Who is this Man

Main Topic Sermon by evangelist David Fisher from Fan Into Flames Ministry, on going through storms in life, using Mark 4:35–41 (Jesus calming the storm) and Isaiah 43:1–3 to call believers to a deeper revelation of Jesus rather than just rescue from problems.​ 1. Introduction: Word of God and Worship Word of God as powerful and authoritative, likened to a hammer that breaks rock (Jeremiah, Jesus’ words never passing away).​ Welcome to Pastor Dave Fisher; context of recent ministry, prayer week, and sensing an increased move of the Spirit in the church and region.​ Worship as an act of defiance against the devil: choosing to shout unto God with a voice of triumph regardless of circumstances.​ Isaiah 43 read as a promise to God’s people: when you go through waters, rivers, and fire, God is with you and you will not be destroyed.​ 2. “Going Through It”: Life’s Unrelenting Storms Honest acknowledgement that many feel they are “going through it” (days, months, even decades of trial).​ Personal testimony of Dave and Shelley facing the most difficult mental, emotional, and spiritual season of their marriage.​ Introduction of Mark 4: disciples in a literal storm used as metaphor for any life trial.​ 3. The Main Question: “Who Is This Man?” Common application: Jesus stills our storms; affirmation that He can, does, and will.​ Central thesis: believers are not the main characters; the primary point is revelation of Jesus’ identity, not mere deliverance.​ If God rescues us but we do not gain a deeper revelation of Jesus, our faith will be shaken at the next storm.​ Key question from the text: “Who is this man?”—this is the heart of the narrative and the sermon.​ 4. Crossing to the Other Side: Assignment and Opposition Jesus’ simple statement “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake” implies divine direction and assignment, not a casual trip.​ On the other side (Mark 5) is the demonized man with a legion; the crossing is about confronting hell and freeing a captive.​ Any call to follow Jesus and advance His kingdom will be opposed by powers of darkness; storms often accompany assignment.​ Demons recognize Jesus’ identity and authority even before the disciples do; they know His power over them.​ 5. Storms, the Enemy, and Our Focus Enemy’s purpose: incite fear, paralyze faith, and block God’s purpose by overwhelming us with storms and problems.​ Some storms may be directly demonic; others are used by the enemy to assault mind, emotions, and focus.​ When overwhelmed by what we are going through, we forget what we are going to (our assignment).​ Disciples’ early lesson: following Jesus includes storms; in this world we will have tribulation, but Jesus has overcome.​ 6. Presence in the Storm vs. Our Perception Fierce storm (earthquake-like on the water); seasoned fishermen are terrified as the boat fills with water.​ Core promise: Jesus is in the boat—in the midst of the storm—fulfilling God’s word, “I will be with you.”​ Call to defiantly declare God’s word over symptoms and senses: choose His word over sight, feelings, and thoughts.​ Warning: if we fail to discern the source of the storm, we fight the storm instead of the enemy behind it.​ 7. Jesus’ Peace and Identity vs. Disciples’ Panic Contrast: disciples terrified; Jesus asleep on a cushion—same boat, same storm, radically different response.​ It can feel like Jesus is present but passive, silent, or indifferent; these feelings are real but not true.​ Jesus’ inner rest flows from knowing His Father, His identity, His origin, His assignment, and His destiny.​ Believers likewise know their beginning (saved), their assignment, and their end (with Him), so anything in between is in the Father’s hands.​ 8. Fear, Faith, and Revelation Disciples’ cry “Teacher, don’t you care we are going to drown?” contrasts Jesus’ word “We’re going to the other side.”​ Only one declaration can be true; revelation of who He is corrects our conclusions about our situation.​ Critique of purely informational faith: information about Jesus must become Spirit-given revelation in our hearts.​ Areas dominated by fear reveal where we lack revelation of who Jesus is (e.g., healing, provision, family).​ 9. Jesus Rebukes the Storm and the Source Jesus responds to their cry by rebuking wind and waves with authority (“Silence, be still” / “shut up and knock it off”).​ Same language used to address demons, suggesting confrontation with spiritual forces behind the storm.​ Believers are invited to speak with that same delegated authority to the spirit behind the storm.​ Emphasis: the real battle is not with circumstances but with Satan, who seeks to destroy faith and block assignment.​ 10. Christ’s Deity and the Disciples’ Holy Terror Immediate calm reveals Jesus is doing what only God ...