KJV Sermon Outlines

Don't Jump Ship!

Text: Matthew 14:22-33

Intro: A very familiar story. "Walking on water" has become synonymous with perfection. Most of us have admired Peter's courage. Just to step out of
that boat took a great deal of something. Call it courage...faith...reckless abandonment…whatever. But I want to look at Peter's walk on the wild side from a little different angle.

I. JESUS PUT THEM IN THE BOAT [v.22]

A. He was urgent about it. {"Straightway"} Immediately. Without hesitation. They didn't need to pray about it or ponder it.

B. He was emphatic about it. {"Constrained"}

II. THEY EXPERIENCED A STORM [v.24]

A. This storm came because they were in God's Will.

1. If they had disobeyed Jesus and stayed on land, they would have been in a crowd of people where they were very popular at the moment. They might have even been treated like celebrities because of their relationship to Jesus.

2. Because they obeyed Christ, they were now in a boat all alone, in the midst of the sea, in a storm.

B. There are two kinds of storms.

1. Storms of Correction. Example: Jonah. In these storms God disciplines us for willful disobedience.

2. Storms of Perfection. These disciples. In these storms, God is helping us to grow.

III. JESUS WAS PRAYING FOR THEM [v.23]

A. Jesus Saw them and knew their need.

"And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto
them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them,
walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them."[Mk.6:48]

B. Jesus is praying for His people today, too.

"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that
is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh
intercession for us."[Rom.8:34]

IV. JESUS WENT TO THEM [v.23]

"Why did Jesus walk on the water? To show His disciples that the very thing
they feared was only a staircase for Him to come to them." -Warren Wiersbe

V. PETER JUMPED SHIP [v.28]

A. Peter's Response was spawned by doubt and fear, rather than faith.
["if..."] Faith doesn't say, "if"; faith says because.

Illustration: Two thieves on the Cross. One said, "If thou be the Christ,
save thyself and us, too." The other said, "Lord, remember me."

B. Peter was abandoning Jesus' initial command.

C. Jesus allowed Peter to leave the ship to teach him a very valuable
lesson.

1. If Peter's faith had not wavered, if his eyes hadn't wandered,
he could have made it.

2. But, when you jump ship, the odds are against you.

VI. JESUS HAS PLACED US IN SOME SHIPS

-Human relationships...
-Marriage partnership...
-Church membership...

A. Storms will come because you are in that ship.

B. Jesus is watching your ship and praying for you.

C. Jesus will come to your ship in your hour of need.
When things seem lost, when the outlook is bleak, when hope is all but
gone...
He will be there.

D. You don't have to walk on water; Just don't jump ship.

CONCLUSION: Thousands of people are jumping from one religion to another,
from one marriage to another, from one church to another, looking for a sea
with no storms. When what they ought to do is get out the oars of faith and
obedience and keep the ship pointed in the right direction. The winds may
be contrary, the waves may be fierce, but they will never capsize the Old
Ship of Zion.

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