Growing up as a child, just about everyone has had, or still have, superheroes. These superheroes had the ability to do the impossible, to fly far into the sky, to control the storms, to have incredible strength, x-ray vision, and even save the world.
When I was growing up, I loved superman. I wanted to be just like superman. I can remember running around my house with my homemade cape. I even wore that cape outside, and whenever I saw a phone booth I wanted to go in and change into “superman”.
Now, for those of you that don’t know what a phone booth is, it’s a tall glass box, big enough for one person, where you go in, put money in a slot next to the phone, and were able to dial anyone you wanted. They were everywhere, because we didn’t have phones in our hand. Times have changed….AMEN
But the idea of superheroes has not gone away. New movies come out all the time about superheroes. They are awesome and breathtaking, with big booms and grand effects. They come in HD, and 3D, on big screens and curved screens. The graphics are so mind blowing, you almost feel like you’re right there.
Back in the day, I read comic books all the time. The action back then had to be visualized, not like the Xboxes of today.
Now, for those of you that don’t know what a comic book is. It’s a paperback book with all the great stories of the superheroes of my time and yours. The comic books of yesterday are what the movies or based on today.
Just about everyone wanted to be a superhero, with great strength, great sight, great knowledge, and the whole world call you “SUPER”. HOW BOUT THAT…….
It was a sad day for me when I realized I couldn’t be one of those superheroes, because it was “simply impossible”.
But, think about this for a moment.
When we read the Bible, maybe we should think about it as a great masterpiece. A spectacular movie event in words. Complete with all the superheroes and villains that create the best of movies. If we really thought about the amazing things that some of the people did in the Bible, we should be amazed. We might even admire their lives and their passion for God.
But mostly we see the people in the Bible as superheroes, whose super powers are impossible to match.
Psalm 94:16 states: “Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
My message today is ……. “Oh how I love Jesus”
When we read about the incredible things, and countless amazing people in the Bible, we shouldn’t want to put the book down. We should want to know more!
I know, sometimes it’s hard to grasp that these were real people who really lived, and not just made up stories, but they were real, and the stories are true.
These people had real struggles and real problems in life. They didn’t have superpowers, and they were not superheroes.
They were people just like you and me putting their faith into practice. They were super people with super character, but they didn’t have special powers to live better lives or do incredible things. They are our examples, and warning signs, on how we are to live our lives.
When I read of people like Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, Paul and Peter, I strive for somethings they had. I strive for the closeness they had with God. They had a special relationship with God; they had a constant communication with Him. I want that, and you should too. AMEN
I strive for what they could accomplish for God. It was amazing how God could take these “only human” and imperfect individuals and do such amazing things through them that they could so greatly impact people.
I strive for their unwavering faith. They believed what God whispered to them in a dream or in a vision. They knew it to be true.
Matthew 17:20 states: “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
As you read about the pivotal people in the Bible we can see that many of them differ in personality and particular roles that they were raised up for. But one thing is always the same, they had a strong faith. They trusted God:
• When it didn’t make sense,
• When it wasn’t popular,
• When it was tough,
• And, when things weren’t going their way.
They are the legends that we still talk about thousands of years later because of the kind of faith that they had.
Romans 1:8 States: “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
Last Lord’s Day we talked about Thomas “the one who doubted”. So this Lords day we’re gonna talk a little bit about the Apostle Peter. AMEN
Peter was a man who was full of “fire” for the Lord.
• When Jesus was on the mountain and was transformed with Moses and Elijah, it was Peter who wanted to stay and build shelters for all three of them.
• When Jesus told Peter he was going to be killed it was Peter who said he would die with him.
• It was Peter who assured Jesus that even if everyone else denied him he wouldn’t.
• It was Peter who drew his sword and cut off Malchus’ ear as the soldiers came to arrest Jesus.
• It was Peter who ran to see the empty tomb.
• It was Peter who left the boat and came to the resurrected Lord.
While people fault Peter for some of his “overdramatic” actions, overall Peter had a heart for Jesus and is an example to us all, of the excitement and faith we should have in following Jesus.
Hebrews 11:1states: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Peter’s greatest desire was to be with Jesus in any way possible. In the story in Matthew which is one account of Jesus walking on water, we see that the disciples are out to sea and there’s a great storm that’s around them. These disciples were experienced fishermen, so most likely they knew a few things about boating, but it says that they were afraid.
Matthew 14:24-26 states: “ But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It’s a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
Then we learn that Jesus walks out on the water towards them. Peter then speaks up and says, “Lord, if it is you tell me to come to you on the water.” Peter wanted to get to Jesus. He wanted to get to Jesus so badly that the waves didn’t discourage him from getting out of the boat; He knew he would be safe with Jesus near.
Now, Peter didn’t say, “let me walk on the water like you, that looks cool.” No, he just said let me come to you. He wanted to get to Jesus, and he believed Jesus could get him there.
Matthew 14:28-29 states: “And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. Peter knew that Jesus Alone Could Calm the Storms of Life.
Today we live a life that is being pounded by the wind and the storms of life. Sometimes life can be hectic and chaotic. It even seems crazy sometimes, but there’s a solution to life’s problems. There’s a person who can calm the storms howling around us and beating against us. That person is Jesus. He offers us the same hope of calming the storm that he offered the disciples more than two thousand years ago. AMEN
Matthew 11:28-30 says: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Now, what’s funny about us as people is; we like to handle our problems on our own. We think that we can fix all of the things going wrong in our lives.
But, I wanna tell you this morning that there’s one who wants:
• To bear our burdens,
• To endure our struggles,
• To shoulder our frustrations,
• To take away our griefs.
There’s one who wants to make our life easier. If only we would come to him he would take those burdens away. Sometimes to come to him we have to get out of the boat and step out on faith and know that Jesus alone can save.
Peter “feed on” the opportunities he had, to be at the feet of Jesus. He didn’t want any moments he had with Jesus to end.
• Peter knew that Jesus was Immanuel, “God with us”.
• He knew that nothing came to be without Jesus allowing it.
• He knew that Jesus could control the wind and the waves.
• He knew that Jesus had control over his creation,
That’s why walking out on the water wasn’t such a big deal for Peter. But when he was afraid, he was not so afraid as to ask Jesus for help.
By the time that Jesus ministry was over and he ascended to Heaven, it was plain to Peter that Jesus was:
• Lord over the sea,
• Lord over the sick,
• Lord over the storms,
• Lord over the demons,
• And, Lord over life
Peter had a powerful faith in Jesus. “You might call it “superhero faith.”
• Peter knew that only Jesus could’ve raised Lazarus up from the dead.
• He knew that death couldn’t hold Jesus himself in.
• He knew that Jesus had control over His creation
• And he wanted to be with His creator as much as possible.
Galatians 3:26 states: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Peter is often “put down” for stepping out of the boat, but myself and others, believe Peter showed more faith than the eleven that stayed in the boat. When Peter stepped out of the boat he became afraid because of the wind. He took his eyes off of Jesus and began to sink. Then he cried out some of the most amazing words in all of Scripture. He cried three simple words. These simple words are packed with meaning even today. He cried, “Lord, save me”. My… My…
Brothers and sisters, when people begin to sink and when people are put in a tough spot, they often reveal what’s really inside of them. Peter’s cry for his life was for Jesus to save him. He knew that Jesus had the power to bring him up out of the water and save him from sinking. He knew that Jesus was supreme. He knew that Jesus was in control.
His faith didn’t change just because he was sinking? Before he walked out on the water he addressed Jesus as Lord, and even as he was sinking he addressed him as Lord.
• Peter knew that Jesus alone at that point could save him.
• He knew he couldn’t save himself,
• He knew no one else could save him,
• He knew that the disciples in the boat couldn’t save him,
• Only Jesus could save him.
• It was Jesus that lifted him.
YOU GOTTA HAVE FAITH…. AMEN
Now, right after this miracle of Jesus and Peter on the water, Jesus taught large crowds about the Bread of Life. The Bible tells us that the crowds had a hard time accepting Jesus’ message and were offended.
Amidst the crowds turning their backs on Jesus, he looks back to his disciples with a broken heart and asks them, if they were gonna leave him too?
Peter is the one says “to whom shall we go, you alone have the words of eternal life, we believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Peter is saying, I believe without any doubt that you alone can save.
We too should want to be near Jesus because he alone can save. We should have enthusiasm and a passion about encountering Jesus today.
We encounter Jesus today primarily through His Word and also through His people who possess His Spirit. We should THIRST for the opportunity to encounter him because Jesus alone saves. In fact, it’s by his stripes that we are healed.
So, if you haven’t heard, let me be the one to tell you the “Super News”.
• Jesus alone can save.
• You can’t bring eternal life to yourself;
• You can’t be saved without first coming through Jesus.
Matthew 20:26-28 states: “But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Brothers and sisters, I hope that you want to encounter Jesus the way that Peter did. I hope that you have the desire to meet him. I hope that you pick up that great book of masterpieces, called the Bible, and began to understand the words that were written for you and I. I hope that you visualize the words right off the pages in HD and 3D and get excited about Jesus, because :
• He calms the storms of life,
• He is our creator and sustainer,
• He is our “Superhero”,
• and he alone can save.
Peter was the type of guy that always longed for an opportunity to be used by God. Sometimes it was that same enthusiasm to serve God that got him into trouble. Peter had an exceptional enthusiasm and passion to serve Christ. He was excited about what he believed.
Now, just like us, he was human. Sometimes he didn’t always think things through and spoke before he really had to time to consider what he was saying, but his heart was usually in the right place.
Sure Peter had faults like the rest of us, but his passion serves as an example for many. Peter wanted to be an instrument to be used by God and he was. AMEN
There’s a story of a woman who’d been married to a very cruel man. He constantly criticized her for everything. Early on in their marriage he handed her a list of 25 rules for her to follow. Yeah, you heard me right. This imperfect man gave his wife “rules”. If I gave my wife one rule, she might…….Well, anyway, she hated it… and she hated him.
You can imagine how frustrating it was to her to have to constantly check her list to see if she was pleasing him - and to stay out of trouble. She usually failed miserably and each time, he demeaned her all over again. He made her feel miserable and small.
Then, one day he died. Naugh, she didn’t kill him. He just died.
Soon, she fell in love with and married a wonderful loving man. They loved each other very much. He did all he could to please her, and she practically broke her neck to please him. She even brought him breakfast in bed.
One day, she ran across that old list, and the feelings of anger and inferiority returned. But, suddenly she began to laugh! As she checked the list, she realized that she was now doing the things on that list for her new husband. Not because it was ordered, but because she loved him. That how we should be with Jesus, that’s how we should love him.
“Oh, how I love Jesus, oh how I love Jesus.
Oh, how I love Jesus because He first loved me.”
Brothers and sisters, a lot of times passion is nothing more than vain talk of what people want to hear. We as people are good at talking the talk, and NOT always so good at walking the walk. We should want to be used by God and want to put our passion and excitement into practice by serving in whatever capacity necessary.
However, a lot of time people want to have passion and excitement, but it’s nothing more than just words. Passion for the Lord should lead to serving the Lord. An excitement and a passion for God should lead to a willingness to work for God.
James 1:22-25 states: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
We as Christians, who possess the truth should be the most excited people in the world, we should be superheroes at being committed to what we believe and we should hungry for more.
It seems that sometimes people that have the truth are the least committed to the truth, and people of other religions are passionate and commitment even if it is based on an untruth, and wrongly directed.
Look around you….They are in far greater numbers than ours.
Brothers and sisters, we need to put that passion for the Lord like Peter had, that superhero passion, into practice like Peter did.
Peter may have messed up sometimes, and sometimes he spoke before he could think, but no one questions his desire to serve and to be used by God.
The question you need to answer today is will you turn your words into actions? Perhaps today you have passion and a love for God. You can turn that knowledge and love for God into commitment to serve. You can go beyond talking the talk and start walking the walk.
John 15:10 states: “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Brothers and sisters, we are not saved by how good we can talk. We are not saved by what we say we want to do, and what we say about God. But putting those words into practice will save us.
One of the biggest obstacles facing the church and us, is our own people. The obstacle that we face is people who talk a good talk, who think that they are saved because of the feeling they have in their heart about God, but in reality that feeling is nothing more than a deception they’ve brought upon themselves, because the Scriptures teach that faith without works is dead.
Sometimes Peter was overenthusiastic, but when push came to shove that enthusiasm lead to service and effectiveness in the Kingdom. He wasn’t just a hearer or a talker of the Word, he was a doer. A “superhero” for the word faith.
The reality of life is that we all have difficult times. We all face adversity from time to time, and we all have times when we miss the mark and fail at what we were supposed to do.
The option that we have is, what are we going to learn from those experiences, and how can that adversity shape our character.
We live in an environment where we will all face the storms of life, but we can see that every “great person” has been shaped by difficult times and struggles and come out stronger.
We must choose how we are going to react to those times of adversity, We must pull out our superhero cape and stand strong in our faith.
Some people may react by rejecting God, because they cannot believe that a God would give them a “bad lot” in life. They see God’s job as just throwing blessing after blessing upon them, and the second they don’t get what they wanted they blame Him.
Some people, however, through difficult times and adversity learn some things. They learn something about trusting God to carry them through. They learn something about being dependent upon God. They become “STRONG”
Proverbs 24:10 says: “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
In Closing:
The adversities in life that Peter faced served to shape him into a man that would make an everlasting impact in the Kingdom of God and in eternity.
It was through mistakes he made, times of failure, and times of hardship, that he did some learning and growing. We, just like Peter, have our times on the mountain tops when everything seems to be going great. We feel near to God when life is going along smoothly.
But we also have times where we are sinking in the waves. We have times of denial and rejection, and we should learn through those times. AMEN AMEN
This morning I am asking you, to not be afraid to get out of the boat in order to get to Jesus. Jesus told Peter to come on out of the boat to him. Today, he is calling us out of the boat, he is calling us to step out on faith and come to him.
The road isn’t always easy, and yes, there will be storms, and the waves may get bumpy.
• Perhaps your boat is that safety net,
• Perhaps it’s that sin you think you can’t live without.
• Perhaps it’s worldliness and things that you have.
• Perhaps your boat is yourself, doubting.
• Perhaps your boat is someone else’s.
• Perhaps your boat is what we perceive as success.
Whatever your boat is, Jesus invites you to come out of the boat and come to him. He invites you to become one of the Few, the Proud, the Superheroes of faith.
John 21:5-6 states: “Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
Oh, How I Love Jesus……… AaaaaaaaMEN
We all should say as someone once said “I’m not ashamed to say that I’m in love with Jesus Christ.
References:
The Holy Bible KJV
Sermon Central
Family and Friends
Life’s lessons
