Introduction

Good morning, beloved congregation. It is indeed a blessing to gather together in the house of the Lord, bound by our shared faith and united in our devotion to the One who loved us first. As we gather here today, let us remember the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon who once said, "To trust God in the light is nothing, but to trust Him in the dark, that is faith."

Isn't it true, dear friends? Isn't it in the darkest hours of our lives that our faith is tested and refined? Isn't it in the midst of the storm that we truly learn to trust in the Master of the wind and the waves?

Today, we will be turning our hearts and minds to the book of Matthew, specifically to chapter 14, verse 29. The passage reads as follows: "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

This passage, my dear brothers and sisters, is a vivid illustration of what it means to persist in God's plan, to pursue divine direction, and to prevail over distractions. It is a testament to the power of faith, the steadfastness of hope, and the unyielding strength of God's love.

As we prepare to delve into the depths of this passage, let us bow our heads in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today with hearts full of gratitude and spirits eager to learn. We thank You for Your Word, which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. We ask that You open our hearts and minds to the truths You want to reveal to us today. Guide us, O Lord, as we seek to understand the richness and depth of Your Word. May Your Holy Spirit illuminate our minds and stir our hearts as we reflect on the lessons from this passage. We ask all these in the precious and mighty name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Persisting in God's Plan

When we look at the story of Peter, we see a man who was willing to step out of the safety of the boat and into the unknown. He was willing to defy the laws of nature and walk on water because he trusted in Jesus. He trusted in the plan that God had for him. This is a powerful example of what it means to persist in God's plan, even when it seems impossible or doesn't make sense to our human understanding.

God's plan for our lives is often different from what we envision for ourselves. We may have our own dreams and aspirations, but God's plan is always greater and more fulfilling. It may not always be easy or comfortable, but it is always worth it. Just like Peter, we are called to step out of our comfort zones and trust in God's plan.

The first aspect of this idea is the willingness to step out in faith. Peter didn't just sit in the boat and watch as Jesus walked on water. He got up, stepped out of the boat, and started walking towards Jesus. This act of faith is what it means to persist in God's plan. It requires us to take action, to step out in faith, even when we don't see the whole picture.

The second aspect is the willingness to defy the odds. Walking on water is not something that is naturally possible for humans. But Peter was willing to defy the odds because he trusted in Jesus. He knew that with Jesus, all things are possible. This is a powerful reminder for us that no matter how impossible our situation may seem, we can trust in God's plan and defy the odds.

Next is the willingness to keep going, even when we start to sink. When Peter saw the wind and the waves, he became afraid and started to sink. But he didn't give up. He cried out to Jesus, who immediately reached out his hand and caught him. Even when we start to sink, even when we start to doubt, we can call out to Jesus and He will be there to catch us.

Finally is the willingness to learn and grow. After Jesus caught Peter, He said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" This was not a rebuke, but a teaching moment. Jesus was teaching Peter, and us, that we need to trust in Him completely, without doubt. This is a crucial part of persisting in God's plan. We need to be willing to learn, to grow, and to trust in Jesus more and more each day.

Pursuing Divine Direction

We now find ourselves standing on the precipice of divine direction ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO