Walking on Water - 6

Walking on Water - 6

Subject – The Four Stages of the Boat

by Rick Welborne

Matthew 14:22‑33 (NKJV) 

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. 

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. 

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." 

28 And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 

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

30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" 

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 

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." 

–Sunday night at our Pentecost Rally Holy Spirit graciously showed up and did so many wonderful things in people’s lives...we are still hearing what He did. Getting out of the boat was made easier by God’s glorious presence.

–Many of you have responded to getting out of the boat financially by responding to God’s Word to tithe and God’s mandate for missions...faith promise cards still available. So many blessings!

–This is great but there is more...God wants you...He wants you to give yourself as a servant to Him and to others...this should be first.

2 Corinthians 8:1‑5 (NLT) 

1 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 

2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. 

3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 

4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 

5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. 

–Their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do...this is so important. If He has you...He has all you have...you will get out - boat.

–Today I want us to look at four stages of the boat...of those in the boat.

1. There are those in the boat who are questioning what are they doing in the boat in the first place and they are clinging desperately to the floor.

–They know being in the boat is good...at least that is what momma or someone told them along the way.

–Maybe because of the God-void in our lives when we are born...they have found themselves gravitating toward the boat...appeasing a guilty conscience.

–They look around the boat that is in the middle of a storm and see that it is filled with crazy people...some shouting the rougher it gets...those Pentecostals! Fanatics! Please understand that you are in good company.

Romans 3:10‑12 (NKJV) 

10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; 

11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 

12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." 

–There is one in the boat who takes charge because of his experience on the water (Peter)...one whose eyes seem to be filled with deceit (Simon)...one who doubts their chances of survival (Thomas).

–I should not be here...I am not really one of His disciples...I kind of got caught up getting in the boat...that is where the crowds were going.

–I am afraid...afraid of hell...afraid of heaven...afraid of sinking...afraid of drowning in waters I should not be in...in the first place.

–This is the group in our churches who are lost...they may be faithful to attend and may even be faithful to give and to serve. In the church but not in the Kingdom of God. 

–Thank God that they are here hearing the Words of Jesus and are being given that opportunity Sunday after Sunday to get saved.

–They are clinging to the boat and what looks like a ghost is passing by...All of them are afraid...even the seasoned guys...this is bad.

Matthew 14:26-27 (NKJV) 

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. 

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." 

–Don’t be afraid...it is Jesus...it may be a ghost...the Holy Ghost...the Spirit of God is passing by to save you...to love you...to give you the adventure of your life.

–To walk on water for the first time...To be saved!

2. There are those in the boat who are sitting up in the boat but wonder how invested they are in the trip.

–To me...these folks are somewhere between those clinging to the floor (unsaved) and those walking on the water (passionately dedicated).

–Their minds are back on the shore where the loaves and fish are...sure was nice over there in the grass, very comfortable, being fed, and gettin’ some good teaching.

–This idea of riding the waves, enduring the terrible winds, possibly laying down your lives stuff is not for them.  Jesus said:

Matthew 16:24‑25 (NKJV) 

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 

25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 

–Sounds like Jesus is saying that once you get in the boat that just being a spectator is not an option...these are usually the ones who become lifeguards for the others.

–Do not stand next to the edge...do not get in the water...the rip tide is too great...it will pull you under...it safer just sitting and hanging on...Danger Will Robins!

–There are many in church today in this place...we are in the boat, we are in the majority, our names are written in the Book so we are ok. The parable of the talents come to mind here...one five, one two, and one…one. 

John Ortberg: A talent was an expression for a sum of money worth in the neighborhood of fifteen years wages.  In that era, people lived from day to day, and to have accumulated one year’s worth of wages was enormous wealth. 

–The one given five sees the opportunity of his life...The master has given him the privilege of showing initiative, judgment, and responsibility. A chance to get out of the boat and do something great for his master. The others were given the same chance.

–Are you looking at this opportunity to get out of the boat properly...a time where you can bring glory to Christ or a time to stay seated safely in the boat?

–The truth is we are going to give our lives to something...we must come to prize and appreciate the opportunities Jesus is giving us.  The servant given 5:

Matthew 25:15‑16 (NIV) 

15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 

16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 

–He responded at once...we better respond at once when Jesus gives us the opportunity to walk on the water.  The 3^rd chose not to do this...he buried his chance...This parable tells us the master went away but it also tells us he is coming when we do not expect.

3. There are those who are standing at the edge of the boat looking at Jesus on the water...white knuckled wanting to step out of the boat.

–There are many in the boat (in the church) like this...I love Jesus...I want to be used by God...I want to walk on water but...so many buts in the church:

–Pastor, I was hurt by someone, I had a bad experience, I thought Jesus was saying “Come” before and I almost drown, I really want to but I am afraid.

–You see Jesus...you hear Him calling...you are paralyzed by fear...you begin to rationalize...I am in the boat, my eyes are on Jesus, and I am so close to Him.

–Voices...too many voices...sit down before you fall over board...you are faithful...you are committed...don’t become a fanatic...what will others think...super spiritual saint.

–What will I give up? Who will I give up? Will I stay up or sink? Will Jesus catch me if I start sinking? Your grip is getting tighter and your knuckles are whiter than ever.

–What will your legacy be? One who played it safe or that of a water walker...will there be months of preaching about you or will you be remembered as a fairly faithful person.

–It is so rewarding to me what my son Jeremy and daughter in law are doing at their church...Share about their debt elimination, heart for missions, and their commitment to serve wherever. 

–Are we leaving them (our kids) something powerful enough to make them get out of the boat and make a difference where they are?  

–It is worth overcoming the fear to make sure their lives are directed toward complete obedience to Christ. Think of Abraham when God asked him to get out of the boat…sacrifice your son.

Genesis 22:15-18 (NKJV)
¹⁵  Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven,
¹⁶  and said: "By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son--
¹⁷  blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.
¹⁸  In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."

4. There are those who abandon themselves and step out of the boat just so they can be closer to Jesus.

–Peter wanted to get out of the boat because he wanted to be where Jesus was.

Psalm 27:4‑6 (NIV) 

4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. 

5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. 

6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. 

–One thing...one thing...to dwell in the house of the Lord...but Lord, let me attach this to that...to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord (to keep my eyes on Him). Who do you want to be? I love this story:

Ezekiel 47:1‑5 (NKJV) 

1 Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. 

2 He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side. 

3 And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. 

4 Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. 

5 Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed!