Believe Big And Expect The Great! (The Life Of Faith Is A Daring Adventure -Let's Walk On Water) Series

Sermon: Believe Big and Expect the Great!

Scripture Lesson: Matthew 14:22-33 “Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” 27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” 28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.”

Introduction: The life of faith is a daring adventure with unlimited possibilities. Walking with Jesus is awesome. He knows how to give you a water walking experience that will change your life and ministry forever! Matthew 14 occurs immediately after Jesus and His disciples had received word concerning the death of John the Baptist. King Herod had given orders to behead John and displayed the severed head on a platter. The disciples of John claimed his body and buried him. This great servant of God of whom Jesus referred to as none greater born of a woman was imprisoned, and beheaded without a trial. No elaborate funeral was held, no awards were given, no honor was bestowed, without wife or children, his life came to an end. How heart rending this news must have been to Jesus and the Disciples. As night falls Jesus sends His disciples in a boat to the other side of the sea of Galilee while He remains behind to pray.

The crowd that followed along the shoreline needed help. Their needs moved Jesus with compassion. He healed and blessed and Jesus would not send them away hungry. Jesus and the disciples spent hours sitting the massive crowd and feeding them. When the work was done, He sent the disciples across the sea and sent the multitude away. Then Jesus finds a place to be alone with God. Some needs can only be met when you are alone with God.

While the disciples were obeying Jesus’ command, a fierce storm arises and strands their boat out on the sea for hours. As the disciples struggle to navigate their boat to shore Jesus appears walking on the water. Jesus reveals himself — not simply as Jesus, their teacher, but as “I AM.” A more literal translation of this sentence would be, “Take heart, I am, do not be afraid.” This self-revelation is a disclosure of Jesus' source of power. Jesus can use whatever means and make whatever way he pleases to save his people. God shows up in unexpected ways, with an unfamiliar appearance, to deliver his people. His acts of deliverance sometimes trouble and perplex His people. The disciple’s thought Jesus was a ghost. As soon as they recognized Jesus, their fears were gone. What a comfort it is to have Jesus Christ near, and know he is with us and for us. We need not fear even death itself. There are several important lessons I see in this text. Faith is a daring adventure for the believer because it is the evidence of things not seen. Obeying the commands of Jesus does not guarantee a carefree life.

1. Believers Should Expect Difficulties During Their Adventures of Faith. Matt 14:22-24 “Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.”

After a full day of ministry with a massive crowd, the disciples set sail for the home base on the other side of the lake, A storm seemed to come out of nowhere with powerful winds and boat tossing waves. Even though we are obedient to God, expect some waves to toss you and some winds to be contrary to you. It has nothing to do with God’s love for you or God’s care for you, no life is filled with swift transitions. We should expect opposition in this present world. Pandemics will come sometimes, trouble will arise sometimes, but know we are under the watchful eye of God. Everyday will have its share of troubles. A Man born of a woman has but a few days and they are full of trouble. Expect some trouble in life!