FAITH MB Raper 3/09

FAITH “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN

Watch out world, here I come! I’M WALKING !!

OOPS! NOW WHAT DO I DO?

Unforgettable Walks: Walk on the Moon Walk down the aisle Walk the plank Via Dolorosa: Moonwalk:

After Jesus had fed the 5,000, he told the disciples to get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side.

Then he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. By evening, the boat had sailed a great distance from the land.

As the disciples sailed toward the other side...

the wind began to blow and the sea became rough.

The sea became so rough that some of the disciples were becoming seasick!

The disciples looked out over the sea and saw an amazing sight! They saw Jesus walking toward them on the water. They looked out at the sea and guess what they saw? They saw Jesus walking toward them on the water!

When they saw him, they were terrified and cried out in fear, "It's a ghost!"

"Don't be afraid, it is I,“ Jesus said.

"Lord, if it's you," Peter said, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," Jesus answered.

So Peter got out of the boat and began walking on the water toward Jesus.

But when he saw the waves, he was afraid…

and he began to sink!

“Help! Save me,” Peter cried!

Immediately, Jesus reached out and caught him.

"You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

And when they had climbed back into the boat, the sea became calm.

Walking on Water

What does it mean to walk on water? It means to live pursuing God above all else. It means doing the difficult and even the impossible in obedience to God. It means answering the call of the dream that God has placed on your heart.

How is it done? One step at a time. Keeping your eyes on Jesus

Walking on Water  failing an exam  breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend or partner  losing a job  losing our ability to do something  losing a loved one Life’s Storms

Jesus’ response to storm Appears to have no intention of stopping them. John 10:18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.

Immediately, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.

Jesus purposely allowed them to face a storm. Jesus prayed for them.

Walking on Water The disciples think it’s a ghost! What on earth is that?!? Peter has other ideas “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” (Matt 14:27)

When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said. When we are most stressed we fall back on superstition and suspicion.

Walking on Water Do you want to walk on water. What would you choose? Water or Boat? What’s your boat??? Your boat is whatever you put your trust in. Your boat is defined by the things you are not prepared to give up in your life for the sake of following Jesus.

In order to walk on water we must put a desire to be with Jesus before other things... Our perceived need for comfort and safely. Our risk aversion Our perception of other’s opinions of us.

Walking on Water “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Heb 11:1). Faith_ Fear makes people disobedient to the calling of the master. OR_Fear Fear is one of his greatest weapons. But faith is your greatest shield.

Walking on Water Jesus can make the ordinary person you are into someone who can do extraordinary things for him. Peter Walked on Water!!!

Walking on Water Peter’s focus shifted from Saviour to storm. Peter “…saw the wind…” Matt 14:30 His shield of faith is shrinking and the darts of doubt, the flaming arrows of fear are beginning to hit their target again.

Lord, save me! Peter was walking on the Word of God. It was not the violence of the winds, nor the raging of the waves, which endangered his life, but his littleness of faith ---Barnes

Jesus reached out His hand... Every moment we stand in need of Christ: while we stand, we are upheld by His power only, and when we are falling, or have fallen, we can be saved only by His mercy. --Adam Clarke

Walking on Water ‘you of little faith… why did you doubt?’ Matt 14:31 Did Peter Fail?

“Truly, you are the Son of God.” Succeed or fail, stepping out of the boat will always lead to a greater revelation of God and His goodness and will always lead to increased worship.

- who will get out of the boat. Jesus is still looking for people… - to step out in faith. - fix their eyes on him - who after failing will get right back up and press on

We face many storms in our daily life. If we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can weather the storm! Copyright © 2005 Henry Martin and Sermons4Kids

GROW IN FAITH Talk to God/Listen to God Read your Bible Read other Christian books Stay connected to other Christians Serve others

4 D DUDES Which one are you? Denier—rejects whole idea of God Delayer—believes in God but never get started on the journey of faith Departer—gets started but never gets far Delighter—gets going and travels with excitement

Faith is walking with and trusting the One Who made me!