HOW TO WALK ON WATER
Matt 14:22-33
Anything effective that we are going to do in God is like walking on water … anything of eternal significance. God gives God sized assignments. An effective ministry takes place above and beyond our natural ability.
SIX LESSONS ON HOW TO WALK ON WATER
Lesson 1. SPEND TIME IN GOD’S PRESENCE. Vs 22,23
a) Jesus didn’t go off on his own and then decide to pray … prayer was his sole intention
b) He was on his own … easy to pray in a group. Far easier to enter into God’s presence in a group
c) Removed all distractions (sent disciples away; up the mountainside)
d) We have to be disciplined in our QT’s
i) QT is Christianese for Quiet Time.
ii) Take time every day to read the Bible and pray
iii) Things to do in your QT:
a) Read Bible … systematically
b) Pray … not only about yourself
c) Listen
d) Memorise scripture
Lesson 2. FACE UP TO YOUR FEARS & DEAL WITH THEM.
a) Jesus doesn’t want anyone to be scared … IMMEDIATELY he spoke to them.
b) Fear paralyses us
i) James Kennedy … reason I can’t witness is because I have a back ailment … a yellow stripe running right down.
c) Why was Peter the only one to face up to his fear?
d) What would have happened if all 12 got out of the boat?
i) All would have walked on water
ii) Peter would not have sunk … encouraged by the others
e) Why do our evangelistic efforts fail, because we leave it all to one person and when he/she fails, we say “told you so”
Lesson 3. RESPOND TO HIS CALL
a) Respond when he calls … don’t put it off
b) If it were me, “Lord when the boat gets to shore, I’ll practice walking on the shallow waters
c) Respond ONLY when HE calls … don’t run ahead
When God gives you something to do, it’s going to be big, don’t rush ahead.
Lesson 4. DON’T GET DISTRACTED
a) Peter was distracted by the wind, not the waves. He was fine walking on water, but got distracted by other external influences
b) When we accept our God given assignment, and are doing great things for God. When the devil realises that we have the faith to do this thing, he’ll send other distractions.
c) Peter was accused for having little faith. I think he had a lot of faith … in one area! “Jesus can make me walk on water, but this storm business”
How many times do we thank God for doing one thing, and then give up hope on something else because we don’t think that he can do that.
“God saved me, but my wife / parents”
Lesson 5. TURN TO Jesus WHEN WE MESS UP
a) I love the IMMEDIATELY. Jesus won’t let us go through what we can’t handle
b) We must turn to him “Lord save me”
c) Sometimes with us, Jesus reaches out his hand, and we won’t take it. We feel so bad, and say “I’ll sort this out … glug … glug … glug.”
d) We are not talking about breaking a window and fixing it yourself. This is far more serious. Remember our context, the devil has distracted us with various temptations and we have fallen, sinned, backslidden. This is something you can’t fix up yourself. Need to turn to Jesus.
Lesson 6. GIVE Jesus THE GLORY
a) When they got to shore, nobody commented on how brave Peter was to walk on the water. Especially not Peter. In Marks Gospel, which is basically a narration of Peter’s experiences with Jesus, he doesn’t even mention that he got out of the boat. He just talks about Jesus walking on the water.
Conc:
When God gives you something to do and you say, “but I can’t …” of course you can’t that’s why he want’s you to do it … get used to walking on water.
If you haven’t had an “assignment” from God, just keep spending time in his presence. Learn to know his voice.
Perhaps there are some backsliders tonight who need to reach out to Jesus
Matt 14:22 (niv) Immediately Jesus made CONSTRAINED the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
Perhaps they wanted to stay, and therefore argued back. He said “GO” But we want to stay here. Lord we can have a cool revival here. Besides which, God’s anointing seems to be on food right now, so let’s stay … “GO”
23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
LESSON ONE spend time in God’s presence.
24 but the boat was 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.
Between 3 & 6 in the morning
Cf Mk 13:35 "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or at dawn.
Evening 6.00 – 9.00
Midnight 9.00 – 12.00
Cock crows 12.00 – 3.00
Dawn 3.00 – 6.00
He had spent most of the night praying … no wonder he could walk on water.
We say “I’m going to pray” and then go and sit in our room for 15 min, or 30
26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It’s a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
The sun must’ve been rising so they were able to see him.
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."
LESSON TWO: Face up to your fears and deal with them
29 "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus.
Imagine how Peter must’ve felt as he got onto the water
LESSON THREE: Respond to his call.
30 But when he saw the WIND, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
LESSON FOUR: DON’T GET DISTRACTED
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?"
LESSON FIVE: turn to Jesus when we mess up.
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.33 Those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
LESSON SIX Give Jesus the glory
