Step Out of the Boat Matthew 14:22-36

Intro:

Two guys were arguing over how much they knew about the Bible

One guy looked at the other and said, “You don’t know anything. I bet you don’t even know the Lord’s prayer.”

In fact, I’ll give you $10 if you can recite it

The other guy looked at him and said I’ll take that bet

He started “Now I lay me down to sleep, pray the Lord my soul to keep, and if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.”

His friend laughed, reached into his pocket and handed the man $10

“I didn’t think you knew it.”

Read Matthew 14:22-27

Transition:

John recorded the reason why Jesus was in such a hurry to dismiss the crowd and send the disciples back in the boat: The crowd wanted to make Jesus King

John 6:14–15 ESV

When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

The Lord knew that their motives were not spiritual and that their purposes were out of God’s will.

If the disciples had stayed, they would certainly have fallen in with the plans of the crowd; for as yet, the disciples did not fully understand Christ’s plans.

They were guilty of arguing over “who was the greatest,” and a popular uprising would have suited them perfectly.

This experience of the disciples in the storm can be an encouragement to us when we go through the storms of life.

When we find ourselves in the storm, we can rest on several assurances.

I. Jesus Brought Me Here vs. 22

vs. 22-23 Dismiss

The storm came because they were in the will of God and not (like Jonah) out of the will of God.

Did Jesus know that the storm was coming? Certainly! Did He deliberately direct them into the storm? Yes!

They were safer in the storm in God’s will than on land with the crowds out of God’s will.

We must never judge our security on the basis of circumstances alone.

As we read our Bibles, we discover that there are two kinds of storms: storms of correction, when God disciplines us; and storms of perfection, when God helps us to grow.

Jonah was in a storm because he disobeyed God and had to be corrected.

The disciples were in a storm because they obeyed Christ and had to be perfected.

Jesus had tested them in a storm before, when He was in the boat with them.

But now He tested them by being out of the boat.

Many Christians have the mistaken idea that obedience to God’s will produces “smooth sailing.” But this is not true.

John 16:33 ESV

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

When we find ourselves in the storm because we have obeyed the Lord, we must remember that He brought us here and He can care for us.

vs. 23 Jesus Prays for Us

This entire scene is a dramatic picture of the church and the Lord today.

God’s people are on the sea, in the midst of a storm. Yet Jesus Christ is in heaven “making intercession for us”

Romans 8:34 ESV

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

vs. 25 He Comes to Us

Fourth watch of the night

6-9 pm

9 pm-12 am

12-3 am

3 am - 6 am

Jesus came to them after they struggled in the storm for eight hours

He came to them on what they feared the most

Often we feel like Jesus has deserted us when we are going through the hard times of life.

In the Psalms, David complained that God seemed far away and unconcerned.

Yet he knew that God would ultimately rescue him.

Jesus always comes to us in the storms of life.

Isaiah 43:2 ESV

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

He may not come at the time we think He should come, because He knows when we need Him the most.

He waited until the ship was as far from land as possible, so that all human hope was gone.

He was testing the disciples’ faith, and this meant removing every human prop.

Why did Jesus walk on the water? T

o show His disciples that the very thing they feared (the sea) was only a staircase for Him to come to them.

Often we fear the difficult experiences of life (such as surgery or bereavement), only to discover that these experiences bring Jesus Christ closer to us.

Why did they not recognize Jesus? Because they were not looking for Him.

Fear and faith cannot live in the same heart, for fear always blinds the eyes to the presence of the Lord.

vs. 26-27 Jesus Will Help Me Grow

This was the whole purpose of the storm, to help the disciples grow in their faith.

After all, Jesus would one day leave them, and they would face many storms in their ministries.

They had to learn to trust Him even though He was not present with them, and even though it looked as though He did not care

II. Peter Steps Out vs. 28-33

vs. 28-29 Peter walks on water

Now our center of interest shifts to Peter.

Before we criticize Peter for sinking, let’s honor him for his magnificent demonstration of faith.

He dared to be different. Anybody can sit in the boat and watch.

But it takes a person of real faith to leave the boat and walk on the water.

vs. 30 Winds scare Peter and he begins to sink

Took His eyes off the Lord and started sinking

What caused Peter to sink?

His faith began to waver because he took his eyes off the Lord and began to look at the circumstances around him.

This word translated doubt carries the meaning of “standing uncertainly at two ways.”

Peter started out with great faith but ended up with little faith because he saw two ways instead of one

Lord, save me!

"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16)

vs. 31 You of little faith

vs. 32-33 Storms cease

The storm ceased

Trials don't last forever

III. A Different Side vs. 34-36

vs. 34 Crossed over to the other side

Jesus puts his disciples in a boat and tells them to go to the other side

Matthew 14:22 ESV

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.

The other side were a group of 10 cities called the decapolis

Southwest part of the sea

Broad, fertile plain

Its a different place now

First time they met two crazed demon possessed men and Jesus cast the legion of demons into a bunch of pigs

This time the welcome for Jesus is a whole lot different

vs. 35-36 Touch the Hem of his garment

Last time over here they implored him to leave

Matthew 8:34 ESV

And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.

This time they are begging to touch the hem of his garment

Amazing what the testimony of one man can do

The whole decapolis, a ungodly group of 10 Greek-like cities were bringing all of their sick

Jesus healed many

Contrast to the people of Nazareth

Their great faith touched Him