Our service on Sunday, August 25th, 2024, was led by Apollus Fleischer-Djoleto. His sermon was titled ‘Where is God?’
On Sunday, August 25th, 2024, our service was led by Apollus Fleischer-Djoleto, who delivered a sermon titled “Where is God?” The reading was taken from Mark 4:35-41, a passage that recounts the story of Jesus calming the storm. Apollus posed a thought-provoking question to the congregation: Why do we face problems even when we believe in God?
He invited us to reflect on our reasons for being in church that day, much like the disciples in the boat with Jesus. Despite having the Son of God with them, they were filled with fear during the storm. Apollus challenged us to consider why they were so worried when they had Jesus right there and whether it is possible to believe in Jesus yet still experience difficulties in life.
He connected this moment to the previous week’s sermon, reminding us how quickly we forget God’s past faithfulness. Just as Jesus had previously commanded fish to feed the multitudes, He had the power to calm the waters. The disciples’ fear in the storm was a moment of forgetfulness, a lapse in their trust in Jesus’ power and presence.
Apollus highlighted that believing in Jesus does not exempt us from the storms of life. Instead, it means trusting that God is with us amid those storms. The same Jesus who provides for our needs is the one who calms our fears. Our faith may be tested, and we may face challenges, but we are called to remember that God is always present, powerful, and in control, even when life’s storms seem overwhelming.
This message encourages us to hold fast to our faith, knowing that God’s presence is our assurance, even in the most turbulent times.