Trusting Jesus In The Storm & Beyond

Secular -

A young man was training to be a preacher and was practicing his delivery in front of his mentor.

The young preacher paused dramatically and declared, "And the Lord said... and the Lord said... and the Lord said..." He repeated the phrase five times, trying to build suspense.

The mentor whispered, "The Lord said it the first time. The problem is, you just keep taking notes!"

Historical/Cultural Context -

This Gospel is written by Matthew, also known as Levi who was a former tax collector. It was most likely written between AD 50-60. Matthew left everything behind to follow Jesus. Matthew wrote primarily to Jewish believers—people who knew the Old Testament well. Matthew had one goal: to prove that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the King of Kings, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. Connecting the Old Testament prophecies to the life of Christ, proving that every word God spoke was coming true in Jesus. The key themes of the Gospel include Jesus as King, The Kingdom of Heaven, Fulfillment of Prophecy and discipleship.

Biblical Text -

Matthew 14:22–36 NKJV

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

-[Prayer]-

Life Principle - Don’t Use Past Troubles To Justify Inaction. Become Desperate For A Move Of God & Trust Jesus.

Life Point- Trust Jesus

Exegetical -

Matthew 14:22–27 BSB

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. After He had sent them away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat was already far from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”

Homiletical -

So Jesus is done feeding the great crowd and He decides to give the disciples a break and He sends the multitude away while the disciples get into the boat that they had come over this side of the sea on and head back.

Now notice what Jesus does. He finishes what He set out to do when He got the news about John the Baptist. He goes up the mount by Himself to pray. When the evening came He was there alone.

There are times when we need to be alone with God. When we must have God’s presence in our lives. It is a supernatural thing. If you have never experienced the presence of God or maybe you don’t recognize it, I would suggest you do 2 things. 1) Make sure you’re saved. That you are in Christ. 2) There is a great book by Henry Blackaby called “Experiencing God: Knowing & Doing the Will of God”

As Baptists we are really good about studying the Bible and gaining head knowledge but sometimes we don’t put it into practice and we don’t make time to spend with Jesus in prayer alone, not just study (which is really important, don’t get me wrong). However we need that personal time with God. Jesus is our example here.

Well, the disciples are crossing and they start to get hit by wind. I don’t mean a little wind, after all you have really experienced fishermen in this boat and they don’t get upset over nothing.

We are told that the boat is really out there, far from land.

We are told this is the fourth watch which was between 3:00am - 6:00am.

This tells us two things: 1) Jesus spent the whole night praying. I have never spent a whole night praying, I have come close but not a whole night. I think I started around 7 and made it to 1 before I fell asleep on a pew. We were having a “Night Watch of Prayer” at a church years ago and I got involved. 2) Jesus knew the disciples were starting to get afraid.

So what does Jesus do when they were afraid? He came to them.

What can happen when you’re afraid and drop in prayer? He comes to you and gives you peace beyond your understanding.

John 14:27 BSB

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.

How did the disciples respond?

Well, they cry out that it is a ghost. What is a ghost in this context? It is a disembodied spirit an apparition.

Just because they say it was a ghost does that mean seeing someone who has passed on is real? Biblically the answer is No. People don’t become ghosts that you can see.

But pastor I have seen a ghost! Well there are 2 possibilities that I know of biblically: 1) You may thought you have seen something but it can be explained 2) It is supernatural in regards to being demonic and the demon has taken that form or caused you to see your loved one in some way. We know that Satan can appear as an angel of light.

2 Corinthians 11:14 NKJV

And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.

Well what about Saul when He called up the ghost of Samuel.

That was a special circumstance that God allowed to bring punishment on Saul. This is not normative.

In this instance even the so-called medium was shocked that it worked. You can read that for yourself in 1 Samuel 28

God, by the way, condemns Necromancy, channeling and mediums. They are all either false or the work of demons. Saul disobeyed God’s law in doing this. We find out later that the next day Saul dies in battle.

So when the disciples cry out, Jesus speaks up and says do not be afraid it is I.

When we are in a circumstance where we are afraid of what is happening. Jesus comes in and says don’t be afraid, Take courage. I am here.

No matter the outcome of whatever is going on in your life, you can trust that Jesus is there and He walks with you through and in your storm. He loves you in the midst of what’s happening.

So we must trust Jesus. We can get that peace, that understanding through spending time with Jesus. In prayer with the master.

Illustration -

When Jonah was thrown into the sea during a terrible storm, he found himself in the belly of a fish, without any hope. Yet it was from this dark place that he cried out to God, demonstrating that even when we feel lost and alone, we can trust that Jesus hears our cries. Sometimes the storms in our lives lead us to deeper dependence on Him, unveiling His mercy and grace in our dire situations.

Life Point - Be Desperate For Jesus

Exegetical -

Matthew 14:28–33 BSB

“Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water.” “Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?” And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!”

Homiletical -

Peter still had his doubts that it was, indeed, Jesus. So he says if it is you command me to come to you on the water.

Jesus said for Peter to join him. He gets out and starts walking and walks to Jesus

But then what happened? He got his mind and eyes off of Jesus and he saw the wind and instead continuing to respond in faith he got fearful.

In his fear he began to sink and cried Lord save me.

Jesus reaches out and saves Peter.

This is a great true story and an illustration of our lives.

Too many times we look to Jesus, we respond in faith and then we just get our eyes on all the doubts and things going on around us. When we should be looking to Jesus, we get to looking at the problem or circumstance. When Jesus is right there saying come on continue in faith.

Peter gets a bad wrap sometimes. Peter did one thing right when he was fearful and started to sink. He called out to Jesus to save him.

When things aren’t going right and we need Jesus because we are starting to sink so many times we don’t call out to Jesus. When you start doubting God, that is the time to scream out to Him and get desperate before Him. You know what will happen? He will answer you. Will you cry out to Him today?

Notice what happens next.

Jesus climbs into the boat and gets Peter safely in the boat and the winds died down. When you have Jesus in your boat you circumstance and troubles may not completely go away but they will die down in your heart and mind. The winds will die down and Jesus will be with you through it all. Folks, get Jesus and get in the boat.

What did they do when Jesus got in and the winds died down?

They didn’t thank Him, they worshipped Him as God. The Son of God. Remember God exists a tri-part-type being. He is Father, Son, & Holy Spirit. Each have their own personhood but are all one being. It is a hard concept but it is throughout the scripture. He is three and He is One.

All analogies of the trinity break down. However, my favorite is that of Neapolitan ice cream. You know the ice cream with Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry. They are all ice cream and Neapolitan Ice cream. But if you take one away they are no longer Neapolitan.

Illustration -

In the 18th century, the Great Awakening swept through America, as countless souls, tired of sin and apathy, sought genuine encounters with God. People packed meeting houses, fields, and streets, falling on their faces in desperate prayers for revival. Just one of the preachers named Jonathan Edwards, delivered a soul-stirring sermon that led to thousands crying out for the mercy of Christ. Their desperation for Jesus was palpable, leading to dramatic transformations in their lives. We need to be that desperate for Jesus

Life Point - Stop Using Past Trouble To Justify Inaction For Jesus

Exegetical -

Matthew 14:34–36 BSB

When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding region. People brought all the sick to Him and begged Him just to let them touch the fringe of His cloak. And all who touched Him were healed.

Homiletical -

Ok So now the storm has passed, everyone is safe and they have reached the shore.

Did Jesus say, you know what you need a break go and sit and relax?

Did He say, man that storm was harsh you’ve paid your dues and you don’t have to work in the ministry or support the ministry.

No he didn’t say that.

Look at what happens, immediately Jesus is seen and people bring out the sick just to touch the hem of His garment and they were healed.

Think about this for a moment. The disciples probably had to organize people, they had to work for Jesus and keep it orderly to some extent or Jesus may have been trampled.

Our ministry is to get people to Jesus Christ. Our ministry is to support His ministry. Doing what He commanded us to do. You know what that takes? Compassion, commitment and perseverance.

Don’t be the person who doesn’t support the ministry of Jesus Christ. Don’t be the person who refuses to pray for the church. Who refuses to work in the church. Who refuses to financially support the work of The Ministry of the Kingdom of God.

Jesus is the head of the church and He is telling us to get up and get to work.

don’t use past trouble as an excuse to avoid serving Jesus.

Illustration -

The story of the early Christians is a powerful reminder of overcoming past troubles. After the persecution of Christians in Rome, many were fearful to share their faith. However, people like Peter and Paul didn’t allow the past to dictate their present; they boldly proclaimed the Gospel, regardless of the risks. This should push us foward to action, not hinder us from fulfilling The Great Commission.

Life Principle– Don’t Use Past Troubles To Justify Inaction. Become Desperate For A Move Of God & Trust Jesus.

Call to Action – altar call….