Lessons From Peter's Life 2: Peter Walks On Water

Pastor’s Bible Class

Thomas Road Baptist Church

Lessons From Peter’s Life

Dr. Elmer L. Towns

Lesson 2: Peter Walks on Water

January 20, 2008

A. INTRODUCTION: MATTHEW 14:22-33

“Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.’ And Peter answered Him and said, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ So He said, ‘Come.’ And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind [was] boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’ And immediately Jesus stretched out [His] hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God’” (Matthew 14:22-33).

1. Jesus leads us to face a storm to strengthen our faith. “Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go . . . to the other side” (v. 22).

Your next destination may not be the purpose

Your next destination may be a storm

You next destination may squeeze your faith

2. When we face storms, Jesus is interceding for us. “He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray” (v. 23). “He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25).

3. Jesus sees us in the storm. “He saw them straining at the oars” (Mark 6:43).

4. Our self effort may not get us out of our storm. “Straining at the oars” (Mark 6:43).

5. Jesus waits to let our storms prepare our hearts. “In the fourth watch (3:00 am) Jesus came walking” (v. 25).

6. The presence of Jesus comes to us in our storms. “Jesus went to them walking” (v. 25).

7. Our unbelief prevents us from seeing Jesus coming. “When the disciples saw . . . they cried out” (v. 26).

8. We need spiritual ears to hear Jesus’ comfort. “Be of good cheer, it is I, do not be afraid” (v. 27).

9. Jesus sometimes waits or doesn’t answer our prayer. “He . . . would have passed them by” (Mark 6:48).

10. Sometimes we don’t recognize Jesus when He comes to us. “It is a ghost” (v. 26).

11. Faith response. “Peter answered . . . Lord if it is you, command me to come to You” (v. 28).

Why is This Remarkable

The Fisherman knows but goes on water.

The Follower doesn’t wait but walks to Jesus

The disciple doesn’t falter but has faith.

12. What is the source of confidence in your storm? “It is I, do not be afraid” (John 6:20).

13. The basis of faith and water walking is Jesus invitation. “Come” (v. 29).

14. Walking is moving toward a goal, i.e., Christ. “Follow His steps” (I Peter 3:21). “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” (Col. 2:6).

15. Look at what Peter did right. “When Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water” (v. 29). Peter didn’t step out on water, he stepped out on the command of Jesus, “Come.”

16. Look at what Peter did wrong. “When he saw that the wind was boisterous” (v. 30).

17. Why did Peter sink? He took his eyes off Jesus.

18. When you sink in the storms of life, what must you do? Call on the Lord. “Lord save me!” (v. 30).

19. Why do we sink in the storms of life? Doubt. “O you of little faith” (v. 31).

20. Be prepared for change after your storms, for they mess up every thing.

21. Jesus caught Peter with his hand. “Jesus stretched out His hand” (v. 31).

22. Jesus can get us through storms to the other side. “Immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.”

23. We must thank God for getting us through our storms. “Those who were in the boat . . . worshiped him” (v. 33).