Water Walkers: See Failure as an Opportunity to Grow

Introduction:

Mt. 14:22-33 is the text of study today. In 14:28-33 – Peter joins Jesus in the sea. Remember… these verses are a real-life, physical example of what happens all the time in our spiritual life.  Think of how we step out in faith – join Jesus in the water – then lose faith and begin to sink.  How do we respond? Do we call out? What do we do?

I. A look at Peter’s life.

A.     We often think of Peter as a rash individual – who often acted before thinking.

B.     We often over criticize him, and fail to understand that we are in many ways just like him. How many times have you failed the test?

C.     Peter certainly failed the test at various times in his life, and failed miserably.  But, each time, he picked himself up.  So must we.

II. Peter at the cross and his early ministry

A.      Mt. 26:69-75:  26:75b – he went out and wept bitterly.

1.       You think he’s sinking?  Gone under? What would we have done?

B.       When the rooster crowed, he got it. He realized what he did.

1.       Imagine his embarrassment… Mt. 26:31-35

2.       Imagine his remorse…When Jesus needed him most, he wasn’t there.

C.     But John 21 tells us he didn’t quit. Jesus reached out to him, forgave him, and helped him stand in the Lord.

D.     Look at his response in the early church:

1.       The one who had sunk, gave in to fear & doubt…boldly proclaims the gospel of Christ.

2.       Acts 2:36-40; Acts 3:14-15, 19-20; Acts 4:9-12, 19-20; Acts 5:29-32

II. Even after this, Peter was not perfect.

A.      Acts 10:34-35 – God shows no partiality. Able to save all men, Jew & Gentile.

B.       He preached it. Cornelius & family were accepted into God’s church.

1.       Acts 11:17-18 – explanation of the Cornelius conversion story…

2.       Acts 15:7-11 – Peter defended salvation of Gentiles at Jerusalem conference.

C.     But then we read Gal. 2:11-14.

D.     Make no mistake, Peter believed and preached the truth on this matter.

1.       Problem was that when the winds of doubt and waves of fear began to rock him, he did not live up to what he knew was right.

III. Peter viewed failure as an opportunity to grow.

A.      1 Peter 1:3-4; 6-9; 4:12-19 – look at the hope and confidence of this apostle.

1.       Had he not come a long way from the person we read about in the gospels?

2.       Every time he failed the test; he got up, kept going. He looked to Jesus. His trust and confidence is evident in this gospel.

IV. Everyone of us can view failure as an opportunity to grow.

A.      We may be a lot more like Peter than we care to admit.

1.       Let’s be like him in his resilience to pick himself up and keep on keeping on in living for Christ.  He never gave up!

B.       Mt. 14:30 – when we realize doubt/fear have overtaken our life…we need to cry out – Lord save me! We need to look for Jesus!

C.     Lk. 15:20-21 – father of the prodigal son. That’s God!

Conclusion:

A.      Look at the God we serve: Isa 43:4, 22-25. He is willing and ready to take us back.

B.       Even if you have failed him many times, will you now come back?  Will you now begin to serve Him?