So, You’re Just Going to Watch Me?

Main Text: Matthew 14: 22-29

Matthew 14:22–29 ESV

22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.

Introduction

Illustration of moments when a Black mother is doing something and needs help, but instead of saying I need help they look at you saying “So, You’re Just Going to Watch Me?

Transitional Sentence: This is the type of situation we find these disciples in here in Matthew 14: 22-29. They find themselves in the Black Mother role asking Jesus, “So, You’re Just Going to Watch Me?

Discuss the background of Matthew 14: 13 - 33.

What catches my attention in the text is Matthew 14: 23-25.

Matthew 14:23–25 ESV

23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.

They are going through a storm and Jesus is just watching.

In Matthew 8, Jesus was with them and revealed to them that He could Speak to the storm, so why is He just watching? (Mark 6:48)

How many of us are feeling like this right now?

Question: Why is it necessary to trust God in the storm when God doesn’t seem to be moving?

Because Storms serve as Drop-off Locations

The Jews distain for the Romans and the Messiah they were looking for. (John 6: 15)

John 6:15 ESV

15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

They wanted to Crown Jesus as King because of the miracles.

Jesus wouldn’t let them and instead forcefully told them to go to the other side.

They were extremely upset and started to entertain doubts about Jesus and were not prepare for what was about to come.

The storm was beaten them and tossing them around. (Mark 6: 48)

Mark 6:48 ESV

48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them,

They were trying to handle everything in their own power.

Most of them were professional fishermen.

This is where so many of us are in. We are in storms and we believe we have what it takes to get ourselves out of the situation. (They were out there for hours according to John 6: 19)

John 6:19 ESV

19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened.

When they gave us on themselves and started seeking for Christ to help them, He showed up. (Matthew 14: 25)

Matthew 14:25 ESV

25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.

2. Because Storms shape new Expectations

Jesus shows up walking on the sea and they are afraid

They were praying for Him and He shows up and they are afraid.

Fear will open you up to misconception

But Jesus says, Its me. (I AM) (Matthew 14: 27)

Matthew 14:27 ESV

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

The Storm pulls boldness out of Peter

If it’s you

What was beating and tossing them around Jesus has permitted Peter to walk on. Storms will embolden us to have expectations that Jesus will have us walk on what at one point was taking us out.

And I don’t know whom I maybe talking to today, but perhaps you are in a storm because God is trying to enhance your faith to ask God a bold thing!

see when you recognize the help you have in Jesus you’ll have faith to believe Him to allow you to walk on your storms!

And I are by to let somebody know it’s time have faith to ask God to call you out so you can walk it out!

I’m talking about boldness to walk on your depression,

boldness to walk on your pain,

boldness to walk on your disappointments,

boldness to walk on your student loans,

boldness to walk on that diagnosis,

boldness to walk on the cancer,

boldness to walk on the divorce,

boldness to walk on the loss of a job,

boldness to walk on the bills,

boldness to walk on bereavement.

Do I have anybody at Shalem today who don’t mind walking on your storm!

For the Bible says, greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world,

The Bible says, if God before me than who can be against me,

The Bible say, my God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory,

The Bible say, He’ll never leave me nor forsake me,

The Bible say, what the devil meant for evil, God turned it around for my good,

The Bible says, No weapon formed against me shall be able to prosper,

The Bible says, The battle is not yours, it’s the Lord,

The Bible says, Isaiah 40:29-31

Isaiah 40:29–31 ESV

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.