22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” 27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” 28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” 32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed. —Matthew 14:22-33
1. The disciples failed to
Jesus in the
25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” —Matthew 14:25-26
Faith doesn’t always take you out of the problem, faith takes you through the problem. Faith doesn’t always take you of the storm, faith calms you in the midst of the storm. —-
2. The disciples responded in
because they did not recognize Jesus
27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” —Matthew 14:27
3. Peter
on water in the middle of a
28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. —Matthew 14:28-29
7 For we live by believing and not by seeing. —2 Corinthians 5:7
30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” —Matthew 14:30-31
4. When we take our
off Jesus and begin to sink –
for Him
You can count on God’s faithfulness even when you are unfaithful. —-
Hey Christian, despite your “flaws” Jesus will still RESCUE, BEFRIEND and USE you!