Stepping Out Of The Boat: Daring To Live The Life That God Has For You!
Turn your bibles to Matthew 14:22-34
Let me ask you a few questions today… How many would like to move forward in your relationship with Christ? How many have felt like you’ve been stuck in a rut? In talking to a lot of people, I’m finding that people are not satisfied with where they are. They want more. The problem lies in the fact that too many churches tell people that they need to move forward but don’t give them an opportunity to move forward. People have dreams and ministries locked up inside them and they don’t know how to go to the next level. It is my desire that I personally and this church, move forward to the next level and see what it is that God wants us to attain.
Mat 14:22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 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. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." 28 And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 29 So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God." 34 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.
Before we start moving forward, we need to discover some things about where we are in our relationship with God. You need to know that God has a plan for you and that it’s a good thing. Mat. 22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. The disciples had just been involved in some intensive situations. They had to deal with the murder of John the Baptist and go through the grieving process of that. Then they were thrown into a ministry situation where they were to feed 5,000 people and the only food they had was five loaves and two fish. Folks, ministry is draining at times. It’s exhausting. Sometimes we run on adrenaline. And when the adrenaline drops, so do we.
But Jesus knew this and decided that it was in the best interest of the disciples that they get away for a while. They needed some R and R. They needed to be refreshed and spend some alone time with God. It’s called, come apart before you come apart. It’s times like this that we often resist God because we don’t feel that He understands our life and the direction that we’re going. (STORY) There was an officer in the navy who had always dreamed of commanding a battleship. He finally achieved that dream and was given commission of the newest and proudest ship in the fleet. One stormy night, as the ship plowed through the seas, the captain was on duty on the bridge when off to the port he spotted a strange light rapidly closing with his own vessel. Immediately he ordered the signalman to flash the message to the unidentified craft, "Alter your course ten degrees to the south." Only a moment had passed before the reply came: "Alter your course ten degrees to the north." Determined that his ship wouldn’t take a backseat to no other, the captain snapped out the order to be sent: "Alter course ten degrees--I am the CAPTAIN!" The response beamed back, "Alter your course ten degrees--I am Seaman Third Class Jones." Now infuriated, the captain grabbed the signal light with his own hands and fired off: "Alter course, I am a battleship." The reply came back. "Alter your course, I am a lighthouse."
You see, no matter how big or important any of us think we are, God’s Word stands forth as an unchanging beacon. All other courses must be altered to His. If God’s plan for you is good, then you must take heed to listen to God every day.
Prov 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. As God directs your path, he will lead you and He will remove any hindrances. He wants you in His perfect will more than you do.
So what’s the first point? That God has a plan for you and Its a Good thing!
2. God Sees Everything You’re Going Through… Mark 6:46-48 And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.
Let me draw a picture for you. As he sends them away. He finds a place that overlooks the lake. The lake is surrounded by mountains that slope into the Galilean Sea. On a clear moonlit night, one could easily look over the water and see what was taking place. In this case, Jesus saw that his disciples were struggling against the wind that was whipping over the mountains into the sea. Jesus was alone but He could see what was taking place. He was praying for them. Don’t you think that this is reflective of our life today? God knows everything about us. He sees everything that you’re going through. I heard a story the other day of a pastor that was building a church. When the church was almost to the end his administrator and a council member met with him to inform him that they were $25,000.00 short. They would finish the building but would have no money for the carpet, furniture and sound system. The council member kept saying, “So, what are you going to do?”
Finally, after a while the pastor began to feel a little discouraged. He told the two men that he was going to take a short walk. As he began his walk, he noticed that the mail man just delivered the mail.
So he decided to go pick up the mail. As he pulled the mail out of the mailbox, he noticed that there was an envelope from another congregation about 40 miles away. As he opened it up he noticed a check from this congregation for $25,000.00 stating that God had put it on their hearts to help with their new building project. God knew what was needed and when it would be needed. Isa 65:24 I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking to me about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! God is there even when you don’t see Him!
So we know that God Has A Plan For you And It’s a Good thing! We also know that God sees everything you’re going through. And now we’re going to see that God’s Help Is Always On Time!
Mat 14:26-27 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." I want you to ask yourself this question. Why does God sometimes delay? Why did Jesus take so long to get to them? The answer is this. If God delays, He’s got a good reason.
Do you remember the story of Lazarus? Jesus waited two more days after hearing about the death of Lazarus. Why did He wait? Because his delay was so that God would be glorified. Many times we don’t understand God’s delays, but God always has a reason. We know that Joseph was promised that he would someday be great and that his brothers would bow down to him. And 16 years later he finds himself in a prison and no closer to his dream. I believe If God delays it is because He wants to reveal His character to us. The whole time Joseph was in prison, God was building character inside him. His time in prison was not in vain. You see, God’s Purpose Is Always for Our Growth. Mat 14:28-29 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. God doesn’t give us a test with all the answers, but in the middle of the test, He will give you a peace. I like what Psa 131:2 says… But I have stilled and quieted myself, just as a small child is quiet with its mother. Yes, like a small child is my soul within me. We all have storms that come into our life and they all have purposes of growth. God wanted Peter to let go of his security blanket and just trust him. How many of us hold on to things from the past? There have been times that I have wept for hours over things in my past. Sometimes God allows us to go through things so that he can move us to the next level. I believe that’s what God is doing in many of your lives today. He’s allowing you to experience things that are going to be important for that next level in your lives. You must step out of the boat in faith if you intend to go to the next level. My 5th and last point is this. God’s Word Never Fails! Mat 14:34 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. They arrived just where Jesus intended for them to be, the land of Gennesaret. You see, when you listen to the voice of God: Listen directly… Jer 33:3 ’Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Folks, God is reliable. You don’t have to depend on others to listen for you. You can listen directly to God.
· Just take the time to listen
· Be open to change
I believe some of you are in a season of change right now.
The disciples were headed one way and God said, “Get in the boat and go to the other side.” Is God trying to get your attention to make some changes in your life. Many times I’ve opened my heart and said, “God, if there is anything you want to change in my life, then let it be.” I’ve shed a lot of tears. Perhaps you’ve been praying for change, but God has delayed answering you. Know that God’s delays are to change us so when the answer comes, we will be thankful.
· So stay submitted! Because as long as you have a heart that is submitted, God will make sure you land in the right place.
Are you willing to let go today and lean upon Jesus for what He desires for your life today? What is it going to take for you to get out of your boat today? Are you ready to exercise your faith today and know that you’re in the very palm of the Lord’s hand? Is it scary at times to take such a step, yes, but you have to put your trust in the one who can walk on the water.
