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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.
WE ONLY
TEACH AND PREACH FROM THE KING JAMES BIBLE
"For the word of God is quick,
and powerful, and sharper than any
twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of
soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a
discerner
of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
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