Sunday, January 26, 2025 AM
SERVANTHOOD: Following Means Overcoming Fear
Mike Teel, Pastor
FOCAL PASSAGE:
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. —Matthew 14:22-32
THE
1. FEAR OF PHYSICAL
Matthew 14:1-12
—John the Baptist’s Death
—Now there is fear among both John’s and Jesus’ disciples – Could we be next.
2. FEAR OF
PHYSICAL LIFE NEEDS
Matthew 14:13-21
A. Need for rest.
B. Need for nourishment.
JESUS HELPS US
OUR FEARS
1. JESUS IS IN
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. —Matthew 14:22
—Fear is driven away by faith and trust, or we could say that fear is the absence of faith and trust.
—Do you think for one moment that Jesus didn’t understand what they would be dealing with as soon as they headed into the storm?
—Jesus never says, “Boy, I didn’t see that coming!”
—The disciples were in a storm because they obeyed God and had to be perfected.
2. JESUS
FOR US
23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, —Matthew 14:23
—While the disciples headed across the Sea of Galilee Jesus dismisses the rowdy crowd.
—He then retreats to the mountains to pray for Himself and His disciples.
3. JESUS IS
LATE
24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. —Matthew 14:24-25
A. The Storm
B. The Struggle
C. Jesus Arrives on the Water
4.
JESUS IN THE
OF THE STORM
Matthew 14:25-27
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
A. Look for Jesus.
B. Know for sure it is Jesus.
5. STAY
ON WHAT IS IMPORTANT
Matthew 14:28-31
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
A. Join Jesus in His ministry.
B. Watch out for distractions.
C. Peter’s salvation is our salvation.
LIVE IT OUT
—What type of trial did God allow into your life this week?
—Did you navigate it successfully or were there parts you didn’t do so well with?
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” —Matthew 14:27
—Do you have that intimate relationship with God this morning you can distinguish His voice from all the others?
—Are willing to step out of the boat this morning and walk toward Jesus?