Sermon Illustrations

MANY PEOPLE WANT TO WALK ON THE WATER, WITHOUT THE INVITATION ON GOD’S SON: COME…

Matthew 14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

Pastor Chou of Korea wrote a book on prayer. He tells in his book “THE FOURTH DIMENSION” about 4 young girls that loved Jesus and were eager to grow deeper in their relationship. The girls were going to a Christian camp to pray and know Jesus more. There had been very heavy rains in the area. On their way to camp the 4 girls came to a swift, swollen river. The river was flooding the whole area.

The girls were so disappointed they could not attend camp. They knelt by the flooded river and prayed. One asked, is Christian Camp good? Yes, they all replied. Would we be better if we went to camp? YES! Does Jesus want us to go to camp? Sure, he does. Did Jesus help Peter walk on the water? Sure.

So three of girls came to the conclusion THAT JESUS WANTS US TO GO TO CAMP, SO WE WILL WALK ACROSS THE SWOLLEN RIVER. They stepped into the water and the flooded river swept them down stream. Several days later the 3 bodies were found, 3 girls died.

The one girl that did not try to walk on the water told the story to the Korean Media and Christianity became the laughing stock of South Korea for a while. The media talked to Doctor Chou. Can you explain this tragedy? Chou said It is easy. Yes, PETER WALKED ON THE WATER, BUT WHAT THE THREE YOUNG GIRLS FORGOT WAS: JESUS BID, JESUS INVITED PETER TO WALK ON THE WATER. YOU BETTER STAY IN THE BOAT UNLESS YOU HAVE THE INVITATION: COME.

OK, PETER YOU ARE A HISTORY MAKER… WAS IT ALL SMOOTH WALKING BECAUSE YOU HEARD JESUS SAY COME?

NOTE: PETER WAS WALKING TO JESUS --- PETER’S FOCUS WAS ON JESUS… BUT THERE WAS A WET BLANKET TO THIS EXPERIENCE…

Matthew 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

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