FAITH STRENGTHEN BY SEEING THE POWER OF GOD
Matthew 14:22-36
INTRODUCTION TO POWER
Jesus had a long day. Chapter fourteen started with the news that John the Baptist
was beheaded doing a birthday party held by Herod for his wife’s daughter
Upon hearing of His first cousin's death, Jesus went to a place to be alone with the
father to pray and grieve over the loss of His family member.
The people heard that He was in the area and came in droves to hear him. He showed compassion and healed the sick. Knowing that the crowd had come a long way He took
a lunch that was enough for one man, and fed five thousand men plus women and
children
DON'T WAIT, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW JESUS'
COMMANDS
V:22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up to a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
After serving all day Jesus dismissed the crowd of 5000 men plus women and children.
There is a time for everything. There is a time to work, a time to rest, and a time for
prayer. You should not take your work into your time of rest. Work makes you tired
and weary. You need time alone. There is nothing better than a good not sleep.
After a long day, Jesus never missed an opportunity to communicate with Father
Prayer is a time to bring all your problems to the Lord. It's a time to be refreshed
and restored to the right spirit. It's a time to seek directions and be encouraged.
Jesus sent His disciples by boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee to get away from
the crowd and get prepared for the next assignment. When Jesus says go we need
to get moving. We don’t have to know why, because Jesus does.
The disciples had had a long day serving and perhaps consoling the crowd and bringing the sick to Jesus to be healed. Like Jesus, they needed rest and prayer time with
the Father.
When God sends us on a journey, we can expect new experiences. There may be some rough times designed for our benefit.
JESUS COMES WHEN YOU NEED HIM
V:25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said and cried out in fear.
The fourth watch is 3 Pm to 6 Am. I would think it was closer to 6 Am because the
disciples saw Jesus walking on top of the rough water. Even though they had witnessed
and participated in the power of God, they still were superstitious and afraid of the dark.
They still had much to learn about the power of their Savior.
Many strong Christians fear for their safety under certain circumstances.
The disciples imagined a ghost walking rather than Jesus. When there is fear there is
no focus on the power of Jesus. Oh, what peace we often forfeit all because we do
not carry everything to God in prayer. Where there is prayer, there should be
no fear. Where there is fear, there is little faith.
AMID TROUBLE FOCUS ON JESUS
V:27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
28 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
29 "Come," he said.
One thing believers must understand if Jesus is the reason for our journey, He
prepared safe passage. He will not send us on a journey that will
fail. He promised us that trouble will follow. John 16:23
Jesus will comfort us amid our troubles. It is up to us to call on the Lord.
The test of our faith is to follow Jesus into a storm. It takes courage to step out
of our comfort zone.
When Jesus spoke, Peter responded with a request to come into the storm. It's OK to
test the presence of Jesus in your life. He will give you a sign that He is present
and powerful.
THE IMPOSSIBLE IS POSSIBLE WITH JESUS
V:29b. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
As long as we focus on Jesus we can do what is impossible for man to do. All we have
to do is believe when we ask. The body of a man is more dense than water. Under
normal circumstances, we would sink. Peter knowing the voice of Jesus and His
power asked to step out of the boat to test His authority over water. Peter was already in a difficult situation, but asked to be put in a more difficult situation,
When Peter climbed out of the boat, he walked on the water by faith with his focus
on Jesus. When he considered his circumstances, the water, and the wind, he began to
sink. He quit looking at the possible, Jesus, and considered the impossible standing
on water. No matter how difficult our circumstances are, believers must keep focus
on Jesus. God put us where were are with plan where we are to grow our faith.
The disciples were in the boat by the will of God. They were there for a new experience.
They were put in the storm for the perfection of their faith. Peter had never walked
on water before. This was his time to do the impossible with Jesus. Each of us has
a challenge before us to do the impossible through the power of Jesus. Nothing
is impossible for God.
When our faith weakens, all we have to do is call on Jesus and He will take our
hand and comfort us. When Peter was sinking in the water, the Lord didn’t say
he had no faith, but asked why did you doubt? That is the question you and I
must consider when we are troubled. A troubled mind is a mind that has doubt.
Doubt does not make us a bad Christian, it underscores our need for Jesus.
Peter knew the water, and I will bet he was a good swimmer. Why did he not
try to swim back to the boat? The other disciples were looking, why did they
not throw him a rope? We don’t have these answers, but the objective was for
Peter and the other disciples learned that they could trust Jesus in all situations.
The new experience was at hand in Jesus' hands.
WORSHIP JESUS IN YOUR TROUBLES
V:32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Jesus climbed into the boat with Peter. They both walked on the water back to the boat
together. They both climbed into the boat together. We can do all things together
with Jesus. There is no reason to doubt when you are together with Jesus. The
key is to not let your circumstances separate you from Jesus.
The moment they got back in the boat together, the circumstance changed to be
a nonissue. The wind which caused the circumstance of fear ceased. The lesson
is to worship Jesus in the midst of your troubling circumstances. You don’t have
to get out of the boat that Jesus put you in, just worship Him in the boat.
Once they saw Jesus in the boat and the winds ceased they came to the conclusion
that Jesus was truly the Son Of God. That is what Jesus wants all believers
to know that He is truly the Son of God, That He truly has all power, that
He is the God of your circumstances, and every event in your life is designed
by Him to strengthen your faith.
STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE POWER OF JESUS
V:34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
When you serve God, people recognize your faithfulness. In time they
will come to know the God you serve and will be drawn to Him. Not only
that, but people will tell their family and friends about the God you serve.
The work we do for God should exemplify His power and authority over all
the circumstances of our lives.
We are all in a state of sickness, some more severe than others. We all should
be beggars of God's mercy. None of us are immune from the influence
of the devil. But all believers have access to the power of God. All we need
is to stay in touch with His power.
Rev. M. Mitchell
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