The Faith to Swim

If you have your bibles for today, please turn to Matthew 14:22-33.

We will be going to probably one of the most preached parts of Peter’s life.

This time in his life has been done on movies, TV, and in theater.

And rightfully so.

I would like to play something that could be one of the best on this time in Peter’s life.

Find the chosen walking on water.

It is one of the most beautiful displays of faith, failure, mercy and grace.

Let’s look at a map to know what is going on.

Insert map.

Now that we have an idea of where they were and where they would have been heading, let’s jump into our first set of verses.

Matthew 14:22–24 CSB

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Well into the night, he was there alone. Meanwhile, the boat was already some distance from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them.

Have you ever been on a ship when there is a storm?

I know that at least three of us here have.

It is not fun.

Let me give you another video. This one will give you a true picture of a storm on the sea of galilee.

Scary isn’t it.

There is a point that needs to be addressed here.

There is only two reasons why you maybe in a storm.

First, is because of your own ridiculous sin.

Two, because Christ put you there.

We are in storms because Christ put us there; they are not punishments, they are opportunities to grow.

Let’s continue on with our second set of verses for today

Matthew 14:25–27 CSB

Jesus came toward them walking on the sea very early in the morning. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and they cried out in fear. Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

There is a saying it is always darkest before the dawn.

Scholars believe that Christ came to his disciples walking on the water at the fourth watch, or what we would consider 3am to 6am.

They would have left before sunset, because the four of the Apostles were fishermen. They saw the storm about to come, but they obeyed and set sail.

So that means they were fighting the wind and waves for over 8 hours. More on that later.

What can we take away from this.

The storms will come. Not if, but when.

But in our darkest hour, Jesus comes to us. Even when all seems lost and He seems so far away, He is the ever presence in the storm.

He calls out say I am here, do not be afraid.

A lot of “mature Christians” will say that when you feel this way like he is far in the storm, it is because you do not trust.

I do not agree with that, and I feel that is a bit conceded and holier than though.

It is not a lack of trust, it is a lack of perspective.

It is because we see what is in front of us, not what Christ sees.

It is the unknown, the lack of light at the end of the tunnel, that makes us cry out where are you Lord.

Little do we know is that he is walking through the storm with us.

Matthew 14:28–30 CSB

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter answered him, “command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Remember earlier I said that they were fighting the wind and waves for over 8 hours.

I do not even like being awake for eight hours.

Peter must have been exhausted and ready for it all to be done.

Then he set his focus not on the storm, not on his exhaustion, not even on the people around him, He placed his focus on Jesus.

But we all know the story.

Peter’s greatest sign of faith ends up being his failure.

Faith requires us to focus on Jesus, not our circumstances.

Our circumstances will tells us, there is no way out.

Christ says “I am the way”

In my childhood home, we had a picture of Pope John Paul II.

I hated that picture. It was like a raised style picture, and those eyes would follow you everywhere.

Freaky picture man!

But the eyes only followed me if I looked at that picture.

Christ has his eyes on us, even when we loose sight of him.

He is ready when we cry out Lord save me.

Matthew 14:31–33 CSB

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those in the boat worshiped him and said, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

I will end with this and this will be our altar call for today.

Wood for the Fire

The main lesson I want you to take away from this is...

Jesus is faithful to save those who cry out to him.

Jesus will restore us.

Let your trials lead you to deeper worship of who he is.

To start that understanding of who he is requires one thing.

Cry out to him in humility saying you are a sinner and you have faith that Christ died for you.

Romans 10:9 CSB

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.