Let’s take a walk…on the wild side.
This is the third part in the series on ships during bad storms.
The first part was Jonah being thrown overboard during a storm that God had prepared because Jonah was running from him.
The second part was when the Disciples were in a boat and a storm arose and it was sinking their boat, but they knew the only way they were going to survive was to “go to Jesus”.
Now want to pick up with the third part of this series when again we see the disciples are caught in the middle of a wild and raging storm, but this time Jesus wasn’t on the ship with them.
Matthew 14:22-33
22 And straightway Jesus constrained (Jesus told them to go) his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.(The wind was blowing against the direction they were going)
25 And in the fourth watch (between 3-6 AM) of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, (wild and stormy) he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
I want to title this sermon this morning, Let’s take a walk, on the wild side!
There are 8 things that God has shown me in these verses we have just read.
1- Faith to keep looking at Jesus.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, (wild and stormy) he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
We need to look for Jesus and keep looking at Jesus. Although a storm surrounded Him, Peter looked to Jesus. The only problem was that he stopped looking at Jesus. The principle is clear: especially when you are in a storm, look for Jesus and keep looking to Jesus.
What does looking to Jesus look like for you? Or is it more of a glance at Jesus when things become rough or wild and stormy in those times you feel like you have no control over what is happening in your life.
Maybe it is every morning, and all during the day, you remind yourself that Jesus is with you and helping you in all things you are doing?
2- Faith to obey Jesus
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
When Jesus commands you, obey Him. Jesus told Peter to “come” to Him on the water. Even though it made no sense, Peter did what Jesus said. This is what obedience looks like doing what Jesus says.
Is there any area in your life that you are not obeying the Lord? I know sometimes in my life if I could have just obeyed God in the first place and held on to His hand and not had to go through some storms in my life feeling alone. If I had just obeyed Jesus to begin with, and had done what I know he had instructed me to do, things would have been a lot smoother. I call them my Jonah moments!
3- Faith to take the next step
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
Faith is simply taking the next step. Peter took one step to get out of the boat and onto the water. Peter was doing just fine when he was focused on the next step and got into trouble when he lost sight of his next step.
What next step has Jesus asked you to take? I have been praying about that for a few months now. I believe God has me in the right place at the right time to do the right things Jesus has allowed me to stand before you all and to spread the Gospel in this community. I have my eyes fixed upon his. I firmly believe I am not here at this church by chance or accident.
4- Faith unleashes the power of Jesus
Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water,
Faith unleashes the supernatural. Peter did not experience the supernatural power of God that allowed him to walk on water until he trusted as evidenced by his actions.
Is there anything you need to be doing differently in faith? We should always be finding ways to get closer to Jesus. Peter wanted to do go to him and we need that same attitude, we want to get closer to Jesus.
5- Lack of Faith will sink you
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, (wild and stormy) he was afraid; and beginning to sink
Fear will sink you. When Peter had faith, he walked on water. When he was afraid, he sank in the water. The same is true for you. Fear will sink you.
Is there any fear that is gripping and controlling your decision making? Keeping you eyes on Jesus will help you. We all have fears, we have anxiety but remember we serve a mighty and loving God. We serve a God that can give us peace and calm in the worse of times. We serve that kind of God!
6- Faith is salvation
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him,
Jesus saves you from many things. Jesus not only saved Peter from hell, but on this occasion, Jesus saved Peter from drowning. Notice the word, “immediately”, when Jesus gets involved things happen immediately.
What things has Jesus saved you from? First and foremost, we should always thank God for saving us for what we do not deserve because of our sins and wickedness. God saved us when He sent Jesus, His son to die on that cross for all of us. The final sacrifice upon the alter has been offered and His name is Jesus.
7- A little faith is better than no faith
O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Having even a small amount of Faith in knowing Jesus can serve you a lot better than not having any faith or recourse to help you in times of need.
How has your faith brought you through when nothing else seemed to work? Try and remember back at the times in your life where you are so thankful you have the hand of Jesus reach down and pull you up from the waters that surrounded you. We all have been there; we all have felt alone in the darkness but over there in the shadows was Jesus reaching out to pull us out into the light. One thing we NEVER have to do is doubt Jesus!
8- Faith in knowing Jesus is the Son of God.
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
You can choose to worry or worship. In an instant, the men went from worrying about their circumstances to worshipping their Christ.
How is your worship of the Lord going? How is it today? When that next storm comes whipping in and throwing you about, do you know for certain who the captain of your ship is? Do you know that you can reach out and the hand of Jesus will be there?
How can your worshipping become the strength in your today and tomorrows? Jesus just says, “COME.”
When you decide to step out for Jesus, just keep your eyes focus on him, you too can take a walk on the wild side, just hold the hand of the one that can do everything and anything for you.
JUST COME, come a hold the hand of Jesus, he will not let you sink.
