VIDEO LINKS TO THIS SERMON
Walking On Water
By Pastor Mark Taylor
By Pastor Mark Taylor
“And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” (Matthew 14:28)
In Matthew 14:22-33 we read of one of our Lord’s miracles. It was also a great lesson in the lives of the disciples and can be one for us. The greatest lessons The Lord wants to teach us cannot be taught in a classroom sitting behind a desk or in your seat at church watching the preacher. If your simply satisfied with being a spectator instead of a doer, you will never know the thrill of what God can do in your life. There are times you have to ask the Lord to help you get out of the boat and get your feet wet. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26).
The disciples learned some life lessons during this field trip outside the classroom. Our Lord commanded the disciples to get in the boat and go over to the other side which was about 12 miles.
LESSON ONE: JESUS IS ALWAYS WATCHING US.
His disciples were being completely obedient unto what Jesus had commanded them to do. Sometimes people think that IF they ARE doing what Jesus told them to do, then there will be no storms for them to sail through; everything will be mountain experiences. But such thinking is not always true and real.
When we are going through the storm, we start looking around for Jesus and sometimes we cannot sense His presence even though He is watching us and His eyes are on us and He sees us in our storm. “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry.” (Psalms 34:15). “Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not because you are of more value than many sparrows and not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father knowing.” (Luke 12:7 and Matthew 10:29).
LESSON TWO: GOD IS ALWAYS WALKING TOWARD US.
Our Lord walks toward us and brings us deliverance in ways we would never expect or think possible. God has told us in His Word - The Bible over 365 times not to fear and to be of “good cheer” in our storms. “The Lord is near unto them that have a broken heart; and saves those who are remorseful.” (Psalm 34:18). The key to our victory and deliverance in the storm is to keep our eyes upon Jesus. Think about Him, pray to Him, read His Words in the Bible, and start walking toward Him.
LESSON THREE: - FEAR NOT
Admit that you have fears and ask the Lord Jesus to help you. Then take a risk. Risk taking does not come naturally. Spiritual growth involves risk. Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is doing the right thing even when you’re afraid. Courage is rejecting comfort & doing the very thing that you fear. And the problem gets worse with lack of action. Expect the fear to return. If you begin to sink like Peter, fear will come.
When Peter reached out and called for help, the Lord was there to help him.
Change your focus from thinking about your fears and start reading scriptures and listen to messages on faith. When we focus on our fears, and we give it a lot of power by thinking about it all the time, we can lose sight of the presence of God.
The Bible says that when you and I go to God’s presence He meets us there. When we recognize His presence He’s there. Ephesians 3:12 says: “Because of Christ and our faith in Him [not our fear in Him but our faith in Him] we can now come fearlessly into God’s presence assured of His glad welcome.”
Overcoming fear is a joint venture. You do your role and He does His role. If you’re serious about overcoming fear and you’re serious about being liberated from the choke hold that fear has on your life take a step, even just a little tiny baby step.
Say, “Where do I need to start?” And then start there.
Within every great fear is a great opportunity for God to do something in your life and to enhance your faith.
Embrace the presence of God when He shows up. “I command you be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9).
If you begin to sink like Peter did here’s the good news of the gospel. When you sink God doesn’t. “Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him...” (Matthew 14:31).
When you get through the storm, give praise to the Lord. This event with the disciples started with a storm and ended in worship. “I will boast only in the Lord. Let all who are discouraged take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness. Let us exalt His name together. I prayed to the Lord and He answered me freeing me from all my fears.” (Psalms 34:1-4).
You can walk above your storm when you are following the Lord Jesus. He will deliver you and your boat and everyone in it will be saved. Whether you have “little faith” or “great faith”, the Lord Jesus can calm the winds and the waves in your storm. Start again today walking on the water.
Dwight L. Moody - “A little faith will bring your soul to heaven, but a lot of faith will bring heaven to your soul.”
