Walking on Water in the midst of a Storm
Matthew 14:22-33
Valley Church
October 8, 2006
“Expect great things of God and attempt great things for God.” William Carey
Introduction
In October of 1991 a storm stronger than any in recorded history hit the coast off of Gloucester, Massachusetts. This "Perfect Storm" — so called because it was three storms combined into one — created an almost apocalyptic situation in the Atlantic ocean, where boats encountered waves of 100 feet — the equivalent of a ten-story building. These storms are some of the strongest and most terrifying manifestations of nature's strength.
“The Perfect Storm” A boat, a storm, and a crew of scared men… Sounds like another story I’ve heard. Turn to Matthew 14:22 and let’s experience this story…
“Up Close and Personal with Jesus”. Last week was “God’s Care in the Midst of War” from Matt 10.
Walking on Water… in the midst of a Storm….
Maybe the extent of your boating experience is you watched “Gilligan’s Island” as a kid.
When I was a kid, my Dad and I used to sail a bit… We took a class and we’d go over to Vasona, rent a little Toro sailboat and putter around. Once we went to Santa Cruz and don’t think we made it past the breakwater.
1. Christ commands us. 14:22-24
Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.
Context = feeding of the 5,000.
John 6:15 tells us why Jesus sent them away and went up on to the mountain to pray… they wanted to make him King!
John 6:15 - Jesus,
knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew
again to a mountain by himself.
The “American Dream” is to
remove all uncertainty from our lives. Make sure our homes, our health,
our families, our finances, our retirement… are all secure.
Other time on the boat with Jesus – “Don’t you care if we DIE!!!???”
Calls to Radical obedience – not a comfortable book…
The most popular brand of chair sold in America? “La-Z-boy”!
Life Lesson: Learning obedience
24 But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary.
In other words, “The weather started getting rough, the tiny ship was tossed…”
Just because you are obedient does not mean you aren’t going to be tested…
2. Christ comforts us. v. 25-27
25 And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea.
Fourth watch meant between 3 am and 6 am in the morning…
Mark 6:48 “Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them.”
Mark tells us that his intention was to keep right on going… Jesus was going to walk on past… He also tells us that Jesus could see the disciples toiling…
26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear.
The writer of this first hand account was a tax collector – He could navigate the tax code with ease, you got him out from behind the desk and he started to get nervous… But put him on the high seas… when he says they were terrified, they were terrified…
Someone said to me, “Are you going to explain how Jesus walked on the water?” Sure – same way he fed 5,000 people, healed the sick and lame, and rose from the grave…
Ps 77:16-19
16 The waters saw You, O God;
The waters saw You, they were in anguish;
The deeps also trembled.
17 The clouds poured out water;
The skies gave forth a sound;
Your arrows flashed here and there.
18 The sound of Your thunder was in the whirlwind;
The lightnings lit up the world;
The earth trembled and shook.
19 Your way was in the sea
And Your paths in the mighty waters,
And Your footprints may not be known.
Job 9:8 - He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.
He wanted them to see him walking on the waves.
“He knows you personally and he cares for you perfectly” (Glen last week)
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, " Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."
D. “ego eimi” – It is I. The presence and power of Jesus in your life.
Storms are challenges that come to you without your trying… no effort or contribution of your own. Sometimes the “storms” come in the form of health, financial, or relational catastrophe. Sometimes they blow up in a moment and are gone, leaving you to sort through the rubble. Sometimes they go on and on and on… and you have to learn how to live through them…
Fear cripples, paralyzes, immobilizes us…
EX: Vivien Rose – I don’t see him… but I know he’s near.
366 occurrences of “Fear Not” in the Bible. It is the most common command in the Bible.
Fear and it’s cousin worry rob us of adventure and mystery, not to mention fruitfulness, joy and peace.
Life Lesson: Overcoming fear (by the presence of Jesus)
Are you distressed?
What is your storm?
3. Christ calls us. v. 28-29
Other disciples were terrified… what about Peter? He was a fisherman. He’d been out on the Sea of Galilee many times in a storm.
28 Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."
Don’t you just love Peter? This is “Open Mouth Insert Foot” Peter…
29 And He said, "Come!"
I wonder if there was a smile on the Lord’s face when he said “Come”? Did he think, “Finally, someone gets it!”
And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
Peter stepped out of the boat.
Boat = security, safety, known, understood, managed, dependable, trustworthy…
Don’t hear what I’m not saying – This is not foolishness… We just read last week that Satan tried to temp Jesus into testing God, and Jesus wouldn’t do it.
It is no mistake that this lesson comes AFTER the lesson on learning obedience.
The foolishness of extreme sports… Movie ad for people doing crazy things – guy dressing up in a red shirt, going into a bull ring, and then putting a blind fold on…
“Don’t be afraid!”
I don’t share the Gospel with my neighbor because I’m afraid.
I don’t give more of my money because I’m afraid of financial insecurity.
Etc…
Look at Peter’s words, “"Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." He was opening himself up to a deeper level of trust, deeper level of commitment…
EX: converstation with Mark the tow truck driver
Life Lesson: Stepping out. (Corallary – don’t compare yourself to someone else!)
“Stepping out” – Challenges that come as a result of your actions.
EX: taking the long way home from Men’s Retreat…
EX: order spicy instead of mild next time at taco bell…
4. Christ cares for us. v. 30-31a
30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him,
It says that he saw the wind… what does THAT mean?
Peter “took his eyes off of Jesus.” What does this REALLY mean?
It means he fundamentally doubted that Jesus had the power and presence to protect him and to see to his eternal good.
There was no eloquence to Peter’s short and to the point prayer. SAVE ME!
just because he cares for us, it doesn’t mean we’ll never fail!
“A saint is not someone who never fails; a saint is a person who gets up and goes on again every time he fails.”
Life Lesson: Freedom to fail
Do something, even if it’s wrong.
96.83% may not sound like an impressive number to you, but it is. That’s the accuracy percentage of Alexander Melentiev of Russia in the 50 meter free pistol target shooting. Sixty shots with a .22 caliber pistol at a target two inches round (50mm) from over 160 feet away, scoring 581 out of 600 possible points. The skill necessary for that kind of accuracy is hard to comprehend… and it didn’t come to Mr. Melentiev overnight. Years and years of practice allowed him to set this world record in Moscow in 1980.
“Ready, FIRE, aim…” NBC – There are people down there working night and day who are not experts at what they are doing… (Yesterday I got to take out the trash!!!)
5. Christ corrects us. v. 31b
and said to him, " You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
It’s outside the boat… just Christ and Peter, standing on the water…
The rest of the guys in the boat watch this happen… (storm still going by the way) John Ortberg calls them “Boat Potatoes” (Pew Potatoes)
EX: Russ calling “Jones, I think I blew it!”
Life Lesson: Life long Learning
If you never fail, you will never
grow.
6. Christ confirms His Lordship in our lives.v.32,33
32 When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "You are certainly God's Son!"
Why didn’t he calm the sea back when he saw them toiling on the lake?
Life Lesson: He is Lord!
Application:
Urbana ‘06
Family Missions Trip to Mexico
3. Who is your Lord?