If You Want to Walk on the Water, You Got to GET OUT of the Boat!

Maud church of ChristBy Jim BradshawSunday Morning, August 3, 2014

Matthew 14:22-33

This Story Fascinates us all

This Story is about FEAR1Jn 4:18 ESV There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

2Ti 1:6-7 ESV For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, (7) for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

You Can’t Walk on Water Away from JesusMat 14:22-25 ESV Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. (23) And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, (24) but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. (25) And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.

1. Jesus and the disciples were tired – news of John the baptizer, feeding the 5,000 men+.

2. Jesus was alone, although you might say that the disciples were alone without Jesus.

You Can’t Walk on Water Away from JesusEph 2:12-18 ESV remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the

covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the

world. (13) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (14) For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility (15) by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, (16) and might

reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. (17) And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. (18)

For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Alone without Jesus Cannot Walk on Water without Jesus, Phil. 4:13

You Can’t Walk on Water Away from JesusAct 4:11-12 ESV This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. (12) And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Eph 1:3 ESV Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,Eph 1:7 ESV In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

Gal 3:27 ESV For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Alone without Jesus Cannot Walk on Water without Jesus, Phil. 4:13

You Can’t Walk on Water Away from JesusMat 14:24-25 ESV but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. (25) And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.

Alone without Jesus Cannot Walk on Water without Jesus, Phil. 4:13

Joh 3:16-17 ESV "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (17) For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Rom 5:6-8 ESV For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (7) For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-- (8) but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Peter Got Out of the BoatMat 14:26-29 ESV 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. (27) But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." (28) And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." (29) He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.

1. Fear of a Ghost (sometimes we have irrational fears).2. We can take heart with Christ.

No Fear in ChristMat 10:28-33 ESV And do not fear those who

kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (29) Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. (30) But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. (31) Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (32) So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, (33) but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Jesus Said Come to MeMat 11:28-30 ESV Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Peter Got Out of the Boat!!!We Need to Get out of the

Boat

We Sink with DoubtMat 14:30-33 ESV But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." (31) Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (32) And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. (33) And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

1. Fear of what we see!, 2 Cor. 5:7.2. Sinking with Doubt.3. Why do we Doubt?

We Sink with DoubtJas 1:5-8 ESV If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (6) 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. (7) For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; (8) he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Php 2:12 ESV Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

Act 2:40 ESV And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation."