Why Do You Doubt

Bible Passage: Matthew 14:22–33

Summary: This passage recounts the miracle of Jesus walking on water and invites Peter to join Him. While Peter initially steps out in faith, he soon becomes overwhelmed by the storm, symbolizing how fear can overshadow faith. Jesus’ immediate response to Peter’s cry for help showcases His willingness to save when we falter, reinforcing that even in doubt, Jesus is our constant source of hope and rescue.

Application: This sermon can guide believers to confront their fears and doubts with the assurance that Jesus is always present. By reflecting on Peter's experience, Christians are encouraged to transform their uncertainties into deeper reliance on Christ, reassuring them that faith can prevail over fear even in trying circumstances.

Teaching: The teaching will focus on the reality of human fear and doubt, and how acknowledging these feelings leads to deeper faith. It emphasizes the importance of looking to Jesus amidst life's storms and recognizing that He stands ready to help us navigate through our struggles.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage reveals Jesus as the one who transcends the natural order, embodying divine grace and power. His act of walking on water is a demonstration of His sovereignty and capability to conquer chaos, foreshadowing the salvation He offers through His death and resurrection.

Big Idea: In the midst of life's storms, rather than succumbing to fear and doubt, we are called to trust in Jesus, who is always there to rescue us and strengthen our faith.

Recommended Study: In your preparation, consider exploring the thematic elements of faith and fear throughout the Gospels using your Logos library. Reflect on how other passages demonstrate Jesus’ authority over natural elements and encourage believers to trust Him in times of trouble. You may also want to investigate the historical context of storm narratives in the Jewish tradition to draw parallels that enrich your sermon.

1. Step Into The Storm

Matthew 14:22-27

Verse 22: First Jesus is the one that sent the disciples ahead of him to the other side. Many assume God will not send them threw the storm, that he will not let trouble come there way. Can we say Job, Joseph , David or Peter. All of these faced trouble, trials and persecutions.

Jesus was taking the opportunity to send the crowd away personally.

Verse 23: Before going to them early, Jesus retires to pray in solitude. As Martha and Mary waited for Christ, so to he delays to come to his disciples.

Why?: 1. To converse with the Father and to ready himself for the miracle about to take place. 2. To allow time for the storm to arise.

Verse 24: Here the storm has reached them; 1. They are far from land, far from safety, no plan B. Either you keep rowing or give up and sink. 2. Battered by waves, being beaten by life and circumstances. 3. And the wind was contrary/against them.

Who can relate to this?

Verse 25: The fourth watch of the night would be between 3-6 a.m.

He took no boat, but walked upon the water. Prior to this he had calmed a storm (Matthew 8:23-27), but now he show what manner of man this is that even the wind and seas obey him. For now he is walking upon the water to meet them where they are.

Note that he comes to them in the storm, God does will meet you in the midst of the the storm.

Christ is showing his power and sovereignty over the weather and the elements in a way that can only be perceived as divine.

Verse 26: Yet their first reaction was fear, demonstrating the level of their faith. Yet would we be any different?

Verse 27: Be of good cheer? In the midst of the storm? In the middle of trouble?

It is I: Here is where our faith should be, in The Captain of our Salvation (Hebrews 2:10), the Author and Finisher of our Faith (Heb 12:2).

2. Step Out In Faith

Matthew 14:28-29

Verse 28: Peter here throws out his fleece, a Gideon moment of faith.

Verse 29: Jesus says “come”, Let all those who hear my voice understand this response, if you would take a step of faith for Christ, toward Christ, is response is “COME”!

Peters willingness to leave the safety of the boat illustrates the audacity of faith. This moment encourages believers to prioritize faith in Jesus over the perceived security of their circumstances, challenging them to take bold steps even when the unknown looms.

3. Strengthen In Struggles

Matthew 14:30-33

Perhaps explore how Peter's fear causes him to falter and Jesus' immediate response highlights His readiness to save. This demonstrates God’s grace when our faith wavers. By examining Peter’s cry for help and Jesus’ swift rescue, believers are reassured that their moments of doubt do not disqualify them from divine aid, but rather create opportunities for deeper reliance on Christ.

Verse 30: Peter looks with his eyes and not with faith, the opposite of what he should do. 2 Corinthians 5:7

2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV 1900

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Fear of what he “sees” causes doubt and he begins to sink.

To Peter’s credit, he did know who to call on. He cries out, Lord Save Me! No time for pretenses, no time to wax eloquent, he Cries Out! He Exclaims! Lord Save Me!

Verse 31: Jesus stretches out his hand and caught him. Jesus reaches out to him! This is normative for all who have been saved it is Christ who reaches out to us.

He is reaching for you tonight, ready to catch all who call upon him, all who come to him.

Note too that he caught him, Christ is able to save to the uttermost them that come to God through him (Hebrews 7:25 “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

None can be plucked from Christs hand, John 10:28–29 “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”

Here too is the question of our sermon, Why did you doubt?

First he says, “Oh thou of little faith”, not no faith, little faith. Not faith enough. Faith, but faith in low degree.

Second, Why did you doubt? Why did you doubt, you were almost here, you nearly made that step of faith, why did you doubt and fall short so near to me, so near to the end?

Here we are encouraged to perseverance in the Faith. Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

It is not how you start out believing, it is how you also keep on believing and how you finish the race believing

Points of Application

Recognize God's Presence in Your Storm Dear friends, just as Jesus walked on water to reach His disciples in the midst of the storm, He is always with us, no matter the challenges we face. Let us be mindful of God's presence even in our most difficult moments. When we feel overwhelmed, let's seek His guidance and know that He is right there with us, ready to provide the reassurance we need.

Step Out in Faith Brothers and sisters, Peter's courage to step out of the boat and walk towards Jesus reminds us that faith often requires us to take bold steps. It can feel uncomfortable or risky, but stepping out in faith means trusting Jesus completely. Let us identify areas in our lives where we need to take these courageous steps and trust that Jesus will be with us every step of the way.

Overcome Fear with Focus on Jesus When Peter focused on the storm, he began to sink. But when he kept his eyes on Jesus, he walked on water. In our lives, too, we must keep our focus on Jesus rather than our circumstances. We can maintain this focus through regular prayer, reading scripture, and supporting one another. By doing so, we can overcome our fears and grow stronger in our faith.

Embrace Jesus' Readiness to Save Sisters and brothers, remember that Jesus is always ready to rescue us when we falter. When Peter cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out His hand. In our moments of fear and doubt, let us call out to Jesus, knowing that His response is swift and certain. He is always ready to save us and bring us back to Him.

Grow through Struggles Although struggles and challenges may seem daunting, they are opportunities for growth in our faith. Jesus did not abandon Peter when he doubted but used the moment to teach and strengthen Peter's faith. Let us view our struggles as chances to deepen our reliance on Jesus and grow closer to Him. By embracing these challenges, we can emerge stronger and more faithful.

Trust in the Sovereignty of Jesus Friends, Jesus' power and authority extend over every aspect of our lives. Just as He walked on water and calmed the storm, He is sovereign over all our circumstances. We can trust Him completely, knowing that He has the power to bring peace and order to the chaos in our lives. Let us place our trust in His sovereignty and find comfort in His divine grace and power.

Questions for Reflection

How do we respond when we face life's storms?

In what areas do we need to take bold steps of faith?

How can we maintain our focus on Jesus amidst challenges?

Do we trust Jesus' readiness to save us when we falter?

How can we view our struggles as opportunities for growth in faith?