Manual Focus /Emanual Focus

Intro

[Opening Scene: Soft, uplifting music plays in the background. The camera focuses on a warm, inviting space with a Bible in hand.]

Host: "Hey everyone! Welcome back to our little corner of faith here on Fort Washington. I’m so glad you could join me today! For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Mike Jones, and I’m passionate about sharing the love and wisdom found in the Bible.

Whether you’re tuning in for the first time or you’re a regular, I hope you find something meaningful in our time together. Today, we’re diving into a powerful message from Scripture that speaks to the heart of our everyday struggles and joys. So grab your Bible, get comfy, and let’s explore how these timeless truths can impact our lives today.

Remember, this is a safe space for all questions and reflections, so feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Let’s open our hearts and minds to what God wants to reveal to us today!"

What does the impossible look like for you?

Peter Actions During the storm

How do they align with our approach during storms?

If it’s you God then let me do the impossible

Rent Free /Child /Spouse /

When was the last time you said to God , If you do this . I will do that.

29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter began doing the thing he asked God for.

But then it God hard…. How many of us begin to sink whe it gets hard

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015), Mt 14:29–31.

Large, swelling waves or surges of water, often used to describe turbulent seas. In the Bible, billows can symbolize chaos, overwhelming circumstances, or the power of nature.

If you were inflight and there were issues with the plane.

Imaging looking out the window and seeing Jesus walk across the clouds. Would you ask Jesus to let you walks across the clouds to be with him?

Why did Peter ask Jesus to walk to him on water?

Peter’s Backgrpund

An apostle of Jesus Christ and one of the three named pillars of the early church in Jerusalem. Peter was the first Christian missionary to the Gentiles, a Christian missionary to the Jews, and a Christian martyr in Rome. Also called Cephas.

30 he saw the wind boisterous. He looked at the circumstances instead of the Lord. This was the secret of his (and of our) failure.

sink = be overwhelmed in the sea. Gr. katapontizomai. Occ. only here and 18:6.

Ethelbert W. Bullinger, The Companion Bible: Being the Authorized Version of 1611 with the Structures and Notes, Critical, Explanatory and Suggestive and with 198 Appendixes, vol. 1 (Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2018), 1342.

A SUPERNATURAL WALK

Matthew 14:28–34

Jesus appeared to His storm-tossed disciples walking or the sea. To this purpose of His followers the wind was contrary, but the contrary wind was an opportune time for the Lord. They saw His wonders in the great deep of their distress.

I. A Bold Request. “Peter said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water” (v. 28). This was a great petition, but not too great. “If it be Thou.” He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask. Should our love to Christ not constrain us to walk even as He walked? What although other disciples shrink from such a prayer; let us seek the privilege of walking with Him, even where human wisdom and fleshly feelings cannot find a footing.

II. A Gracious Invitation. “He said, Come” (v. 29). The door is now open for the faith of Peter. He is invited to walk where none but the feet of faith dare go. The Christian’s walk is a supernatural one. He walks by faith. This, in the eyes of the wise men of the world, is like walking on the sea. They cannot understand it. Every believer is invited by Christ to walk with Him on the deep as He walked.

III. A Successful Venture. “Peter went out of the ship, and walked on the water” (v. 29). The seemingly impossible can be accomplished through simple faith in the Word of Christ. There must be a going out if there is to be a going on. The life of faith implies the complete abandonment of every other source of confidence—out of the ship of self on to the Word of Christ. Jesus is not fully trusted until both hands are off every earthly prop.

IV. A Momentary Failure. “When he saw the wind boisterous he was afraid” (v. 30). Perhaps he expected the storm would cease when he stepped out on the invitation of the Lord Jesus. Our troubles don’t all cease the moment we trust Christ. Our faith will be tried. Peter was afraid, and began to sink, because he was getting more concerned about himself than the Word of his Master. Even walking in Christ’s ways will become a terror and a labour when our eyes are off Christ Himself.

V. An Earnest Prayer. “Lord, save me” (v. 30). “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” Let him who is falling not hesitate to cry out for salvation. Out on the depths of the life of faith, where no unbeliever ever stood, Jesus will make us realise that, apart from His continual help, we can do nothing but tremble and sink. Peter was wise in crying as soon as he began to sink. Many wait until they are up to the neck.

VI. A Speedy Deliverance. “Immediately Jesus caught him” (v. 31). Instant confession brought instant salvation. He leaps to the help of His needy ones (S. of S. 2:8). Peter was not sent back to the ship. There is no help for the troubled and tempted believer in the old life. Jesus caught Peter, so he found refuge in the “arms of Jesus.” These strong and willing arms are still outstretched (Psa. 138:7).

VII. A Gentle Rebuke. “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (v. 31). The tenderness of Jesus is very manifest. He will not break the bruised reed. We might think Peter’s faith was anything but little when he boldly stepped out on the swelling waves. Oh, how precious a thing faith is! If we have trusted Christ let us trust Him wholly. None perish that Him trust. Abraham staggered not, but was strong in faith.

VIII. A Blessed Result. “When they were come to the ship the wind ceased” (v. 32). Peter now walks with Jesus—saved from fear, where before he had feared and sank. His walking to Jesus was a testing time, but his walking with Him is calm and peaceful. The wind is still as boisterous as ever, but he fears no evil, for the Lord is with him. The near presence of Christ is the secret of a restful and triumphant Christian life. When Jesus came into the ship the wind ceased. Let Him into the heart; He maketh the storm a calm.

James Smith and Robert Lee, Handfuls on Purpose for Christian Workers and Bible Students, Series I–XIII, five-volume edition., vol. 1 (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1971), 158–160.

When we are in a strom we can ask God for anything

Another version mentions Jesus was just going to walk by them