Jesus Walks On Water Pt 2
Jesus Walks On Water Pt. 2
Matthew 14:22-33
I. Intro
a. Courage Admired
i. We all appreciate virtues, being a Christian that should be a given,
1. our faith is virtuous, our Lord and Savior is the most virtuous man to ever live
2. but some virtues stand out above the rest, especially when it is publically pronounced such as courage
ii. we all like to think of ourselves as being courageous- no one admires in becoming a coward
1. especially pastors- we all want to be bold and courageous
a. survey of all pastors, their favorite movies
i. it would not be the Passion, Ben Hur, nor Chariots of Fire
2. Saving Pt. Ryan
3. Gladiator
4. Braveheart
a. Every pastor would include and illustration from Braveheart
b. There is one particular scene
i. Makeshift army of Scottish farmers were to meet the English army under King Edward
ii. Here comes William Wallace, aka Mel Gibson
“If there is one thing upon earth that mankind loves and admires better than another, it is a brave man- a man who dares to look the devil in the face and tell him he is the devil.” – James Garfield
“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at its testing point.” – C.S. Lewis
b. Each man and woman will have the opportunity to have one’s courage tested, the question of us is how will we fare?
Reading the Passage
Opening Prayer
II. The Dispersion, v. 22-23
a. We witness how Jesus immediately dispersed everyone including His disciples
i. After performing the miracle of feeding the five thousand, the crowd came into a emotional fervor of desiring to take Christ by force to declare Him the true Messiah
ii. The disciples could not help but be caught up into this frenzy, therefore, Christ exercised His divine authority and made them enter the boat to depart to the other side
1. Like good disciples that they were, they obeyed
a. Their obedience to Christ was supreme, of greater priority than their personal desires or ambitions, as pious as they maybe
b. You must notice a powerful observation of this dispersion in which I did not mention last week
i. The dispersion occurred right after His ministry
1. What was His ministry?
a. Remember He had compassion, He provided Compassionate care to them, they were lost, they were without a shepherd
b. His ministry to them was salvation
c. And it was this miracle of feeding the five thousand that served as a verification of His Messiahship
2. What does He do, He disperses them
a. For what purpose, so that they may go and make disciples
i. That is why He disperses His own disciples because their work is not yet done- His time has not yet come
ii. We must always realize that after the point of salvation- it is our purpose then to follow in obedience to Christ- to fulfill His commission
1. We can only do that when we disperse
a. A church cannot focus only upon its self ministry
b. But the best manner of being ministered to is to do ministry
i. To seek out the lost
ii. If Sunday service, membership within a local church is the only description of one’s Christian life, it is an empty life
1. Every Christian is called to disciple and every Christian is to be discipled
III. The Act of Obedience, v. 24
a. The disciples got into the boat and began to row
i. Shortly after the sun had set, they were hit by a storm, “battered by waves; for the wind was contrary”
1. It is promised that as Christians that trials and persecutions will come
a. Do not be surprised that when you commit your life to Christ that you will get hit by contrary winds
b. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” – Matt. 5:11
c. "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” – Matt. 24:9
d. “Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” – John 15:20
e. “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” – 2 Tim. 3:12
1. But there is hope for those who live in obedience when they find themselves in the midst of the storm
a. That you shall be the object of the compassionate and omniscient care of our Lord
i. “Jesus saw the disciples straining at their oars” Mark 6:48
b. But not only does He watch but he intervenes
i. Not only is God transcendent but He gets involved with His creation
1. He is not like the deists who claim God to create the universe and watch it spin
2. But thank God He invades our lives
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.” - 2 Cor. 1:3-5
2. Some of us will hit those contrary winds, but don’t give up, don’t ever give up
a. That is the example of these disciples, they could have easily turned back but they kept going, because they were obedient to their Christ
i. You must understand, we are exactly where God has sovereignly placed us, even in our trials
1. There are very specific reasons for our trials
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” - James 1:2-4
b. Rocky Balboa, Rocky 6
i. “true test of character of a man is when you get hit so hard but you get up and you keep going. It is the loser that will point his finger at everyone else to blame for the fault why he didn’t make it. You’re not a loser, I didn’t bring you up like that.”
c. Paul says “work out your salvation in fear and trembling for it is God who works in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure” - Phil. 2:12-13
IV. Proof of His Divine Protection, v. 25-27
a. When He as approaching them, they thought they were getting anything but help
i. For they thought they had seen a ghost
1. These poor disciples running the gauntlet, fatigued, scarred and then they are transfixed upon an apparition, a ghost
a. You some of us are so easily startled- I am not one of them, my wife is
i. Late night I will come to bed, set the alarm clock, and she will get so startled she will just shriek
2. “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid”
a. Inspite of the blowing wind, the rolling waves, their fear stricken minds, as soon as they heard the Master’s voice, they were calmed.
ii. We need to do the same, when we are in trouble, we shouldn’t panic, for in our panic we just make matters worse
1. When one is caught in a rip tide, you try to swim out of it, relax and swim parallel to it
2. When someone tries to rescue a drowning person, they try to drown you, in panic
a. That why you should knock them out and then carry them to shore
3. Same with a believer, when you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, don’t panic, just relax knowing Christ is with you
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Phil. 4:6-7
“The Lord is near.” – Phil 4:5
4. Listen wherever you are, you need not be afraid, don’t even fear death
a. Every Christian is immortal, until the Lord is done with you
iii. Jesus didn’t walk out on the water to teach His disciples how to walk on water
1. His purpose was to demonstrate that no matter how difficult, Jesus will do whatever necessary to rescue His children
2. He didn’t have to walk on water to save them, but what a powerful lesson learned that God will do anything to save us
3. He didn’t come out to teach them to walk on water but He was teaching them that God can and will always act on the behalf of His own
iv. We will never find ourselves in a place where Christ cannot find us
1. No storm so severe that He cannot save us
a. He will always protect His own, never fail us, never forsake us
i. There is no reason to fear, to be anxious, for is always with you-
1. Some of you are anxious for the future, what will tomorrow bring
"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” - Matthew 6:34
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33
b. You just need to worry about the will, let God worry about the action
c. Some Christians will suffer more than others
i. But all Christians will suffer some time, and all Christians are assured to be protected By God during those times
ii. You just keep rowing, and you will see Jesus coming to you to reward your faithfulness
V. Proof of His Divine Love, v.28-31
a. The “if” is should not give us hint of lack of doubt on Peter’s part
i. On the contrary, this passage reflects great faith on Peter’s part
1. Peter was impetuous, brashful, spiritually arrogant at times, tot eh point of getting himself in trouble
2. But it was not this side of Peter that we see here
a. Of all the people who would know the dangers of being in this storm it was Peter, the life long fisherman
i. He probably had been cast out of his boat many a times, witnessed others probably drowned in the Sea of Galilee
3. So if he was not sure it was Jesus, Peter would not have even dared to think about venturing out of the boat
a. But rather the “if” is a statement of his faith
i. Peter loved the Lord, even though he denied Him three times, he was there in the courtyard to witness Jesus’ trial
ii. He on many occasions told Jesus he would be willing to die with Him
1. At Jesus arrest, it was Peter who grabbed the sword of the solider and cut off the ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest
b. Peter was Jesus’ shadow
b. It was his faith as you read the passage, that is being displayed
i. He would not dare to step out of the boat unless he received the permission of His Master
1. Peter’s faith was imperfect and many times weak- but here will see his true faith
a. When he sensed the safety of Jesus’ presence
i. He rather be with Jesus out on the water than within the safe confines of the boat
ii. That’s courage
1. It is true test of great strength when you venture out of your comfort zone so that you would be with your Master
b. It is interesting how different my two kids are
i. Katelyn loves thrills, rollercoasters
ii. When she was little, she would just get on tables and leap off backwards assuming someone would always catch her
1. Kylie is a chicken
c. I will never forget Katelyn’s first steps
i. It was Christmas day, 1997, she was only ten months old
1. She ventured out, left the edge of the table and took her first steps
ii. As for Kylie, I think I was watching a football game or something, been there done that
1. Could you imagine if she never left the table edge
a. Ten years old, still scared
d. What about us, what type of people would we be if we were always scared to venture out
“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”—André Gide
e. True faith not only makes us the greatest optimist but also the most courageous
c. Jesus telling Peter to come confirms Peter had the right motive
i. Jesus isn’t playing mind tricks with Peter, not tempting him to sin nor place him in a no win situation
ii. With the greatest compassion, He invites Peter to be with Him
1. But as Peter emerged from the boat, things began to change
a. The picture outside the boat was totally different than what he had assumed when he was inside the boat
i. Craziest home videos shows of a man desiring to skydive, do it once in his life
1. As soon as the plane was at the right height and right location, he received the signal to jump
2. But he started to struggle and even physically fight his instructor, he began to weep out loud
b. He had faith to get out of the boat but not enough faith to get him across the water
iii. His faith was distracted
1. “seeing the wind, he became afraid and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord save me!”
d. How do we mature in our faith
i. Don’t take your eye off the target
1. The key to victory in our trials, our struggles, out temptations, our mission for Christ is to never take our eyes off the target
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.” - Hebrews 12:1-2
ii. Stretch yourself to extremes
1. But faith is strengthened when it is taken to its extremes that it has never faced before
a. Such strengthening is basic to Christian growth and maturity
i. How many of you ever weight trained but how does the muscles grow
1. By tearing them, you wake up in the morning and you can’t even bend your arms- your muscle fibers have torn and are in the process of healing themselves
iii. Lord takes you as far as your faith will take you
1. And then you will eventually sink
2. But he will faithfully come to your rescue
a. No temptation will over take you that is not common to man, but He is faithful not allowing you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation provide the way of escape so that you will be able to endure it. 1 Cor. 10:13
b. He might let you sink but you will never drown
e. Jesus rebukes him
i. “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
ii. He must have thought about this- what was I thinking
1. But Peter’s imperfect, little faith was better than no faith
iii. At least he started toward Jesus
1. And when his faith faltered, Jesus grabbed him and took him the rest of the way
a. When he denied the Lord, he was still there when no other disciple was around
b. How this evening must have greatly stretched his faith, as he became the unquestioned leader of the disciples and later he preached at the day of Pentecost bringing three thousand to the faith in one day
“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” – 1 Peter 1:6-7
iv. Lord desires great things from each of you
1. Question is will your exercise your faith?
a. Will you leave your comfort zone when Christ calls?
b. Being assured that when you fail and you will fail, that Jesus will take you the rest of the way
2. Some of you are struggling in your academics, your work place, your future is uncertain, maybe you are in the midst of the storm right now, family situations are not ideal
a. Christ calls us to love, maybe that is difficult for you to do
b. Will you trust Him? Will you step out of the boat for Him?