Author: Stephen Thomason

He’s So Good He Walks on Water!
Matthew 14:22-33
Intro:
1. ILL: The Preachers Walking on Water (“We should have told him where the rocks were”).
2. Anyone who is outstanding at what he does or seems to accomplish the impossible is labeled, “He can walk on water!”
3. He who actually did walk on water has promised to help you - to show you where the rocks are in life!
I. v22-24 - You Get in Danger When
You Don’t Keep the Lord Close at Hand
A. v22 - The Lord was separated from His disciples.
1. In Jn 6:15 the crowd of 5000 wanted to make Jesus a king right on the spot.
2. He had to get the disciples into a boat & out of the way quickly.
3. v24 - The disciples became trapped in the lake by strong winds & high waves.
B. When you become self reliant you can leave the Lord out of the picture in your life.
1. When you leave the Lord behind Satan will try to stop your spiritual progress.
2. God’s word tells you to do 2 things to keep your spiritual progress going:
a. Col 3:17 - And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
b. I Thess 5:17 - pray continually.
c. So - in everything you do, saturate it with prayer! Include the Lord in your life!
II. v25-27 - The Lord is Always Ready to Come to Your Rescue
A. v25 - He can rescue you by coming to you.
1. v23 - Lord Jesus was on a mountaintop praying.
a. Between 3:00 & 6:00 a.m. He could see they were in danger & proceeded to come to their rescue.
b. He didn’t let any obstacles (wind & waves) get in the way.
c. He cares for you enough to rescue you because He went to the cross!
d. Therefore - He is willing to help you with your daily struggles.
2. v26 - The disciples didn’t even recognize Him when He came.
a. Ghost (φάντασμα) = a shadowy apparition, a ghost. We get the word “Phantom” from this word!
b. Terrified (φόβος) = the common word for fear, more like “agitated” like the water in a washing machine.
c. It caused them to scream in terror!
3. You have access to the Lord in prayer at any time!
a. How often are you in contact with Him?
b. Recognize the Lord’s presence in your life & talk to Him often.
B. v27 - He can rescue you by calming your fears.
1. The Lord identified who He was.
a. It is I (ἐγώ εἰμι) = lit. “I Am” - the divine name!
b. ILL: Moses before the fiery bush (Ex 3:14).
2. The Lord encouraged them.
a. He didn’t say, “Be of good cheer” - He said, “Be courageous!”
b. When the Lord dwells within you, you can be courageous under any circum- stances.
III. v28-33 - The Lord Rescues in Response to Faith
A. Peter’s faith was expressed.
1. v28 - Peter expressed it in words, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.”
2. v29 - Peter expressed it in actions - when the command came, Peter stepped out of the boat!
B. Peter’s faith was distracted.
1. v30 - When Peter took his eyes off the Lord & focused on the opposition, down he went!
2. v31 - The Lord labeled this faith “little faith” & “doubt”.
3. You can get so focused on dodging the fiery arrows Satan throws at you that you can forget to use your shield!
C. Peter’s faith was redirected.
1. Peter could have trusted in his own abilities.
2. Jn 21:7-8 tells us he was a good swimmer.
3. But when he said, Lord, save me, he admitted he was helpless & needed to rely on the Lord.
D. What is real faith?
1. v31 - Doubt (διστάζω) = to duplicate, to stand twice or stand double.
2. Jam 1:6-8 - But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
3. If you pray, but really don’t believe your prayers will be answered - you are double minded!
4. ILL: The woman who brought an umbrella to the prayer meeting.
Lord Jesus loves you so much He went to the cross for you!
He’s willing to come to your rescue when you express your faith.
Trust Him when your storms seem overwhelming!
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