MATT. 14:27-29
Subject: Trials/Testing
Theme: Dynamic and triumphant living recognizes the
presence and power of Christ, even in the storms.
Matt. 14:27-29,
But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
Fears: intimidation fears, fear of pain or of being hurt, fear of the unknown, and general timidity can lead to serious frustration and a mediocre lifestyle of simply playing it safe. Life has become a quest to find the "comfort zone" or stay with the familiar even though they are bored to tears with life. The incredible thing is so many expect extraordinary things for their lives or their loved ones.... Yet, they refuse to really take on legitimate challenges or opportunities.
Fear is a thief and it has effectively stolen many believers desire to live the impossible life. Sometimes a series of hard experiences can leave us broken and afraid.... Believers are even afraid of the plan of God for them because it may require sacrifices or challenges, or difficulties. Hardness has resigned them to the dull ‘boat life’—just surviving. Though they are storm-tossed, thrashed, and often overwhelmed, they have come to believe the "safe life" is normal. They have lost their sense of adventure and their dreams of winning over life’s challenges have faded into oblivion. They do not realize that acknowledging Christ’s Presence in the Storm is the difference between discouragement and dynamic living. In fact, the presence and power of the Lord Jesus is the source of our inspiration. What do you fear? Is it yourself...failure…success…sacrifice…the unknown…making mistakes…what people may say or think?
Fear is a thief and it has effectively stolen many believers desire to live the impossible life. Sometimes a series of hard experiences can leave us broken and afraid.... Believers are even afraid of the plan of God for them because it may require sacrifices or challenges, or difficulties. Hardness has resigned them to the dull ‘boat life’—just surviving. Though they are storm-tossed, thrashed, and often overwhelmed, they have come to believe the "safe life" is normal. They have lost their sense of adventure and their dreams of winning over life’s challenges have faded into oblivion. They do not realize that acknowledging Christ’s Presence in the Storm is the difference between discouragement and dynamic living. In fact, the presence and power of the Lord Jesus is the source of our inspiration. What do you fear? Is it yourself...failure…success…sacrifice…the unknown…making mistakes…what people may say or think?
Actually dynamic faith is what we all need. That is, we need confidence in God's love, wisdom, grace, and power to become people who dream of executing His will for us in a big way. This is Faith that overcomes fears, obeys Christ’s commands, attempts the impossible, and experiences Christ great enabling power to triumph is God’s desire for every believer. If you are saved then this includes you. In the incident of Peter, the disciple, it is the presence of Jesus that moved him from fear to faith. Are you relying on the Presence of Jesus in your storms? How can we be transformed by recognizing the presence of Christ during life’s challenges? How can we become “Storm-Walking Christians?”
Relevance: Recognizing the Lord’s Presence in the Storm will inspire faith, generate security, embolden the timid to attempt the impossible, and avail Christ’s power to triumph over the storms of life.
Relevance: Recognizing the Lord’s Presence in the Storm will inspire faith, generate security, embolden the timid to attempt the impossible, and avail Christ’s power to triumph over the storms of life.
Thesis: To become “Storm-Walking Christians” we must Hear Christ’s Command,
Attempt the Impossible, and Experience His Power.
Message:
Attempt
the Impossible in the Storm (Matt. 14:29)
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 walked not only on water, but He walked on a raging storm at sea! Though he was a normal human being, he actually believed he could do the impossible. It was in fact his idea to walk on the storm to go to the Lord Jesus. Peter was inspired by the realization that Jesus was actually with them in the storm. On many occasions he had witnessed the power of the Lord Jesus in his own life and the lives of many others. Peter knew in his soul that Jesus could enable him to walk on the storm. He
dared to be different and refused to be mediocre. Beloved, anybody can sit in the boat
and watch. But it takes a person of real faith to leave the boat and walk on water...to walk on an incredible storm at sea. God really does expect us to live for Him even through the Storms! But, how can we attempt the impossible? What will motivate us to become storm-walking believers?
Consider the following observations...
- Respond
to Christ’s Command During the Storm!
Matthew 14:29, And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he
walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
1.
Leave the Boat of the Status Quo. You
will never walk on the waters of your trials unless you get out the boats of status quo, and complacency. This requires obedience, responsiveness,
willingness to risk, and faith! Only
Christians who respond to Christ’s commands walk on the waters of their storms!
This is clearly our part during the stormy times, we must do the following:
- Turn to God, putting your eyes squarely on Him and not on the storm, nor
yourself.
- Ask God, “What do You want me to do?”
Ask, “Am I to use my faith against
this storm? Am I to grow in trust by riding out this storm?”
- Do what God tells you to do. The acid test of faith is always obedience. It is not enough to
hear God’s command in the storm. We must obey His command.
2.
Trust God to guide as you look to him in the midst of the
storm. Psalm
32:8, I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I
will guide thee with mine eye. Purpose to act
upon his directives in your life.
- Don’t
Listen to People, Listen to God in the Storm!
Often we
receive conflicting messages in the storm adding more confusion and horror to
our experience. Unfortunately many of these conflicting ‘words of wisdom’ come
from God’s “Boat People.” These have
learned to ‘survive’ and ‘play it safe’ in the storms, but they know nothing
about “water walking faith.” Consider briefly three things about these folk.
1. The Condition of Boat People.
a.
First of all they are still is the storm tossed boat! Because
their fears are greater, their faith is weaker. Because they fix their
attention on the storms, they seem unable to remain focused on the Lord. They
ignore Christ presence or devalue it.
b.
His commands seem ‘unreasonable’ and ‘too extreme’ to
them. Their experience is a mundane and mediocre storm tossed life—they know
nothing of spiritual empowerment and inspiration. Their Christian experience is
totally boring.
2. The “Commonsense” of the Boat People.
a.
They have their ‘logical reasons’ for remaining in the
boat:
i.
Some are in the boat of bitterness from past hurts and storms of unfair mistreatment; they
feel they have a right to be in the boat of bitterness.
ii.
Some are in the boat of disappointment; they have been frustrated so many times they refuse
to hope again for fear of another letdown. Instead of trusting, they are
suspicious of anyone who attempts to inspire hope.
iii.
Some are in the boat of quitters; they are weary from the storms and have been worn out by
the never-ending challenges. The stress and anxiety of trying to walk on water
has finally overwhelmed them and they have decided to retire in the boat.
iv.
Some are in the boat of mediocrity; they have been there most of their Christian lives.
While they are glad heaven is their future, they hesitate at any ministry
opportunities or responsibilities. They don’t like the word ‘commitment!’ They
seem content with weak faith like everybody else and are unwilling to change.
b.
The common factor with all of them is a failure to
recognize the presence of Christ and the power of his Word in their lives. They are skilled in offering their common
sense rationale as an excuse, but they will never know the joy of walking with Christ
and leading the impossible life with
Him.
3. The Counsel of the Boat People
a.
Since they are held captive by their circumstances in
spiritual defeat and monotony they resent those who perceive a different
outcome for themselves. They will discourage others from getting out of the
boat.
i.
They may say, “Oh, I know you are excited about
spiritual things, but it will wear off soon.” With
a rather condescending tone.
ii.
They will ask, “What’s wrong with being a boat people?
I mean look at me, I’ve been a boat member for 99 years.” And they are proud of this????
iii.
They will tell you, “Sit down, you are rocking the
boat!” or perhaps they’ll say, “I love God too, but don’t go overboard.”
iv.
They will say, “You can’t walk on the water yet because
you have not taken “Water Walking 101.”
v.
They might reason, “Have you ever walked on the water
before?” “Well, have you ever seen anyone else walk on the water before?” “Then
what makes you think you’re so special that you can walk on water?”
b.
The mistake of many believers is that they listen to
the boat people instead of listening to the Lord who said “come.” Don’t
listen to boat people, listen to God!
- Discern
His Voice in the Storm
1.
How Do We Recognize the Voice of the Lord Over all the
Storm Related Noise?
a.
It will always be
consistent with the Bible’s teachings.
b.
His Commands will contradict
worldly wisdom and conventional rationale.
c. Christ's voice will not
accommodate the carnal fleshly desires.
d.
He Will Challenge You to
Grow in Faith
i.
Jesus said
to Peter after Peter walked on the water and then started to sink, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”
(Matt. 14:31). Jesus clearly expected His followers to have faith, to use it,
and to grow in their faith.
ii.
We grow
in faith when we hear from God, obey what He says to do, and then recognize and
acknowledge God's faithfulness to His word in our lives. If we are not hearing
from God, it is virtually impossible for us to grow in faith.
e. Jesus will Call You to Have
Courage
i.
If you
are being asked to move against the tide of conventional human wisdom and act
in contradiction to your fleshly nature, and if you are challenged in your
faith, you are going to feel as though you are taking a risk in obeying God.
ii.
Any time
you take a risk for God’s purposes, you are going to need courage. Such 'risks' have the quality of a real step of faith.
2.
Remind yourself daily of what God
said to you, stay close to Him, and refuse to allow yourself to give in to fear or
discouragement (Ps. 27:14; 31:24;
Phil. 1:27–28; 2 Tim. 1:7.).
Conclusion: Christ designs our storms to give us opportunity to face our fears with confidence in Him. He is able to handle and storm and He will never forsake us in the storms. His power and His presence inspires us to become storm-walking believers.
Yes, God will help us grow through such storms. We can grow in our experiences with the Lord Jesus, grow to overcome the challenges that have historically intimidated us, and grow in our understanding of God plan. This was the whole purpose of the storm, to help the disciples grow in their faith. God desires the same for us. He deserves faithful, fearless, bold servants who daily advertise His grace in their lives to a watching world. We must learn to trust Him implicitly.
Jesus came with unexpected help and encouragement during the disciples’ time of desperate need. Their need was real; their fears were real. But in the presence of Jesus, fear must give way to faith.
When Jesus arrived, he made a huge difference! Because of Jesus—all he taught, all he did—your life is different now! You're not alone. You have a heavenly Father, a living Savior, and a Comforter. All the problems that beset you are now theirs as well. In the face of every problem, every heartbreak, every troubling diagnosis . . . Here Christ’s Command, Attempt the Impossible, and Experience His Power!
Yes, God will help us grow through such storms. We can grow in our experiences with the Lord Jesus, grow to overcome the challenges that have historically intimidated us, and grow in our understanding of God plan. This was the whole purpose of the storm, to help the disciples grow in their faith. God desires the same for us. He deserves faithful, fearless, bold servants who daily advertise His grace in their lives to a watching world. We must learn to trust Him implicitly.
Jesus came with unexpected help and encouragement during the disciples’ time of desperate need. Their need was real; their fears were real. But in the presence of Jesus, fear must give way to faith.
When Jesus arrived, he made a huge difference! Because of Jesus—all he taught, all he did—your life is different now! You're not alone. You have a heavenly Father, a living Savior, and a Comforter. All the problems that beset you are now theirs as well. In the face of every problem, every heartbreak, every troubling diagnosis . . . Here Christ’s Command, Attempt the Impossible, and Experience His Power!
The first result of
walking with God is great joy, abounding joy, and secondly, a great sense of
security, of abiding peace.—R. A. Torrey
Fear is a thief and it has effectively stolen many believers desire to live the impossible life. Sometimes a series of hard experiences can leave us broken and afraid.... Believers are even afraid of the plan of God for them because it may require sacrifices or challenges, or difficulties. Hardness has resigned them to the dull ‘boat life’—just surviving. Though they are storm-tossed, thrashed, and often overwhelmed, they have come to believe the "safe life" is normal. They have lost their sense of adventure and their dreams of winning over life’s challenges have faded into oblivion.
ReplyDeletehttps://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-inspiration-of-storm-walkers.html
#Listening #Living #Noise #Presence #Triumph #Faith #Storms #Dynamic #MaxEvangel #Noise #Inspiration
Fears: intimidation fears, fear of pain or of being hurt, fear of the unknown, and general timidity can lead to serious frustration and a mediocre lifestyle of simply playing it safe. Life has become a quest to find the "comfort zone" or stay with the familiar even though they are bored to tears with life. The incredible thing is so many expect extraordinary things for their lives or their loved ones.... Yet, they refuse to really take on legitimate challenges or opportunities.
ReplyDeletehttps://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-inspiration-of-storm-walkers.html
#Listening #Storms #Dorian #Faith #Noise #Inspired #MaxEVangel
Actually dynamic faith is what we all need. That is, we need confidence in God's love, wisdom, grace, and power to become people who dream of executing His will for us in a big way. This is Faith that overcomes fears, obeys Christ’s commands, attempts the impossible, and experiences Christ great enabling power to triumph is God’s desire for every believer. If you are saved then this includes you.
ReplyDeletehttps://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-inspiration-of-storm-walkers.html
#Listening #Storms #Dorian #Faith #Noise #Inspired #MaxEvangel