’s Solution (Jesus Christ)
• Our Response (faith and surrender)
• Our Assurance (eternal security)

Let’s walk this “Roman Road” together and discover how you can be saved.

---

Step 1: RECOGNIZE Your Condition – You Are a Sinner

Romans 3:10

“As it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one.'”

What this means: Nobody is naturally good enough for God. Not you, not anyone. We’re all spiritually corrupted from birth.

Romans 3:23

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

What this means:

• “All have sinned” – Every person has broken God’s laws
• “Fall short” – We miss the mark; we don’t measure up
• “Glory of God” – God’s perfect standard of holiness

Think of it this way: If getting to heaven required jumping across the Grand Canyon, it doesn’t matter if you jump 5 feet or 50 feet—you still fall short. We all fall infinitely short of God’s perfect holiness.

Your sin includes:

• Lies you’ve told
• Lust, you’ve entertained
• Selfishness you’ve displayed
• Pride you’ve harbored
• Rebellion against God
• Living as if you, not God, are the center of the universe

---

Step 2: REALIZE the Consequence – Death

Romans 6:23a

“For the wages of sin is death…”

What this means:

• “Wages” – What you’ve earned, what you deserve
• “Sin” – Your rebellion against God
• “Death” – Not just physical death, but eternal separation from God

Sin isn’t just “making mistakes.” It’s cosmic treason against your Creator. And the payment for that treason is death—eternal death in hell, separated from God forever.

This is the bad news: You are guilty before a holy God, and you deserve His judgment.

Romans 2:5-6

“But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works.”

What this means: Every sin is being recorded. Every act of rebellion is accumulating God’s righteous anger. And one day, there will be a reckoning—judgment day.

---

Step 3: RECEIVE God’s Gift – Salvation Through Christ

Romans 6:23b

“…but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

What this means:

• “Free gift” – Not earned, not deserved, not purchased—given
• “Eternal life” – Not just living forever, but knowing God forever
• “In Christ Jesus” – Only through Jesus, not through any other means

This is the good news (gospel): While you deserve death, God offers life as a gift through Jesus Christ!

Romans 5:8

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

What this means:

• God didn’t wait for you to clean up your act
• He didn’t wait for you to deserve His love
• While you were still rebelling, still sinning, still His enemy—Christ died for you

Here’s what Jesus did:

1. He lived the perfect life you couldn’t live – He never sinned once (2 Corinthians 5:21)
2. He died the death you deserved – Taking God’s wrath against your sin upon Himself (Romans 5:9)
3. He rose from the dead – Proving His victory over sin, death, and hell (Romans 4:25)
4. He offers you His righteousness – A complete exchange: your sin for His perfection (Romans 4:5)

Romans 5:9

“Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.”

What this means:

• “Justified” – Declared righteous, not guilty
• “By his blood” – Through Jesus’ sacrificial death
• “Saved from the wrath of God” – Rescued from the judgment you deserve

---

Step 4: RESPOND in Faith – Believe and Confess

Knowing about Jesus isn’t enough. You must personally respond to Him.

Romans 10:9-10

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

What this means:

1. Repent—Turn completely around

• Repentance isn’t just feeling sorry; it’s a complete change of direction
• Acknowledge your sin honestly before God—no excuses, no minimizing
• Make the deliberate decision to turn away from your old life and toward Jesus
• This is where transformation begins: recognizing you can’t save yourself and desperately need a Savior

2. Believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead

• Not just intellectual agreement, but deep, life-altering conviction
• Trust that Jesus conquered sin, death, and hell
• Believe His sacrifice was sufficient to pay for your sins completely
• This belief changes everything—it’s the foundation your new life is built on

3. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord

• Verbally acknowledge Jesus’ authority over every area of your life
• Declare Him as Master, Ruler, King—not just Savior, but Lord
• This isn’t a magic formula; it’s genuine surrender going public
• What you believe privately, you declare boldly

4. You will be saved

• Not “might be” or “could be”—WILL BE
• Salvation is certain when repentance and faith are genuine
• God’s promise is rock-solid and irreversible
• Your eternity is secure in Christ

Romans 10:13

“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

What this means:

• “Everyone” – This includes you, no matter what you’ve done
• “Calls on the name of the Lord” – Cries out to Jesus for salvation
• “Will be saved” – God’s guarantee

You don’t have to:

• Clean up your life first
• Become a better person
• Earn God’s favor
• Prove you’re worthy

You just have to call on Jesus in genuine faith and repentance.

---

Step 5: UNDERSTAND What Faith Includes

Romans 10:17

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

What this means: True faith comes from hearing and believing God’s Word about Jesus.

Romans 2:4

“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”

What this means: God’s goodness should lead you to repentance—turning from sin and turning to God.

True saving faith includes:

1. Knowledge – Understanding who Jesus is and what He’s done
2. Agreement – Believing it’s true
3. Trust – Relying completely on Jesus, not yourself
4. Repentance – Turning from sin and self-rule to follow Jesus as Lord

---

Step 6: REJOICE in Your New Standing – Peace With God

Romans 5:1

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

What this means:

• “Justified by faith” – God declares you righteous based on Jesus’ work, received by faith
• “Peace with God” – No longer enemies, but reconciled
• The war is over! You’re no longer under God’s wrath

Romans 8:1

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

What this means:

• “No condemnation” – Not “less condemnation” or “reduced condemnation”—NONE
• “In Christ Jesus” – For those who are united to Him by faith
• You are forgiven, accepted, and adopted into God’s family

---

Step 7: REST in Your Security – Nothing Can Separate You

Romans 8:38-39

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

What this means:

• Your salvation doesn’t depend on your performance
• God’s love is unbreakable
• Once you’re His, you’re His forever
• Nothing can snatch you from His hand

Romans 8:28

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

What this means: Even trials, even suffering—God works everything for your ultimate good and His glory.

---

Step 8: LIVE in the Power of the Holy Spirit

Romans 8:9-11

“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you… If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”

What this means:

• When you’re saved, God’s Holy Spirit comes to live inside you
• He empowers you to live for God
• He transforms you from the inside out
• The Christian life isn’t about willpower—it’s about Spirit-power

Romans 12:1-2

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

What this means:

• Salvation isn’t just fire insurance—it’s total life transformation
• You offer your whole life to God in grateful response
• You live differently because you’ve been changed

---

How to Be Saved Right Now

If you’ve never trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, you can do so right now. Salvation isn’t about a formula or magic words—it’s about genuine faith in Jesus.

Here’s how:

1. Admit you’re a sinner who deserves God’s judgment (Romans 3:23, 6:23)

2. Believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose from the dead (Romans 5:8, 10:9)

3. Confess Jesus as Lord and call on Him to save you (Romans 10:9-10, 13)

4. Repent—turn from sin and commit to follow Jesus (Romans 2:4)

A Gentle Word About Prayer and Salvation

The following prayer is offered as a heartfelt guide—a way to express what’s happening in your soul as you respond to God’s invitation. But please understand: salvation doesn’t come from perfectly reciting words or mechanically repeating a formula. God sees your heart, not just your lips.

What saves you is genuine repentance—truly turning from sin—and authentic faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. The prayer below simply helps you articulate that heart response to God. Some people pray these exact words; others express the same truths in their own language. What matters is the sincerity of your surrender, not the eloquence of your phrasing.

If the Holy Spirit is drawing you to Christ right now, this prayer can help you voice what you’re experiencing. Let it flow from honest conviction, not religious obligation. God is listening to your heart.

---

A Prayer of Salvation

If this expresses the desire of your heart, pray something like this:

“God, I admit I am a sinner. I have broken Your laws and deserve Your judgment. I cannot save myself.

I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead. I believe His sacrifice is sufficient to pay for all my sin.

Jesus, I call on You to save me. Forgive my sins. I confess You as my Lord. I turn from my sin and surrender my life to You.

Thank You for loving me. Thank You for dying for me. Thank You for saving me.

I trust You alone for my salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

---

What Happens When You’re Saved?

Romans 8:16-17

“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.”

When you trust Christ, you become:

• Forgiven – All your sins are washed away (Romans 3:24-25)
• Justified – Declared righteous in God’s sight (Romans 5:1)
• Reconciled – Brought into peace with God (Romans 5:10)
• Adopted – Made a child of God (Romans 8:15-16)
• Sealed – Indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9)
• Secure – Nothing can separate you from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39)
• Transformed – Being changed into Christ’s likeness (Romans 12:2)

---

Next Steps After Salvation

1. Tell Someone

Romans 10:9 – “Confess with your mouth”—tell someone about your decision!

2. Get Baptized

Romans 6:3-4 – Baptism is the public declaration of your faith

3. Join a Bible-Believing Church

Romans 12:4-5 – You need other believers

4. Read Your Bible Daily

Romans 10:17 – “Faith comes from hearing… the word of Christ”

5. Pray Regularly

Romans 8:26 – The Spirit helps you pray

6. Share the Gospel

Romans 1:16 – “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation”

---

A Final Word

Romans 1:16

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”

The gospel isn’t just information—it’s God’s power to save you.

If you’ve prayed to receive Christ today, welcome to the family of God! You are saved, forgiven, and secure in Christ forever.

If you haven’t yet trusted Christ, don’t wait another moment. You don’t know if you’ll have another opportunity.

Romans 10:13 – “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Call on Him today.