YOU’VE GOT TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT TO WALK ON THE WATER.
ARE YOU WALKING OR WALLOWING IN YOUR STORM?
Scripture: Matthew 14:22 – 32
Text: Hebrews 11:6
OPENING: ARE YOU WALLOWING OR WALKING IN AND THROUGH YOUR STORM?
Every one of us is either going into the storm, going through a storm, or coming out of a storm.
The Apostle James said “CONSIDER IT PURE JOY, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, BECAUSE YOU KNOW (“ginosko” meaning intimate relationship) that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be be mature and complete not lacking anything.
Let’s dispel a myth here. Obedience doesn’t guarantee no tribulations (trials = Storms). And storms (trials) doesn’t prove you have been disobedient.
JESUS TOLD HIS DISCIPLES, “in this world you will have tribulations but BE OF GOOD CHEER, I have overcome the world.”
Three things we can learn from this Scripture:
1) THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FEAR AND FAITH IS FOCUS:
The disciples thought it was a “Ghost” (Lochness monster), “and cried out in fear”. They had just witnessed the miracle of feeding the multitude with only 5 loaves and 2 fish.
Fear is always driven by “Lack of knowledge.” Romans 10:2-10
2) FAITH IS ALWAYS BASED ON THE WORD: “BE OF GOOD CHEER, IT IS I, DO NOT BE AFRAID”
THE MESSAGE IS ALWAYS THE SAME
a) Be of GOOD CHEER. This is the same word that JESUS used with the woman who had the issue of blood (Mt 9:22) and the same word He had for Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:49) and the same word in John 16:33.
b) It is I. THE SHEPHERD IS ALWAYS THERE.
c) Don’t be afraid: This is God’s TRADEMARK throughout scripture.
3) FAITH ALWAYS CALLS FOR ACTION: Come. MATT 11:28-30. COME UNTO ME.
FEAR ALWAYS HAS AN IMPOSTER THAT IS MOVES YOU TO “an escape.” But, it always leaves you empty.
CLOSING: ARE YOU WALLOWING OR WALKING ON YOUR STORMS?
REMEMBER: “BE OF GOOD CHEER, IT IS I, DO NOT BE AFRAID”.