Walking on Water
Date: 23 September, 2021
Text: Matthew 14
Title: Walking on Water
Introduction:
text: Matthew 14:21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
question: Have you ever tried to walk on water?
ill. We have some friends in South Carolina who have a swimming pool with a diving board.
- They use that pool for the Lord and kindly allowed us to use it while we were nearby.
- I enjoy swimming - they called me the fish when I was in Uni - guys swim time....
- I enjoyed teaching my children and their cousins to dive.
- We also just enjoyed being goofy....
- one of the things we tried doing was walking on water.....
exp. It looks pretty funny to watch someone try to walk or run(on water.)
(It looks possible until you sink....)
ill. I've done a lot of fishing.
- The only time I have fished on the water was from a boat.
- Otherwise I have fished in waders or along the shoreline.
- As fun as it would be to walk on water and go fishing, nature's law forbids it.
exp. But, in our story this morning, we find that Jesus has the power over nature.
- He walked on water.
- Peter walked on water to the glory of the Lord.
question: Disciples asked, "Who then can be saved?"
Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
note: even walking on water.
ill. Abraham and Sarah were promised children, but naturally they could not do so.
Genesis 18:9 And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
10 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
13 And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
note: Even walking on water.
exp. It is a fact today that men can't walk on water.
but it is also a fact that Jesus and Peter did walk on water.
AND it is a fact that God has the power to help men to walk on water.
My message this morning is, "Walking on Water."
You can do the impossible "walk on water" by the power of God.
exp. Sunday School children around the world see the glory of God in the story of Peter walking on water.
note: It would be a great thing for our Sunday School kids and our adults, and our community to see first hand that GOD IS STILL THE GOD OF THE IMPOSSIBLE IN OUR DAY.
exp. Peter wanted to do something impossible for God's glory - do you?
prayer:
You can do the impossible, "walk on water" by the power of God.
I. To walk on water - You have to know that you are looking at Jesus.
exp. It is now 3-6am.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
exp. The disciples have been toiling since evening and still have a long journey before them.
1) - A great miracle had been accomplished just a few hours previously.
Mark 6:42 And they did all eat, and were filled.
43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.
44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.
2) - Jesus had commanded them to get into the boat.
22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
3) - The crowd is ready to make Jesus their King.
John 6:14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
NOW - in our text - Matthew 14:
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
exp. You can't blame the disciples for their mistake. They had never seen a man walk on water.
AS SOON AS JESUS SPOKE - they knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was Jesus.
note: Don't you love how quickly the Lord assures them that it is Himself, WITH HIS VOICE.
John 10:27 (Jesus said....) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
exp. Peter - believing it is Jesus says, "28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou,"
note: This miracle is going to take place because the person already on the water IS JESUS.
app. I want to emphasize at the beginning of our consideration that the impossible if of Jesus.
- There is a lot of fakery in our day - prayer cloths, holy water, signs and wonders.
- IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH JESUS.
- The impossible we are considering this morning has everything to do with Jesus.
- Impossibilities like someone having their sin taken away by Jesus.
Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
- Impossibilities like a wicked man becoming a righteous man.
1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
- Impossibilities like you being bold for Jesus when you know you are timid.
Act 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
- Impossibilities like honouring God with your finance and seeing God supply.
Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
app. The point is - whatever the impossibility, you need to know that you are looking at Jesus.
II. To walk on water - You have to hear Jesus say, "Come."
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.
exp. Peter was NOT being adventurous.
Peter loved the Lord and wanted to be with the Lord and do what the Lord was doing.
He believed if Jesus was walking on the water that He could walk with him there.
(HE WASN'T AFRAID TO VENTURE HIMSELF TO GET TO CHRIST.)
note: I don't think anyone in their right mind is going to try walking on water
in the middle of a sea that is heaving because of a heavy wind
WITHOUT a clear command from Christ to come.
ill. As a counselor at the Wild's in NC. Obstacle course - building cabin spirit. Helping each other overcome obstacles - trust fall - stand on platform - cabin behind you - when they say to fall - you without looking behind you and without bending your knees fall backwards.
exp. You had better make sure they say - they are ready - you may even double check....
note: The text doesn't say Peter double checked - be we know He had no doubt Jesus said come. It does't appear that he hesitated for a minute to obey the Lord when he said come.
app.
1) Anyone that has gotten saved has responded when Jesus said come.
Joh 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
2) Anyone who has surrendered their life - responded when Jesus said come.
Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
3) Anyone who is in ministry responded when Jesus said come.
Isa 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
app. Don't be afraid to walk on water when you hear Jesus saying, "Come."
transition: To walk on water - you have to know you are looking at Jesus, you have to hear Jesus say come....
III. To walk on water - You have to get out of the boat.
And when Peter was come down out of the ship,
ill. Peter was a fisherman. He knew the properties of water better than anyone.
- Boats float, people sink or swim.
exp. They aren't by the shore - they are 3-4 miles out to Sea.
John 6:18 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship:
ill. Peter would normally have dived out of the boat as he did after Jesus resurrection.
John 21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
exp. It's very unusual for Peter to step out of the boat expecting the surface tension of the water to be strong enough to bear the weight of his body.
- was it slippery?
- it was obviously moving
ill. When I was 11 or 12 years old I got a water bed - I loved making waves and remember walking around on the water bed - In my imagination it was something like that....
note: THE FAITH PETER DEMONSTRATES IS THE FAITH GOD EXPECTS.
- You have to put your STEP OUT OF WHAT YOU are TRUSTING IN
- and put your foot firmly on the WORD OF GOD.
app.
1) For an unbeliever
- that may be stepping out of religion or unbelief.
- stepping out of a lifestyle of wickedness
- stepping out of the expectations of peers and family.
AND PUTTING YOUR FAITH IN THE GOSPEL.
2) For a believer
- stepping out of dependence on self (bank account, ability, intellect)
- stepping out of association with the world (comfort zone, easy Christianity)
- stepping out to follow God's Word (baptism, tithing, ministry, evangelism, etc.)
app. You are not going to do the impossible - if you never get out of the boat.
transition: To walk on water
- you have to know you are looking at Jesus,
- you have to hear Jesus say come,
- you have to get out of the boat.
IV. To walk on water - You have to step away from your security.
...he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
exp. Peter didn't just get out of the boat, he got away from the boat.
ill. It's fun watching children learn to walk. First they stand. Then they shuffle their feet. Then they walk along a piece of furniture. But, to walk, you have to get them to let go and move away.
exp. It doesn't seem like Peter took any steps with his hand still on the boat. Each step he took towards Jesus was a step further away from the boat.
ill. Bob Jones University Chapel - Dr. Bob Jones III - "Get out of your comfort zone." "Get out of you security bubble."
exp. You'll never do anything for God if you won't step out from your security.
ill. Children have security blankets - that blanket that is torn and tattered but losing it is a parent's nighmare. (Nelson's blanket lost - in Wolverhampton - leaving the church - saw it draped over a post.) God saved us a restless night - why? Because they feel like they can't do without it.
exp. As a dad - I have probably made my children get rid of those things too early and if my wife had her way they may keep them too late.
note: But, I'm thankful today that Kay Lee didn't take her "security blanket" with her to college. If she still needed that I DOUBT SHE'D BE WHERE SHE IS DOING WHAT GOD WANTS HER TO DO.
App. Are you ready to step away from your security in obedience to Jesus?
1) - For some people it's a sin that is keeping them from coming to Jesus.
- They don't feel like they can do without it.
2) - For others it may be a relationship that is keeping them from following Jesus.
3) - It may be the world and it's alurements that are so familiar.
Whatever that security is - if it is keeping you from Jesus - you ought to walk away from it.
transition: To walk on water
- you have to know you are looking at Jesus,
- you have to hear Jesus say come,
- you have to get out of the boat.
- you have to get away from security.
V. To walk on water - You have to keep your eyes on Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid....
exp. He was doing fine until he looked at what the wind was doing to the water. As soon as he took His eyes off of Jesus, fear crept into his heart.
ill. To go back to the illustration of a child learning to walk.
- They do really well if you can keep them looking at you.
- But, if they look at how far away they are from their security they often just sit down.
note: Where you keep your eyes is a testimony of your faith or lack of faith.
ill. 12 spies - they all spied out the same land - but they didn't all see the same thing.
Numbers 13:26 And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.
27 And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.
28 Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.
29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.
30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.
note: The whole congregation turned to look away from God in fear.
BUT JOSHUA AND CALEB WERE LOOKING AT GOD IN FAITH.
Numbers 14:6 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:
7 And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.
8 If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.
9 Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.
app. What are you looking at this morning.
I can tell you whether you are in faith or in fear based upon what you say.
If you are looking at covid, brexit, the great declension, etc. you are in fear.
If you are looking at the GOD OF THE IMPOSSIBLE, YOU ARE IN FAITH.
If you want to walk on water, you have to keep your eyes on Jesus.
transition: To walk on water
- you have to know you are looking at Jesus,
- you have to hear Jesus say come,
- you have to get out of the boat.
- you have to get away from security.
- you have to keep your eyes on Jesus.
VI. To walk on water - You have to maintain a position of fatih.
... he was afraid; and beginning to sink,
exp. When Peter tooks his eyes of Jesus, fear came in and because of fear came failure.
note: FAITH WAS NOT MAKING PETER WALK ON WATER.
Peter was walking on water by the power of God.
However, his faith is what received the power of God.
exp. If you are not saved yet, it is not because God does not have the power to save you.
It is because you have not yet received his SAVING POWER by faith.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
exp. Once you believe - God miraculously saves you - it's done - you are walking on water.
BUT YOU CONTINUE TO WALK WITH JESUS BY FAITH.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
FEAR IS THE OPPOSITE OF FAITH.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
App. Are you sinking today in your Christian walk? Has doubt crept into your life?
- Are you doubting, God's provision, protection, enablement, guidance, etc?
I want to encourage you - just maintain a position of faith in God.
1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
transition: To walk on water
- you have to know you are looking at Jesus,
- you have to hear Jesus say come,
- you have to get out of the boat.
- you have to get away from security.
- you have to keep your eyes on Jesus.
- you have to maintain a position of faith.
VII. To walk on water - You have to trust that Jesus will always deliver you.
...he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him,...
note: don't ever criticize Peter's faith - I doubt you or I would have gotten out of the boat, Peter is the only man other than Jesus to have experienced walking on water.
exp. Peter's faith is amazing. He would never have done it if he thought Jesus would let him drown.
PETER STARTED TO SINK - BUT HE KNEW JESUS WOULD ANSWER HIS PRAYER.
Ill. Rock Climbing in AZ - 100 foot vertical face - I climbed in faith - knowing that if I fell - Adam would save me.
exp. Our flesh and perhaps our faith will fail - but God will not fail us.
2Ch 32:8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
app. I want to remind us today - that our faith is imperfect. We aren't to trust in our faith.
However - OUR GOD IS PERFECT and we are to TRUST IN HIM.
transition: To walk on water
- you have to know you are looking at Jesus,
- you have to hear Jesus say come,
- you have to get out of the boat.
- you have to get away from security.
- you have to keep your eyes on Jesus.
- you have to maintain a position of faith.
- you have to trust that Jesus will always deliver you.
VIII. To walk on water - You have to be prepared to see the smallness of your faith.
...and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
exp. He had strong faith, but his faith was of little duration.
ill. Electric Cars - spoke with a car dealer at the mall in Livingston - that one can go 210 miles, 179 miles on a full (8 hour) charge. (quick charge can get you a little further, but you really need....)
ill. My van can go close to 500 miles before needing to refuel and then I can refuel in 10 minutes.
exp. She did say that when the battery get's worked in the range does increase....
app. When it comes to your faith - ask God to increase your range.
- You first get saved - you may only make it a little ways - let God stretch that out.
Conclusion:
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
34 And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
exp. I can see the disciples gathered around Peter when they got to the other shore. Jesus is out of ear shot and they say, "Peter - what were you thinking? That was crazy! What was it like to walk on the water to go to Jesus? (I so did not expect that - you got out of the boat! Wow!)
PETER HAD JUST DONE THE IMPOSSIBLE by the power of God
You can do the impossible "walk on water" by the power of God.
- you have to know you are looking at Jesus,
- you have to hear Jesus say come,
- you have to get out of the boat.
- you have to get away from security.
- you have to keep your eyes on Jesus.
- you have to maintain a position of faith.
- you have to trust that Jesus will always deliver you.
- you have to be prepared to see the smallness of your faith.
For some of you - the opportunity is right now....
Will you step out of the boat to go to Jesus?
salvation
baptistm/ church membership
surrender
separation from the world
get out of your comfort zone
YOU CAN DO SOMETHING IMPOSSIBLE BY THE POWER OF GOD.
