Get Out Of The Boat

POV - Safety is an illusion - it kills - there is no such thing - you won’t get out of here alive

Staying in the boat is no guarantee of safety. TITANIC.

Everything has some risk ½ million hurt falling out of bed 10 a year hung in venetian blinds

Listeners POV - Not convinced - EZ Boy, Serta Sleeper, Tylenol, Alcohol, drugs, sex - NUMB

Memorable walks Matt. 14:22-33 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat wDeut. 2 - God blesses Israel by strengthening her enemies as already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake,

Jesus was about to pass by - like Moses and Elijah - getting attention by inattention

they were terrified. "It’s a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid." 28 "Lord, if it’s you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29 "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind,

opposition - nay sayers - but definitely not Jesus Why did the wind, not the waves sink Peter? Did Jesus increase the wind to get Peter’s full trust, rather than Peter’s ability to walk on water?

he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Action Step

1. ID your Boat - How? What are you afraid of? Listen to your fears - fear Not!

How do you access the supernatural power of God (key for a car) If you want to walk on water you have got to get out of the boat

When Jesus stilled the storm, did fear evaporate or change direction

We think fear is a bad sign - NOT

Your boat may be a relationship, success, home, job, habit, hobby, lifestyle - LET GO!

Failure? - Churchill flunked 2nd grade? No - he just got a 2nd opportunity to succeed

Did peter fail? Only peter got to experience the glory of water walking. Of being lifted by Jesus.

Unless you risk failure you forfeit glory, growth and miracles

2. Step towards Jesus - He’s in your passion Music, mercy, teaching, leading - share them!

What is my deepest hidden dream? What do I want my epitaph to read?

How much am I growing these days? In what ways am I taking risks?

Am I true to my deepest passion?

Benefits -

Take a chance = Faith , Make God Smile! NO REGRETS

Risk using your gift - is it too valuable to be used or is it too valuable to be hidden?

Bring a nice wrapped gift with a mirror in the bottom, open up - what present do you see?

Peter’s gift to Jesus was to get out of the boat -

Jesus’ gift to Peter was to let him walk on water

You get to live in God’s care when you step out of your self-made safety nets

Extreme Obedience - Extreme Discipleship Always a call - fear - reassurance, decision then changed life God’s invites - it is up to us to respond He will strongly support those who do.

Question is: Can I trust the pilot?

To follow Jesus is to engage in the invisible. You can become part of the unstoppable force or you can get out of the way.

Commanded to get out of the boat - obedience is no guarantee of safety or success.

(if it’s you who call me I will go) Jesus never calls people to sink. However...

The church’s purpose is to serve not to survive or thrive - some servants die in serving

Boats are safe in the harbor, but that’s not what they were built for.

Are you dry docked, ready for the high seas Catch a wave

Jesus is still looking for people who will get out of the boat, why?

The water is where Jesus is.

Risk taking is God’s nature - Satan tries to persuade you to be cautious

What am I doing that I could not do apart from the power and presence of God