Keeping our Focus
Notes
Transcript
As Peter quickly learned, following Christ is an adventure. When he began the Lord’s school of discipleship, he had no idea that one of his lessons would include walking on the Sea of Galilee during a storm. While Peter’s “walking on water.” experience is a famous miracle, it also foreshadows what every Christian must face- the storms and trials of life. Through the storms we must learn, as Peter did, to keep our focus on Christ. He is always with us in the midst of the storm.
Throughout this passage, Peter changed focus several times. When Peter saw the Lord in the middle of the storm, he began by responding in faith. Later, he allowed fear to intrude, but then he renewed his focus on the Lord. As Peter did, we will experience difficulties in out life. But part of growing as a disciple requires keeping out focus on the Lord, even when storms swirl around us. In this lesson, let’s learn along with Peter the necessity of keeping out eyes on Christ.
The Lord’s Foresight
The Lord’s Foresight
Peter had just witnessed a meal like not other- Jesus fed in excess of five thousand people with only five loaves and two fish. Imagine the disciples’ excitement that day as they recounted the Lord’s miracle. The Christian life, however, is not composed of only mountain-top experiences. We rejoice in the high points, but we often profit more from the low points- something the disciples were about to learn.
Following the miracle, Jesus “constrained his disciples” to leave people and ministry to sail to the other side. constrained means “to force by imposed stricture, restriction, or limitation.” other places in the New Testament translate this word compelled. this wasn’t a casual request. Jesus expressly commanded His disciples to leave and go the other side and He would join them later. There was, however, an approaching storm. From what we know of Peter, the disciples probably couldn’t see it. or Peter would have brought it to the Lord’s attention. But Jesus knew what was coming.
He Sent the Multitudes Away
He Sent the Multitudes Away
Throughout the New Testament we see Jesus doing miraculous things and directly afterward sending people away.
And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
often this was because, having met the immediate need, He wanted to continue teaching and mentoring the disciples for future usefulness.
As necessary as ministry to others is, it is equally important to set aside time to be alone with the Lord. out most important relationship. Only in this way can we grow out personal walk with Christ and become proper vessels in His hands to carry His love and message to the Lord.
It was just as important to Christ that He spent time alone with the Father. so we should follow His example.
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.
And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
As we spend time alone with God, we are promised that the results will be made public.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
The disciples were in the ship calmly obeying the Lord’s command. But they were soon to learn that being in the Lord’s will doesn’t promise smooth sailing.
He Sent the Disciples into the Storm
He Sent the Disciples into the Storm
As the disciples sailed across the Sea, a great storm appeared. As they battled the wind and waves, what was running through their minds? After all, Jesus had sent them on this trip knowing there would be a storm.
One of the hardest things for believers to understand is that we can be in the center of God’s will and still be in the center of a storm. We often wonder during a trial, “what am I doing wrong?” The answer may well be nothing.
The great hymn writer Isaac Watts understood this well when he penned the words to , “Am I a Soldier of the Cross?” As the song’s words depict, whole- heartedly following the Lord guarantees tails and persecution:
Must I be Carried to the Skies
On flow’ry beds of ease,
While other fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God.
Isaac Watts
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
An old proverb says, “Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.” When we face storms, the Lord may be sending them in to our lives to grow us.
But he knoweth the way that I take: When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Peter’s Focus
Peter’s Focus
We’re all focused on something. Whether it’s a short- range focus like out daily to-do list or a long- range one on something truly important, our attention is aimed at things we look at and things that matter to us. This is where we invest out time, talent, and treasure. In other words, “what consumes your mind, controls you life.”
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
From sports, hobbies, and occupations to whatever catches our eye, the world clamors and competes for our attention. But amid all the distractions, it is vital to keep our eyes on Jesus.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
God promises to guide us as we keep our focus on Him.
He Focused on the Lord
He Focused on the Lord
Peter’s focus changed multiple times throughout this experience. In the midst of the storm, Peter and the other disciples at first focused on their fear, much as we can be tempted to do. The disciples were no doubt terrified of drowning, Then their fear was heightened when they saw, what they thought was a spirit walking on the waves to them. These seasoned fisherman began to cry out in fear. then Peter and the rest their focus changed when a familiar voice broke through the storm. “Be of good cheer, it is I be not afraid.” God doesn’t want us to be afraid.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Then Peter the first one to speak up, asked Christ if he could come to Him on the water. He realized safety was with the Saviour, not with the ship, and he believed he also could walk on the water.
He Focused on the Storm
He Focused on the Storm
After this tremendous step of faith, to leave the supposed security of the ship and walk to Jesus in the midst of the heaving waves, Peter underwent an unfortunate change of focus. His attention had been completely on Christ, but now he was looking only on his surroundings.
No one naturally enjoys life’s storms. we would like our lives to be smooth and easy, with everything working out just as we plan. We need to remind ourselves, however, that often these storms are being used to shape us to be what God would have us to be.
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.