All too often we see our hurts, habits, and hangups as too big, deep, or overwhelming. It's hard enough to share or even acknowledge them. Many times we don't even to dare to hope that we can be free from them. But Jeremy is so right! Jesus can handle our stuff. And we see evidence for this in Matthew 8:23-9:8. Jeremy's sermon breaks this passage down verse by verse and reveals how Jesus was able to handle a mega storm (the natural world), demon-possessed men (the spiritual world), and a paralytic (physical and spiritual healing). Don't underestimate our Jesus. Not only can he handle anything and everything we can throw at Him, but it was for these things that He came. He came to free us!
Jeremy also pointed out that the same storm (Matthew 8:24-25) elicited very different postures from Jesus and the disciples. Jesus slept while the disciples panicked. This is a beautiful illustration of the concept that situations do not cause emotions. Instead, it is what you believe about the situation that leads to either healthy or unhealthy emotions. Jesus knew God was in control, so he was able to be at peace in the midst of the huge storm. The same is true of our own storms. Knowing that God is in control changes how we react to the storm. Freedom lies in replacing our false beliefs with God's truth! The more we know and trust His truth, the more free we become to react like Jesus in the face of life's storms.
Finally, Jeremy pointed out that Jesus had a very different reaction to the demon-possessed men than most people of the day. No one saw any hope in them and thus they were basically banished to live in an isolated, dangerous area. Jesus, on the other hand, was able to see the hope that was hidden underneath the demon-possessed behavior. He not only went to them, but he also healed and discipled them. He does the same for us! He comes to us, sees beyond our problems, and heals us!
I highly recommend listening to the sermon, which can be accessed here. May God use it to remind you of how awesome our God is and how capable He is of truly freeing us from our stuff! Last Sunday's sermon at Oasis Church was full of nuggets of wisdom that have applications to our journey into freedom. I begin with a quote from Jeremy Rose near the end of his sermon, "He can handle your stuff."