Water Walkers: Expect Problems

Water Walkers: Expect Problems

Introduction:

As a congregation, we have been challenged to use ’06 as a year to emphasize spiritual growth. We need to be committed to raising the intensity of our spiritual life. In our previous lesson, we discussed the need to step out in faith & how we can be held back from doing so. Matthew 14:22-33 also teaches us to step out in faith – expecting problems may arise. And, Jesus says, trust me…I will be here for you. We trust in Jesus to give assistance in overcoming them.

I. Jesus asks us to join Him where He is.

A. 14:28-29 - Christianity is not about asking Jesus to get in the boat with us, He asks us to ________________ Him in the water.

B. 14:29 – Peter joins Jesus in the sea.

1. Peter steps out of the boat in the midst of a raging storm!

2. Remember, these verses as a real life, ______________ example of what happens all the time in our ___________________ life.

C. Spiritual Life is rarely calm, is it?

1. It is in these times, that we need to respond in faith – in complete trust.

II. ___________________ stepped out in faith – knowing there would be problems.

A. Acts 26:16-17 - Called to be an apostle – to the Gentiles.

1. Think of the where the path of Christianity led him. 2 Cor. 11:23b-27

B. But before we begin to view Paul as a larger-than-life character…

1. Acts 18:1-8 – Paul battled fear.

2. Acts 18:9-10 – vision…go on...I am here with you…

C. Jesus had a mission, a plan, a purpose for Paul. Jesus expected Paul to join Him in His work. Paul responded despite the problems it brought to his life.

III. First Century Christians were called out in faith – and could expect problems.

A. 1 Cor. 6:9-10 – a list of the sinful behavior of the Corinthians before coming to Christ. 6:11 – such were some of you.

1. they faced battling the ___________ to return to engaging in such behavior.

2. they faced the challenge of severing old _________________ with persons who engaged in this behavior.

B. Rev. 2:8-11 – the Christians at Smyrna dealt with grave _________________.

1. They were called to the test and encouraged to be faithful – unto ________.

2. what, when faced w/far less painful circumstances, do we do?

IV. Here’s the point:

A. we constantly battle a misconception that serving God will allow us to somehow escape all problems…

1. magically wipe away all the _______________ of sin from our former life…

B. While we walk on water, it may feel like we are at our weakest, most ____________________ moment…it may not be as glorious as we think it is….

1. At those moments that God is glorified & His __________ are carried out.

2. See Js. 1:2-4; 2 Cor. 12:10; Heb. 12:5-6, 11

C. Total dependence on God is the only way we can have ______ over our problems!

Conclusion:

A. Will you join Jesus in what He is doing at the place where He is?



Water Walkers: Expect Problems Introduction: As a congregation, we have been challenged to use ’06 as a year to emphasize spiritual growth. We need to be committed to raising the intensity of our spiritual life. In our previous lesson, we discussed the need to step out in faith & how we can be held back from doing so. Matthew 14:22-33 also teaches us to step out in faith – expecting problems may arise. And, Jesus says, trust me…I will be here for you. We trust in Jesus to give assistance in overcoming them. I. Jesus asks us to join Him where He is. A. 14:28-29 - Christianity is not about asking Jesus to get in the boat with us, He asks us to ________________ Him in the water. B. 14:29 – Peter joins Jesus in the sea. 1. Peter steps out of the boat in the midst of a raging storm! 2. Remember, these verses as a real life, ______________ example of what happens all the time in our ___________________ life. C. Spiritual Life is rarely calm, is it? 1. It is in these times, that we need to respond in faith – in complete trust. II. ___________________ stepped out in faith – knowing there would be problems. A. Acts 26:16-17 - Called to be an apostle – to the Gentiles. 1. Think of the where the path of Christianity led him. 2 Cor. 11:23b-27 B. But before we begin to view Paul as a larger-than-life character… 1. Acts 18:1-8 – Paul battled fear. 2. Acts 18:9-10 – vision…go on...I am here with you… C. Jesus had a mission, a plan, a purpose for Paul. Jesus expected Paul to join Him in His work. Paul responded despite the problems it brought to his life. III. First Century Christians were called out in faith – and could expect problems. A. 1 Cor. 6:9-10 – a list of the sinful behavior of the Corinthians before coming to Christ. 6:11 – such were some of you. 1. they faced battling the ___________ to return to engaging in such behavior. 2. they faced the challenge of severing old _________________ with persons who engaged in this behavior. B. Rev. 2:8-11 – the Christians at Smyrna dealt with grave _________________. 1. They were called to the test and encouraged to be faithful – *unto ________. 2. what, when faced w/far less painful circumstances, do we do? IV. Here’s the point:* A. we constantly battle a misconception that serving God will allow us to somehow escape all problems… 1. magically wipe away all the _______________ of sin from our former life… B. While we walk on water, it may feel like we are at our weakest, most ____________________ moment…it may not be as glorious as we think it is…. 1. At those moments that God is glorified & His __________ are carried out. 2. See Js. 1:2-4; 2 Cor. 12:10; Heb. 12:5-6, 11 C. Total dependence on God is the only way we can have ______ over our problems! Conclusion: A. Will you join Jesus in what He is doing at the place where He is?