Sermon Tone Analysis

*Message:* You can Follow                                                 *Newport Baptist Church*

*Scr:* Matthew 14:22-36                                                     *Date*: 2006-08-20

*Intro:*  */(The Disciples Version of the Story) – /*/Guess what Peter did/

/Peter late for dinner the next day – disciples talking/

/Matt – made a fool of himself/

/James – Peter always showing off/

/Others – laughing – tried and failed, crazy, should have stayed in the boat with us!/

…And now the rest of the story… \\ */(Peter’s Version of the Story) \\ /*I was on my way to dinner with the other disciples when I ran into an old fishing buddy.

I was so excited about what had happened that I had to tell somebody.

I started telling him the story: “You’ll never believe what happened last night.

I was in a boat with the rest of the guys at about 3:00am.

The winds and the waves started to rock the boat back and forth.

We were caught in the middle of a terrible storm.

Then out of nowhere we saw what appeared to be a ghost.

The figure was walking on water.

Then we heard his voice.

It was the voice of Jesus.

He told us not to be afraid.

So I said, ‘Master, if it is you, then tell me to come to you on the water.’

He told me to get out of the boat and come.

So that’s exactly what I did.

Before I knew what was happening I was actually walking on water.

It was amazing!

Then all of a sudden I remembered I was in the middle of a huge storm.

I started watching the waves instead of Jesus.

Then it happened.

I started sinking under the water.

Immediately I cried out to the Lord and begged him to rescue me.

He reached out his hand and pulled me back up.

He asked me why I ever doubted Him and encouraged me to have more faith next time.

The other disciples just watched from the boat.

I can’t believe they didn’t join me.

Sure, I started to sink because of doubt, but at least I can say I’ve walked on water!

Maybe they’ll learn from my experience and get out of the boat next time.

\\ *Explanation – *The challenge to you is this: Get out of the Boat! \\ All of you have a choice.

You can stay in the boat and criticize those who step out.

Or you can get out of the boat and say that you’ve walked on water.

The choice is yours!

Will you follow Jesus or will you give in to your fear, either by remaining in the boat, or by sinking?

*TS – *Jesus had a reason that night for sending the disciples away.

People he had fed wanted to make him a king – John 6:15 – Jesus knew that people will follow anyone who promises them the material things in life.

He didn’t want his disciples to buy into the world’s system.

So he went away to be by himself to pray, but before he did he made his disciples go on ahead in the boat – centre of the lake, 3.5 miles, 4th watch – between 3&6 am – storm had arisen – and Jesus came walking – dark, waves & wind, cloak and hair whipped by the wind.

Storm often comes in our own lives, but there are a number of things we can trust when we are following Jesus, you can follow because:

*1.       **He brought me here!

– vs 22*

a.

Why did storm come?

Because they were IN the will of God!

                                                   i.

Jesus knew storm was coming and sent them into the storm

                                                  ii.

Our safety is not based on circumstances, but on being in the will of God

b.

Two kinds of storms in the Bible

                                                   i.

Storms of correction – God’s discipline - Jonah

                                                  ii.

Storms of perfection – God helping us grow

1.       Jesus had tested them in the storm before-calm the storm-but he was in the boat that time

2.       this time the test was that he was out of the boat

                                                iii.

obedience to God does not produce smooth sailing

1.       John 16:33-Jesus promised "in this world you shall have trouble"

c.        when we obey the Lord and find ourselves in the storm we must remember that he brought us here and he can care for us

*2.       **he is praying for me – vs 23-24*

a.       God's people are in the storm

                                                   i.

Romans 8:34-Jesus is in heaven interceding for us, praying for us.

ii.

Heb 4:15 - For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are

b.

Ill: if you knew that Jesus Christ was in the next room praying for you, wouldn't that help you overcome the storms that you're facing?

He is not in the next room yet, but he is in heaven praying for you, he sees her needs, he knows our fears, and he is in control of the situation.

*3.       **He will come to me – vs 25-26*

a.       we often feel like Jesus has abandoned us.

i.

Psalms-David's complaint-God far away and doesn't care

                                                  ii.

knew God would rescue him

b.

God will always come

                                                   i.

Isaiah 43:2-when you pass through the waters I will be with you

                                                  ii.      may not come when we think he should, he knows when we need him the most

                                                iii.

waited until the ship was as far from land as possible, so that human hope was gone

c.        Fear is a crippler.

i.

Fear of circumstances.

ii.

People.

iii.

The unknown.

iv.

It holds countless Christians back.

v.

Their goliath is bigger than God! - and so live in captivity

*4.       **he will help me grow – vs27-29*

man driving Porsche.