RULES FOR ATTEMPTING THE IMPOSSIBLE
Matt 14:25-32
“And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were frightened, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind stopped.” (NAS)
INTRODUCTION
The branch of the service called the "Seabees" had as their slogan during World War II, "If it’s difficult, it will take a day or two. If it’s impossible, it will take a little longer."
How long has it been since you attempted something that seems humanly impossible? Dr. Charles Channey spoke to St. Louis Baptist Association and gave four rules for attempting the impossible.
RULE ONE: Don’t get counsel from your detractors (vs. 25-27)
“And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were frightened, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."
To prove this idea as a Biblical concept we must realize that we don’t have all the words that were spoken in the conversation between the disciples and Simon or Simon and Jesus. In the gospel of John, it states that if all the words of Christ were written down, perhaps all the books of the first century would not contain them. (John 21:25).
Therefore, it seems a valid idea that people would offer their advice to Simon as he began to walk on the water.
Listen carefully and tell me if you can hear the cold water committee giving advice to Simon. Can’t you hear them saying, "No one has ever done that, Simon, Don’t be a show-off.
It’s more sensible to stay in the boat, Simon. who’s going to pay for your hospital care if you break a leg?" Or maybe, "There’s a ghost out there."
The principle of Rule One recognizes that if you’re going to try to do the impossible, there will be many who will tell you how you can’t do it. They know why you shouldn’t attempt the impossible and almost always they can give advice whether they know what they’re talking about or not. Don’t get counsel from your detractors. GET SPIRITUAL ADVICE FROM SPIRITUAL PEOPLE.
ILLUSTRATION
Einstein could not speak until he was four years old and did not read until he was seven.
Beethoven’s music teacher said about him, "As a composer, he is hopeless." When Thomas Edison was a young boy, his teachers said he was so stupid he could never learn anything.
Walt Disney was once fired by a newspaper editor because he was thought to have "no good ideas."
Caruso was told by one music teacher, "You can’t sing. You have no voice at all." (copied from Pulpit Helps)
These are but a few examples of individuals who achieved recognition and success in their lives despite the negativism and criticism of others. They refused to say, "I can’t."
Job also received an advice to curse his God because of difficult trials he experienced but he never entertained it.
APPLICATION
Whether in serving the Lord, a church project, a commitment to support the ministry, all Christians need to attempt to do what seems impossible.
RULE TWO: Don’t attempt the impossible in your strength (v.28-29a)
“And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And He said, "Come!"
Napoleon Hill said, "a burning desire is the starting point of all achievement." If you and I have a burning desire to do the impossible, we have begun to accomplish it. But since it’s spiritual we should not think we can do it in our strength or power. Simon Peter asked, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." Simon didn’t start walking on the water until Jesus commanded him to "come." Therefore, the impossible was attempted only after the Lord grave the command and the strength to do so.
This is the big difference in what the positive people of the church do and what the negative folks do. The positive folks say, "I can in Christ’s strength." The negative people just say, "we can’t" and both groups are right. Therefore Rule Three is "don’t attempt the impossible in your strength." NOTICE THIS: Simon didn’t just jump in the water; he waited for the Lord’s okay.
Could it be as Simon said, "I would rather be in the midst of a stormy sea walking with the Lord than in a boat without Him." And as he requested to hear from the Lord, it is interesting to note that the Lord’s voice could be heard above the storm. This truth lets us know no storm is too great if we can sense God’s presence and irregardless of the storm, if we listen, we can hear His voice.
ILLUSTRATION
The story of David against Goliath. I Samuel 17:31-58 You’re so small but my God is so big.
APPLICATION
Are you waiting to do some great work, waiting until it doesn’t take faith? Are you going to witness, teach, lead, or serve as soon as you can understand how you can do it in your strength? Rule Two says "don’t attempt the impossible in your strength."
RULE THREE: Don’t stay in the boat (v.29b)
“…And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”
In verse 29 the scripture says Simon got out of the boat. Perhaps this is the most strategic rule. If you don’t get out of the boar, you can never walk on water. Doing what seems to be impossible can never be a reality unless we begin to move on by faith.
Most of us haven’t gotten out of the boat to serve the Lord. We have difficulty in practicing our gifts. Why? Because we are already comfortable on staying inside our boats.
Simon Peter requested the Lord to command him to come unto Him. The Lord gave the command for Simon to get out of the boat. He said, "Come." Although no major purpose or theological benefit is derived by Simon walking on the water, the Lord says, "Get out of the boat." No doubt the Lord knows Simon will learn a lesson in faith by getting out of the boat. BECAUSE WITH GREAT FAITH NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!
ILLUSTRATION
One of my favorite hymns is titled, "The Savior is Waiting." I especially like the 2nd verse. "If you’ll take one step toward the Savior, my friend, You’ll find His arms open wide; Receive Him, and all of your darkness will end, within your heart He’ll abide."
APPLICATION
Simon got out of the boat and did it in the Lord’s power what was humanly impossible. The hymn says, "If you’ll take one step toward the Savior, you’ll find His arms open wide." You must take that step. You must get out of your boat in answer to His command.
RULE FOUR: Don’t focus on the circumstances (vs.30-32)
“But seeing the wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
When Simon Peter requested the privilege of walking on the water, he didn’t let his mind and attitude dwell on circumstances. Circumstances are never right; there is always some reason why one should not attempt it.
Consider for a moment the purpose of walking on the water. Is there really any need for Simon to make this walk? Does it really benefit anyone? I think the answer would be, "No, it doesn’t." But notice the Lord encourages him to do it anyway. In verse 29 Jesus told Simon to come to him. If Jesus will bid one to attempt the impossible when it doesn’t really seem to be significant, how much more would He encourage us to attempt the impossible when it is significant.
THE KEY POINT IS: In attempting the impossible, focus ONLY your gaze upon Jesus!
But later on Simon looked at the waves he started to fall. He keeps off his gazed upon Jesus.
You see, as long as Simon keeps his eyes on Jesus, he is all right, but when he pays more attention to the wind and waves than Jesus, he sinks. All of us can learn from Simon’s experience.
We might criticize Simon, but he walked on water further than anybody else in history except the Lord. But he first had to get out of the boat. Someone said "Those who afraid of failing will never become successful."
CONCLUSION
Attempt Great things for God and Expect Great from God!
