Faith in Jesus
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
Continuing our God with Us series.
We’ve looked at what it means to better understand Jesus, how we are to worship Jesus, and today I’d like for you to see what it means to have faith in Jesus.
Hebrews 11:1
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
It’s important to understand this because we, as Christians, are called to live by faith and not by sight.
2 Cor 5:7
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
What does that look like though? Is it smooth sailing? No. Why not?
That’s a great question…I don’t have the exact answers to your situation…but I do want to show you today that in the Bible, when people had God with them, they still had trouble. Life wasn’t perfect all the time. But they were able to get through and on the other side, they were able to worship the God who was with them.
Follow along with me in Matt 14:22-32 and we will see a time when Jesus’ disciples went through a storm with Him.
Matt 14:22-32
22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
Pray
We are encountering Jesus and the disciples at about the mid point of his ministry here on earth. He has just fed the 5000 and has now told the his disciple to go on their own so He can go off and pray.
Last week we spoke of rest. Notice here Jesus Himself sat that time aside to rest in the midst of all He had going on. If He can do it, so can you.
Then we get into the boat in the Sea of Galilee with the disciples.
That’s where we learn our lesson here…God will allow you to go through storms.
1. God will allow you to go through storms.
1. God will allow you to go through storms.
They get in the boat and push out to sea and in the midst of the sea a storm comes.
Let me get 4 teenagers up here to help.
Now…Out in the middle of the sea. The disciples encountered wind, rain, thunder, and lightening.
They are in the middle of the storm and begin to get frightened. They had the wind…rain…thunder…and lightening…scaring them.
Did Jesus know that storm was coming? Yes.
Why did Jesus send them out into the storm?
Look at
John 6:15
15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
After feeding the 5 thousand men plus women and children, the people wanted to make Jesus their king.
That was not God’s will. That was not what the plan for Christ on earth was. And the disciples at this point appear to not have made their determination as to who Jesus is.
Even though He has just performed one miracle, they have seen others, but when they saw him calm a storm some time back they asked the question without answer “What manner of man is this?”
Many of us have seen Jesus work in our lives or in the lives of others but I’m afraid we are still asking ourselves “What manner of man is this?”
What manner of God is this that I serve? Then we just sit in awe for a bit, we probably have worshipful hearts for some time but instead of seeking to know Jesus more, we move on with life until the next storm comes.
The disciples have done just that. And now, the storm is here. A hard time has come. And how did they get in this hard time? Jesus sent them into it.
He told them to go out to sea knowing what was coming. Why would He do such a thing?
Because, I believe, being in the middle of that storm was God’s will for them. Whereas, being with the people who wanted to make Jesus a king, which was not God’s will, was not what was best for them.
It is better to be inside a storm that is at the center of God’s will than it is to be on paradise island outside of God’s will.
When we are called to take steps of faith, it may not be smooth sailing. It may look like that at first but once you get into it, there will be some hard times. Life looks easy as a kid but as you go through it, you realize, that is not the case.
Follow the Lord takes steps of faith. Those start as small steps. Steps like, having faith that obeying God by being meek and humble is better than being loud and angry when someone is yelling at me.
Taking the step of faith to not gossip about someone and tell how difficult they can be to another person. Pastor, how is that a step of faith? Well, if you find your self conducting your life against the Word of God, and make the choice to live by the word of God then you are, by faith, trusting in God that the outcome will be more glorifying for Him and better for you.
That takes an understanding that God will allow you to go through storms. Why? Because He has provided the means by which you can safely navigate those waters. It starts, with a focus on Jesus.
2. Just because your focused on Jesus, doesn’t mean the storm will end.
2. Just because your focused on Jesus, doesn’t mean the storm will end.
The disciples are out in the middle of this storm and are now worried and scared. The hard time of life has come and their faith is being tested. What do they do?
Well, we don’t have a record of prayer. We don’t have a record of calling out for Christ.
We see that they are in the fourth watch of the night. This is between 3-6am.
It’s during this time, they see what they believe to be a spirit or ghost walking on the water. It wasn’t until Jesus called unto them that they realized who it was.
Warren Weirsbe said that if they had been looking for Him, they would have recognized Him. He makes the assertion that this shows their lack of faith in Jesus and His ability to take care of Him.
It’s a lack of faith that caused us to have the shortest verse in the Bible.
John 11:35
35 Jesus wept.
This was at the resurrection of Lazarus when they had no faith in Him as the Son of God to care for the situation.
Now, that they see Jesus, now that they are focused on Him as we get when we are in the middle of the storm. Notice a few things with me.
A. Jesus called Peter INTO the storm
A. Jesus called Peter INTO the storm
Peter said If it’s you....let me come out there.
If that’s you Lord, bring me out to where you are. because with you in a storm is better than the boat without you.
Peter now, seeing Jesus, begins to exercise some faith.
Jesus knew where the disciples hearts were. He knew it would take them seeing Him to begin exercising some faith.
He knows where you are, He will show up. We have what the disciples had, a testimony of life when we can look back and say “yup…that was when God showed up during this. Yup, that was when Jesus protected me.” The great thing we have that the disciples didn’t are the accounts of the great things Jesus did with them. The amazing work He did in the early church. What he did with the Apostle Paul.
All of these things are even better than the eyewitness testimony of Peter. Peter said that
2 Peter 1:19-21
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
With the Word of God we can have the faith of Peter and then some to say “God, I don’t know how I’m getting through this storm but I know I’m going to go through it with you.”
Peter had to have faith in God and faith isn’t a blind thing. It is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. It is based upon what we know of God.
Peter says “If that’s you…bid me to come out.”
I beleive, He knew that if that was Jesus…He would be fine.
So He kept his eyes on Him and started walking away from what appeared safe to the unconventional methods of going through a storm at sea. He went from the boat to walking on water.
He put his focus on Jesus in the middle of this storm, just as you may put your focus on Jesus in the middle of a trial and notice what didn’t happen.
B. The Storm did not end
B. The Storm did not end
Too often I believe we are under the impression that if we put our eyes on Jesus that the storm of life will be completely and utterly stop. That’s not what we are promised.
Peter focuses on Jesus, walks on water and the wind, waves, rain, thunder, and lightening, are still raging.
What your going through doesn’t end just because you put your focus on Jesus. It does however change your perspective.
When you understand that God is with you. You can take the information and circumstances of life and process them through His lens rather than your own.
When Peter was focused on Jesus he still had the same problems…He just realized he didn’t have to worry about them or be full of care about them anymore. Why?
1 Peter 5:7
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Peter knew what it meant to cast all your cares on Jesus…He did it right here.
Now, out in the middle of the water. Out in the unsecure place, out in a situation where he could be afraid, where he could be worried about the outcome, he is walking on water with Jesus. Then…Then…he does something we all do from time to time.
He took His focus off of Jesus. He started giving attention to the winds, the waves, the rain, the thunder, and the the lightening.
And what happened? He succomed to his environment. He began to sink.
And does the Lord neglect Him? Not at all.
Peter Calls out
Matthew 14:30
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
Immediately Jesus reached out and lifted Him up. He gently rebukes Him…and then brings him to the boat.
Jesus didn’t end the storm for Peter when he put a focus on Him. God won’t end your trial just because your focusing on Him. He will be there with you and when you get consumed by it again, He is still there with an outreached hand to pick you up and carry through.
They get into the boat, and the wind ceases. The storm is over.
3. When the Storm is over, worship the one who got you through.
3. When the Storm is over, worship the one who got you through.
Matthew 14:32-33
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Don’t go through a trial of life seeking Christ and at the end of it taking credit or giving credit to someone else.
Give God the glory for what He has done. Tell others about what God has done, unashamdely.
Acts 4:20
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Peter and John had ben threatened not to preach Christ and they said this statement.
They faced death, riducle by their peers, and a society that wanted nothing to do with them yet they preached Christ. They gave testimony to that night on the ship when Jesus walked on water.
Someone can refute miracles of the Bible with me…I have to accept that. What they can’t do is refute the work of God in my life. They can’t tell me that’s not what happened. They can’t tell me my testimony isn’t true.
When I give God the glory for the things He has done in my life, no one can argue that. Sure, they can make fun of me. Ok, maybe they will ridicule me...
Matthew 5:11-12
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Having Faith in Jesus doesn’t mean you won’t go through storms. It means you can know that God is with you when you do go through them. It means that just because you have your eyes on Jesus doesn’t mean the storm will end. It means He will go through it with you. And when that is over…Worship Him by sharing your testimony of what God has done.
Time of Response
Time of Response
As we bow our heads to respond to the message this morning can I ask you a question…Are you living by faith? It may feel uncomfortable at first…but the longer you walk by faith the easier it gets. You may have been but you took your eyes off of Jesus..That’s ok..Call out to Him. He will pick you up. Take great rest in knowing that in the end, whatever that may look like, the storm will end and you can worship God.
Are you here today and you don’t have a relationship with Jesus?
Do you not know for sure that you will go to Heaven when you die?
The Bible has a clear way of entering into a relationship with God where you can know Heaven is your home and you don’t have to go through life alone.
Maybe you’ve never heard
John 3:16
KJV 190016 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
God does love you. Loves you so much He sent Jesus to die for you.
Now you are faced with a decision…will you continue finding salvation in your own works or in the finished work of Christ?
Ephesians 2:8–9
KJV 19008 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Your first have to admit your sinner
Romans 3:23
KJV 190023 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
I’m sure each of us could do that.Next you believe
Romans 10:9
KJV 19009 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Then confess. Confess Jesus as your Savior and call out to Him
Romans 10:13
KJV 190013 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
IF you’d like to do that today I’d like to help.
“Dear Jesus, I know I’m a sinner, I believe you came to die on the cross and rose from the dead. I put my faith right now in you and ask you to come into my life and change me from the inside out. Amen.”
Living by faith pleases God. I believe living by faith can result in God doing GREAT things. Will you choose to live by faith in your life?
PRAY