Faith is the Victory

Part III

Matthew 14:22-33

“Get Out Of the Boat and Walk”

Jesus has just concluded one of his most infamous miracles [feeding of the 5000]. 

He is in the middle of His Galilean Ministry and He decides to walk on water.

 Some key lessons for us as Christians can be learned from this passage of scripture.

I.    When facing everyday storms, look no further than Christ for help.  vs. 26-27

A.  We fear a lot in our lives today.

B.  Experts tell us that 80% of what we fear, we have no control over.

C.  So how do you respond to the most recent crisis you read and see

     on the news?

D.  I would suggest today that we rely on the same voice the disciples did in the midst of the storm and hear loud and clear the voice of Christ who says,

      “ Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.”   Isaiah 35:3-4, Isaiah 41:10, 13

E.  Psalm 23

1.  He restores my soul.

2.  He let’s me lie down in pastures not eaten up with thorns, briers,           crabgrass, but rather a meadow filled with green pasture.

3.  He makes my paths straight. 

4.  He prepares a table of goods right smack in the middle of the enemy’s camp.

II.   When facing life’s storms not only look to Jesus, but go to Jesus.

A.  The others sat and looked to the “author and perfector of their faith.”

B.  The others were hearers of the word, but only Peter was a doer. 

      James 2: 17-19

III.  When facing life’s storms, don’t take your eyes off Jesus.

A. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not on thine own under  standing.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.”           Proverbs 3:5 

B. R.C. Foster writes, “When Peter turned his gaze from Jesus to the storm,           he forgot Jesus’ divine power and could think only of the terrible power           of the gale.  When Peter began to close his heart through doubt, he began

     to sink.”

IV.  When facing life’s storm, cry out to the only one who can save you,

        Jesus Christ.  vs. 30-31

A.  “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”           Romans 10: 13

B.  Look no further than the cross for help. Look no further than Christ for             salvation. Peter didn’t look back to the other disciples or try to grab hold of the           boat, he looked at Jesus and cried out.

C.  That is exactly where each one of us was at one time. We recognized we       were sinking in our own misery, our own sin and self destruction, so we             cried out to the only one who could save us.

Today, right now, stop living with doubt!

Know with absolute assuredness that Jesus is still in charge.

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