How To Walk On Water

How To Walk On Water

My hope is that by the end of this sermon

you’ll know what it takes to walk on water.

Introduction:

The idea for this sermon is based on a book by John Ortberg called;

If You Want To Walk On Water, You’ve Got To Get Out Of The Boat

I got a lot of the ideas for this sermon out of that book.

I recommend the book by the way, if you have a chance to get it, it’s a good book.

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· "The Bible is" . . . - among other things - the story of some very important walks.

· There’s Adam and Eve walking with God in the cool of the day in the Garden,

· Moses leading the Israelites in the round about way of the Wilderness.

· There’s the walk Joshua and the Israelites took around the walls of Jericho.

· There was the walk of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, or Paul on the road to Damascus.

· But I think, maybe the most intriguing walk in all the Bible is the walk that Peter took on the Sea of Galilee, on the water.

It’s intriguing because it involves so many of the aspects of the Christian life.

· having the wisdom to discern when Jesus is present and how He’s calling

· having the courage to get out of the boat

· the euphoria of walking on the water,

· and the fear and panic of failing and sinking

· the sense of relief that Jesus is strong enough to save

· and the wonder and adoration that Peter ends up worshipping Jesus with.

I think this story is especially intriguing because - in a way - it’s Jesus’ invitation to all of us,

· Jesus is still looking for followers who are willing to get out of the boat, and come to Him on the water.

So, if you’re up for a challenge, let’s go for a walk.

And I want to start our “walk” by asking the question . . .

What is it . . . that God is calling you . . . to do?

· Where in your life is God asking you to get out of the boat and follow him?

In other words . . .

· I’m not asking about what your dreams are

· I’m not asking what your agenda is

· I’m not asking what you think you should do

What I’m asking is:

What has God asked you to do?

Today - Or maybe a week ago - or whenever it might have been.

· Where in your life is He asking you to get out of your “boat”?

· Is He asking you to go and make something right with a person?

· Maybe you know you’ve wronged them or they’ve wronged you & things just aren’t right and It needs to be taken care of. God’s Word - speaks clearly - that we are to be reconciled with one another. Has He asked you to do that?

· Has He asked you to serve in an area of your giftedness? Where has he asked you to serve?

· OR has He asked you to give?

· maybe a gift

· or regularly to the Church

· or sacrificially to something

Has God been speaking to you about that?

· Has He asked you to move out of a relationship that’s not honoring to Him?

· OR - Has He asked you to stay in a relationship, that even if it’s difficult, it’s honoring to Him that you stay in that relationship?

· Maybe He’s asking you to confess a particular sin and get it out of your life. Let’s move on. Let’s get victory on that.

I don’t know . . .

What is it - that God is calling you to do?

Today we’re going to take a look at one of Jesus miracles and see if we can learn anything new about what it means to hear and follow Jesus . . .

But first let’s get a little context of this miracle . . .

This miracle is recorded in Matthew, Mark and John. And by combining what all 3 accounts show us we can get a sort of "3D" picture of what this miracle really means for us today . . .

Now, this is the miracle where Jesus came walking to them on the water

4And the context of this miracle is that Jesus had just lost a close relative - John the Baptist - who was Jesus cousin, had just been beheaded. (Matt. 14:3-12)

And because of this He was seeking to go and be alone. So “He withdrew to a . . . place to be alone - but the crowds followed Him . . .” (Matt. 14:3-13)

In fact, you know “great multitudes”, it says in The Bible “great multitudes” followed Him everywhere He went.

But it says that when He saw the great crowd He had compassion on them and healed their sick.

That’s what it says in Matthew, but Mark’s account adds that He also began teaching them many things. (Mark 6:34)

Then He performed the miracle of the feeding of the 5000 . . .

We think of this as, you know, He fed 5000 people from 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.

4But, look at what Matthew 14:21 say’s:

(21) The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

So, it’s possible that this crowd could have been anywhere from 10, 000 to 20,000 people depending on how many people were with those men.

The feeding of the 5000 was a miracle that was designed to show them that He was their Messiah, that He was the Bread of Life.

But the people had a mistaken idea about what their Messiah would come to do.

They were so in awe of Him performing this miracle that they thought He must be their Messiah.

They were right of course, but they were still looking at it only from a physical standpoint, because they were expecting their Messiah to come as a conquering King and overthrow the Roman government that was occupying Israel.

In other words, they were looking for a physical Messiah, a political leader to solve their problems. And some were only there for the free food!

And to top that off - In John (John 6:15) it says that Jesus knew that they intended to take Him by force and make Him their King!

Today we’re going to take this passage apart and break it down verse by verse - comparing it with the other 3 accounts - and see what we can get out of it . . .

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side while he dismissed the crowd.

· Well, the crowd was trying to take Him by force and make Him their King - that’s the reason for the immediacy

· This is the 2nd time Jesus had to still a storm for them - the first time He stilled a storm and they were left with a - big - question mark that said “Who is this, that even the wind and sea obeys Him?

· The next thing we should notice in this verse is that He made them go - He commanded them to go across to the other side and they obeyed.

Now, we have a tendency to think that the storms of life only happen to people who are not obedient to God or that they happen to bad people,

But, notice that the disciples were doing what He told them to do and they ran straight into a storm

4This has big implications for us today . . .

· Are you going through a storm in your life?

It could be that you’re exactly in the center of God’s will for your life.

· The “storms of life” happen in order - to reveal God more fully - to us.

· He wants us to know that we can trust Him with our very lives.

23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came he was there alone.

· Jesus was fully human - as well as fully God!(“Immanuel” - means “God With Us” - Matt. 1:23)

· This had been a long, long day, and He was worn out from teaching and healing and performing other miracles.

· And He wanted some time alone to rest and to pray. So He sent the disciples off and He went to be by Himself.

· Meanwhile, the disciples set off at evening time - notice it says “when evening came”.

· Now, it’s kind of unusual to set out across the Sea of Galilee at night

but He told them to do it - - and they obeyed.

· Marks account (Mark 6:48) says that He could see them from the mountain top where He was . . .

Jesus see’s our troubles - Just like Jesus could see them - He see’s us

Sometimes we just have to wait for God to act. They had to wait several hours - in a terrifying storm - for Jesus to come out there to them.

24 but the boat was already a considerable distance from land buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

Now by this time they were in the middle of the Sea of Galilee - you can go on the internet and you can find out that the Sea of Galilee is 13 miles long and it’s 8 miles across; and they were in the middle.

John’s account say’s that they were 25 or 30 furlongs which is 3½ miles

If you’ve ever been out fishing on the Straight of Juan De Fuca and you’ve been 3½ to 4 miles out you know that’s a long way out . . .

Now the word “buffeted” here - It say’s here that the boat was “buffeted” by the waves. That’s kind of a wimpy word in the English, because in the Greek it’s basanizō which really means tormented, tortured.

In the original Greek Marks account tells us that this storm was “exceedingly great” - “vehement beyond measure”

They were no strangers to bad weather and storms but this time they were afraid for their lives. They’d only seen a storm like this one time before - and Jesus had stilled that storm

These guys were weathered fishermen. They were expert sailors.

They made their living - or most of them - made their living - on this Sea . . . and they had never seen anything like this.

In our Christian lives we will face things that are harder that we could have ever imagined - trials, storms, that we think are going to bring us down.

If that’s what you’re going through don’t give up!

25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on

the water.

Now the fourth watch - they way they divided the clock in those days - it was divided into “fourths”. And you would have a 3 hour “watch” some one would stand guard

6 - 9 at night first watch

9 - Midnight second watch

Midnight - 3 third watch

3 - 6 fourth watch - This was the 4th watch of the night

Now, Jesus sent them out the evening before - so they could have been out there rowing for like 9 hours - struggling, and He saw them from where He was - He could see them struggling

Marks account tells us something interesting and kind of amazing.

It uses an unusual phrase that could be confusing to us if we didn’t dig deeper. It says that He came walking to them on the water and He was about to pass by them!

Actually this phrase “pass by” happens several times in the Bible. It’s most often used when God reveals Himself.

One example is when God revealed Himself to Moses. God said he would hide Moses in a cleft in the rock and then He would “pass by” with His back turned toward Moses - because no man can live and see God face to face.

This miracle was actually a “theophany” - an appearance of God. God was revealing Himself - in Jesus - to the disciples

Now it’s interesting because He had stilled another storm for them and they didn’t recognize - they just questioned - they said “Who is this that the waves and wind have to obey Him?”

This time there was gonna be no doubt who He was . . .

So, That’s when God shows up

26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

Now, do you think maybe they were a little superstitious? I

suppose maybe there’s some truth to that.

But well, what would you think? - it’s the middle of the night and you

see someone coming toward you walking on the water - in a storm -

you never seen anything like that in your life - you know. What would

you think?

The word that’s used there for ghost is “phantasma” in the Greek. It’s

the root of our word phantom.

They didn’t know what it was - but it spooked ‘em - and they cried

out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

Notice that Jesus responds immediately - as soon as they cry out in fear

4This is indicative of the Christian Life - this whole story is like an allegory for the Christian Life - for us today. When we cry out God hears us

Then he says something interesting . . . Most English Bibles have this phrase translated as “It is I”, or “I AM He”. But the original Greek translates this phrase with the Old Testament name for God - I AM.

Remember when Moses met God at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14), and asked Him what His name was - what did God say His name was?

So what was Jesus really saying here? He was saying “I AM” “don’t be afraid” In other words He was telling them;

Your God is with you - there’s no need to be afraid!

He was revealing that He is the Great I AM. He is God.

28 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the

water."

Peter had the wisdom to discern that God was present - and he

heard Jesus call.

Peter is willing to take a chance that this might be true - that

this might really be God.

Peter knew that if Jesus really was God, He would be able to command

him to walk on the water just like Jesus was doing

But he also knew that if it was just a ghost he would probably drown,

but he was willing to take that risk

Are we?

Do we step out in faith like that when God asks us to do

something?

29 "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

One word - one command - all He says is “Come!”

Peter had the courage to get out of the boat - Do we have the courage to get out of our “boat”?

We have so many things that are our comfort zones - our security - you know.

And I can just imagine Peter looking at Jesus and stepping out on the water - I wonder what that must have been like.

But it’s interesting, because right here where Peter steps out of the boat, this is his decision point . . .

This is where the men are separated from the boys when it comes to faith

I can imagine the rest of the disciples just sitting there with their mouths open - and they kept sitting there.

I bet they were so shocked at what was happening that they couldn’t move. They couldn’t believe their own eyes.

When we think of this story Peter is usually seen as a failure (commentaries) - But not in my book!

I don’t think Peter failed. At least he had the courage to step out of the boat. At least he had the courage to step out and go to Jesus.

The others sat there - you know - they just sat there.

They stayed in their boat - their comfort zone

And because Peter had this kind of faith - an active faith that was willing to step out and really trust Jesus - this is why God used Peter the way He did later on.

You know, there are only two people in all of human history who’ve ever walked on water, and Peter was one of them!

Peter experienced the euphoria of walking on water . . .

Have you? Have you ever done anything extraordinary for God?

Have you ever seen what it’s like to step out of your comfort zone and actually do something that you didn’t think was possible - you knew was impossibLE?

What’s your “boat” - what’s your comfort zone, that you have trouble stepping out of?

Peter had the courage to get out of the boat and go to Jesus.

Remember I said that this story is an allegory for the Christian life? Everything in it pictures something that every Christian goes through

In this story Jesus is saying - to all of us - “Come!” He wants us to trust Him and see that He cares enough, and that He’s big enough to take care of us.

Is Jesus calling you to step out of your “boat”?

30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Peter also experienced what it’s like to fail - the fear and panic of failing and sinking - and we know that this could happen to us too.

We know that we don’t have straight successes all the way through . . .

Who knows exactly how it happened . . .

Maybe he looked back at the guys in the boat and noticed fear on their faces

Maybe he turned back to look at Jesus again & he noticed that it wasn’t really a very nice night to be out on the lake

How ever it happened, he took his focus off of Jesus

And that’s when he began to sink

And It’s the same for us as followers of Jesus.

This is one of the big lessons in this story - is that we need to keep our eyes and our lives focused on Jesus.

If we do - we can do amazing things for God - He’ll do amazing thing through us.

Then notice Peters prayer; “Lord, save me!” This is the shortest recorded prayer in all the Bible.

You see, our prayers don’t have to be long to get an answer; just earnest and fervent.

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

Peter experienced the sense of relief that Jesus is strong enough to save - have you ever experienced that?

Have you ever been in a situation where the only way you were going to survive - the only way you were going to make it - the only way that things were going to turn out good - was if Jesus came through for you?

I have.

And notice that this prayer was answered immediately

Jesus is able to save us no matter where we are

Also notice that Jesus doesn’t say “Why were you afraid?” He says “Why did you doubt?”

Doubt what? - He took his eyes off Jesus and when we do that we begin to doubt who He is. We begin to doubt His ability.

But when we get our eyes back on Jesus we know who He is and we know what He can do. Anything!

Why do we doubt God in the circumstances of life?

All we have to do is look through the Bible and you can see the stories of:

· Moses and the Israelites in the desert

· The Israelites at the Red Sea

· David and Goliath

And what about the disciples in this story - on the Sea of Galilee - buffeted - beat up in a big storm. Was it His purpose that they would sink and drown?

No it wasn’t.

What does this tell us?

It tells us that we’re going to have times like that in our lives; and we need to have our focus on Jesus in those times. We won’t make it through otherwise.

So, just as it wasn’t God’s purpose to destroy the Israelites - It’s not His purpose to destroy His people today by the storms we face in life

But God is always trying to teach us something new about Himself. You know, God is infinite. There’s no end to what we can learn about Him.

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

Now remember this is the second storm that Jesus had stilled for them

We’re talking about a storm that was hurricane force - they were not going to make it across the lake. And here He comes walkin’ on the lake like He was just going to pass them by. I don’t know but that just seems a little crazy to me - but that’s God’s sense of humor.

Johns account says that another miracle happened; not just the fact that the storm was stilled. It say’s in John 6:21 that as soon as He got into the boat they were immediately at the destination.

I don’t know what you call that - teleportation?! What do you call it? But they were 31/2 miles out - in the middle of the Sea of Galilee - in a storm. He steps into the boat - the storm stops - and they’re on the shore where they were headed.

I read through all 3 accounts - the one in Matthew, the one in Mark and the one in John, and it wasn’t until about the 3rd time through that I caught this. We gloss over these things you know - but - Immediately they were at their destination!

33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Now I want us to go back into the Old Testament - just for a minute - and

think something through . . .

Let’s pick it up in Exodus 20:3-6 - Notice here what it says about

worshipping God:

(3) "You shall have no other gods before me.

(4) "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.

(5) You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,

(6) but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

But we see in Matthew 14:33 (and there are several other passages too) that the disciples worshipped Jesus!

So - let’s reason a little . . . THINK with me here . . .

If Jesus is not God - were the disciples breaking Gods Commandment by worshipping Jesus?

You bet they were - if Jesus was -and is not God - it is flat out wrong to worship Him.

But what if . . . What if He rally is God . . . well let’s watch this video

· Play MY KING video here:

So, I ask you - Is Jesus worthy to be worshipped?

You better believe it!

And it’s interesting because this is the whole point of this story - right here; that they finally saw - they finally saw His true identity.

They finally saw that He is the Great I AM.

They finally saw that He really is God - that He controls the forces of nature - He can do anything He wants to do.

So, at the beginning of this sermon I told you that by the end of it you’ll know what it takes to walk on water.

So what does it take? There are 8 things . . .

1. Even though you might be going through a storm in your life - don’t forget that you might be right in the middle of Gods will for your life

2. Don’t forget that Jesus knows exactly what you’re going through. Just like He could see the disciples struggling in the storm - He can see you - He knows and He cares.

3. Don’t forget that it’s normal for trials to happen - God never promised smooth sailing on our Christian Odyssey - this Christian Journey - Just safe passage.

4. Watch for God to reveal Himself to you during those tough times

5. Remember that your God is always with you and there is no need to be afraid - He’s got your back

6. Be willing to make the decision that you are going to trust God no matter what - just like Peter did when he stepped out onto the water

7. Keep your eyes on Jesus - don’t be afraid of what’s going on around you - the storms you are going through

8. Always remember that God will come through for you - you’re His kid! He won’t let you sink!

And they all worshipped Him.

And He is worthy to be worshipped - isn’t He!