Pressing Forward

Eyes on Christ

Matthew 14:22–32 NKJV

Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

Peter had faith to step out on the water, but

took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink.

Possess - using Faith in Jesus’Name

Peter knew who Jesus was, but didn’t fully understand his mission or purpose.

Peter did have enough faith to get out of the Boat. Jesus asked Peter why did he doubt?

O ye of little faith

I. Jesus went to pray.

A. Prayer motivates God into action.

B. The prayers of righteous availeth much.

II. Peter’s Courage in adversity

C. Believers need Faith to take a stand.

see Rev. 2:12

I know your works - he searches the reins and the hearts. Rewards given according to our works.

God is known by the judgments that he executes.

Jesus gives a rebuke Rev. 2:4

This church was noted by Jesus for their: charity (love) - to do good to others, no charity, no religion.

Their Service: Christian Servants who labor in the Word and Doctrine.

Their Faith: Grace enabled them to work in love and service.

Their patience - doing work without God in it.

The Wickedness in their Church

wicked seducers were compared to Jezebel who persecuted the prophets of the Lord, and she set up altars of baal and authorized false prophets.

Seducers attempted to draw the servants of God into fornication. They made use of the name of God to oppose the truth of His doctrine - which made their sin worst.

They took advantage of God’s Patience (times when God is silent) they became more wicked.

Repentance is necessary to prevent a sinner’s ruin.

The Body of Christ must be intolerant of Sin.

Consider the works of the Church

The church at Thyatira received a rebuke because they allowed a spirit of Jezebel to seduce the people of the city.

The Church does not have civil power or authority, but they have ministerial power to excommunicate.

The Judgment of the Seducer

Accountable to God for sexual sins.

Repent or suffer persecution.

Prophecy of the Fall of Babylon

I will cast her into a bed of pain, not pleasure, a bed of flames (hell), and those who sinned with her shall suffer with her, if only they had repented.

I will kill her children with death(the second death of the soul) leaves no hope for future life, no resurrection for those that are killed by the second death.

The depths of Satan- the mysteries of satan delusions, his devices.

Revelation 2:18–29 NKJV

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’— as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

Jesus’ Influence upon Peter:

Peter saw in Jesus eyes that John described like a flame of fire, signifying his piercing, penetrating, perfect knowledge, a thorough insight into all persons and all things, one who searches the hearts and tries the reins of the children of men, and will make all the churches know he does so.