LORD OVER YOUR CHAOS

Table of Contents

1. Father's Day Honor and Encouragement
2. The Story of Jesus Walking on the Water
3. Understanding Scripture Through Jewish Eyes
4. Why the Disciples Were Terrified
5. Jesus Revealed as Yahweh
6. Chaos and the Sea in the Old Testament
7. Jesus Declares His Authority Over Satan and Disorder
8. John's Purpose Throughout His Gospel
9. Jesus Is Lord Over Every Storm of Life
10. Testimony of God's Peace and Provision
11. Let Him Into the Boat
12. Living Through Christ
13. Final Prayer and Closing

Father's Day Honor and Encouragement

The message began with Lori honoring fathers and men. She spoke about the importance of fathers, their quiet strength, guidance, love, patience, mercy, and influence on future generations. Leonard responded humorously, emphasizing that words matter and that they should speak life over one another.

Lori declared that men are patient, merciful, kind, loving, understanding, and giving. Whether a man is a father or not, she emphasized that men are important, valuable, and should be celebrated.

The Story of Jesus Walking on the Water

Leonard introduced the message titled "Jesus Is Lord Over All" and read from John chapter six.

John 6:16-21- "And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea. And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they saw Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.

But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went."

Leonard explained that he had read the Bible since 1977, but many times he read passages without understanding the background and culture behind them. Because he did not understand what the people of the Bible understood, many passages seemed incomplete. He explained that Scripture becomes richer when one understands the perspective of the people involved.

Understanding Scripture Through Jewish Eyes

Leonard shared an illustration about bringing Lori to his Italian family's Christmas Eve celebration before they were married. He described pots of tomato sauce with lobsters cooking in them all day, spaghetti with seafood-flavored sauce, scallops, shrimp prepared in many ways, calamari, garlic butter dishes, and the rich traditions of Italian families celebrating Christmas Eve. Because Lori had never experienced this culture, she could not fully understand what he was describing.

Likewise, readers of Scripture often miss important meanings because they are unfamiliar with the Jewish background.

John was a Jew. He attended synagogue. He knew the stories of the Old Testament. He had spent years learning the Scriptures. Therefore, when John wrote about Jesus walking on the water, he was communicating much more than a miracle story.

Two things stood out:

• The sea was extremely rough.
• The disciples were terrified.

These details carried great significance to someone familiar with the Old Testament.

Why the Disciples Were Terrified

Leonard asked an important question. Why were the disciples terrified when they saw Jesus walking on the water? The disciples had already witnessed miracles. They had seen Jesus feed thousands with a few fish and loaves. They had seen demons cast out and the blind healed. Logic would suggest they should have been relieved to see Him. Instead, they were terrified.

John was writing this account after the resurrection, when he finally understood who Jesus truly was. Leonard explained that at that moment, the disciples were beginning to realize they were looking at God Himself. They were looking at Yahweh. The significance of the story was not merely that Jesus rescued them from danger. John wanted his readers to understand beyond any doubt that Jesus Christ is God.

Again, the account says:

John 6:16-21- "And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea. And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they saw Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went." John's purpose was to reveal that Jesus was Yahweh, God Himself.

Jesus Revealed as Yahweh

Leonard explained that Jewish listeners would have understood something modern readers often miss. To them, the sea represented chaos, disorder, danger, and powers opposed to God's order. Throughout the Old Testament, only Yahweh is shown as having authority over these forces. Therefore, when Jesus walked upon the waves, He was making a divine declaration.

He was saying:

"I am God."
"I am supreme."
"I am above every force."
"I am Lord over everything."

This miracle was far greater than simply calming a storm. It was a revelation of His identity.

Chaos and the Sea in the Old Testament

Leonard explained that ancient people saw the sea as a symbol of disorder and chaos. Sea monsters such as Leviathan and Rahab represented these forces. Isaiah spoke about God defeating Rahab and the dragon.

Isaiah 51:9- "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?"

Throughout the ancient world, myths described gods battling chaos. But in Scripture, it is always Yahweh who subdues disorder and establishes peace. Job declared God's authority over the sea.

Job 26:12-13- "He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud. By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent."

The Psalms also proclaim God's power over the sea and the enemies of chaos.

Psalm 89:5-14- "And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints. For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD? God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm. The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them. The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name. Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand. Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face."

Likewise:
Psalm 74:12-17- "For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters. Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness. Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty rivers. The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun. Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter."

Leonard explained that when Jesus walked upon the sea, John wanted his readers to understand that Jesus was doing what only Yahweh does. He was showing His authority over chaos itself.

Jesus Declares His Authority Over Satan and Disorder

Leonard explained that Jesus was approaching the cross and preparing to defeat the enemy. By walking on the sea, Jesus was declaring His supremacy over Satan and every power opposed to God. He was showing that He had come to restore order to the world brought into disorder by the fall in the Garden of Eden. He had come to destroy the works of the enemy. Leonard recalled Jesus' statement concerning Satan's downfall. Jesus saw Satan falling like lightning.

Walking on the water was a declaration:

"I am God."
"I am Yahweh."
"I am Lord over all."
"There is no power greater than Me."
"There is no force stronger than Me."
"There is nothing I cannot overcome."

Leonard emphasized that God has given Jesus the name above every name and that Jesus came to reclaim what the enemy had stolen.

John's message was clear:

Jesus is God.
Jesus is God.
Jesus is God.
John repeatedly emphasized this truth throughout his Gospel.

John's Purpose Throughout His Gospel

Leonard emphasized that John continually presented Jesus as God throughout his Gospel. One of the clearest examples is found in the opening verses of John's Gospel.

John 1:1-3, 14- "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

Leonard explained that John intentionally called Jesus "the Word" because, as a Jew, he understood that God's Word and God Himself were inseparable. John had spent years attending synagogue and learning from the prophets. He knew that throughout the Scriptures, God's Word was God's own self-expression. Therefore, when John declared that Jesus was the Word made flesh, he was proclaiming that Jesus is God.

Leonard then pointed to Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 1:4-5- "Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying. Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."
He explained that Jeremiah experienced the Word of Yahweh coming to him, and John understood that God's Word and God Himself were one.
Therefore, every time John referred to Jesus as the Word, he was reinforcing one great truth:

Jesus is God.

When John recorded Jesus walking on the water, he was communicating the same message.

Jesus is Lord over every storm.
Jesus is Lord over every circumstance.
Jesus is Lord over every challenge.
Jesus is Lord over every problem.

He is Yahweh.
He reigns over all.

Jesus Is Lord Over Every Storm of Life

Leonard became personal as he reflected on the many storms he had faced. He said that when people are in the middle of difficulties, they often wonder:

"Will this ever end?"
"How am I going to get through this?"|
"What am I going to do?"

But when people look back afterward, they realize that God brought them through. Once again, the account of the disciples reminds believers that Jesus is Lord over storms.

John 6:16-21- "And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea. And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they saw Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went."

Leonard explained that if believers allow the Holy Spirit to calm them and bring them into a place of rest, God will carry them to their destination. Whether it is healing, provision, or another need, Jesus remains Lord over every storm.

Testimony of God's Peace and Provision

Leonard shared a recent experience involving a family that had invited him and Lori to their home in Amsterdam, New York. Before going, they questioned why they were making a two-and-a-half-hour trip right before church.

However, Lori encouraged him by saying that God had a blessing for them and that they should go expecting His goodness. When they arrived, they encountered incredible peace. Leonard described it as one of the most peaceful atmospheres he had experienced in a long time. The peace of God flooded him. The hosts treated them like royalty.
He humorously recounted all the food they enjoyed:

Barbecue chicken legs.
Garlic and buttery chicken legs.
Pulled chicken.|
Homemade baked beans.
Homemade coleslaw.
Smoked macaroni and cheese made from scratch.
Apple strudel pie.
Vanilla ice cream.
Fresh strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries.

Afterward, while saying goodbye, the host gave Leonard what he called an "old-fashioned Pentecostal holy handshake."

Without looking, Leonard placed the gift in his pocket. Halfway home, he handed it to Lori to count. They discovered that every bill was a one-hundred-dollar bill. Leonard thanked God, recognizing that God knew exactly what they needed. This testimony reminded him that Jesus is Lord over financial needs, questions, fears, and every circumstance. There is no force greater than Him.|
He is Lord over all.

Let Him Into the Boat

Leonard emphasized that the disciples willingly received Jesus into the boat.

John 6:16-21- "And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea. And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they saw Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went."

Leonard taught that believers must also let Jesus in. Those who have never trusted Christ are invited to believe and confess Him.
He then quoted Romans.

Romans 10:9-10- "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

He invited anyone who had never trusted Jesus to let Him in. He also addressed believers who are still trying to control everything through their own effort, striving, and labor. They, too, need to let Him in.
They need to rest in His grace.

Rest in His mercy.
Rest in His love.|
And trust Him to carry them safely to the other side. Whatever the need—healing, finances, blessings, or relationships—God will bring them to their destination.

Living Through Christ

Leonard then quoted Paul.

Acts 17:28- "For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring."
Paul understood that life itself is found in Christ. He also declared:

Galatians 2:20- "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

Leonard explained that Paul had learned the secret.

Let Him in.
Let Him be.
Let Him live.
Let Him do.
Instead of depending upon themselves, believers are to trust Christ living through them. Jesus will bring them to their destination.

Final Prayer and Closing

Leonard closed in prayer, thanking the Father for Jesus. He praised Him as Lord over all. He declared that Jesus reigns supreme over every struggle, every storm, and every form of chaos. He thanked God that Jesus brings order where there is disorder and peace where there is anxiety. He gave praise and thanksgiving for Jesus and His work. Amen.

We hope this article blessed you. Thank you for taking the time to read and meditate on this message. May this teaching encourage you to trust Jesus as Lord over every storm and every area of life. Feel free to share this message with others so they too may discover that Jesus is Lord over all chaos and that in Him there is peace, rest, and victory.