The Uncertainty of Faith

Welcome everyone. My name is Charlie Kae and I’m the lead pastor here at Grace Empire, and if this is your first time here I want to personally welcome you for coming out and hanging with us today.

*Our vision is to restore, revitalize, and refresh the community of Tampa Bay through an intimate relationship with Jesus.*

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

So if you feel battered, bruised, beat up, or broken, or bedraggled, in anyway, Grace Empire was created for you to call home.

Follow Me

We are in week 5 and our final week of our sermon series titled Follow Me where we have been studying the life of Jesus and following after his examples of how to live and how we can apply that as followers of Christ.

James 1:22 NLT

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

So thats what we are going to do.

As a quick recap we covered 4 different topics so far:

In week 1, we talked about both the prodigal son and the son that stayed home and learned that whether you grew up away from the church or in the church, you need a relationship with God and how that relationship isn't based on proximity but based on active relationship with God.

In week 2, we covered social action and that learning to love the poor and in need is a difficult task without the love of God compelling us forward.

In week 3, we discussed prayer, and how prayer is the foundation of the dialogue process between you and God, so that you can build an active, living, intimate, relationship with God.

And last week, we learned the process of creating a legacy just as Jesus did, and we learned that It’s more important with leaving the world with God’s legacy, than our legacy.

James 1:22 NLT

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

Today we are going to be talking about faith, particularly what faith is and how we step out in it.

What is faith? I was always told faith was just trusting God or faith was belief.

We have learned here at Grace Empire that faith isn’t just belief; but faith is action.

We have learned here at Grace Empire that faith isn’t just belief; but faith is action.

We have also learned that doubt is not the opposite of faith, but two sides of the same coin. We cannot have faith without doubt. Doubt is a necessary component of faith. Doubt is an opportunity to exercise faith. Matter of fact, without doubt, there can be no faith.

Big Idea for Today

So heres a good question:

what is the opposite of faith?

If doubt is not the opposite of faith, what is?

The opposite of faith is certainty.

So as people of faith, does it make sense for us to embrace uncertainty? Yes it does.

But unfortunately, we are not taught that, especially those that have grown up in the church.

For some that have grown up in church, their faith became rigid, unyielding, and a place where questions are not welcome.

Christianity and the bible became indubitable. “Its the infallible word of God.” “It’s right there in black and white.” “To doubt God is to give in to the lies of Satan.”

And of course we dont want to do that.

And when you’re young these simple truths are okay. We got to learn to walk before we run. Faith and trust in God is a process.

So in regards to faith, we are told to just believe. We are given half truths like, “If you have enough faith, you can move any mountain,” or “enough prayer can change any circumstance,” or just simply, “God has a plan,” or “God is in control.”

And when you’re young these simple, half truths are okay. We got to learn to walk before we run. Faith and trust in God is a process.

Im not going go to my 6 year old and say...”you can do anything you put your mind too…but lets be real, you're not that smart…so by anything, I really mean a limited number of things that is within your comprehension level.”

I mean…what am I Dwight Schrewt from the Office?!

Look, I’m not saying those statements are not true, but we cannot apply those statements to every situation without weighing each circumstance.

Its like the answer to every stomach problem I had as a child was solved with pepto bismo. Oh your tummy hurts from over eating? Pepto Bismo. You fell of your bike and got winded? Pepto Bismo. Oh your nervous about speaking in front of your class today? Pepto Bismo.

Cause lets be real, there are plenty of times that we can think of that we, or someone you know, has stepped out in faith and either nothing happened or you failed.

For some of you, you got the exact OPPOSITE of what you thought was going to happen.

So what does it mean to live by faith then?

How do we navigate the faith as an adult?

Share story of going to pray to raise the dead.

Big Idea for Today

Faith is embracing uncertainty and trusting Jesus with that fact.

Matthew 14:22–33 NLT

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

Matthew

1. Stepping out in faith doesn’t mean you won’t be afraid.

I think the obvious statement here is that the disciples are afraid.

Whens the last time you were afraid?

I think this is a valid question cause as adults, we are not gripped by this type of fear on a daily basis. There isnt much life or death danger within our daily living.

They are afraid, they think Jesus is something he is not.

They have to identify Jesus as Jesus. They need to identify their Creator amidst the chaos of creation.

Yes the situation is crazy…the situation seems out of control, but Jesus can take control of any situation.

We need to know its Jesus and not a ghost. How to spot a phony?

Do you know how they train Federal agents to spot counterfeit money? I read they are put in a room for days and have them count real money. Then after several days of counting real money, they slip a phony bill in. More often than not, the agent will catch the fake dollar. Why? Not because they know so much about counterfeit money, but because they are so familiar with the original.

Jesus commands us to take courage! The first thing Jesus does as he approaches them is he engages their emotions and minds…he doesnt ask them to step our of the boat, or to “just” have faith. He knows the first battle we must fight is in our hearts. They discipled were scared.

2. Stepping out in faith doesn’t mean your circumstance will change.

I think its important to see that the first thing that Jesus does, IS NOT stop the storm.

Sometimes we realize that Jesus is with us

And sometimes we think, if Jesus is with us, if God is with us, why doesn’t my circumstance change? Why would he allow this storm to continue? Why is life so hard?

Illustration about “if I help you, you’ll never learn.”

Before we are able to step out in faith amidst the struggle that surrounds us, we need to listen to the voice of the one who is calling us forward, and what does he say? Take courage!

Jesus commands us to take courage! The first thing Jesus does as he approaches them is he engages their emotions and minds…he doesnt ask them to step our of the boat, or to “just” have faith. He knows the first battle we must fight is in our hearts.

1 Chronicles 22:13 NLT

For you will be successful if you carefully obey the decrees and regulations that the Lord gave to Israel through Moses. Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or lose heart!

1 Chronicles 28:20 NLT

Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly.

1 ch 28

Psalm 46:1–3 NLT

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude

3. Stepping out in faith doesn’t mean you wont get wet.

When Peter stepped out onto that water, you think he wasnt wet? You dont think his Nikes got soaked? Of course they did. Sitting in a boat in a storm, with wind and waves crashing over your boat, then stepping out on to that water you think Peter stayed dry?

And if you think stepping out in faith for Jesus isnt going to get you banged up is a serious misconception. Jesus never promised an easy life.

2 Timothy 3:12 NLT

Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

John 15:18 NLT

“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.

1 Peter 4:12–14 NLT

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.

1 peter

This isn't the most cheery information, but its nothing you don’t know. I don’t think there are any illusions here that the Christian life was supposed to be perfect, but if you left faith or stopped coming to church because following God didn’t yield some sort of pleasure for you or stepping out in faith didn’t give you the desired outcome the first time around…maybe we are focusing on the wrong thing.

4. Stepping out if faith doesn’t guarantee that you will stay afloat.

Illustration - writing a book.

Are you telling me that I can follow God’s will and it not be successful? Yes. Absolutely…especially if you measure success in numbers, dollar signs, and other quantifiable means.

They call , the hall of faith because it talks about people that justified by their faith, people like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Issac, and Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and Rahab…and I want to pick up at .

You dont need to

Hebrews 11:35–38 NLT

Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

Hebrews 11:32–38 NLT

How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

Hebrews 11:32

You dont need to know who all these people are or their stories, all you need to understand is that they are mentioned by name for a specific reasons. Among Christianity, they are considered heroes of our faith. They are known by name and have incredible stories because their lives were magnificently extraordinary.

But look at the language in verse 35…they are just called “the others.” Why? Because they were just too many to name. More often than not, those that believed, those that choose to live a life of faith, died at those that persecuted them. They died before they could be saved. For these people, there were no incredible stories of angels coming to save them, or earthquakes that released them from chains, or God closing the mouth of the lion. For the others, they died serving, living, and believing in Jesus.

In the case of Peter, he gets out of the boat and whether it was his fault or not, begins to sink. Its not a story of triumph. Its another story of failure…if you see it mans way.

But im here to tell you, thats not how God sees it.

Because God judges success or failure, not on what is quantifiable, but he judges success based on your or my obedience. Did we choose to get out of the boat or not. When Jesus said “come” did Peter back down or did he get out and try.

That is what God sees.

A life of faith is not a life of certainty. A life of faith is a life of doubt. Its healthy to doubt. Its healthy to doubt any assumption we make about the world.

Stepping out in faith is a lot like stepping on that water. When Peter got out f the boat the water was still water. It was still wet, fluid, and did not have the properties to hold a man up on it. So when Peter put his foot down. What kept him up? When you are hiding from the battering of wind and waves and you decide to take a step in faith and step out into the storm and on the water, what is going to keep you up? When you decide to confront the problem head on, does the circumstance disappear? No! So what keeps you being swallowed by the problem?

That is what living a life of faith is about. Its not about the result. Its about the obedience.

Gods word.

Its ironic that Jesus asks Peter “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Because a life of faith is a life of uncertainty.

I think the idea that Jesus is trying to convey is…keep your eyes on me. Just days before, Jesus was the guy in , the disciples saw him calm the wind and waves and they wondered aloud “who is this man? Even the wind and waves obey him?” And now…they are in another storm, they see Jesus walking on water, he has the power to have Peter walk on water, and ultimately they came to the conclusion that Jesus is God. Jesus is saying…what is there that I can’t do?

And that is all true.

But that doesn’t mean that stepping out in faith will yield you the results you think they should yield.

You get something better.

5. Stepping out in faith will change the way you worship Jesus.

Faith is not about certainty. Faith is cultivating uncertainty.

A life of faith is not a life of certainty. A life of faith is a life of doubt. Its healthy to doubt. Its healthy to doubt any assumption we make about the world.

Think about this: stepping out in faith is a lot like stepping on that water. When Peter got out of the boat the water was still water. It was still wet, fluid, and did not have the properties to hold a man up on it. So when Peter put his foot down. What kept him up? When you are hiding from the battering of wind and waves and you decide to take a step in faith and step out into the storm and on the water, what is going to keep you up? When you decide to confront the problem head on, does the circumstance disappear? No! So what keeps you being swallowed by the problem?

Gods word.

When Peter stepped out on the water, he was literally stepping out on the words C-O-M-E. He was choosing to trust in Jesus. He was choosing to believe in his word over the conditions of the world. And heres the kicker, Peter sank…but it still changed him.

Because it’s the engagement of faith that opens your eyes to who Jesus is. When you step out in faith, you become a participant in the power of Jesus word.

Even if

Its the difference between watching someone swinging a sword, verses you swinging the sword. Its the difference between you watching someone firing on a gun on youtube, and you stepping into a gun range and firing the gun. Its the difference between watching the game on tv, verses screaming and jumping at the stadium.

The participation, the action of faith, brings the power of Jesus into your hands, and now you are the one walking on water. You are the one calming the storm. You are the one stepping out and living as Jesus did. And by you…I mean Jesus through you.

Because when you step out in obedience…that very act changes the way you see Jesus and helps you worship him all the more.

Cause stepping out in faith isnt about you…its not about making you feel good, or proud of yourself, or giving you the glory; its about Jesus and bringing him glory.

So when we take steps of faith, our success isnt in the outcome, but our success is in our obedience to him.

Thats why this story is called Jesus walks on water, not Peter walks on water, cause in the end its not about Peter, its about Jesus.