Get out the Boat
Trusting God in Chaos • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 56 viewsHaving enough Faith to get out the boat
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Intro:
Intro:
Review:
Review:
Last week we talked about the miracle of Jesus sleeping during a storm.
We learned when storms began to batter our lives we should watch our TEACHER. Whatever he is doing in the storm we should also do.
In the first storm Jesus went to sleep during the storm. This storm was a deadly storm, which Jesus found a way to rest in.
As the storms of life batter our lives we must find a way to get rest(metaphor) in the storms.
This week we need to look at the other time Jesus and Disciples had some problems at Sea. There are more nuggets of information we can use to helps get through these unsettled times.
Transition Statement:
Transition Statement:
The Teacher(Jesus) never stops teaching, he is end game is that we would learn to live by faith not by sight as a lifestyle.
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 After dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Well into the night, he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the boat was already some distance from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. 25 Jesus came toward them walking on the sea very early in the morning. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and they cried out in fear. 27 Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter answered him, “command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
I. His Storm
I. His Storm
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 After dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Well into the night, he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the boat was already some distance from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them.
(v.22) “Immediately”
(EXE-v.22) When someone says “Immediately” and it is sandwiched between two narratives or stories there is reason. This story is reported in Mark as well as John. Both Mark & Matthew start off the narrative using the word “Immediately”
-All three Matthew, Mark & John report that this miracle happened right after the feeding of the 5,000.
-In their Gospel it says that all “ate and were satisfied” but John gives us some information about the most likely reason Jesus “immediately” tells his disciples to get a boat while he dismisses himself to the mountain for some prayer time Let’s go to John 6:14-15
14 When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This truly is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 Therefore, when Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
(v.14-15) Notice what Jesus is trying to avoid in this text. After performing this glorious miracle the people are trying to forcible make him King. Jesus did not come to Earth for an Inauguration but a Resurrection.
-This gives us a good indication of Why both Matthew & Mark start off this narrative with the word “Immediately”
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 After dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Well into the night, he was there alone.
(v.22) “Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds”
(EXE-v.22) Instead of following his disciples to the boat like he did before when he slept in the boat with them, he distanced himself from them. Jesus told his disciples to go ahead of him in the boat while he stayed back to give the benediction.
(v.23) “After dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Well into the night, he was there alone.” As is common practice for Jesus he went up for some alone time to have a one on one conversation with his Daddy! Matthew lets us know he was talking with his Father until the middle of the night. During his prayer time the weather changed on the Sea of Galilee. Maybe during his conversation with his Father they decided it was time to test the disciples again to see if they were ready to pass their class Living by Faith 201 to 400 level graduate classes.
24 Meanwhile, the boat was already some distance from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them.
(EXE-v.25) While Jesus was on his knees and communicating with his father another storm rose up in the Sea of Galilee. Now let’s remember from last week:
Who’s storm is it??
- Its His Storm: Nothing ever catches our Lord by Surprise. Now Mark version gives us a little more meat for the bone.
47 Well into the night, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 He saw them straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Very early in the morning he came toward them walking on the sea and wanted to pass by them.
(EXE v.47-48) By the middle of the night the disciples had gotten to the middle of the Sea when the storm started to batter them to and fro. They were straining with the paddles to try and make some headway through the wind & waves. They were trying to paddle through the headwinds.
Now lets take a look at some of the difference from Storm narrative of last week:
Now lets take a look at some of the difference from Storm narrative of last week:
Jesus is not in the boat so they do not have the immediate comfort of his presence.
The Disciples are rowing and trying to complete the objective Jesus asked them to do. They are rowing not panicking.
Transition Statement: In Mark’s gospel 6:48 it says Jesus saw them. This is profound because it tells us that Jesus does not have to be near us to hear & See our struggles.
Transition Statement: In Mark’s gospel 6:48 it says Jesus saw them. This is profound because it tells us that Jesus does not have to be near us to hear & See our struggles.
-This is a miracle in itself. They have been rowing all night and have only gotten about 3.5 miles away. But the Human Eye can only see to the edge of 3.0 in the daytime. He say their plight during the 4 watch of the night which in ancients times was 3pm-6am so it was still dark outside. He served a God who can see in the dark!!!
II. His Stroll
II. His Stroll
25 Jesus came toward them walking on the sea very early in the morning. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and they cried out in fear. 27 Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
(v.25) Jesus came toward them walking on the sea very early in the morning. After spending 9 hours talking to his father. And after making a decision to help the disciples after they had been rowing for several hours Jesus rose from prayer and began to step on the water.
-You will notice that it says Jesus walked on the water not through the water. Which means when those big 8-10 feet waves come crashing into the shore Jesus was walking on top of them.
Can you Imagine the sight of Jesus calming walking on top of 10 foot waves?
-In the ancient world when something was conquered they would say “Trampled under foot” To walk on something signified it was Conquered.
Jesus walking on the waves proved what point?
-Jesus not only stops waves, but he conquers waves.
-The disciples understood this truth “Look at them!”
(v.26) “When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and they cried out in fear.” The disciples let go of the lesser fear and begin to focus on the greater fear. Isn’t it interesting the Ghost consumed them rather than the waves. Notice how they responded to “The Ghost”
a. Cried out-This is an emphatic verb. That carries the idea of a loud wailing. This would be the kind of Noise someone would be making if they were being chased by a hungry bear.
(v.27) “Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” When Jesus perceived their utter fear he immediately sought to quell their fear by Immediately letting them know his Identity. Listen to him “Have Courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid”
Transition Statement: Jesus gave a word of encouragement to lift their confidence, and Peter decided he wanted to go up one more notch.
Transition Statement: Jesus gave a word of encouragement to lift their confidence, and Peter decided he wanted to go up one more notch.
III. Our Stare
III. Our Stare
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter answered him, “command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
(v.28) “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter answered him, “command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.”
(EXE-v.28) Look at Ole Pete!! He says “Lord” “Master” you got to give me the power, but if you do give it to me I believe I can do the same thing as you. This is a powerful act of Faith of Ole Pete. The disciples have learned some things. They are growing.
-Rather than ask Jesus have the storm stopped Peter desired to walk on the waves of the storms.
-Jesus is teaching and the disciples have grown.
(v.29) “He said, Come” In this statement is a whole lot of meat. This statement tells you it is Jesus desire for you do the supernatural, which is to conquer the storms of your life. There is one pre-requisite before you step out on the water though:
a. Asking: “Lord if it is up to you” This is Peter way of asking God if it is his will. By walking on water Peter was creating a problem he did not have on the boat. Staying in the boat is safe and smart. Getting out the boat and walking on water is both dangerous and unwise(stupid)
-Sometimes God has called us to the dangerous and unwise. God’s call in the worlds’ eye will always look dangerous, & stupid. It will look reckless and selfish. But there are times when “Walking on Water is Exactly What God wants you to do”
b. Waiting: “He said, Come” Notice Peter had enough sense not to get off the boat until Jesus said “Come” Once Peter got the “Ok” he left. But notice how he left the other disciples. Peter by this act of faith is basically saying I would rather walk on water to meet Jesus, than sit in this boat among my friends in safety.
-The safest place to be in the Christian life is in the center of God’s will......Charles Stanley
29 He said, “Come.” And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
(v.29) He said, Come “And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus” Pete got off the boat and began to approach Jesus. He had his eyes fixed on Jesus. As long as he keep his eyes on Jesus he could walk on 10 foot waves Just like Jesus.
Transition: Peter is doing well Walking on Water. His eyes are fixed on the Lord. But then something happened.
30 But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
(v.30) “But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Ole Pete got distracted; Noticed the text:
a. But when “He Saw”: Saw is in the present tense meaning something continual. Ole Pete saw the waves before he got out of the boat. He knew what he was getting into.
So what transpired?
-Peter focus/gaze went from Jesus onto the waves. Notice the text.(v.29) Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus(focused on the Lord) (v.30) “But” contradictory conjunction. This tells us something happened opposite of what was happening previous. Pete eyes went from Jesus to the wind/waves. Remember the verb “saw” is continual that tells us He did not peek at the waves, but he began to stare at the waves instead of Jesus.
Transition Statement: Don’t you love the fact we serve a kind, compassionate, and patient God who when our faith is weak is always there; Look at Jesus in (v.31)
Transition Statement: Don’t you love the fact we serve a kind, compassionate, and patient God who when our faith is weak is always there; Look at Jesus in (v.31)
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
(v.31) “Immediately”
(EXE-v.31) Let me play with this text a little. We know the disciples got out about 3.5 miles into the Sea of Galilee. The scriptures tells us Jesus begin walking on the water not running. We also know Jesus was so far away from them they thought it was a ghost. They did not notice it was Jesus, it was Jesus who told them “It is I, Take courage!” (v.29) Simply says Peter came toward Jesus.
-Matthew tells us the minute Peter begin to sink in waves to the point of despair “Our Lord immediately made up the ground between he & peter” this is where the Benediction of Jude helps us
Jude “Now unto him who is able to keep us from Stumbling” We serve who God fills in the gaps of our faith. He knows when to close the Gap, He knows when you are drowning during those times when you think you can’t go any longer. During those times when the waves of your life overwhelm you “He knows how to close the gap between us and him!”
32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
When they got into the boat?
-Anything interesting about this statement. This should emote a question.
How did Jesus and Peter get back to the boat?
-It is reasonable to suggest after Jesus saved him both he and Peter walked on the water back to the boat. Isn’t that a powerful metaphor of our faith walk. After Peter started to sink Jesus like a loving father mildly rebuked Peter “You of little faith, why did you doubt? You were doing good!!! Stay focused on me and you can do the impossible!!!
-Now lets walk on water together back to the boat!!
When Jesus got back into the boat two things happened?
a. (v.32) The wind ceased, which lead to a praise ceremony. The Disciples began to proclaim “Surely you are the Son of God”
20 But he said to them, “It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 21 Then they were willing to take him on board, and at once the boat was at the shore where they were heading.
b. The time they lost in middle of the Sea of Galilee fighting the waves in Christ they made up all the lost time. Notice what John says about this narrative. As soon as they accepted Christ into the Boat “at once the boat was at the shore where they were heading”
-Jesus didn’t just get them to shore he got them to the right dock that was in the specific direction he was taking them.
-Listen Saints: COVID, RACIAL UNREST, POLITICAL INSTABiLITLY, SICKNESS, LONLINESS can be overwhelming but we see from this scripture God has called us to not just get through our storms, but to walk on top of them.
What does it mean to walk on top of your storms?
-Hurricanes, Typhoons and Tsunami are meant by their very nature to destroy. To walk on your storms is to go through life’s trials Keeping your eyes focused on the greater Fear. What do I mean?
-The Storms of life come kill, steal and destroy your faith and ultimately your life. They are a formidable foe, but if we are too walk on top of these things and conquer them, we need to keep our eyes on the one who created the storms of life. Peter was focused, but lost it. His story gives us comfort. Many of us have taken our eyes off Jesus during this time and have begun to panic. Get your eyes back on him!!! and Don’t turn away. He will get us back into the boat, He will get us to our intended destination.
One night a house caught fire and a young boy was forced to flee to the roof. The father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms, calling to his son, "Jump! I'll catch you." He knew the boy had to jump to save his life. All the boy could see, however, was flame, smoke, and blackness. As can be imagined, he was afraid to leave the roof. His father kept yelling: "Jump! I will catch you." But the boy protested, "Daddy, I can't see you." The father replied, "But I can see you and that's all that matters."
The Christian faith enables us to face life or meet death, not because we can see, but with the certainty that we are seen; not that we know all the answers, but that we are known.
-Jesus in longer physically with us. To focus on him to keep your eyes fixed on his Character and who he has said he was from scripture.
Open the Doors of the Church
Open the Doors of the Church
Giving
Announcement
Benediction:
Benediction:
16 And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.