Sermon Central
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Let’s Take A Walk…on The Wild Side. Series
Contributed by Rick Chapman on Aug 31, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: Series on ships Part III
Let’s take a walk…on the wild side.
This is the third part in the series on ships during bad storms.
The first part was Jonah being thrown overboard during a storm that God had prepared because Jonah was running from him.
The second part was when the Disciples were in a boat and a storm arose and it was sinking their boat, but they knew the only way they were going to survive was to “go to Jesus”.
Now want to pick up with the third part of this series when again we see the disciples are caught in the middle of a wild and raging storm, but this time Jesus wasn’t on the ship with them.
22 And straightway Jesus constrained (Jesus told them to go) 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.(The wind was blowing against the direction they were going)
25 And in the fourth watch (between 3-6 AM) of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
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.
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. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, (wild and stormy) he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
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.
I want to title this sermon this morning, Let’s take a walk, on the wild side!
There are 8 things that God has shown me in these verses we have just read.
1- Faith to keep looking at Jesus.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, (wild and stormy) he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
We need to look for Jesus and keep looking at Jesus. Although a storm surrounded Him, Peter looked to Jesus. The only problem was that he stopped looking at Jesus. The principle is clear: especially when you are in a storm, look for Jesus and keep looking to Jesus.
What does looking to Jesus look like for you? Or is it more of a glance at Jesus when things become rough or wild and stormy in those times you feel like you have no control over what is happening in your life.
Maybe it is every morning, and all during the day, you remind yourself that Jesus is with you and helping you in all things you are doing?
2- Faith to obey Jesus
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
When Jesus commands you, obey Him. Jesus told Peter to “come” to Him on the water. Even though it made no sense, Peter did what Jesus said. This is what obedience looks like doing what Jesus says.
Is there any area in your life that you are not obeying the Lord? I know sometimes in my life if I could have just obeyed God in the first place and held on to His hand and not had to go through some storms in my life feeling alone. If I had just obeyed Jesus to begin with, and had done what I know he had instructed me to do, things would have been a lot smoother. I call them my Jonah moments!
3- Faith to take the next step
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
Faith is simply taking the next step. Peter took one step to get out of the boat and onto the water. Peter was doing just fine when he was focused on the next step and got into trouble when he lost sight of his next step.
