Sermon Notes

Sermon Notes June 15, 2025

Sermon Text: Luke 8:22-26

The Message – Discipleship Training 101 – Running On Empty

(Study Theme) Jesus Offer of Salvation Through FaithLuke 7:1-8:56

Sermon Key Verse.   Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm (v. 24b).

Subject.  Where is your faith?

Compliment. Whatever the crisis, faith in the person and power and authority of Jesus s the answer.

B.I. Whatever the crisis, faith in the person and power and authority of Jesus s the answer.

Purpose of the Book: [All doctrine must lead to moral action] “ to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴ that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

Purpose of the Sermon: [All doctrine must lead to moral action]  To encourage the congregation to understand that Jesus is the Sovereign LORD and that they can place their faith in Him who is the answer to all of life’s crises.

Key Question (s) “Where is your faith?” “Who can this be?

INTRODUCTION: 1977 Jackson Browne came out with his hit single, “Running on empty.” His picture was on the cover of the Rolling Stone Magazine, with the caption, ‘Jackson Browne Rocks.  It rose high up in the billboard charts.  I remember singing with it, dancing to it. But now, when I actually take the time to read the words, they are so disheartening and woeful. 

The Chorus was:

Running on Empty, running blind
Running into the sun, But I'm running behind

And then there’s this one line,  I don't know where I'm running now, I'm just running on. 

He is singing about his life…, He is Running on Empty…, aimless and lonely…, running to get some unknown somewhere, running to get away from something. It is dismal, depressing, discouraging…, yes and frightening.

In this Scripture text from Luke that is before us, we find the disciples in a circumstance were they are full of water, but empty on Faith…, empty on faith…, Running on empty. In the midst of hazard, running on empty

            And in the context of what we have seen in Luke’s Gospel thus far, it seems remarkable that they are running on empty.  The words that they have heard from Jesus…, the sermon on the plain…, the sermons in the synagogues…, the personal instruction and private training ------- And not only the Words they have heard but the things they have seen…, those wondrous miracles that Jesus had done…, before their very eyes. They heard…, they saw…, and yet when times got tough…, they were running on empty.

            TRANSISITON But Jesus is not done with them yet.  The most gracious, ever patient Jesus is still training His Disciples.  And today’s lesson is this: B.I. Whatever the crisis…, faith in the person and power and authority of Jesus is the answer.

That’s the truth nugget in a sentence and it bears repeating. Whatever the crisis…, faith in the person and power and authority of Jesus is the answer.  So we start with the disciples…..Following Jesus into the boat…,

Analysis of the Text (Below)

SUMMARY.  The lesson the disciples saw and learned is this: Jesus has power over nature.

The lesson they had not yet comprehended, “Who can this be?”   That is the first of two weighty, significant questions posed in our Scripture.  “Who can this be” (v. 25).   Who is this really?  It is the question that every person must answer – not only for themselves…, but everyone must give their account to God. What Scripture reveals…, clearly and authoritatively…, is that not only is Jesus the Savior of the world, but He is also the Sovereign, Almighty God.  He is God…, become man…, to redeem us back to the Father. If you’ve confessed Him as your Savior already…, Hallelujah.  If not, today if you will hear His voice, come to Him believing.   Jesus can be trusted to take away your sin, and give you eternal life.

            The second important question, is the one that Jesus asks, “Where is your faith” (v. 25)?   Those of us who have trusted Jesus…, who are walking with Jesus, who have followed Him into the boat, who have heard His words, who have seen His miracles…, are we running on empty?  When in life…, we find ourselves in the middle of the storm…, are we trying to row the boat alone?  Running on empty is aimless and lonely and frightening.  But Jesus is in my boat?  Are you sinking? Jesus is with us through the storm.  He has control over the storm.   And He tests us in the storm that He might build our faith, quench our fears, calm our hearts so that we might experience victory over danger. Jesus can be trusted in all the storms of life. 

A final word as we close.  

So what should we do if we trust in the Lord, but the boat sinks?  One day, our final storm is coming.  We will take out last breath…, and perish from this life.  But Jesus says, “Let us cross over to the other side” …, the other side into glory…, the other side into the presence of God…, the other side to our eternal home. That is the promise of God our Savior.  And until that glorious day, as disciples of Jesus, let us learn that Whatever the crisis, faith in the person and power and authority of Jesus is the answer.

Analysis of the Text