Jesus had just fed 5,000 men, besides women and children with 2 fish and 5 barley loaves. The people who benefited from this miracle sought to make Jesus their king (John 6:15), but this wasn’t the Father’s plan, so Jesus sent the disciples away in a boat while He dispersed the crowd. After He had sent them away, Jesus went up on a hillside to spend some time in prayer. By this time, it had become dark.
The sea of Galilee is known for the storms that come up, being created by winds that sweep down the surrounding mountains. The disciples had set out to cross the sea of Galilee, when one such storm came upon them and they struggled against the winds and the waves. As the night wore on, Jesus went to meet the disciples on the other side. Scholars tell us it is likely that this event occurred near the time of the Passover observance, in mid April. So there would have been a full moon.
In ancient times, night was divided into four watches - 6 pm to 9 pm, 9 pm to 12 midnight, 12 midnight to 3 am, and 3 am to 6 am. Since we are told this miracle occurred during the fourth watch, we know Jesus went out on the water to meet His disciples sometime between 3 and 6 am. As He stood on the hillside, in the light of the full moon, Jesus saw them struggling, and went to them in their time of need.
There are many lessons for us to learn from this story. But over the next few of weeks, I want us to focus on what this story teaches us about what it means to walk by faith. This lesson is important because:
Without faith it is impossible to please God!
“And it is impossible to please God without faith.” - Hebrews 11:6a (NLT)
To not live by faith is to live in sin!
“. . . everything that does not come from faith is sin.” - Romans 14:23b (NIV)
The degree of faith I possess will determine the degree of blessing I receive!
“According to your faith will it be done to you.” - Matthew 9:29 (NIV)
Faith is the key to the Christian fulfilling His call to live a Christ-like life in this world.
“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” - John 20:21 (NIV)
“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing." - John 14:12a (NIV)
Jesus took this miracle and used it to teach His disciples a lesson about faith. Let’s see what we can learn as well. What does it means to walk by faith? It means getting out of the boat!
Peter’s walk on the water is a great illustration of the walk of faith. But before Peter could walk on the water, he had to get out of the boat. He had to be willing to forsake what he had been trusting in for security and find his security in the Word of the Lord. When he left the security of that boat, it was in response to the Word Jesus gave him - “come!”
One day a preacher, a priest and an atheist went on a fishing trip together. They are in the boat and the preacher says, “Oh no! I left the paddles on shore!” So he gets out of the boat and walks on the water to the shore to get them. Once he had got back into the boat the priest says, “Oh no! I left the bait on shore too!” And like the preacher, the priest exits the boat, walks on the water, and gets the bait. When the priest climbs back into the boat the atheist yells, “Well if you guys can do it so can I!!!” and proceeds to climb out of the boat, but he falls into the water. At this point the preacher says, “Do you think we should have told him where the rocks are?”
We are told within the pages of Scripture where the rocks are! As we order our lives according to God’s Word, we will trade the false sense of security the world gives for a security far greater than anything this world has to offer. The things the world offers me for security - money, friends, possessions, health, etc. - are here today and gone tomorrow; but the God’s endures forever! God’s Word will not let you down!
Kay Arthur is well known for her “precept upon precept” Bible study. What many do not know is that this has been her positive response to tragedy in her life. Her first husband attended a liberal seminary that denied the inspiration of God’s Word. His confusion not only had an impact on their divorce, but eventually led to his hanging himself. Kay knew she needed a sure foundation for her life and turned to God and His Word for direction. She now has made it her mission to point others to God’s Word, too.
Walking by faith means I trust in the Lord and His Word to such a degree that I let it to impact my life and make a difference in my life.
“Faith is a way of walking, not a way of talking!” - Anonymous
To quit talking about God’s Word and start walking according to God’s Word, I need to get out of the boat, which will require two things:
1. A Willingness To Get Wet.
In getting out of the boat to walk on the water like Jesus, Peter had to be willing to get wet. So do we. Being willing to “get wet” for Jesus, I believe, means at least two things: It means that we are willing to . . .
A. Take risks for Jesus sake.
Often, we read this story and focus on Peter’s failure to stay on top of the water. Instead, we need to give focus to the other disciples’ failure to get out of the boat! It is better to fail in an attempt to follow Jesus than to succeed in “playing it safe!” Peter was more of a success in his failure; than the disciples were in playing it safe.
B. Touch people for Jesus’ sake.
(Child’s Game - “Here’s The Church, Here’s The Steep1e”)
This is a sad picture of God’s people today - cloistered together within the four walls of our buildings singing hymns, listening to sermons, and talking to one another about our faith.
Instead, Jesus calls us to order our lives according to His Word and live out our faith, seeking to be like Him in this world (John 20:21).
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
- Luke 4:18-19 (NIV)
If we are going to walk the walk of faith and be like Jesus in this world, we must be willing to reach beyond our comfort zone.
“I was naked, and you questioned my lack of modesty in appearance. I was imprisoned, and you debated the legal aspects of interference. I was penniless, and you discussed tax-deductable donations from your wealth. I was sick, and you thanked the Lord for the blessings of your health. I was hungry, and you formed a club to study malnutrition. I was homeless, and you said God’s love was shelter under any condition. I was lonely and you left me by myself while you and your friends prayed. You seem so holy and close to God . . . yet I’m still sick and alone and afraid!” - Ruth M. Walsh
2. Courage To Respond To The Call.
Anyone can sit in a boat, but it takes a person of courage to get out of the boat and walk where and how Jesus calls him to. Why does it take courage to walk by faith? Because when we respond to the call of the Lord to do what He says, it will sometimes mean . . .
A. Standing up when others don’t.
B. Stepping out where others won’t.
“It takes courage to stand up and be counted; but it takes even more courage to keep standing once you’ve been counted!” - Anonymous
Hebrews 11 is called “the roll call of the faithful.” Some have suggested, however that it should be called “the roll call of the courageous.” Because they found the courage to stand up and step out for God, these ordinary men and women (Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, David, Samuel, etc.), accomplished extraordinary things! In the same way, you and I, though ordinary individuals, through living a life of faith, can be enabled to live extraordinary lives for God!
Conclusion: A few years ago, the missions committee of this church, felling God’s call, challenged our church to pay for the translation of the Jesus film in the language of an unengaged people group in Nepal - the Rana Tharu. The goal the church adopted was to raise the money in two years. It was raised in two months. Film teams were sent out, church planters were trained, and as a result, the Rana Tharu are no longer listed as an
unengaged people group by our International Mission Board.
That is just one example of how stepping out of the boat, leaving our comfort zone, and having the courage to answer God’s call can enable ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things!
Jesus calls each of us to live an extraordinary life, a faith-filled life, a Christ-like life. But it will mean getting out of the boat. How do you need to get out of the boat today?
