Misconception – Is it a ghost

Matthew 14:22-33

Matthew 14:22–33 LEB

And immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent away the crowds. And after he sent away the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. So when evening came, he was there alone. But the boat was already many stadia distant from the land, being beaten by the waves, because the wind was against it. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But the disciples, when they saw him walking on the sea, were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Have courage, I am he! 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 getting out of the boat, Peter walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus extended his hand and caught him and said to him, “You of little faith! Why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind abated. So those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God!”

Directly after Jesus performs one of his most famous miracles , the feeding of the 5000 The disciples get into there boat and go ahead of Jesus to the other side.

Jesus sends the crowds away If you remember, He had originally came to that spot to be alone even though the crowds keep coming

So he sends them away and goes to the mountains to pray

After praying he comes down and goes to catch the boat which is a ways off shore. Being Jesus, He just walks out on the water. Which would be trippy to see

And when the disciples see this they think it’s a g-g-ghost

America is not the only country that believes in ghost, 45% of Americans believe in ghost. 18% say they haves seen one. (Sample Size seems small on both of these)

The area around Jesus has a belief in ghost and spirits going back as far as we know of. So the question “Is it a ghost”, is not that unreasonable.

Jesus reply, don’t worry its me

But Peter doesn’t believe it he has misconceptions of who Jesus is Immediately after the feeding of the 5000.

But this is common, some of our greatest victories bring our greatest lows

Look at Elijah after he wins a mighty victory defeating 450 prophets of Bel and calls the fire down from heaven showing YHWH to be the true God of Israel. He goes and hides in a cave Entering into some sort of depression

Peter doesn’t understand that Jesus the fully human, The one who they were so close to, was also fully God and could do such a thing. That is why he says if it’s you command me to come to you.

Which was supposed to be a test of Jesus but Jesus flips it and turns it to a teaching moment to point out Peter’s lack of faith

Peter could of said hey Jesus what are you doing out there. Didn’t your mamma ever tell you not to be walking on water in this weather. You’ll catch cold.

But no he says, prove it

And Peter is the one who fails the test

Wrong Perceptions or Misconceptions are Common

Wrong perception or misconceptions are common. We all have them to one degree or another. They come from our up bringing, lack of understandings or from our bias’.

We are all bias, May be skin color. May be economic, May be activity based Or whatever

We all have them. Where we favor one thing and not another.

It’s what we do with them that matter. And we all have these misconceptions due to them. So Don’t assume You Don’t have any.

Look at the Bible we have good examples, Acts 14 Paul and Barnabas are preaching and the people from their bias. Being worshipers of the Greek Gods, believe Barnabas to be Zeus and Paul to be Hermes.

Or the confusion as you read the bible looking at the term “morning star”. Which refers to both Lucifer – Isaiah 14:12 And Jesus - Revelation 22:16. As Lucifer tries to emulate the Morning Star. Jesus The Morning Star.

Peters Misconception of who Jesus/God/HS

What misconceptions due to your bias do you have or struggle with?

Some of the most Common

God will love you less if you mess up or don’t do right.

Not true God’s love is eternal and everlasting. Relationship wont be right but love doesn’t change.

God is mad at you.

God forgave all your sins past, present, future. Relationship that needs work

God doesn’t want you.

God invites everyone into his blessed Kingdom.

Cosmic cop

God is just waiting to zap you when you are bad

God doesn’t want you to have fun.

If it’s fun it’s a sin

In fact Jesus was a fun person. He just wants you to have fun in a safe way. He is protective of his children.

God is the universe

God created the universe he is not the universe. Can’t confine God to a box

God doesn’t understand you

God created you. God became man. God lives within you if you ABC.

God doesn’t know what you are thinking

You can hide from God

God takes away all problems

If He is Love and he is all powerful then take all problems away. If he doesn’t then he is evil or not all powerful there for not worth worshiping

Lie: God loves you so much he allows you the freedom to tell him we don’t love Him. He wants us to love as he is love

All God’s are the same

Steps to deal with misconceptions

1. Go through Jesus

Tabernacles in the OT wonderful vision of Jesus

Bronze alter blood sprinkled and we are cleansed - - Blood of Jesus

Holy Place no natural light – Menorah and shew bread – Jesus light and bread

Holy of Holy’s God’s throne - Jesus torn the vail away so that we could be with and go straight through Him to God

We must form a deeper love/Relationship with Jesus to right wrong perceptions

Deeper love/relationship with God manifest itself through actions Like reading the Bible, Like praying, Like meditation, Like memorizing scriptures, Etc. But, these are not the how, these are just the result

We develop this relationship but being with and lifting up Jesus

2. Break bad habits of thinking by making good habits

Transforming the mind. Recognize misconceptions of god and stop them by filling with right ideas of God. God doesn’t love me. The response is God and does love me. Despite my behavior.

3. Let faith grow

Can’t grow faith by trying to believe more

Hebrews 12:2 CSB

keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus the author and perfected of faith

Jesus furnishes faith. Grow faith by God in to God, in the good and the bad times

Peter had a lack of faith because of his misconception

Next Steps

Do you have any?

What can you do to help you see God as he is?

Won’t get true until glorification

pray

Bibliography

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/10/30/18-of-americans-say-theyve-seen-a-ghost/

https://www.newsweek.com/more-45-percent-americans-believe-demons-ghosts-are-real-survey-1466743