How to Walk on the Water - Part 1

Text: Matthew 14:22-33 Theme: How to walk on the water - how to move into the realm of the supernatural. Whether you or I are willing to admit it or not, if we are going to see a move of God’s Holy Spirit in our lives individually, or in our church collectively, at some time we are going to have to decide it’s time to get out of our comfort zones and step out, in faith, onto the waters of the supernatural. No one will do it for you, and no one will do it for me. Jesus will not force you, bribe you, coerce you, make you or break you or me. We are given the CHOICE as to what we are going to do with our lives when it comes to walking in the supernatural power of God. We can remain status quo, be comfortable with where we are spiritually, hope someone else gets a big enough blessing it will spill over on us (which doesn’t work, by the way) – or we can CHOOSE to do what we must do to obtain and embrace what is provided for in the realm of the supernatural by FAITH. Whether we ever walk in that dimension or not, be assured that it is there for the church & it is there for you individually. Someone is going to believe God. Someone is going to press through & touch the hem of His garment. Someone is going to get out of the boat and walk on the water. It is available to this church & it's available to you. But it never comes easy. It doesn’t “just happen.” Jesus said in Matthew 11:12 KJV “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” According to the writings of Albert Barnes, when a city was being besieged, the army pressed around the city in a focused, determined and violent manner until there was a breakthrough. It didn’t matter how long it took. The only thing that mattered was a breakthrough. Allow me to point something out as I bring this introduction to the message: If we are not willing to sacrifice; if we are not willing to set aside the things that cry out for our attention; if we are unwilling to grab a hold of the horns of the altar by spending time at the altar, the chances of seeing a spiritual breakthrough in your life or my life could be miniscule at best. "If you want something you have never had, you must be willing to do something you have never done." One translation: (Godspeed)...men have been taking the Kingdom of Heaven by storm. Introduction This message and the ones that follow it that will look at the opportunity we all have to walk on the water is not one that can be preached with effectiveness in 20 minutes. So, I will let you know from the onset that we are going to take the time to understand the principles of this message so we can apply them correctly as God’s Spirit moves upon us. Also, I want to remind you that things you are facing, or I am facing, may require a fight in the realm of the spiritual before you see the victory God has for you. Therefore, my first questions to you this morning are these: “Are you ready to fight for what God has for you? Are you willing to sacrifice and do what God requires in order to see your miracle? Are you willing to move to a level of aggressive faith? Bear in mind, miracles happen amid difficulty - in times of adversity. Crisis is the breeding ground for the supernatural. That's when Jesus appeared to His disciples here in Matthew 14 - in the storm & in the darkest part of the night. If you read verse 25 out of The Amplified Bible, it says, “And in the fourth watch [between 3:00-6:00 AM] of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea.” The invitation to Peter to come to Christ was not given at a time when the waters were calm and other boats were nearby filled with spectators applauding him on. His miracle came at a time of great difficulty. v. 24 -- …”in the midst of the sea”, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. Tossed - to torture: pain, toil, torment, toss, vex. Waves - a billow (as bursting or toppling) Contrary - opposite...antagonistic…against... A. YOUR PAIN/HARDSHIP CAN BECOME YOUR PASSAGE TO THE GREATEST MIRACLE OF YOUR LIFE. EVERY PERSON IN THIS SERVICE WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO WALK ON THE WATER. THERE WILL BE MANY OCCASIONS THAT COME YOUR WAY DISGUISED AS PROBLEMS & STORMS THAT WILL BE YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO STEP OUT OF THE BOAT. If I choose not to step out of the boat and walk on the water, it does not mean that I'm not saved but it does mean that I will never experience the realm of the supernatural. It means that my faith will not increase, leaving it to only decrease and eventually die. This is not in our study but remember, there are different levels of faith. 1. Here in Matthew 14:3 1 Jesus says to Peter -"…O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" 2. One chapter over, Matthew 15:28 Jesus says to the woman of Canaan, “O woman, great is thy faith.” 3. Then in Matthew 8:10 Jesus says to the centurion, "I have not found so great faith, no not in Israel." B. SO THERE IS LITTLE FAITH, GREAT FAITH, AND MARVELOUS FAITH. NOW ALL OF US WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT MARVELOUS FAITH, AND WE WOULD EVEN SETTLE FOR THE GREAT FAITH, BUT KEEP IN MIND THAT PETER ONLY HAD LITTLE FAITH YET HE WALKED ON THE WATER TO JESUS. Just because you may not possess marvelous faith does not mean that you can't walk on the water. The first two things that I will touch on which are requirements for walking on the water are these: 1. A person must be tired of riding in the boat. (The boat is the norm, the predictable, security.) 2. Our desire to be with Jesus must be greater than our fear of the unknown & our fear of failure. While I am not spending a lot of time on these first two items, they are nevertheless critical to the man or woman who is a follower of Christ who desire to be overcomers. It is not enough to be saved, although that is critical and must be a reality in the life of a person who wants to move forward in a relationship with God. It’s not enough to be filled with the Spirit, join a church, be a tithe-payer and have a prayer life. Those who will do extraordinary things for God will be a people who understand there are aspects of our lives that must be abandoned so we can get a hold of what God has for us. I. WE MUST HAVE A COMMITMENT TO CHRIST A. To be committed to something is not enough - I must have a commitment to Jesus ~ If your commitment is only to this church, as soon as this church disappoints you, you will be mentally & emotionally gone, followed by your physical departure shortly thereafter. I'm speaking to people today who have a track record of stability. Your past shows that you can be counted on. But the way you made it this far has been because of a commitment that goes beyond this church, and a commitment that is deeper than your individual ministry. You have had a commitment to Christ. "On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand...” B. I know of no one who wouldn't like to see a miracle. Even Herod wanted Jesus to come & perform miracles for Him. There were those who followed Jesus for the loaves and the fish - they wanted to see miracles. The church is full of people who would like to see miracles as well - in the family, finances, etc... But many will never walk on the water & the reason is because they don't have a commitment to Jesus. 1. Years ago an Amarillo merchant called a minister & wanted to meet with him. He said. "My life is in shambles - everything is going south." During the 3 hours that they met the minister explained to him in detail - "You need Jesus in your life." His reply was, "I'm honest, I'm generous, I go to church, and I say my prayers." To that came the reply - "That's not the same as having a commitment to Christ." C. There are some here who love the Lord with all your heart, yet you haven't seen your miracle yet. Let me remind you of the words of the Master in Luke 18:29-30. (Luke 18:29-30 NKJV) So He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life." Stay committed! Have Jesus Christ as your number one commitment. You need to be committed to His church and committed to the ministry He's called you to but those are null and void unless you have a commitment to Him. IV. A WORD FROM JESUS A. Jesus said “Come." When you've heard from God you can step out of the boat in faith. Dr. Cho in his book The Fourth Dimension #1 tells how four young people in Korea were on their way to a gospel meeting and they came to a bridge that was washed out. The river was very rapid. One of them said, "We can go across. We can walk on the water like Peter did." The next morning their bodies were found downstream. 1. What was the difference between them and Peter? Probably several things but one I know for sure - Peter had a word from Jesus. 2. I've heard others say, "Well I think we ought to go into the hospitals & command everyone in the hospital to be get out of bed & go home." Ladies & gentlemen, that's not how this thing works. There is a supernatural realm, but it is not a place where we throw God's power around like candy being thrown from the floats in the homecoming parade. B. Moses didn't just decide that he'd go & stand before Pharaoh & command lice to appear. He had a word from God. Joshua didn't just determine that Israel would try walking around the walls of Jericho for six days & then seven times on the seventh day. He had a word from God. All through Scripture I see this truth. Look at the ministry of Jesus. (John 8:28-29 KJV) “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. 29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone: for I do always those things that please him.” Everything He did was done under the leading of His Father. C. Before I conclude let me give you some factors that enhance a person hearing a word from the Lord. 1. Get into the Word. (Romans 10:17 KJV) “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17 LB) “Yet faith comes from listening to the Good News - the Good News about Jesus.” Many in the church have never learned to recognize the voice of the Lord. Reason? They aren't in the Word. Have you ever been around someone & the radio is on & a song begins to play & immediately they name the singer or the group - "Casting Crowns or Bill Gaither". The reason they know that is because that's whom they've been listening to - they've become acquainted with their voices. Familiarize yourself with the voice of God by getting into the Word. 2. A second way I can enhance the possibility of hearing from God - Prayer. (Jeremiah 33:3 KJV) Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." That's what Peter did. He was the only one in the boat that called out to Jesus, "...Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." Jesus answered. "Come." Only one word but that's all it took. My friend, your situation only requires ONE WORD from the mouth of Jesus. He can speak "Peace," and a raging sea will calm. (Psalms 86:7 KJV) In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. (Psalms 91:15 KFV) He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him, and honour him. YOU CAN WALK ON THE WATER BUT IT REQUIRES SOMETHING ON YOUR PART. 1. Weary of riding in the boat 2. Desire to be with Jesus more than fearing the unknown. 3. Must have a commitment to Jesus. 4. Must have a word from the Lord.