Step Out

Okay, hello, and happy Sunday. As you can tell, my Dr backdrop has drastically improved. I'm in St in Augustine, Florida, and it's a beautiful day. I love the ocean; it inspires me.

Today I want us to look at a story that occurred on the Sea of Galilee. It's found in Matthew chapter 14. That chapter is action-packed; it's a rollercoaster of emotion. As it begins, we find that John the Baptist has been beheaded. Jesus loved John. You know, John the Baptist perhaps understood Jesus better than anyone.

After John died, Jesus tried to get away to be by himself for a while. It was not to be, because great crowds were following Jesus, and he was not able to be by himself. What did he do? Jesus ministered to their needs, and when evening approached, he told the disciples to feed the crowd.

You likely know the story. There was no food except five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus took it and blessed it and fed five thousand men plus women and children. The crowd was likely well over ten thousand, maybe fifteen. We're told that there were even twelve baskets full of leftovers.

So after they ate, Jesus dismissed the crowd, and they left. They were full spiritually and physically. He also told the disciples to get in the boat and go out into the Sea of Galilee. Jesus wanted to be alone and pray.

Towards the end of John chapter 14, we find the story I'll tell you today. Matthew tells us that shortly before dawn Jesus was coming towards the boat, and he was walking on the water. When the disciples saw him, they thought he was a ghost, and they were terrified. Walking on the water, Jesus quickly spoke to them and said, "It's me. Don't be afraid."

Peter was the first one to speak. Like many of us, Peter often spoke before he thought. Peter said, "Lord, I want to do that." Jesus said, "Come on." So Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water.

We're told that Peter noticed the wind, and he began to become frightened, so he began to sink. He cried to Jesus, "Save me," and Jesus reached out his hand and pulled Peter up. We don't know how far down Peter sank, but we are told that Jesus said to Peter in verse 31 of Matthew 14, "You have little faith. Why did you doubt?" They got back in the boat.

You know, I'm impressed with Peter. Yes, he sank a bit, but at least he got out of the boat. None of the other 11 disciples dared try.

One thing I want us to learn here is that Jesus will be with us in all of the storms of our lives, every time we think we're seeking sinking. You know what I'm talking about. We all have storms. It could be health or work or family or finances; you you fill in the blank. Whatever your storm is, it will help tremendously if you always remember that Jesus is with you.

Do you remember the last words of Jesus according to Matthew, last part of chapter 28? We're told Jesus said, "Remember, I'm with you always, even to the ends of the age." If you've ever panicked or freaked out or worried yourself sick, you've forgotten that Jesus is always with you.

I visited with a family the other day that was dealing with a big storm that they had recently encountered. It was my joy to remind them that God has always been with them the whole way. Please remember that whatever it is that you are going through in your life, Jesus is there.

When we're reminded of God's presence, we should also be reminded of God's power. Jesus walked on water. He can calm winds and storms. He had just fed thousands of people with just a tiny bit of food. Later on in the book of Matthew, in chapter 19 verse 26, Jesus said, "With God everything is possible."

The disciples had to finally figure that out. They saw Jesus do so much. You know, we should finally figure that out too. We have seen God do so much in our lives. Sometimes we just have bad memories, and we forget. With God everything is possible.

Another point that can be made from this story is that when Jesus tells you to step out, you need to step out, just like Peter did. If God is telling you to do something, you had better do it. In my lifetime I've known several people that God called to do something, and for one reason or another they didn't do it. They had an excuse, or they were too busy. Those are the most miserable people that I have ever known.

I have friends that had a son die years ago in an accident. They started a ministry for grieving families. They didn't have degrees; they didn't have a template, but they had a calling. God told them to help others, and they did. They got out of the boat.

And so we need to know, when Jesus tells us to step out, step out. It can change the world.

Another important lesson from this story is after you step out of the boat, you need to keep going. Peter saw the waves and the wind, and he began to doubt, and so he began to sink. He was distracted from what he was empowered to do. It was Jesus himself that told him that he could walk on water. Peter forgot. He forgot Jesus, and he began to sink.

Sadly, the roadside of the Christian journey is littered with those that have quit. Many churches have struggled during covet. I applaud those that keep on keeping on week after week after week.

Even though Peter began to sink, he called to Jesus, and Jesus rescued him. Whatever storm you're in, call out to Jesus. He will reach for you and help you do anything.

Let's pray together. Lord, thank you for this beautiful day and this beautiful place, and we thank you for the truth that you are with us through good days and bad, through storms and difficulties, that you empower us and enable us. And Father, thank you for those that are changing the world because they get out of the boat. Help us to do the things you've called us to do. In Jesus' name, amen.

God bless you.