Life of Christ #32 Jesus Walking on Water

Matthew 14:22–36 KJV 1900

22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 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. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 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. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. 34 And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; 36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

I. Christ’s presence is assured by personal preparation.

Matthew 7:7 KJV 1900

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Matthew 26:41 KJV 1900

41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Luke 18:1 KJV 1900

1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Ephesians 6:18 KJV 1900

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV 1900

17 Pray without ceasing.

1 Chronicles 16:11 KJV 1900

11 Seek the Lord and his strength, Seek his face continually.

A. He sent the disciples away.

B. He dismissed the multitude.

C. He got alone to pray.

1. On a mountain

2. In the evening

3. All alone.

4. In a storm.

II. Christ’s presence conquers fear.

A. A storm arose.

B. Jesus went to them: He walked on the sea.

C. The disciples feared, thinking they saw a ghost.

D. Jesus gave assurance - His presence.

Matthew 28:20 KJV 1900

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Genesis 28:15 KJV 1900

15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

Exodus 33:14 KJV 1900

14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

Psalm 28:7 KJV 1900

7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in him, and I am helped: Therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; And with my song will I praise him.

Psalm 40:17 KJV 1900

17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: Thou art my help and my deliverer; Make no tarrying, O my God.

Isaiah 43:1–2 KJV 1900

1 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, And he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; Neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

III. Christ’s presence stirs the hope of being saved.

A. Peter’s hope was stirred: He could be saved by Christ’s presence.

B. Jesus’ command: Come

Matthew 11:28 KJV 1900

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Isaiah 1:18 KJV 1900

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 55:1 KJV 1900

1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, And he that hath no money; Come ye, buy, and eat; Yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

C. Peter’s faith faltered.

Romans 10:13 KJV 1900

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Psalm 34:6 KJV 1900

6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.

Psalm 61:2 KJV 1900

2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

1. Glanced at the storm.

2. Began to sink.

3. Cried: Lord, save.

1 Peter 1:5 KJV 1900

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

2 Timothy 4:18 KJV 1900

18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

D. Jesus saved, but rebuked faltering faith.

Luke 17:6 KJV 1900

6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Hebrews 11:6 KJV 1900

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

IV. Christ’s presence conquers nature.

John 14:27 KJV 1900

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:33 KJV 1900

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Philippians 4:6–7 KJV 1900

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

V. Christ’s presence stirs confession and worship.

Matthew 10:32 KJV 1900

32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

Luke 12:8 KJV 1900

8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

Romans 10:9 KJV 1900

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

1 John 2:23–24 KJV 1900

23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. 24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

1 John 4:15 KJV 1900

15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

Hebrews 1:6 KJV 1900

6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.