Opening video: Chosen – Peter walks on the water! Chosen 6 minutes
Water Walking 201 – Preaching Outline – Power point!
I. Introduction: Faith Beyond the Comfort Zone
• Peter walking on water is not “Faith 101” but a deeper lesson in real life faith
• Faith always begins with Jesus’ invitation then our response to his invitation!
• Key question: What if Jesus is calling you to step out of the boat?
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II. The Biblical Foundation
• Primary Text: Matthew 14:22–33
• Parallel accounts: Mark 6:45–51; John 6:15–21
• Thesis: If you want to walk on the water with Jesus, you must get out of the boat
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III. Stepping Out Requires Trust
• Peter walked because he trusted Jesus’ word: “Come”
• Faith means leaving the safe zone (boat / pew / comfort)
• Trusting God is different from trusting people—God never breaks His word - never
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IV. Faith vs. Fear
• Peter sank when he focused on the storm instead of Jesus
• Fear is the opposite of faith and seeks to paralyze obedience
• Storms are inevitable, but Jesus is always present in the storm!
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V. Faith Is Action, Not Just Belief
• Faith is acting on what God has said – it believes and does!
• Biblical faith is not:
• Foolishness (a reckless, unwise action – not prayed through)
• Presumption (is assuming God is in this without His direction or guidance)
• True faith always aligns with God’s Word and God’s will – Are you in the will of God?
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VI. Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus – is crucial in water walking!
• Focus determines outcome: look at Jesus or sink in fear
• Failure happens when focus shifts to circumstances and the storms
• Even when we fail, Jesus reaches out and restores us-rescues us in the storm
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VII. God’s Invitation Requires Adjustment
• God is always at work and invites us to join Him in His adventure
• Obedience often requires major life adjustments
• You cannot stay where you are and go with God at the same time
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VIII. Personal Application: What Is Your “Water”?
• A new calling, ministry, a relationship, a decision, or step of obedience
• The question is not Can God be trusted?
• The real question: Do you trust Him enough to step out?
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IX. Conclusion: When Jesus Says “Come”
• Walking on water requires faith over fear
• Focus on Jesus, not the storm
• Step out when He calls—He will sustain, rescue, and grow you through the water walk
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Sermon: Water Walking 201
I do not think Peter’s walking on water in our text is a 101-freshman class – to me that would be walking on frozen water called ice – no I think this class is at least a sophomore level class today! Why because Peter did walk on the water – yes he sank but he walked for a while on the water – he stepped out in faith at Jesus invitation and he defied the laws of nature in the middle of a stormy sea!
Scripture Texts:
Matthew 14:22-33 --- New International Version
Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Also see --- Mark 6:45–51; John 6:15–21!
Thesis: If you want to walk on the water with Jesus – it just makes sense you have to get out of the boat or the pew! You have to leave the safe zone – the Lazy Boy zone!
What if Jesus is inviting you to join him on the water!
Reflect on this thought: What would you do – what would you say – how would you react – in faith or fear – in silence – pretending you did not hear Him? Would you step out of the boat? Would faith or fear dictate if you would accept Jesus’ invitation to walk on water. No really what would you actually do?
Reference John Ortberg’s book – If you want to walk on water you have to get out of the boat!
Premise of the book:
He challenges us to ponder this thought: “You're one step away from the adventure of your life.” John Ortberg invites you to consider the incredible potential that awaits you outside your comfort zone.
He adds this thought: “Deep within you lies the same faith and longing that sent Peter walking across the wind-swept Sea of Galilee toward Jesus. In what ways is the Lord telling you, as he did Peter, "Come"? Out on the risky waters of faith, Jesus is waiting to meet you in ways that will change you forever, deepening your character and your trust in God. The experience is terrifying. It's thrilling beyond belief. It's everything you'd expect of someone worthy to be called Lord. The choice is yours to know him as only a water-walker can, aligning yourself with God's purpose for your life in the process. There's just one requirement: If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat.”
In this Christianity Today Award-winning read, bestselling author John Ortberg pushes you to take the last step that separates you from the adventure of your life. And, as a result, you will learn to:
• Recognize God's presence
• Discern between faith and foolishness
• Not only expect problems, but field them when they come
• Reorient your thoughts about failure and see it as an opportunity to grow
• Wait on the Lord
• And, ultimately, connect more deeply with God
So, what is holding you back from a God adventure – a water walking moment?
Introduction:
What is God calling you to step on to? What is your water?
• New Job
• Ministry opportunity
• School choice
• Giving to missions or church project
• A Mission’s trip
• An element of trust with the Lord for someone or something
• Doing worship and using your gift and talents
• Playing an instrument
• Moving to a new area as led by God
• Writing a new book or message
• Changing careers
• Having that necessary conversation with someone
• A relational choice or decision within God’s will
What does water walking look like?
I want you to know I have walked on the water “No kidding I have!” – I have even drove my truck on water – of course it was in Mn when the temperature was 20 below zero in the dead of winter and the water was frozen – trust me that does not require a lot of faith – well I guess it could if the temperature is around thawing – but then you are not considered full of faith and wisdom if you drive on melting ice and fall through with your new truck -- like I saw happen on White Bear Lake. Yes, this young guy had his brand-new truck and drove it on the ice and went through the ice – and he jumped out as his truck sank to the bottom of the lake. Now that was not faith but that was considered foolishness.
But I have noticed something --- The older I have gotten – the less I desire to take risks – for those of us who are older you know what I mean – Yet it seems like the Lord is calling me to step out onto the water again – you see when I was younger I took steps of faith when I really felt urged on by the Lord! Yes, I was a risk taker – I had faith to trust God without seeing the end result! Sometimes I just took the step!
Story: My resignation here as Associate Pastor was one of those water walking moments in my life! Would you like to hear the story? How many know this story? Do you want me to tell the story!
The lesson from Peter walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33) centers on faith, fear, doubt, and focus! These are important teaching points from the story of Peter. The truth is we can do the impossible through and with Jesus! We need to know this! But we also can sink when we take our eyes off Jesus and focus on fear or on life's storms. The truth is storms blow in and out of our lives! They just do! But we need to understand and trust that Jesus always rescues us when we cry out to Him for help, offering second chances to walk by faith again. Even more than a few chances Jesus comes through!
Other Scriptures to ponder on Faith: Key "Walk by Faith" Verses
• 2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV): "For we walk by faith, not by sight".
• Hebrews 11:1 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen".
• Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths".
• Hebrews 11:6 (ESV): "And without faith it is impossible to please him...".
• Habakkuk 2:4 (ESV): "...but the righteous shall live by his faith".
• Romans 1:17 (ESV): "...The righteous shall live by faith".
I. Water walking requires you to trust Jesus to step out of the boat!
a. The Bible has a lot to say about how we need to trust God: I have learned in my life to trust God 100% - The question is do you?
i. Proverbs 3:5-6:
1. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
2. Do you believe what it says in this verse?
ii. Jeremiah 17:7-8:
1. 7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. 8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
2. I have discovered that I can trust Jesus at His Word – always – He does not lie – He does not break His Word – like people do.
iii. Yes, our very nature does not trust others easy – why because of broken promises, and commitments, lies and deception - on one hand I trust the Lord and on my other hand is people – I have a hard time trusting some people!
1. You may be thinking Pastor Mike – you can trust me – okay prove it –You see I have discovered there are not many trustworthy people today – I know you will argue with me on this point – But yes I agree people have good intentions – they mean well – I don’t doubt that - but the system of honor that I grew up with and I knew – seems to be missing in our society today – I believe there once was values of honor-integrity- that people would keep their commitments and their word -but that seems to be lacking in our society today! People are in my view more selfish – more self-centered. We once took responsibility for our actions, but I see less and less of this today! I see this in parents with their children who never do wrong – I see it in ministry leaders only out to serve their own ministries and agenda. I see a lack of commitment to serving within the church and keeping their words. Usually, they make it a spiritual thing when it’s a commitment issue.
2. I have helped others – some of the people I have invested the most hours in have stabbed me in the back – rejected me – lied about me to justify their betrayal. I have spent countless hours helping people who abandoned me -- but I still choose to try and help people. Sadly, these very same people do not talk to me for clarity – they just never talk to me again – they believe the lie they heard – the twisted truth – the gossip and move on.
a. Share the story of wanting a bribe to be quiet!
i. I had one employee upon their departure which I encouraged who ask me for around $20,000 dollars to keep quiet and not lie about the ministry – I am not making this up people – of course I denied it and they gossiped and lied about me for years!
ii. I know the danger of trust and the pain of broken trust!
iii. But so does the Lord – let me just say “Judas!”
b. I have learned more people are more willing to believe lies than seek out the truth today!
i. This bothers me – it makes it hard to trust others! But I still invest in others because it’s the right thing to do!
3. Most people have their own agenda – they just do – if I don’t cater to their agenda – then I am the bad guy – not hearing from God – or not in tune to their god – they break off the relationship with me and go somewhere else – to find someone who will cater to their every need and want.
a. Story of one of my leaders in the Halfway home I ran.
4. I am not seeking to be cynical just sharing my heart with you today about trust and the why it’s hard to trust others – We seem to lack the qualities that build Trust in our society – the news is even untrustworthy – people’s words are untrustworthy!
a. Reference the book on Trust!
b. I say this a lot – you ready for wisdom from the Word of God - are you taking notes if so, write this down – “Trust comes from predictability!”
i. I don’t trust people who don’t keep their word! But I do trust them that do keep their Word.
1. Because breaking your word tells me I cannot trust you – your word is not reliable or even true! Well, you ready for a reality check – You are a liar!
a. It’s hard to trust liars – actually it’s unwise to trust liars.
2. And that is one of the Ten Commandments by the way!
ii. I don’t trust people who are always late to meetings or to work – just so you know – to me it tells me you don’t value my time – the time of your employer and you think you deserve special treatment – You also do not value the time of others! And I have learned that Time is my most valuable asset in this life!
c. But here is what I do Trust – God and His Word – I trust God – Jesus and the Holy Spirit! Let me say it again “I trust in the Lord!” “Not people – The Lord!”
1. Why? – He has never lied to me – he has never left me because of a lie – or abandoned me to false accusations from others – He has been with me right beside me even through the unexpected journey of cancer – helping me – encouraging me in the ministry when I wanted to quit – He has guided me in dark times and stormy times – He as corrected me and loved me – even when I did not love myself.
ii. Trusting God – is critical in the broken world we live in – This trust is all centered in on Faith in Him! The --- I believe in Jesus!
1. The question is, today, do you trust Him!
a. Blackaby explains it this way: “His invitation reveals what you truly believe about God, regardless of what you say. This major turning point is where many people miss out on experiencing God's mighty power working through them. If they cannot understand exactly how everything is going to happen, they won't proceed. They want to walk with God by sight, not faith. To follow God, you'll have to walk by faith because without faith, it is impossible to please Him (see Heb. 11:6).”
b. Are you water walking or just following the beaten down path that others are following?
2. He adds this revelation of faith, “Faith is more than just belief. Biblical faith always requires action (see James 2:14). God does not want you merely to believe what He says. He wants you to obey what He commands (see Luke 6:4). All of God's promises and invitations will be meaningless to you unless you believe Him and obey Him.”
a. Blackaby, Richard. Experiencing God (pp. 46-47). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
b. Yes, believe and obey God – trust Him by stepping out in faith – take the step!
iii. Illustration: John Ortberg’s pilot of the Hot Air Ballon!
1. Do you trust the pilot! I trust Jesus as my pilot!
2. Illustration changing of pilots in Africa – caused me great concern and the others sitting around us.
a. Faith – there is that 5 letter word again – Faith! It says I trust the pilot of my life and it’s not me!
iv. Yes, faith is risky – even scary – Blackaby says that why it’s called faith – Experiencing God requires me to trust Him! It requires RISK!
1. In his SEVEN REALITIES – he pushes us to trust God more – go to the next level – if we want to be in God’s Will for our lives we have to live by faith: He tells us this is how God’s will works!
• 1. God is always at work around you.
• 2. God pursues a continuing love relationship with you that is real and personal.
• 3. God invites you to become involved with Him in His work.
• 4. God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.
• 5. God's invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action.
• 6. You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing.
• 7. You come to know God by experience as you obey Him, and He accomplishes His work through you.
i. Blackaby, Richard. Experiencing God (p. 51). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
2. Let’s look closer at REALITY 6: YOU MUST MAKE MAJOR ADJUSTMENTS IN YOUR LIFE TO JOIN GOD IN WHAT HE IS DOING.
a. This means you have to get out of the boat – your comfort zone – what is God asking you to do --- Also you know if God is involved in the calling or desire you have to do – you know if he is not involved in it you will fail – but you have to step out in faith --– step into the Red Sea – step into the Jordan!
i. Step out into one of the greatest adventures of your life!
b. This is a second point at which many miss out on experiencing God. To get from where you are to where God is requires significant adjustments in your life. These adjustments may relate to your thinking, circumstances, relationships, commitments, actions, and beliefs. I have been asked if every adjustment God asks us to make is significant. My response is always: To move from your way of thinking or acting to God's way of thinking or acting will require fundamental adjustments. You can't stay where you are and go with God at the same time.
i. Blackaby, Richard. Experiencing God (p. 48). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
d. Water walking requires you to let faith overpower the fear!
i. Fear will be there trust me – I know!
1. Illustration: The story from Outreach Church and the bats from the balcony!
ii. The sermon “Fear Not” by Pastor Rufus – the relentless bat and the many attacks – the image it represents! How people and even the preachers reacted to the bat. Mike kill the bat! Praying for the woman and the bat - Bob kill the bat! The discovery of the tennis racket! The disappearing bat – it so much represents spiritually how fear comes after us!
1. Fear it’s always after us – it wants to cripple us and control us – stop us in our tracks – we come against it and it fights back trying to maintain control and paralysis of a person’s life! Fear – everyone battles with it – fears can be huge or tiny – they come with the journey of life.
2. Opening Quote: “Everyone experiences fear in their life. There are big fears we are very aware of and little ones we may not even realize we have. I've learned that it's very important to understand what fear is and how it works against us because if we don't, it can keep us from becoming what God created us to be, which means we won't fulfill our purpose in life…Fear is a tool the devil uses against us to make us miserable and destroy our lives. It begins as a thought and then creates emotions that can rule us…Simply put, fear is the opposite of faith. God wants us to walk by faith, and Satan wants us to walk by fear. When we learn to live by faith and not let fear rule our life, we can live a fulfilling, satisfying, peaceful and joyful life in Christ…Like I said before, fear begins with a thought. Proverbs 23:7 tells us that "as [a man] thinks in his heart, so is he" (NKJV). I like to say it like this: Where the mind goes, the man follows.” Quote from https://joycemeyer.org/everydayanswers/ea-teachings/the-key-to-overcoming-every-fear-you-face
3. In 1 John 4 - John gives us three actions that are to be a part of the children of God’s daily lives so they fulfill the will of God for their lives. 1st we are to Test the spirit’s, 2nd Know Love and show love, and 3rd Fear not or be not afraid.
iii. Thought for today: For us to overcome fear and fear not – will require us to do steps one and two of John’s directions in this chapter. You cannot defeat fear without a connection to God in love and you cannot connect with God if you are deceived by evil or humanistic spirits. Deceiving spirits are in this world to lead you away from God – away from Love – WHY? - so fear can overrun your life, unravel your life and cripple you.
II. Water walking 201 requires you to hear Jesus say, “Come on step out of the boat – it’s my will!”
a. Make sure before you step out of the boat that it’s God’s Will and not a foolish thought or presumption of yours. It’s needs to be a genuine faith step in line with God’s Word and invitation like Peter’s.
i. Peter knew he could not walk on water without Jesus permission and approval – He needed to hear him say “Come!” So do you by the way!
b. Many years ago, I read a book called “Faith-Foolishness-or Presumption.” By Fredrick Price. Please note I don’t agree with all his teaching in his book, but I did gleam some golden nuggets out of his book which I think are worth noting today! I do not suggest you buy the book and read it because you need wisdom to discern what it means to live by faith! Some of his assumptions in living by faith are ill advised in my viewpoint.
i. There is a Biblical balance of faith. He opens his book with this phrase:
1. “There are many people doing many things under the
guise of Faith, when in fact, it is not Faith at all: it is
Foolishness, and in most cases, it is Presumption. We want
to deal with this important matter, and bring it out as
clearly as we can, so that those who are desirous to walk
in line with the Word of God will actually be walking
consistently with the Word, and not in Foolishness, nor
Presumption. We will talk about Faith, Foolishness, or
Presumption? Which is it?”
2. He adds this thought about faith: HOW DOES FAITH COME TO YOU? Paul tells us in Romans 10:17, how faith comes. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Faith cometh by what? Hearing. Not by prayer, not by fasting, but faith comes by hearing. And the reason that more Christians don't have any more faith in manifestation in their lives, is because they spend all their lives going to churches where the Word of God is not preached in its fullness, under the unction and anointing of the Holy Spirit. (Price, Faith Foolishness or Presumption page 9-10).
3. Price defines the three Words to make his point:
a. The first word that we will define and qualify is the word faith. Faith, in its simplest definition, is "acting on what you believe." So, faith is acting on what you believe. We are talking about faith, primarily, as it relates to God, but the principle works the same way in the natural world…Faith is acting on what you believe. That is the first definition. Remember, what you believe must be based on what is written in the Word. You cannot just dream up some dumb thing like, "Well, I think I will believe that I'll fly like a bird." That won't work. That is Foolishness. When you get into faith, faith is acting on what you believe, but what you believe must be based on what is written in the Word (Price page 17-20).
b. Foolishness – word number 2: According to Webster's Unabridged Dictionary in common English usage, the word foolishness means "exhibiting folly, deficient in understanding, without judgment or discretion, silly, unwise, stupid, idiotic, senseless, ill-advised, brainless, witless, irrational."
i. Proverbs talk a lot of foolishness – paints a clear picture that a person who is foolish is not a person of faith or wisdom but a natural minded – deceived person who acts without God’s Wisdom!
ii. In the Book of Proverbs, foolishness is defined not merely as a lack of intelligence, but as a moral and spiritual deficiency characterized by rejecting wisdom, ignoring divine instruction, and trusting in one's own, limited understanding. A fool is portrayed as self-assured, quick-tempered, and prone to ruinous decisions that ignore consequences.
iii. Key Aspects of Foolishness in Proverbs:
1. Rejection of God and Wisdom: The foundational definition is a disregard for the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom. A fool despises wisdom, instruction, and correction.
2. Self-Deception and Pride: A fool is "right in his own eyes" (Proverbs 12:15) and trusts in his own heart rather than God.
3. Lack of Control: Fools are reckless, careless, and quickly angered. They cannot control their speech, often engaging in perverse or slanderous talk.
4. Incorrigibility: Proverbs 27:22 indicates that fools are resistant to change, even when disciplined, as their folly is entrenched.
5. Self-Destructive Behavior: Folly is described as a path leading to ruin and death, a "snare" or "destruction" (Proverbs 14:12).
iv. Common Characteristics of a Fool:
1. Despising wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7).
2. Trusting in one's own heart (Proverbs 28:26).
3. Quick to anger/quarrel (Proverbs 14:16, 20:3).
4. Mocking at sin (Proverbs 14:9).
5. Uttering all their mind/impulsive speech (Proverbs 29:11)
6. Causing grief to parents (Proverbs 17:25).
v. Ultimately, Proverbs contrasts this willful ignorance with the teachable, humble nature of the wise, urging readers to abandon the path of folly to gain life and understanding.
vi. What does the Bible say about foolishness? | GotQuestions.org --- Foolishness is the result of a person misusing the intelligence God has given him. A fool uses his reasoning skills to make mistakes ...
c. Presumption. According to Webster's Unabridged Dictionary in use in the English language, Presumption means "to take or supposed to be true, or entitled to belief without examination or proof, or on the strength of probability, to take for granted, to infer, to suppose, to assume. That is Presumption.
i. He adds this thought - Presumption. We have talked about eating and casting out the calories, and that is Foolishness, because you cannot keep eating and not get fat. You will get fatter
and fatter and fatter if you keep on eating fattening foods. You are going to have to discipline yourself and bring your body under. There is one aspect that we have not talked about. And that is the subject of fear. Fear is one of the greatest things that hinders many Christian's faith. Fear of the dog: fear of the dark: fear of the cat: fear of this and that. Fear keeps people in bondage. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Now that is the Word of God. You do not have the spirit of fear. You can permit or allow the spirit of fear to dominate you if you want to. But fear has no legal right to make you afraid. You can be afraid if you choose to be afraid, but you do not have to be afraid. When fear rears its ugly head, you have the right and authority in the name of Jesus to point the finger of God at fear and say, "In the name of Jesus, I refuse to be afraid!" (Price page 150).
c. Peter heard Jesus say “Come” and he went on to the water - not focusing on the storm around them but focusing on Jesus – this a key to walking by faith!
III. Water walking requires us to keep your eyes focused on Jesus! Not the storms or problems around us!
a. Can I give you a clue – you will sink sometimes – you will fail sometimes – especially when you take your eyes off Jesus and look to your own strength or what is happening around you!
i. Quotes:
1. Henry Blackaby said, "You never find God asking persons to dream up what they want to do for Him...Without doubt, the most important factor in each (Biblical) situation was not what the individual wanted to do for God. The most important factor was what God was about to do." (Experiencing God, page 66)
2. He adds, "God reveals His purposes (His tasks) so you will know what He plans to do... When God came to Noah He did not ask, 'What do you want to do for me?' He came to reveal what He was about to do. It was far more important to know what God was about to do. It really did not matter what Noah had planned to do for God. God was about to destroy the world. He wanted to work through Noah to accomplish His purposes of saving a remnant of people and animals to repopulate the earth." (page 99)
3. Henry Blackaby, the author of Experiencing God, tells this heart wrenching story about a situation he encountered early in his ministry. He writes, “The first funeral I ever conducted was for a beautiful three-year-old. She was the first child born to a couple in our church, and the first grandchild in their extended family. Unfortunately, she was spoiled. While visiting the little girl’s home one day, I observed that she loved to ignore her parents’ instructions. When they told her to come, she went. When they said, "sit down," she stood up. Her parents laughed, finding her behavior cute. One day their front gate was inadvertently left open. The parents saw their child escaping out of the yard and heading toward the road. To their horror, a car was racing down the street. As she ran out between two parked cars, they both screamed at her to stop and turn back. She paused for a second, looked back at her parents, then gleefully laughed as she turned and ran directly into the path of the oncoming car. The parents rushed their little girl to the hospital, but she died from her injuries. As a young pastor, this was a profound lesson for me. I realized I must teach God’s people not only to recognize His voice but also immediately to obey His voice when they hear it. It is life” (preachingtoday.com).
ii. Mark Batterson notes the following about the importance of focus from sermoncentral.com:
1. Bronze Medalists: This week I read about a fascinating research study done by Vicki Medvec, a professor at Northwestern University. She studied Olympic medalists and she discovered that bronze medalists were happier than silver medalists. Here’s why. Medvec found that silver medalists tended to focus on how close they came to winning gold, so they weren’t satisfied with silver. Bronze medalists tended to focus on how close they came to not winning a medal at all so they were just happy to be on the medal stand at all.
2. Marks notes, “I think that study reveals a fascinating facet of human nature: your focus determines your reality. How we feel isn’t determined by objective circumstances. If that was the case, Silver Medalists would be happier than Bronze medalists because they had an objectively better result. But how we feel isn’t determined by our objective circumstances. How we feel is determined by our subjective focus.
3. He adds, “Here’s another way of saying it: your internal attitudes are more important than your external circumstances. John Milton said it best: “The mind is its own place, and in itself, can make a Heaven out of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.” That’s so true isn’t it? All of us know people who can find something good to focus on even in the worst of circumstances. And all of us know someone who can find something bad to focus on even in the best of circumstances. There is a universal principle I need to share with you right out of the gate: we tend to see what we’re looking for. I think there are two basic types of people in the world: complainers and worshippers. Complainers can always find something to complain about. Worshippers can always find something to praise God about.
b. Sometimes you’ve got to see through Jesus eyes and look at the big picture. That’s what the following college student did in writing this letter: Example funny!
i. Dear Mom and Dad, I have so much to tell you. Because of the fire in my dorm set off by student riots, I experienced temporary lung damage and had to go to the hospital. While I was there, I fell in love with an orderly, and we moved in together. I dropped out of school when I found out I was pregnant, and he got fired because of his drinking, so we’re going to move to Alaska, where we might get married after the birth of our baby. Your loving daughter
1. PS: None of this really happened, but I did flunk my chemistry class, and I wanted to keep it in perspective.
c. Focusing on Jesus' message means centering life on His teachings, authority, and redemptive work rather than on personal, financial, or worldly struggles. It involves actively trusting in His sovereignty—as seen in calming the storm—and prioritizing spiritual growth, love, and unity over fear.
i. This perspective brings peace, as it anchors faith in Him, not circumstances.
ii. Key Aspects of Focusing on Jesus' Message:
1. Look to Jesus as the Ultimate Example: Shift focus from worldly role models and personal fear to Jesus as the perfecter of faith.
2. The Message is Peace and Power: Jesus provides peace that surpasses understanding, offering solutions for life's storms and calling for a life centered on the Gospel.
iii. Active Application:
1. Daily Devotion: Keep eyes on Jesus through prayer and scripture, using reminders (like sticky notes) to maintain focus.
2. Trust Over Doubt: Just as Peter walked on water by looking at Jesus, one must focus on Him to avoid sinking into fear and doubt.
3. Unity and Mission: Focus on what brings believers together—Jesus—rather than what divides them.
iv. Benefits of This Focus: Maintaining this focus provides spiritual stability, prevents being moved by changing circumstances, and ensures effectiveness in life's mission.
d. The ultimate goal of focusing on Jesus' message is to align one's life with the "author and perfecter of faith" (Hebrews 12:2), ensuring that one's direction in life leads to a secure, spiritually grounded destination.
Conclusion:
Water Walking 201 teaches that genuine faith requires action, using Peter walking on water (Matthew 14:22–33) to show that believers must step out of their comfort zones when Jesus invites them.
• Peter succeeded when he focused on Jesus and failed when fear and the storm distracted him, illustrating that faith sinks when fear takes over but is restored when we cry out to Christ.
• The sermon emphasizes trusting God above people, distinguishing true faith from foolishness or presumption, and obeying God’s Word even when it involves risk.
• Ultimately, walking with Jesus means trusting His character, keeping our eyes on Him rather than circumstances, and courageously responding when He says, “Come.”
