Get Your Mule Out Of The Boat (Four Truths When Attempting The Impossible)

The Navy branch ... of the service ... called the "Seabees" ... had a unique slogan ... during World War II, (Pause)

"If it's difficult, ... it will take a day or two.

If it's impossible, ... it will take a little longer." (Pause)

It seems to me ... there are a number of spiritual truths ... that we can glean from the Scriptures ... when attempting ... the impossible.

Hear again our Text ... this time from Mark's telling:

BIBLE "And about the fourth watch of the night ... he (Jesus) came to them, ... walking on the sea. ... He meant to pass by them, ... but when they saw him ... walking on the sea ... they thought it was a ghost, ... and cried out, ... for they all saw him ... and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, ... "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." END (Mark 6:48-50)

In Matthew's telling ... we are informed as to ... what happened next: Hear God's Word:

BIBLE 28 And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29 He said, "Come." So, Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus." END (Matthew 14:27-33)

Beloved ... we do not know all the words ... that were spoken between Jesus and Simon that night ...or in fact ... all the words spoken between Jesus and any of his disciples.

John in his Gospel informs us "... if all the words of Christ were written down, ... perhaps even the world could not contain all the books that would be written. (John 21:25).

Therefore, ... it is feasible ... that the other disciples ...those that Peter called friends ... would have offered their advice to him ... as he was about to step out ... on the water.

You can almost picture them saying, ... "No one has ever done that, Simon, ... Don't be a show-off, Peter.

It is more sensible to stay in the boat, ... Simon.

You're going to get sick or break a leg if you do that."

My mother would have said that.

Beloved ... if you are going to attempt the impossible, ... there will always be detractors ... even from family ... and often ... from those whom you call ... friends.

And I have found ... they will give you their advice ... whether they know what they are talking about ... or not.

Do Not get counsel from your detractors (Matthew14:25-27)

So, First Truth: ... Seek Spiritual Advice from Spiritually mature Christians.

Albert Einstein ... had difficulty speaking until he was four years old ... and did not read ... until he was seven.

Beethoven's music teacher said: .... "As a composer, ... he is hopeless."

When Thomas Edison was a young boy, ... his teachers said he was so stupid ... he could never learn anything.

Walt Disney was once fired by a newspaper editor ... because he was thought to have ... quote ... "no good ideas."

Caruso was told by one music teacher, ... "You cannot sing. ... You have no voice at all."

These are but a few individuals who achieved recognition and success in their lives ... despite ... Yes despite ... the negativism ... and the criticism ... of others.

They refused to say, ... "I can't."

Job ... as we know from the Scriptures ... also received advice.

He was advised ... to curse his God ... because of the difficult trials ... he experienced .... yet he never entertained it.

(1 Finger) Do not get counsel from your detractors ... seek advice ... from spiritually Mature Christians.

(2 Fingers) Second Spiritual Truth: Do not attempt the impossible in your strength.

Hear God's Word: BIBLE "And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And He said... "Come!" END (Matthew 14:28-29)

Beloved ... "A burning desire ... is the starting point ... of all achievement."

If you ... or I have a burning desire ... to do the impossible, ... well ... we have started down the path ... to accomplish it.

But since it is spiritual ... we should never convince ourselves ... that we can do it ... in our own strength ... in our own power.

(Slow) Peter had a burning desire ... which became faith ...through Jesus' ... command.

Let me Repeat that:

You may be asking... Jeff what do you mean by that?

Well thank you for asking.

Hear God's Word and promise to us:

BIBLE "Faith comes by ... hearing, ... and hearing ...by the word of God." END (Romans 10:17)

Faith comes by what? Hearing!