Following Jesus Into the Storm
Oct. 30, 2005 Matthew 14:22-33
These are my actual notes and sermon handouts and they probably mean more to me than they do to you. If you don’t understand something in my notes – feel free to e-mail me for clarification (stevenmary7@hotmail.com). Here’s some deciphering hints: I use hyphens (-) to separate key elements in a thought progression. I use quotation marks when I’m illustrating what some one in the congregation might be thinking or asking at that particular point in the message or to illustrate different character voices in an illustration. Bullets are springboards for thought progressions associated with main points in a thought.
INTRO: One of the most difficult things to teach - is the fact that following Jesus lands us right in the middle of a storm – when we are being obedient – in full view of the Lord Jesus Christ – we encounter a storm.
That’s the subject I’m going to be dealing with this morning – following Jesus is the hardest thing you’ll ever do – and it isn’t made easier by the fact that He allows us to get into circumstances that make us question His love and question His intentions for us.
But Jesus’ intentions for you are above reproach – never does He allow a storm in your life that he doesn’t have an eternal purpose in mind. - wants you to get out of the boat and walk by faith…
Setting the scene. It had been a hard day, it began with the news of the beheading of John the Baptist. Jesus suggested to the disciples that they go over to a deserted place across the sea. When they arrived they found a crowd waiting for them. Jesus ministered unto them healing their sick. Late in the afternoon the disciples asked Jesus to send them away. Jesus said we need to feed them first. It was then that He took the five loaves and the two fish and with them fed the 5,000 men with the women and children. Jesus now commanded the disciples to get into the ship and go over to the other side.
Couple of things to keep in mind about storms first…
1. The Follower of Jesus will Encounter Resistance.
MATT. 14:22Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.
• Doing what Jesus commanded – Resistance
• Jesus not with them – time in all our lives – need to be faithful to the last thing Jesus said even when not with us.
• He is with us!
A long way from land – other gospels = 3-3½ miles out
Beaten by waves – buffeted – tossed – means afflicted/harassed.
ILLUS: Don’t know if you’ve ever tried to row against a wind – it tries to turn the boat – struggle to keep bow into the wind – if go sideways – driven by the wind – danger of capsizing – could be disciples not making any headway – just trying to keep bow into the wind.
Do not think it strange when you encounter resistance obeying Jesus.
• Satan wants you to think that – when you encounter resistance you must be out of His will.
• More than likely – the exact opposite is true!
• Expect resistance - Sometimes, even in obedience – no head way – keep straining – keep bow into the wind – help will come…
2. Jesus will come to you in the Storm
25And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
• Not immediately – don’t become impatient when doesn’t rescue NOW!
• Fourth watch – broken up into watches – Romans 4 – Jews 3 – 3-6am.
• Long struggle – no help from Jesus
• Chap. 8 – they learned He could still the storm – but now no Jesus.
• All could do is remain faithful to last word they heard
• Probably grumbling – “Lord if you were here… - Lazarus wouldn’t died”
Where is God when you really need Him? – he’ll come to you in the storm!
• Needed to learn that Jesus knew and was concerned even though alone.
• “…He came to them,…” – could have met them on the other side – didn’t
• “…walking on the sea.” – supernatural appearance – coming.
26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."
• Appearance unexpected – startling
• Mistaken identity – not doom / HOPE! Not fear / encouragement!
Jesus will come to you in the storm – may not be right away – might have to strain at the oars for a long time – but He will come – wants us to know He is thinking about us – has been praying for us – faith/trust increased!
Now that Jesus is here what do you do? – “could you calm the waves?”
• Jesus wants your faith to increase – already know He can – but what about walking by faith…?
3. Get out of the Boat
28And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
Some may say, "There goes Peter on his way to another failure."
1. You show me a man who has never failed, and I will show you a
man who has never done anything.
2. Some have accused Peter of presumption, but Jesus said,
"Come" and He never encouraged presumption.
3. When Jesus said "Come" He knew that Peter would soon be
floundering in water, yet He said "Come."
a. It was a call to the discovery of weakness in which Peter was
unaware, in order that he might discover the power of Christ.
I love those that are willing to take a venture in faith.
1. Abraham took a venture in faith leaving his family and beginning
his journey not really knowing his destination.
2. David took a venture in faith as he walked up from the brook to
face the giant.
3. Jonathan took a venture in faith as he and his armor bearer faced
the camp of the Philistines alone.
29 So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
1. Not foolhardy impulse
2. Did not step out and immediately go down
3. He was doing it, he was walking on the water, he was going for it.
4. I admire Peter for trying - at least he had some success even if it
was short lived. That’s more than you can say for the rest of
the disciples who remained in the ship.
Peter’s first steps on water were no more feeble than our first steps on land.
• The walk of faith for some is no more steady than a two year old
I think the Lord would encourage us all at times to get out of the boat and walk by faith. Even if you fall. - An impossible walk without the power of Christ. There will be times when we are overwhelmed – when that happens…
4. Cry out to the Lord
30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Often times defeat comes right after our greatest victories.
1. Just after Elijah had the contest with the prophets of Baal, God
had answered by fire, the people acknowledged that Jehovah was
God. And seizing the moment, Elijah killed all the prophets of Baal.
a. When the wicked queen Jezebel heard what Elijah had done,
she took an oath to kill him, and Elijah ran for fear of his life,
and sought to hide from Jezebel.
b. He was so despondent that he asked God to let him die.
2. Right after Samson had killed the thousand Philistines with the jaw
bone of the donkey, he thought he was going to die of thirst.
3. I think that Satan is waiting at the bottom of the hill after every
mountain top experience that we might have.
At least he knew who to call on when he was going down. "Lord save me."
1. We all have those crisis times in our lives, where we are forced to
reach out beyond ourselves.
2. Where do you reach when you have reached your limits?
a. Some reach for a bottle.
b. Others reach for a gun.
c. The pressure and strain of life is too great, I cannot cope
anymore.
3. When you feel yourself going down, as Peter, you need to cry
"Lord, save me."
31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him
1. I love it.
2. It’s a moment of crisis, Jesus may chide him later, but He saves
him first.
3. Jesus did not rebuke Peter until He had rescued him.
Feel like you are going down?
• Call out to Jesus and you will find Him reaching out to you.
• Look how close the help was. Just as close as his lips, "Lord save me."
In Romans 10 we read, "Do not say in your heart, `Who will ascend into heaven?’ " (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 "or `Who will descend into the deep?’ " (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
1. Help and deliverance is very close to you, even as close as your
mouth. All you have to do is call unto Him and He will save you.
2. Jesus spoke of the sinner who standing in the temple would not so
much even as lift his head toward heaven because of his heavy sense
of guilt, he just smote on his chest and said, "God be merciful to me
a sinner." And he went away justified.
Why? – because he cried out to the Lord
5. Learn from your mistakes.
And Jesus said to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Peter was off to a good start. He was walking on the water to Jesus.
1. He took a daring step of faith, and the Lord honored it.
2. But suddenly he began to sink, what happened?
30But when he saw the wind
"But when he saw the wind – (KJV)boisterous."
1. He got his eyes off of Jesus and on to the boisterous wind.
a. Perhaps a large wave was approaching with a white cap.
b. Perhaps the wind caught him and almost blew him over.
2. This was the assault of sense.
3. The sensual and spiritual always close always antagonistic.
a. One must reign and whichever reigns masters the other.
4. While Peter walking on water his soul is suddenly assaulted by
his senses. -Don’t trust them!!!!!
5. What a lesson that is for us.
a. Looking at Jesus he was walking on the water.
b. Looking at the difficulty, the problem he began to sink.
c. I have discovered that the more I look at my problem the
bigger it seems to grow until it seems to be
insurmountable.
…he was afraid,…
Looking at the boisterous wind he was afraid.
1. Faith and fear also close and also antagonistic.
a. Where faith reigns fear has no place.
2. Faith and fear are mutually exclusive.
3. Faith cancels fear, fear cancels faith.
4. As I keep my eyes on Jesus my faith grows.
5. As I look at my great problems, my fear grows.
6. What should that teach me? KEEP MY EYES ON JESUS!
…and beginning to sink…
1. Immediate physical expression of the spiritual experience of the
lack faith.
2. A sad experience but not the final one.
a. I believe that the question was designed for instruction.
b. Analyze this Peter, why did you doubt?
3. He doubted because he saw the boisterous wind.
4. Magnified in his eyes – fear replaced faith
Looking to Jesus he walked on water. He did the impossible.
1. Looking at the crashing seas, he sank.
2. What does that teach you? KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS!
6. Apply what you learned to your everyday life.
32And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Peter now once again walked upon the water this time sustained by Christ.
Where did Jesus take Peter? Back to the boat the common place the ordinary.
1. The high places of faith, have their value, but they are given
mainly to help us in the common place.
My spiritual mountain tops are of little value unless they can be translated into my everyday life.
Following Jesus Into the Storm
October 30, 2005 Matthew 14:22-33
1. The Follower of Jesus will Encounter _______________.
Matt. 14:22-24
2. Jesus will come to you in the _____________.
Matt. 14:25-27
3. Get out of the _________________.
Matt. 14:28-29
4. Cry out to the _____________.
Matt. 14:30-31
5. Learn from your _________________.
Matt. 14:30-31 again.
6. Apply what you learned to your everyday ____________.
Matt. 14:32-33
