Water Walking 201 Series

Opening video: Chosen – Peter walks on the water! Chosen 6 minutes

Water Walking 201 – Preaching Outline – Power point!

I. Introduction: Faith Beyond the Comfort Zone

• Peter walking on water is not “Faith 101” but a deeper lesson in real life faith

• Faith always begins with Jesus’ invitation then our response to his invitation!

• Key question: What if Jesus is calling you to step out of the boat?

________________________________________

II. The Biblical Foundation

• Primary Text: Matthew 14:22–33

• Parallel accounts: Mark 6:45–51; John 6:15–21

• Thesis: If you want to walk on the water with Jesus, you must get out of the boat

________________________________________

III. Stepping Out Requires Trust

• Peter walked because he trusted Jesus’ word: “Come”

• Faith means leaving the safe zone (boat / pew / comfort)

• Trusting God is different from trusting people—God never breaks His word - never

________________________________________

IV. Faith vs. Fear

• Peter sank when he focused on the storm instead of Jesus

• Fear is the opposite of faith and seeks to paralyze obedience

• Storms are inevitable, but Jesus is always present in the storm!

________________________________________

V. Faith Is Action, Not Just Belief

• Faith is acting on what God has said – it believes and does!

• Biblical faith is not:

• Foolishness (a reckless, unwise action – not prayed through)

• Presumption (is assuming God is in this without His direction or guidance)

• True faith always aligns with God’s Word and God’s will – Are you in the will of God?

________________________________________

VI. Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus – is crucial in water walking!

• Focus determines outcome: look at Jesus or sink in fear

• Failure happens when focus shifts to circumstances and the storms

• Even when we fail, Jesus reaches out and restores us-rescues us in the storm

________________________________________

VII. God’s Invitation Requires Adjustment

• God is always at work and invites us to join Him in His adventure

• Obedience often requires major life adjustments

• You cannot stay where you are and go with God at the same time

________________________________________

VIII. Personal Application: What Is Your “Water”?

• A new calling, ministry, a relationship, a decision, or step of obedience

• The question is not Can God be trusted?

• The real question: Do you trust Him enough to step out?

________________________________________

IX. Conclusion: When Jesus Says “Come”

• Walking on water requires faith over fear

• Focus on Jesus, not the storm

• Step out when He calls—He will sustain, rescue, and grow you through the water walk

________________________________________

Sermon: Water Walking 201

I do not think Peter’s walking on water in our text is a 101-freshman class – to me that would be walking on frozen water called ice – no I think this class is at least a sophomore level class today! Why because Peter did walk on the water – yes he sank but he walked for a while on the water – he stepped out in faith at Jesus invitation and he defied the laws of nature in the middle of a stormy sea!

Scripture Texts:

Matthew 14:22-33 --- New International Version

Jesus Walks on the Water

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Also see --- Mark 6:45–51; John 6:15–21!

Thesis: If you want to walk on the water with Jesus – it just makes sense you have to get out of the boat or the pew! You have to leave the safe zone – the Lazy Boy zone!