Matthew 14:22-33
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:22
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.
Matthew 14:23-24
And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.
James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Acts 20:22-23
And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
Isaiah 43:2-3
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…
What Is Real Faith?
Real Faith Trusts God’s Purpose for the Storm
Matthew 14:25-26
And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear.
What Is Real Faith?
Real Faith Calls on Jesus for Help
Psalm 34:15,17
The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry…
When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
James 1:2,5-6
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds…If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
Matthew 14:27
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
Matthew 14:28
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
Matthew 14:29
He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
What Is Real Faith?
Real Faith Is Stepping Out of the Boat
Matthew 14:30
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”
Matthew 14:31
Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Matthew 14:32-33
And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Resources Cited
Doriani, Daniel M. Matthew & 2. Edited by Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani. Vol. 1. Reformed Expository Commentary. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2008. 32.
Fuller, Robert L. “Why Storms Are Necessary for Survival,” CT Magazine online (2-14-24).
Greear, J.D. Strong from Start to Finish. https://summitchurch.com/message/strong-from-start-to-finish-matthew-1422-33
King, Barbara J. “How Smart Are Horses?” Cosmos and Culture (NPR) blog (1-12-17).
Macarthur, John. Worshiping the Son of God, Part 2. https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/2310/worshiping-the-son-of-god-part-2
Morris, Leon. The Gospel according to Matthew. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992. 381.
Strobel, Lee. If I Believe, Why Do I Doubt? March, 2000.
Turner, David, and Darrell L. Bock. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, Vol 11: Matthew and Mark. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2005. 204.