How To Walk On The Water Series

Jesus experiences the power of God when He was ministering on earth. We see the manifestations of that power through the miracles He performed. Jesus had faith in the Father, and had the confidence that God will give Him the power to accomplish His purposes.

We can live our life with that kind of confidence. This month we’re looking at experiencing God’s power...

Jesus gave His disciples the power and authority to do the same - Luke 9:1-3 "When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick."

And then in the next chapter - 72 disciples were sent - Luke 10:17 The 72 returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."

WALKING ON THE WATER

Not literally. Peter was put in a rare situation, and received a special call from Jesus.

We want to look at the principles behind how Peter eventually walked on water. When we understand these principles, we’ll be able to experience the power of God Peter himself experienced.

The HIGH POINT in this passage - and I believe in Peter’s life too - is found on one phrase:

v. 29 "Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water..."

There are many other parts to this story we can identify with - the storm, the fear, their struggle, and the failure to trust... But we are not so familiar with this remarkable feat: Peter walked on water. This is the WALK OF HIS LIFE!

The first thing we learn is Peter’s response - when he saw the manifested power of God in sustaining Jesus upon the water, his response was - I WANT TO DO THE SAME!

Verse 28: "Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water." Notice Peter puts his trust in Jesus, and in His words.

Are you staying in the boat? Are you standing on the sidelines?

Most of us love to see great things happening. We like to hear messages about how powerful God is. When we read the Scriptures, we’re fascinated by the miracles of Jesus, by the display of God’s power. We love the dramatic part...AS LONG AS WE ARE UNINVOLVED.

I’ll stay in the boat and watch. I’ll stay by the sideline and look. WHY?

Because of FEAR... you never know what the waves and winds can do to you.

Because of UNBELIEF... you never know if you can do the same.

Because of the RISKS involved; the COST involved.

Maybe the other disciples were quiet because they prefer to stay in their COMFORT ZONE.

The circumstance is daunting; the problem is big; the odds are against you. Let God do His thing, while I’ll just stay put and watch.

But here is the problem: The information that GOD IS POWERFUL is not enough. That power can only be manifested when you step out of the boat!

You have to take the first step! You have to be willing to get your feet wet!

(1) Principle of the FIRST STEP - Go and be willing to get your feet wet first.

Seeing a powerful God is one thing. Experiencing His power at work in our lives is another. To experience His power in our lives, we need to take the first step - and do what He says.

God promised the people of Israel that He will bring them across River Jordan. It’s one thing to know that God is powerful. It’s one thing to know that God has promised.

To experience the reality of what He has promised, to experience His power...

"And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD...set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap." (Josh 3:13)

The people will experience God’s power - but they have to move out. They have to take the first step. Peter will experience God’s power, but he has to step out of the boat. This not only involves a mental acknowledgement of His power, but also requires us to take a step of action based on the fact that God is trustworthy and His Word is true. That’s why Peter has to said, "if it is you..." and "tell me to come..."

If you want to walk on the water, you have to be willing to get your feet wet first. Then you discover it is worth the risk.

It need not be a big step:

• A simple prayer for someone who is sick. And God’s healing takes place!

• Maybe it’s those 5 loaves and 2 fishes, and you see God performing a miracle!