Matthew 14:22-33

30 furlongs = approx. 4 miles

“The story of Jesus walking on the water occurs in three of the four gospels.  But it is only in Matthew that we have the addition of the part about Peter asking Jesus to call him and Peter’s subsequent swimming lesson.”

One of the heaviest weights and greatest sins that prevents or hinders the spiritual growth of the believer is the weight and sin of COMPLACENCY!

“One key principle to take note from this passage is that in order to walk on the water, you have to get out of the boat.”

“If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat.”

There has always been a dichotomy between human reason and faith.

“The human capacity to think logically and intelligently, thereby discovering truth or persuading others. But human reason is limited and cannot arrive at a true and full knowledge of God without divine assistance and revelation.”

Don’t’ allow storms to be distractors and detours to determine your destiny.

The Heb. word ḥāzaq means literally ‘to show oneself strong’.

McDonald, H. D. (1996). Courage. In D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall, A. R. Millard, J. I. Packer, & D. J. Wiseman (Eds.), New Bible dictionary (3rd ed., p. 234). InterVarsity Press.

I. The ___ of Fear (26-27, 30b)

The OBJECT of your FOCUS can INCREASE your FAITH, or FEED your FEAR! (30a)

II. The LACK of Faith (31)

III. T

1. Events preceding his walk (14:22–24)

a. The command (14:22): Jesus instructs his disciples to cross to the other side of the lake.

b. The communion (14:23): He then retires to a hill and prays.

c. The crisis (14:24): A violent storm suddenly threatens the disciples’ boat.

2. Events during his walk (14:25–33)

a. The approach (14:25): In the middle of the night, Jesus comes to the disciples, walking on the water.

b. The alarm (14:26): The disciples are terrified, thinking Jesus is a ghost!

c. The assurance (14:27): Jesus tells them who he is.

d. The attempt (14:28–31): Peter tries to walk to Jesus but soon begins to sink and cries out for help.

e. The awe (14:32–33): At Jesus’ command, the wind stops, causing the disciples to worship him.

3. Events following his walk

Willmington, H. L. (1999). The Outline Bible (Mt 14:22–36). Tyndale House Publishers.