Stepping Out Of The Boat Series

Introduction: Naming the Storms

Good morning, church.

Let me start with a question: What’s the scariest ride you’ve ever been on? Maybe a roller coaster that jerked you around so fast you wondered if you’d make it out alive. Or maybe, for some of you, it’s not the roller coaster but just getting on a Ferris wheel that feels like a test of faith.

For me it was probably the Ferris wheel at the fair in Fairbanks. Last time I was on it was with Josiah who really wanted to go on it with Daddy a few years back and I remember stopping at the top of this thing. And feeling the wind blow and just feeling like I wasn't quite safe on this fair ride that gets put up and taken down and that any moment this thing was just going to topple down sideways.

Now here’s the thing—there’s a big difference between a fear that thrills us and a fear that paralyzes us. A roller coaster ends in laughter, but the fear of losing a job, the fear of rejection, the fear of what the doctor might say—those fears keep us up at night.

And if we’re honest, sometimes fear is what keeps us from moving forward in faith. That’s exactly where we find the disciples in Matthew 14.

"We’ve named the kinds of fears that stop us in our tracks. Now let’s see where the disciples were when fear came knocking for them."

The Setup: After a Long Day (Read Matthew 14:22–24)

Jesus had just heard devastating news: John the Baptist—His Cousin, His friend, His forerunner—had been killed. He tried to slip away to grieve, but the crowds followed Him. Out of compassion, He fed thousands with a boy’s lunch.

You’d think the disciples would be riding high after witnessing that miracle.

But then Jesus sends them away on a boat, out to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. While he sent the crowds away.

They obeyed Him—did exactly what He said—and the next thing they knew, they were rowing against the wind, waves beating against the boat.

Here’s a truth we often forget: Obedience doesn’t guarantee calm seas. Sometimes following Jesus actually puts us right into the middle of a storm.

"So there they are, doing exactly what Jesus asked—and instead of calm seas, they’re straining against the storm. And it’s in that moment of exhaustion that Jesus shows up." Read vv. 25-27

1) Fear Is Real, but Jesus Is Near (vv. 25–27)

It’s about 3 in the morning, the darkest part of night. The disciples are exhausted, soaked, and scared. Suddenly, they see a figure walking toward them on the water. Their minds jump straight to the worst-case scenario: It’s a ghost!

Isn’t that just like us? When we’re already afraid, our imagination magnifies the problem. Anxiety tells us stories that aren’t true.

But Jesus answers with words we need to hear: “Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Illustration (current): This summer, I read about a Southwest Airlines flight that had turbulence so bad passengers thought the plane might go down. People started crying, praying, texting goodbyes. Later, one passenger said, “What calmed me down wasn’t the turbulence stopping—it was hearing the pilot’s steady voice come over the intercom, saying, ‘We’ve got this under control.’”

That’s what Jesus does here. The waves don’t stop yet, but His presence makes all the difference.

"Now watch what happens next. Jesus doesn’t just show up—He calls. And Peter, as usual, is the first one to open his mouth and move his feet." Read vv. 28-29

2) Faith Steps Out (vv. 28–29)

Peter, being Peter, says, “Lord, if it’s really You, tell me to come to You on the water.” And Jesus says one command: “Come.”

Think about that moment. Eleven disciples cling to the safety of the boat, but Peter steps out into the impossible.

Here’s the lesson: Faith isn’t staying where it feels safe—it’s moving when Jesus calls.

Illustration (modern): Some of you have heard about Simone Biles, the gymnast who made a comeback after stepping away in the last Olympics because of fear and mental health struggles. When she came back, she said, “I didn’t know if I could do it—but I had to take the step.”

Faith is like that. It’s not the absence of fear—it’s choosing to move toward Jesus in spite of fear.

Peter does what no one else dares to do—he steps out of the boat. But here’s the problem: he doesn’t sink because he stepped out… he sinks because of what he started focusing on." Read vv. 30-31

3) Eyes on Jesus, Not the Waves (vv. 30–31)

Peter actually does it. He walks on the water! But then his eyes shift. He notices the wind. He feels the spray. His faith turns into fear—and he begins to sink.