sf163 - What To Do When The Storms Come (Matthew 14 22-33)

Matthew 14:22‑33

INTRODUCTION

The Feeding to the 5,000 was the lesson that set the background for this event. This is a tremendous test; the disciples were near shipwreck. There are several miracles here: the miracle of Jesus walking on the water, the miracle of Peter walking on the water, the miracle of Jesus calming the storm, the miracle of the boat being instantly on the other shore.

Where I come from we have thunderstorms. Sometimes they can be quite violent. Virgie, my wife’s aunt lives with us. She is very afraid of storms. When Micah, my youngest daughter was very small, Virgie taught her what to do when it stormed. One day it began to storm and my daughter, Micah ran and sat down on the couch. She told me, “Daddy, unplug everything, sit on the couch and be quite.” She knew what to do when it stormed.

Often we find ourselves in a similar situation, life is filled with storms. We need to know what to do when the storm comes.

1A. The Frightening Reality of the Storm (14:24)

1B. They were in the middle of the problem

They were in the “middle of the sea.” They were about 3-3.5 miles (5 kilometers) from shore.

They found themselves caught in the middle.

Life has a way of putting us in the middle.

2B. Everything was against them

The Scripture says, The wind was contrary. It was a strong wind.

Often it seems that everything is going against us.

The winds of life blow contrary or against us.

3B. It was the Darkest Hour

The disciples did not know which way to go.

Ø The "4th watch" was the last watch of the night. It was dark and dangerous.

They had a Threefold problem:

Ø the distance from the shore,

Ø the direction of the wind,

Ø the darkness of the night.

God arranged it as an illustration of the problems we all have.

2A. God’s Provision in the Storm (14:22-27)

1B. God is never surprised by our storms (14:22-23)

2B. God will use our storms as a pathway to us (14:25)

3B. God will use our storms to reveal Christ to us (14:26-27)

Verse 27 literally says, "take courage, I am. Don't be afraid." Jesus used the name of God, the name "I am."

This is the name for the great self existent God, it is a very holy name!

This name is a declaration of Deity

Jesus was saying, “I am in charge here.” We need to see him as the Christ in the midst of our storm who is in charge.

This name is a proclamation of presence

Not I was, not I am going to be, but I am. This is the eternally contemporary Christ.

He is just as real, just as near, just as dear, just as precious, and just as present today as He was then. He is with you right now, He is the eternal "I am."

This name is an announcement of abundance

"I am" is an unfinished sentence. Jesus says, “I am” and we can fill in the blank. He is all we need. Paul understood this truth when he wrote in

Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Colossians 2:10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Not only is Jesus is necessary, He is enough!

Whoever you are, He is enough

To the artist He is altogether lovely. To the architect He is the chief cornerstone. To the banker He is the hidden treasure. To the baker He is the living bread.

To the biologist He is the life. To the builder He is the sure foundation. To the doctor He is the great physician. To the educator He is the great teacher.

To the farmer He is the Lord of the harvest. To the florist He is the Rose of Sharon. To the geologist He is the rock of ages. To the jurist He is the righteous judge. To the jeweler He is the pearl of great price.

To the lawyer He is my advocate. To the publisher He is the good tidings of great joy. To the philosopher He is the wisdom of God. To the preacher He is the word of God.

To the sculptor He is the living stone. To the statesman He is the desire of all nations. To the theologian He is the author and finisher of our faith. To the traveler He is the new and living way.

To the sinner He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. To the saint He is the son of the living God, our savior, our redeemer, and our Lord. He is the I am!

3A. The Saints Response to the Storm

1B. We must look for Jesus when the storm comes (14:26)

They saw that what threatened to be over their head was already under His feet!

Ephesians 1:22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

We must spend time with God in prayer and reading His word until we see what they saw

2B. We must listen to Jesus while the storm rages. (14:27-29)

Jesus will comfort us. (14:27)

Jesus will challenge us. (14:28-29a)

Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

3B. We must obey Jesus in spite of the storm. (14:29b)

Faith is our venturing everything on God's faithfulness.

Ø When Peter walked on the water, he was really walking on the Word. He believed God and did something about it.

Ø The Bible is a book to be believed. We need to start obeying the Lord. We like the safety of the boat. So we sit and watch the Lord pass us by.

4B. We must walk with Jesus throughout the storm. (14:30)

Simon Peter did not drown and neither will you.

Ø Simon may not have walked very far but he walked further than the rest of the disciples.

Ø It is safer to be on the waves with Jesus than in the boat without Him!

Ø Simon faltered because he looked at his circumstance and not his savior.

Ø We are commanded to keep our eyes of faith firmly fixed on Jesus.

Colossians 2:6 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

Jesus will not let you drown.

“Peter was nearer his Lord when he was sinking than when he was walking.” (Spurgeon)

Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.

Ø Peter got back to the ship one of two ways... he walked or Jesus carried him.

5B. We must worship Jesus after the storm (14:31‑33)

Why did Jesus walk on the water?

Ø So the disciples would know He was sufficient for them.

Ø The storm was a highway that brought Jesus to them! The problem was only a vehicle that brought Jesus to them!

Ø It brought Jesus in reality to them (14:33) "truly you are the Son of God."

Worship is our response to God’s Grace!

Matthew 14:22-33

1A. The Frightening Reality of the Storm (14:24)

1B. They were in the _______________ of the problem

2B. Everything was ________________________ them

3B. It was the ______________________ hour

The disciples did not know which way to go.

They had a Threefold problem:

Ø the distance from the shore,

Ø the direction of the wind,

Ø the darkness of the night.

2A. God’s Provision in the Storm (14:22-27)

1B. God is _______________ surprised by our storms (14:22-23)

2B. God will use our storms as a _________________ to us (14:25)

3B. God will use our storms to ___________________ Christ to us (14:26-27)

This name is a declaration of Deity

This name is a proclamation of presence

This name is an announcement of abundance (Philippians 4:19; Colossians 2:10)

3A. The Saints Response to the Storm

1B. We must ______________ for Jesus when the storm comes (14:26; Ephesians 1:22)

We must spend time with God in prayer and reading His word until we see what they saw

2B. We must _________________ to Jesus while the storm rages. (14:27-29)

Jesus will comfort us. (14:27)

Jesus will challenge us. (14:28-29a; Romans 10:17)

3B. We must _________________ Jesus in spite of the storm. (14:29b)

Faith is our venturing everything we are on God's faithfulness.

4B. We must ______________ with Jesus throughout the storm. (14:30)