Austin Ridge Bible Church Sermon Podcast · Austin Ridge Bible Church

Christmas Eve at The Ridge | Mark 4:35-41 | Austin Ridge Bible Church

·56 min·5 clips

Greg went from a successful CEO to injecting OxyContin and serving a prison sentence.

This Christmas Eve sermon from Austin Ridge Bible Church focuses on the biblical story of Jesus calming a storm from Mark 4:35-41. The preacher, Brad, uses the passage to explore themes of fear, faith, and identity during the holiday season. He introduces the concept of a "Christmas card from heaven" found within the six verses of Mark 4, suggesting it depicts the highlights and lowlights of a spiritual life. The sermon details the journey of Jesus and his disciples, who were professional fishermen, across the Sea of Galilee from Jewish territory to Gentile lands. Brad explains that a great windstorm arose, terrifying the disciples even though Jesus was asleep on a cushion in the stern of the boat. The disciples wake Jesus, asking, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" Jesus responds by rebuking the wind and saying, "Peace, be still," which immediately creates a great calm. He then asks his followers two pointed questions: "Why are you so afraid?" and "Have you still no faith?" Brad connects this story to the Old Testament prophet Jonah, who was also in a boat during a storm but due to disobedience. A central insight is that faith and fear are directly linked, where taking one's eyes off "who's in the boat" allows circumstances to turn faith into fear. The preacher argues that storms in life, whether from disobedience or obedience to God, serve as a curriculum to dismantle self-confidence and remind individuals they are not in control. He emphasizes that if Jesus is in the boat, the destination—the "other side"—is secure, framing this as a metaphor for life and death. Brad shares a personal story about his 24-year-old son, Luke, who has a rare disorder and suffered a severe seizure the morning of the sermon. He uses this to illustrate relying on faith during personal storms rather than seeking pity. The sermon concludes by lighting the Christ candle, tying the Advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love directly to a relationship with Jesus. The tone is pastoral, conversational, and illustrative, blending biblical exposition with personal anecdotes and practical application. Listeners who enjoy narrative-driven, application-focused Christian teaching and personal testimonies will appreciate this episode. Those seeking a strictly academic or non-religious analysis of the Christmas holiday would likely skip it.

As heard by us

A Christmas Eve sermon that uses Mark 4 to ask who is really in charge in the storm.

The Christmas Eve sermon turns to Mark 4 and reads the storm on the lake as a direct question about who holds authority when trouble comes. It stays grounded in the passage, and the speaker's warmth, light humor, and repeated return to the text keep the story from slipping into…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

When you want a Christmas message that trades sentiment for a blunt trust test, press play.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Austin Ridge Bible Church Sermon Podcast