Water Walkers: Step Out in Faith

Water Walkers: Step Out in Faith

2006014

Topic # 956 (Faith in Christ)

Scripture Text: Mt. 14:22-33

Introduction:

A. Elders have challenged congregation to use ’06 as a year where we emphasize spiritual growth.

1. challenge us to examine life – make objective assessment of current status.

2. explore what must be done to raise the intensity of spiritual life.

3. and then move in enacting what is necessary to accomplish the task.

B. Seeing the need, and then following through can be a challenge for us.

1. Maybe there are some painful choices to make.

2. Perhaps God’s expectations seem impossible to live up to at this point in our life.

3. Or…we may be fearful that once we begin work on this process, that somehow we will fail.

4. These things can hold us back; prevent us from stepping out in faith.

5. a refusal to step out in faith has caused many a Christian to lead a mundane, lifeless existence as a child of God.

C. Great story in Matthew 14:22-33 on the need to step out in faith.

I. The context of Matthew 14:22-33:

A. 14:22 – Jesus makes his disciples depart and go across the Sea of Galilee.

1. Spend the next 6-8 hours rowing across the lake.

2. 14:24 – storm comes, battering the ship.

3. 14:25-26 – Jesus comes walking to them on water they think it is a ghost.

4. 14:27 – Jesus identifies himself.

B. 14:28 – Peter asks Jesus to command him to come out on the water.

1. 14:29 – a statement of fact: Peter did the impossible.

2. 14:30 – Peter takes eyes of Jesus – begins to sink. Calls on Jesus to save him.

3. 14:31 – Jesus: you of little faith, why did you doubt?

4. 14:32 – when they got in the boat the wind stopped.

5. 14:33 – Disciples concluded: You are certainly God’s Son.

C. A Closer look at Peter in 14:27-29.

1. In a boat, harassed by wind and storm. In fear of life.

2. Could you have said…command me to come to you on the water?

3. How would you have reacted when Jesus answers,”come”?

4. What would it have been like to actually stand up, lift up the foot and place it outside the boat?

5. Think of the courage it took for Peter to step out in faith!

6. 14:27-29 – is a real life, physical example of what happens all the time in our spiritual life!

a) storms of life whip and howl around us. Wonder how to make it through.

b) Jesus comes to assist – tells us through God’s word: Take courage…it is I, do not be afraid!

c) Jesus asks us to step out in faith: to trust Him.

d) What is our response?

D. Do we shrink back? Or do we step out – in complete confidence that Jesus will be there for us?

II. What keeps us from stepping out in faith?

A. Complacency.

1. I’m fine where I am. No need for change. Self satisfaction.

a) Must not give into this lie of the devil. Makes us think all OK, when not.

2. God has a way of sending wake-up calls that force us to make a decision.

a) who are we going to serve? Why? What is really important in life?

b) Use some bad experience you have in life – not to become bitter – but as an opportunity to grow closer to God & develop your faith!

3. 14:28-29 – Peter had to make a decision. A choice. 1 of 2 choices…

a) remain in the so-called safety and comfort of the boat…

b) or get up, step out of the boat in total dependence on Jesus.

4. Responds in fearless faith. As if he is saying, “Let me join you Jesus in what you are doing.”

a) joining Jesus in what He is doing is an act of faith.

b) Joining Jesus in what He is doing and where he is doing it is a key component in being a faithful disciple!

5. Sometimes we see Peter as impetuous, rash, never looking before he leaped…

a) Peter thinking clearly here.

b) He saw what Jesus was doing & wanted to join him.

6. Christians…the point is not to ask Jesus to get in the boat with us, but to join Jesus in the water!

B. A Distorted Viewpoint.

1. You want me to do what? That’s impossible! I could never do that!

2. How much do we hold ourselves back by doubting ourselves & not trusting in the power of Jesus Christ?

a) devil says expectations associated w/Christianity are impossible. Why try? Some never do. But yet…

b) Jesus stands by saying…Take courage! Step out in faith!

3. 14:29 – Jesus: “Come!” Expected Peter to do the impossible – walk on water.

a) remember these verses are a physical example of what happens all the time in our spiritual life!

b) 14:29 – declarative in nature. Declares a fact. Peter did walk on water!

4. Recount all the instances where God has assisted you in doing the impossible in your life. w/o Him you would have failed.

a) should embolden us!

b) Rom. 1:17 – the righteous live by faith!

c) 2 Cor. 5:7 – we walk by faith…not by sight.

d) Eph. 3:20 – God is at work in us – will equip us w/the tools we need to succeed!

5. Challenge you to step out in faith!

a) become a Christian! Put your trust in God today! God will be there!

b) Christians…work on overcoming habitual sin. God will help you!

c) Christians...work on excelling in your walk w/Christ. God will help you!

C. Overwhelming Fear

1. what if I fail? What if I succeed?

2. There are many things in Christianity that make us vulnerable.

a) devil says: don’t get involved w/those people…you’ll only get hurt.

b) Devil says: no use on becoming Christian…you’ll be a hypocrite. You’ll fail.

c) Devil says: don’t make a commitment you know you can’t keep! People will look down on you.

3. And because of these vulnerabilities…some never excel in their Christianity.

a) if you have a preconceived idea that you will fail rather than succeed, then you will succeed in failing and fail in succeeding.

b) Don’t let the devil continue to push you around! He’s a bully!

c) Js. 4:7 – resist the devil & he will flee from you!

4. Mt. 14:26 – Peter & apostles filled w/fear! But fear did not stop Peter!

a) Willing to take the risk. Willing to make himself vulnerable!

5. 14:29 – Note: Jesus did not call all the disciples out of the boat – only Peter.

a) only called the one who indicated his readiness for the risk.

b) Jesus will allow you to stay in your comfort zone…if that’s what you really want…but you’ll never walk on water.

c) Are you comfortable with where you are right now – fearful of pushing on?

d) Jesus is waiting to call you to extraordinary things – if you are ready to take the risk!

6. Heb. 10:35-39 - God rewards those who overcome fear & step out in faith!

Conclusion:

A. Get out of the boat! Step out in faith! Move in complete & total trust!

1. God is our Father! He wants our success! He will protect us! He is for us!

B. Commitment is more than just believing in something….or trusting someone.

1. It is the actual handing over of self to that which we are committed.

2. Have you handed yourself over to Jesus?

3. You have extreme potential to do the impossible – through the power of Almighty God!

4. Just step forward in faith!

C. I N V I T A T I O N



Water Walkers: Step Out in Faith 2006014 Topic # 956 (Faith in Christ) Scripture Text: Mt. 14:22-33 Introduction: A. Elders have challenged congregation to use ’06 as a year where we emphasize spiritual growth. 1. challenge us to examine life – make objective assessment of current status. 2. explore what must be done to raise the intensity of spiritual life. 3. and then move in enacting what is necessary to accomplish the task. B. Seeing the need, and then following through can be a challenge for us. 1. Maybe there are some painful choices to make. 2. Perhaps God’s expectations seem impossible to live up to at this point in our life. 3. Or…we may be fearful that once we begin work on this process, that somehow we will fail. 4. These things can hold us back; prevent us from stepping out in faith. 5. a refusal to step out in faith has caused many a Christian to lead a mundane, lifeless existence as a child of God. C. Great story in Matthew 14:22-33 on the need to step out in faith. I. The context of Matthew 14:22-33: A. 14:22 – Jesus makes his disciples depart and go across the Sea of Galilee. 1. Spend the next 6-8 hours rowing across the lake. 2. 14:24 – storm comes, battering the ship. 3. 14:25-26 – Jesus comes walking to them on water they think it is a ghost. 4. 14:27 – Jesus identifies himself. B. 14:28 – Peter asks Jesus to command him to come out on the water. 1. 14:29 – a statement of fact: Peter did the impossible. 2. 14:30 – Peter takes eyes of Jesus – begins to sink. Calls on Jesus to save him. 3. 14:31 – Jesus: you of little faith, why did you doubt? 4. 14:32 – when they got in the boat the wind stopped. 5. 14:33 – Disciples concluded: You are certainly God’s Son. C. A Closer look at Peter in 14:27-29. 1. In a boat, harassed by wind and storm. In fear of life. 2. Could you have said…command me to come to you on the water? 3. How would you have reacted when Jesus answers,”come”? 4. What would it have been like to actually stand up, lift up the foot and place it outside the boat? 5. Think of the courage it took for Peter to step out in faith! 6. 14:27-29 – is a real life, physical example of what happens all the time in our spiritual life! a) storms of life whip and howl around us. Wonder how to make it through. b) Jesus comes to assist – tells us through God’s word: Take courage…it is I, do not be afraid! c) Jesus asks us to step out in faith: to trust Him. d) What is our response? D. Do we shrink back? Or do we step out – in complete confidence that Jesus will be there for us? II. What keeps us from stepping out in faith? A. Complacency. 1. I’m fine where I am. No need for change. Self satisfaction. a) Must not give into this lie of the devil. Makes us think all OK, when not. 2. God has a way of sending wake-up calls that force us to make a decision. a) who are we going to serve? Why? What is really important in life? b) Use some bad experience you have in life – not to become bitter – but as an opportunity to grow closer to God & develop your faith! 3. 14:28-29 – Peter had to make a decision. A choice. 1 of 2 choices… a) remain in the so-called safety and comfort of the boat… b) or get up, step out of the boat *in total dependence on Jesus.* 4. Responds in fearless faith. As if he is saying, “Let me join you Jesus in what you are doing.” a) joining Jesus in what He is doing is an act of faith. b) Joining Jesus in what He is doing and where he is doing it is a key component in being a faithful disciple! 5. Sometimes we see Peter as impetuous, rash, never looking before he leaped… a) Peter thinking clearly here. b) He saw what Jesus was doing & wanted to join him. 6. Christians…the point is not to ask Jesus to get in the boat with us, but to join Jesus in the water! B. A Distorted Viewpoint. 1. You want me to do what? That’s impossible! I could never do that! 2. How much do we hold ourselves back by doubting ourselves & not trusting in the power of Jesus Christ? a) devil says expectations associated w/Christianity are impossible. Why try? Some never do. But yet… b) Jesus stands by saying…Take courage! Step out in faith! 3. 14:29 – Jesus: “Come!” Expected Peter to do the impossible – walk on water. a) remember these verses are a physical example of what happens all the time in our spiritual life! b) 14:29 – declarative in nature. Declares a fact. Peter did walk on water! 4. Recount all the instances where God has assisted you in doing the impossible in your life. w/o Him you would have failed. a) should embolden us! b) Rom. 1:17 – the righteous live by faith! c) 2 Cor. 5:7 – we walk by faith…not by sight. d) Eph. 3:20 – God is at work in us – will equip us w/the tools we need to succeed! 5. Challenge you to step out in faith! a) become a Christian! Put your trust in God today! God will be there! b) Christians…work on overcoming habitual sin. God will help you! c) Christians...work on excelling in your walk w/Christ. God will help you! C. Overwhelming Fear 1. what if I fail? What if I succeed? 2. There are many things in Christianity that make us vulnerable. a) devil says: don’t get involved w/those people…you’ll only get hurt. b) Devil says: no use on becoming Christian…you’ll be a hypocrite. You’ll fail. c) Devil says: don’t make a commitment you know you can’t keep! People will look down on you. 3. And because of these vulnerabilities…some never excel in their Christianity. a) if you have a preconceived idea that you will fail rather than succeed, then you will succeed in failing and fail in succeeding. b) Don’t let the devil continue to push you around! He’s a bully! c) Js. 4:7 – resist the devil & he will flee from you! 4. Mt. 14:26 – Peter & apostles filled w/fear! But fear did not stop Peter! a) Willing to take the risk. Willing to make himself vulnerable! 5. 14:29 – Note: Jesus did not call all the disciples out of the boat – only Peter. a) only called the one who indicated his readiness for the risk. b) Jesus will allow you to stay in your comfort zone…if that’s what you really want…but you’ll never walk on water. c) Are you comfortable with where you are right now – fearful of pushing on? d) Jesus is waiting to call you to extraordinary things – if you are ready to take the risk! 6. Heb. 10:35-39 - God rewards those who overcome fear & step out in faith! Conclusion: A. Get out of the boat! Step out in faith! Move in complete & total trust! 1. God is our Father! He wants our success! He will protect us! He is for us! B. Commitment is more than just believing in something….or trusting someone. 1. It is the actual handing over of self to that which we are committed. 2. Have you handed yourself over to Jesus? 3. You have extreme potential to do the impossible – through the power of Almighty God! 4. Just step forward in faith! C. I N V I T A T I O N