Intro. Have you ever noticed that fear is something that seems to be wanted? It is marketed. It is sold. We live in a fearful world. We live in a fearful time. But over 60 times God tells us to “Fear not”.
There are times in our life that we all face fear, but fear is not something that should be easily accepted in the Christian Life. To possess fear would mean that we do not have faith or “perfect love.” A complete love does not involve “terror”. A child may revere their parents and even fear discipline, but when genuine love is accepted, there is no terror.
Our text follows a great miracle, the feeding of the 5000. The disciples had just seen something that could not be described. 5 biscuits and two sardines feeding around 20,000 people. John 6 says that this is the miracle where the disciples were convinced that Jesus was the Messiah! And now something happens, and they are cast into a time of fear. Isn’t that true many times, right after a victory, we seem to face something that tries us. (Text)
I. A Dictated Storm - vs. 22-24 - The coming storm was dictated by God for them!
A. There was a Separation from His Presence
1. This was a Command (constrained -compelled, insistence)
Immediately upon collecting the 12 baskets of the remnants of food, Jesus commanded them to go to the other side, before Him, indicating that He would meet them there. He knew what was ahead, and it was for their good.
2. There was a Commitment -Jesus would meet them on the other side.
B. The Seclusion of the Savior - in His humanity, he longed for some quiet time with the Father. What a great Example! - This was the norm.
Mark 6:46 "And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray."
Luke 6:12 "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." Oh that we would follow this example!
C. The Shaking of the Servants - wind contrary - it was opposite of what they thought they needed - The wind opposed their efforts. That would be discouraging.
1. Jesus knew what they would face
2. Jesus knew where they were
3. Jesus knew what they needed.
Never forget, as the current song by the Perrys says, ’The Potter knows the clay’!
He has not forgotten where you are, child of God. He is aware, but has a purpose!
II. A Deliberate Savior - vs. 25
A. He came at the Inconceivable Hour-
1. It was the Darkest Time - the fourth watch (dark time just before dawn)
2. It was the Dangerous Time - The disciples did not know what to do.
Jesus is sure to come! Spurgeon said, “Whether it be to a single disciple, or to the church as a whole, Jesus will appear in his own chosen hour, and his time is sure to be the most timely."
B. He came to the Improbable Place - in the middle of the water (But it is where His disciples were)
This would be the place where the Disciples LEAST expected Him!
1. The waves would not Disguise them from Him
2. The wind would not Detour Him from them.
Jesus went unto them.
C. He came in a Impossible Way - Walking on Water?! They did not expect Jesus to come walking on the water. He could walk around the shore and meet them where they were going - BUT NOT ON THE WATER!
1. Jesus can come when you least expect it
2. Jesus can come where you least expect Him.
But for those that are His children, FEAR NOT, He will come!
III. A Disturbed Group - vs. 26-27
A. Their Perplexity - What in the world is going on?!!!
You ever been there friend? Are you there now?
1. They were Confronted with the Unknown, and were troubled
2. They were Fearful of the Unexpected.
3. They were Frightened by the Unexplainable
Some people cannot trust, they must see for feel it - no faith.
B. The Presence - They found it in the storm.
Without the Storm, they would not have had the joy of the miracle.
I thank God for the mountains, and I thank Him for the valleys,
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.
For if I never had a problem, I wouldn’t know that He could solve them.
I wouldn’t know what faith in God could do.
IV. A Determined Friend - vs. 28-31
A. The Call of Limited Faith - “IF it be thou” - If Peter had a fault, this was it.
1. His Defect of Impulsiveness - He always went straight into the situation. Just like Peter wanted to go to Jesus straightway (John 21:7), and would have gone directly on the water. But because of the impossibility of walking on water he wisely waits for instructions from Jesus, and at His word, Peter walked on water.
2. His Desire of Involvement
- If that is Jesus, I had rather be out there than in this boat!
- Sometimes if we are going to have the presence of God, we are going to have to get out of our comfort zone and go to Jesus1
- While the others were afraid in the boat, Peter asked the Lord to let him come to Him.
- His faith may not have been that strong, but it was greater than those cowered in the boat! At least he spoke out and acted!
3. His Doubt of Instability - Yes, he was unstable, but had enough sense to cry out to the Lord. Though impulsive, he was not without some faith.
B. The Allowance of the Act of Faith - vs. 29, Notice the simple Word of the Lord: “Come.” - If Peter were wrong, would the Lord given permission?
James 1:13 "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:"
We must seek the presence of God, go to where He is!
V. The Defining Moment -vs. 32-33
A. A Presence that Change the Outlook - the storm was over
1. The Skeptical Christians (vs. 26 - troubled) found Victory!
2. The Sinking Christian (Peter) found Victory
The Timing of Jesus is best, no matter what we think!
B. A Praise that was Compelled by a Confidence
1. Those that were in the ship worshiped
2. Outside of the ship, this worship was not enjoyed.
Go back to verse 22, Jesus “constrained” or compelled them to get into the boat. What if they had not obeyed? The reason many of us never have a defining moment in our Christian life is because we live in disobedience, all the time expecting the benefits of obedience!
Concl. Vs. 32-33 - God’s Solution to our fear
Are you fearful of your current situation? Of the Future?
1. Recognize Jesus’ presence in your situation (Ps 37:28)
2. Respond to Jesus’ call - The Call for Salvation (John 7:37)
- The Call for His Presence - vs. 29 Jesus told Peter to come where, at the time, did not make sense! But what did make sense was that Jesus was there!
3. Remain focused on Christ - Heb. 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
We need have no fear when we belong to the Lord. There is no need to fear when you are dwelling in the presence of God.
Disclaimer: A man once told me that if it is true, it is not new. If it is new, it is not true. We all know there is nothing new under the sun. With that said, I glean ideas for my sermons from God’s Word, my own thoughts and work, and many other sources. Any similarity to my sermons and others, where credit is not given, is either coincidental, or an unintentional mistake on my part. As none of us have a corner on the wisdom and teaching of God’s Word, it is my desire that any of my outlines be an encouragement, a help, and hopefully a motivation for others to preach God’s Word clearly. Please feel free to use any portion of my sermons if they can be of help to you and your ministry. It is all for His Glory.
