Storms of Life

Facing Storms

Matthew 14:22-36 (NKJV) 22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 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. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." 28 And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 29 So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God." 34 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, 36 and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

Intro. Jesus had just finished feeding 5000 men pulse women and children. Now He insists that His disciples go over to the other side of the sea V.22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side,

I. If you obey Jesus you are going to have problems.

II. You have to walk by faith v.23 He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.

III. Trouble will come V.24 (NLT2) 24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.

IV. Jesus is aware of all you are going through

Mark 6:48a He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves.

V. We don't always recognize Jesus when He comes to us

25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear.

VI. That is when Jesus reveals Who He really is v.27 (NLT) Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

In the Greek Jesus just says I Am.

VII. Here is where it really gets exciting v.28-30

28 And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 29 So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"

VIII. Now that you are in the boat worshiping Jesus v.34- 36

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, 36 and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

In Conclusion You know why they recognized Jesus? He was here once before