Dare to believe that you can walk on water
Matthew 14:22-31
Greetings-
Prayer-
Question-
How many of you were raised that you had a positive mentor in your life? Someone you felt you could ask anything?
Most guys have a lot of acquaintances, but few friends they are comfortable with to talk about personal things.
They say that if you get a few good friends in your lifetime, that you have accomplished much. I must be fortunate because I have a good number of good friends.
“We are better together” that is what my sign says outside- we need each other and we need to realize that we need each other.
The way I am now and the way I grew up as a kid and young adult is different. Because I did not feel I needed anybody. I had a hard time trusting anybody to have my back.
My mother raised my brother and I and she was tough- she was both the father and mother- the hardest thing for me as a Christian was to believe that Jesus has your back and that He cares for me. That I didn’t have to perform and I didn’t know how to reach out to a male figure because my dad was never there. I had a great uncle and wonderful grandfather, but it is not the same.
The scripture text tonight is right after John is beheaded(cousin) and Jesus feeds the 5000- Jesus is hurt because of John and ministering to the needs of those who are following Him.
Matthew 14:22-31
Do you dare to get past your past and walk on water with Jesus?
Illustration-
They built a plexiglass walkway on the Sea of Galilee. It was to mimic Jesus walking on the water and so you can experience the feeling of walking on the water.
To onlookers- they appear to be walking on water
To those doing it- they had a feeling of walking on water.
Can you picture the advertizing? Come see the place that Jesus preached. Visit the city of Capernaum. Walk on the sea Galilee as Jesus did.
JESUS DESIRES THAT WE WALK ON WATER- DO YOU BELIEVE THAT?
Greater things you will do in my name!
TO BE ABLE TO DO THINGS THAT ARE NOT POSSIBLE IN OURSELVES.
JESUS HAD JUST FED THE 5000- THAT IS IMPRESSIVE
WITH A BOYS LUNCH OF A FEW FISH AND SOME BREAD.
MOSES WAS SENT TO PHAROAH TO SET THE JEWS FREE- GOD ASKS MOSES… WHAT IS IN YOUR HAND?
MY SHEPHERDS STAFF. THROW IT DOWN MOSES! GOD TURNS THAT SHEPHERDS HOOK INTO A SNAKE. PHAROAHS MAGICIANS DID THE SAME. GOD TELLS MOSES TO GRAB THE SNAKES BY THE TAIL AND PICK THEM UP!
IF God is in it, there is a risk. It will be something that you cannot totally do by your means.
Do you think that we cannot do impossible things because we do not have the trust needed in Jesus?
We have our focus on situations and circumstances instead of on a miracle working God?
When things do not turn out the way we thought they should does not mean God has abandoned us or never shown up.
Illustration
The time I was in the hospital with Covid-19. I was unsure if I was coming home. It made me think and pray but it also made me reflect and praise.
It made me see how powerless I was in my own talents and abilities.
I could not get myself out of that hospital. God would have to do it.
God would have to give those doctors the ability to take my situation and turn it around.
My walking on water came after the Lord intervened and I was broken being wheeled out of that room to a waiting car with my wife in it.
I broke because I felt that God had done a miracle and I was walking on water because my savior had done something super natural for me!
If God is in it, there is risk and there has to be trust. Trust that no matter what happens He has got you!
Think about this-
Jesus waited that they were about 3-31/2 miles out into the lake.
Jesus was prayed up and they were scared.
Jesus went to them- in their storm.
The sea got choppy and all they saw was the storm- forgetting that Jesus had put them in the boat and told them to go to the other side.
Their nerves were shot and they were on their last nerve.
Battling storms wear us down and cause us to lose focus.
We may have fair weather when Jesus sends us out, and yet met with storms before we arrive where Jesus has sent us.
When they saw Jesus, they thought they were seeing a ghost- because of their past teachings and past experiences.
I am sure that they had not thought Jesus was going to show up- they left physical Jesus at the shore and not thought that supernatural Jesus could show up at any time to rescue.
As Jesus came to them-
He saw they were scared
Jesus knows what keeps us up at night
He knows the heavy burdens we carry.
Jesus not only sees our troubles, He cares about us and about them in our lives.
While they had faith- it did not leave them immune to being scared.
The devil has a way to throw us around in the storms of life.
He has a way.
Jesus teaches us to live by faith and not by sight.
Se here that He doesn’t belittle them
When will you ever learn!
Don’t you get it!
I just fed 5000
I am God- don’t you remember!
He says “Take Courage”
What wonderful words ot hear form Jesus to your situation.
I am sure that Jesus voice and physical presence gave them courage.
They needed to know and we need to know that He cares for us!
They needed to know that they were not alone in their storm.
Here is where it gets good!
Peter took courage to a new level! He got out of the boat in the midst of the storm and walked to Jesus!
Peter said to Jesus- if it is you call me to get out of the boat and walk to you!
THEN PETER GOT OUT OF THE BOAT
There is strength, comfort, healing, after you get out of the boat.
The supernatural happens when you get out, not while you are safe in the boat from all risk!
YOU HAVE GOT TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT
That took faith- a lot of faith!
Skeptics say
He knew Jesus
He knew that Jesus could miracles
He knew Jesus power
He knew that He was the Messiah
He saw and knew that Jesus could do the impossible
SO DO YOU!
SOME SAY THAT IF Jesus told them to walk across the water, they would- start walking because He calls each of us to do that!
You walk across water every time you defy the odds.
Everytime things look impossible and you step out in faith
We get a lot of opportunities to walk on water-
When we are asked to do something that in our own strength we cannot do.
When we step out because He has told us too and we do not know the outcome, just that He said to go.
Everytime we go to new ground and to new levels
I am sick- but you said to get out of the boat
It is tough Lord- I am trusting you !
I know peter is my example- he got out of the boat and kept his eyes on you.
It is real simple- there are two ways to go
Stay in the boat
Get out of the boat
Staying in the boat
Comfortable
Hid from the storm
Less fear of sinking
Peter did not walk on water to do a miracle- he wanted to come to Jesus and that is what it took.
No matter what, He was going to Jesus in this storm.
Getting out of the boat
Victory
Impossible becomes possible
We forget who He is!
Difficult times
Illness
Death
Bills
He is still Lord!
Wind this up-
“Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid”
Stay focused on Jesus
Remember Hi power and promises
When we have moments of sinking- reach out to Him
Prayer-
