Walking By Faith

INTRODUCTION

The word walk in the bible often symbolizes the way we live, the way we act, and the way we conduct ourselves in a certain way. And it has reference to the fact that life is a journey, life is a pilgrimage and that the Christian is a person who is traveling to another country. And so to walk by faith is to live in the confident expectation of things that are to come. The people of this world are influenced by the things that are seen. They live for wealth, power, and possessions; for the things, which this world can give. But the Christian looks beyond this world with a conviction that believes there is a better place.

And so to walk by faith requires that we become familiar with the promises that God has given to us. The bible is filled with promises for believers. Nothing is more encouraging or nurturing to our faith than reading the promises of God. Faith comes by hearing and hearing comes by the word of God.

But now believe me when I tell you that many Christians have misunderstood what faith is. To them faith is some kind of power or force. They think if they have enough faith, God will do whatever they ask Him. So when a crisis comes up, they try to move God into action with their faith. When an emergency comes up, they try to use faith like a rope to slip around God’s neck to force their will on God. And when disaster comes, they try to use faith like a button they push to nudge God into action. And when God does not respond, they become disappointed with God. And they feel like God let them down. And so some Christians stop praying. Some stop reading the bible. And some even stop coming to church. But what these Christians do not realize is that you got to have a promise from God to hang your faith on. Faith is confidence that God will do whatever God has promised.

And so now as we take a look at our text, the bible says that the disciples are in a storm and in the 4th watch of the night Jesus came to them walking on the water. Jesus said unto them to be a good cheer, it is I; be not afraid. And Peter said to Jesus, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. Now Peter asking to walk on the water was a most unusual request. Some have even criticized Peter for trying to show-off in front of the other disciples. And some have criticized him for trying to show that he had more faith in Christ than the other disciples did. But in reality one of the main reasons why Peter wanted to walk on the water was because he wanted to be closer to Jesus. Peter wanted to be closer to Jesus on the water, than he was in the boat. Peter wanted to be close to Jesus and Jesus wanted to be close to Peter. *******And church I wonder this morning is there anybody here who really wants to get closer to Jesus. PEOPLE WHO WALK BY FAITH WANT TO BE AS CLOSE TO GOD AS THEY CAN. And if you really want to get closer to Jesus you got to walk by faith. Because faith pleases God and without faith it is impossible to please God. Walking by faith means to make some changes in your life. You cannot stay where you are and get closer to Jesus. Peter wanted to change from being in the boat to being close to Jesus. James said, “When you draw close to God, God will draw close to you.” And if you are like Peter and you believe that Jesus is who He says He is, then you ought to want to have a close fellowship with Him.

SUBPOINT#1The thing that really made Peter want to WALK BY FAITH AND get closer to Jesus was the storm he was going thru. AND THIS STORM CAUSED PETER TO WALK BY FAITH. CHURCH SOMETIMES STORMS COMES TO TEST US SO THAT WE CAN SEE IF WE WILL WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT. Your storm ought to draw you closer to Jesus. Some people can be in a storm and they still don’t get close to God.

SUBPOINT#2 All the disciples in this boat did not follow Peter’s walk of faith. The rest of them were satisfied with sitting in the boat. Some people are satisfied with sitting in a comfort zone. Boat Folk are satisfied with staying in the boat. But you can’t let boat folk stop you from getting out of the boat. That’s what’s wrong with some of you now, you been listen to boat folk. Stop listening to boat folk. Boat folk are not doing anything for God. And they don’t want to see you doing anything for God. Everybody in the boat is not going to walk with you on the water. Everybody don’t want to walk by faith, some people are happy walking by sight. Can’t you here doubting Thomas in the background telling Peter, Man, you better stay in this boat. Peter, don’t be no fool up in here, up in here. Stay in here. You never have walked on water before. What makes you think you can walk on water now?