Walking In Christ

Walking In Christ

Matthew 14:22-32

A Scotsman, was taking a trip to the Holy Land, and when he got to the Sea of Galilee he was aghast when he found it would cost fifty dollars an hour to rent a boat to go out on the water. He said, "in Scotland I could ha got a boat for about $20." "That might be true," said the boat man, "but you have to take into account that the Sea of Galilee is water on which our Lord Himself walked." "Well, at $50 an hour," said the Scotsman, "it’s little wonder He walked." - {From http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/faith-walk-jeff-strite-sermon-on-doubt-112158.asp}

Of all of the amazing things we have seen in our study of the “Life of Jesus”, to me this is one of the most intriguing. Not only does Jesus step off of the shore and walk (on water) to the boat, He gives Peter the opportunity to step out of the boat and walk to Jesus. This is absolutely amazing… Simon Peter, a mortal man, a common fisherman is given an opportunity to do the impossible. Guess what, we have the same opportunity! We may not defy the laws of gravity but Jesus has given each of His followers the opportunity to be apart of some amazing things.

If you are born again then you are to “Walk in Christ” - There is much said about our “walk” as Christians in the Word of God. Consider some of the things that Paul speaks of in his epistles:

o “Walking in newness of life” - Romans 16:4

o “Walking in good works” - Ephesians 2:10

o “Walking in love” - Ephesians 5:2

o “Walking honestly” - I Thessalonians 4:12

o “Walking in wisdom” - Colossians 4:5

o “Walking in the Spirit” - in Galatians 5:16

 I especially like what he said in - Colossians 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

• In this story Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water.

Jesus instructed the disciples to boat the boat and cross to the other side of the Lake. Jesus remained with the people for a while and then sent them home. At this point Jesus goes to a place alone and spends time with His Father in prayer. He prayed all through the night ….Notice the time line of this prayer

v23 he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

v25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto {the disciples}

As Jesus approaches the disciples He sees them in the midst of the lake. The ship is being tossed with waves and they are scared. Then they saw Jesus walking to them on the water and they were really frightened! Jesus comforted them and said - v27b “it is I; be not afraid”Peter desired to walk on the water to go to Jesus and Jesus simply said “Come” - It is at this point that Peter does the impossible. ….v29b”He walked on the water to go to Jesus”! Then Peter saw the strong wind and the waves, and he became terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

v31 and immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

There are many different facts about the Christian life that are found n this story. So tonight, instead of focusing on walking on water, I want to see what happens when we are “Walking In Christ” I want to begin with the fact that:

I. THERE WILL BE SOME DIFFICULT TIMES - v24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

The Disciples were in a difficult situation. This was a situation that Jesus had put them in - v22 and straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side. I would say there is a pretty good chance that they were in this boat …blaming Jesus! They have done so in the past - Mark 4:37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? I can hear them saying “he put us in this boat in the middle of this storm and He has been gone all night” …..”Where is He”??? When you “walk in Christ” you will often find yourself in some difficult situations.