The Storm is Almost Over
Matthew 14:22-31
It seems that this is a time for storms.
Whether it be:
Family
Finances
Sickness
Depression
Temptations… You are just battling away and looking for not only for a way out but some are just looking for answers.
For some of us, we have been in the storm way too long. And it’s our fault because while the storm passed on by, we chose to remain in the devastation. We chose to live in the mess that these storms created.
Read Matthew 14:22-31
I just want to point out a few things that God showed me while studying this passage of scripture. Let’s just go verse by verse.
First you have to understand, storms are a way of life. There will never be a year that will go by that we will not see threatening weather in our area. It’s just a part of life for where we live in Alabama.
And the same goes for our Christian life. Storms are going to take place. But it’s how we react when they come upon us that’s the question.
The disciples have just finished helping serve 5000 men in addition to the women and children. They did this from a boy’s lunch of two fish and five loaves of bread.
They have just watched Jesus perform a great miracle. Not to mention the leftovers!
Jesus makes his disciples get into the boat and go to the other side. A storm starts brewing.
The wind becomes contrary
Jesus is up in the mountain praying
The disciples were starting to get concerned
v. 22-24
The storm came while they were in God’s Will
Many people think that they are in a storm because of a sin they have committed when in fact, these guys were doing exactly what Jesus commanded them to do.
Stop worrying about how you got in the storm and start working on getting out.
· What did I do to deserve this?
· I must have sinned bad to have this trial
(Ex. Person drowning – working on getting out instead of how they got in)
You have got to realize that these storms are going to come. This will not be your last one.
v. 26 - They didn’t recognize Jesus when He came to them.
It is not like they haven’t seen Him in a while. They had just spent time with him and a full day has not passed. He comes walking toward them and they are frightened.
But isn’t that just like us. We don’t see Jesus in our storms? Why?
We are so caught into what we are going through that we don’t recognize when God shows up.
The disciples couldn’t see Jesus due to the fact that their attention was on the storm that was around them.
I know the storms get rough…
I know the storms batter our ships (our lives)
I know it’s not the best place to be in…
But I had much rather be in a storm while sitting in the center of God’s will than to be out of God’s will wandering where He is.
· I have financial difficulty – Where is Jesus in all of this
· I am sick – Where is Jesus in all of this?
· People have given up on me – Where is Jesus?
Get your eyes off the storms and start looking for Jesus.
v. 26 – The bible says the disciples cried out in fear. Not because of the storm but because they thought the saw a ghost.
In their defense, they were witnessing Christ walking on the water. They were fearful for the storm and wanted some help but were scared at the help they were getting.
You know:
God may not always show up in an angel outfit
There maybe times where His way of getting you to your next level comes in form of something that scares you.
Anytime God moves us up, He is moving you out of your comfort zone of service. Why does He do that?
We get so comfortable in our situations and circumstances that we start living as though we don’t need Him. So just about the time you get settled, God will send a storm in your life that causes you to turn back to Him.
v.27 - But He does offer this encouragement:
“It is I, be not afraid”
Jesus comes toward the ship walking on water and says the same words that He wants you to hear:
“It is I, be not afraid”
v. 28 – Peter speaks up.
Jesus if that is you, bid me to come to you on the water.
While everyone else sat around wandering, Peter was tired of waiting. He wanted to know if there was any need for him to be scared any longer.
v. 29 – What a statement. It’s only one word but what a statement Christ makes here.
I found it interesting in other parts of the Bible, when Christ spoke to one individual He would call out their name.
· “Lazarus, come forth” – John 11
· “Zaccheus, come down”- Luke 19
“Come” the same word used in:
Matthew 11:28
“Come to Me all who are weary and I will give you rest…”
This was an open invitation to anyone who was on the boat. Peter asked for the invitation but Christ gave it to all. But notice only one person responded.
First of all you have to see that the boat was where the fear was settled. The disciples were in a storm while they were in the boat. Christ was giving them an opportunity to get out of the storm.
He said, “Come” – The same invitation that He is giving to you.
Just like He was telling the disciples:
Come or Stay
Get out of the storm – or remain in the storm
He left the choice to the disciples and only one responded.
And I am sure it wasn’t easy for Peter to get out of the boat. He had to get passed:
1. His fear –
He was about to do something that he has never done before. He was being called out of his comfort zone.
2. His friends –
Can’t you just hear the other 11 disciples?
“Peter, what do you think you are doing?”
“Peter, get back here, are you crazy”
“Peter, we have never done that before”
“Peter, are you sure about what you’re doing”
It wasn’t just making the decision to go, Peter had to make the decision to not listen to his fear or his friends and decide that he was ready to get out of his comfort zone, which would also take him out of this storm.
For you to come out of the place where you are:
· You too will have to get passed your fear
· You will have to close your ears
· You will have to quit looking at the possibilities of failure and look to the positive
· Stop looking at the storm and start looking for Jesus
If you are not ready to get out of the boat, don’t you get mad and start talking about others who are trying to better themselves.
Remember, the invitation was open to all 11 just like it is open to you.
You can either get out of the storm by getting out of boat or you can stay in the situation you are in now.
· I know it is something new to get out of the boat
· I know it is not common to walk on water
· I know you are new at this and you are confused
But you have been in this storm way to long…
It’s time for you to start making a move.
Listen to the promise in Isaiah 43:1,2
“But now says the Lord, your Creator O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel. Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you, when you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched Nor will the flame burn you.”
Notice the action in that text: “Through”
These storms were not created for you to just sit down and feel sorry for yourself.
If you are ever going to make it, you have got to go “through” your situation.
DON’T STOP!!!
Get out of the boat and start walking toward Jesus.
It’s an open invitation.
v. 32 – When THEY got into the boat.
Peter lost his faith and began to sink, but Jesus still had compassion enough to bring him back into the boat. So what is different this time? Jesus is in the boat as well.
When I could not get all the way to Him – HE came to me. Picked me up out of the waves that could possibly drown me and put me back to familiar territory (in the boat)
Oh by the way, the storms ceased as well.
v. 34 – this may not mean much to you
But notice after the storm was over, they made it to their destination.
Plenty of opportunities to get turned around
Plenty of opportunities to get lost or confused
Plenty of opportunities to give up…
But they ended up where they set out to go.
Isaiah 25:4
“God is our refuge from the storm…”
The storms we go through will cause us to make some decisions about ourselves. Some will be tough.
But sometimes, God is just waiting to see if we are willing to get out of the boat.
