VITAL LESSONS CONCERNING FAITH

1. Great Faith is highly valued

2. Faith must be exercised

3. It is hard to cultivate faith

 

ANOTHER STORY INVOLVING THE SEA OF GALILEE

1. This story is recorded in Three of the Gospels

a) Matthew 14:22-33

b) Mark 6:45-52

c) John 6:15-21

2. The Context of this story

22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.

23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.

Now when evening came, He was alone there. Matthew 14:22-23

a) After the tremendous Miracle of feeding the 5000

b) People wanted to force the Lord Jesus to be their King

c) The Lord knew their hearts were not pure in their desire to make him king

d) He withdrew Himself from the multitudes and went to the mountain to pray

 

THE MAIN FEATURES OF THIS STORY

24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled,

saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. Matthew 14:24-26

1. A storm had come up suddenly

2. The disciples were struggling with the storm and their fears

3. The Lord Jesus was seen walking towards the Disciples

4. They cried out in fear thinking that they had seen a ghost

 

CALMING THE DISCIPLES

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew 24:27

1. The Lord Jesus spoke to them

2. He said

a) “Be of good cheer!”

b) “It is I”

c) “Do not be afraid”

3. Would these words not be enough?

 

PETER’S CHALLENGE

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Matthew 14:28

1. The words of the Lord Jesus were not enough

2. He challenged:

a) “Lord, if it is You”

b) “Command me to come to You on the water.”

3. What was Peter thinking about?

 

THE SWIFT RESPONSE OF THE LORD JESUS

So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. Matthew 14:29

1. He responded to the challenge

2. He spoke another word

“Come”

 

THE FEAR OF PETER

But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid;

and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:30

1. What Peter saw

a) That the wind was boisterous

b) He was beginning to sink and Fear swept in

2. What Peter did next

a) He cried out to the Lord

“Lord, save me”

b) This was different from what he had uttered a short while earlier

 

THE LORD’S RESPONSE

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him,

and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31

1. The Lord stretched out His hand and caught Peter

2. He said to him

a) “O you of little faith”

b) “Why did you doubt?”

3. The problem of doubt

a) He doubted what he had seen

b) He doubted the Lord’s appearance

c) He doubted and his faith was adversely affected immediately

 

THE CALMING OF THE STORM

32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:32-33

1. The wind ceased immediately

2. The Disciples worshiped and said “Truly You are the Son of God.”

 

AN EXERCISE OF FAITH

34 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.

35 And when the men of that place recognized Him,

they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick,

36 and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment.

And as many as touched it were made perfectly well. Matthew 14:34-36

1. The people of Gennesaret

a) They recognised the Lord Jesus instantly

b) They expressed faith in Him

c) They asked to touch His garment and that would make them well

2. Our Challenge

a) To overcome Doubts

b) To exercise faith