“We Walk by Faith” - 2 Cor. 5:7 A co-worker of mine once asked how I could place faith in someone that I had never seen. Think about that for a moment.

I can’t see ultraviolet rays, but I believe that they can give me sunburn. I can’t see the wind, but I have seen it blow down deep-rooted trees and flatten buildings. I can’t see radiation, but when I see a “Radioactive – Keep Out” sign, I do. I can’t see electricity, but I won’t grab hold of a live hot wire. I can’t see carbon monoxide, but I believe that it can kill me. We don’t have to see something to know it is true, all we need is the clear evidence that it is true

“We Walk by Faith” Matt. 14:22-33  

1. Setting of the Miracle After Jesus fed the 5,000, the multitude following Him desired to make Him king by force (Jn. 6:15). Jesus commanded His disciples to get into a boat and go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.    I. The setting of the miracle:  The events that precede the miracle teach us some things about Jesus and His mission. A.  After Jesus fed the 5,000, the multitude following Him desired to make Him king by force (Jn 6:15). Jesus dispersed the crowd and departed to the mountain alone. Possibly because Jesus did not want his disciples to be influenced by the crowd, He commanded them to get into a boat and go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.  They obeyed Him.

1. Setting of the Miracle “But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.”   Matt. 14:24-25 1.  A storm developed and they were soon caught in its fury. Did Jesus know what was happening to His disciples?   Matt 14:24-25 – “But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.”   Jesus knew of their situation long before it happened, and He did not have to rush away from prayer in order to be on time to help. The storm and the disciples were equally in His hands, and He knew in advance exactly what He would do with both. Notice there Jesus went to them in the fourth watch

1. Setting of the Miracle Night divided into 4 watches 4th watch 3-6 A.M. They rowed the tossing boat 3 or 4 miles before they saw Jesus (Jn. 6:19) 1.  The night was divided into 4 watches or shifts. The 4th (and final) watch was from 3-6 a.m. It is possible that the disciples had been in the storm for 9 hours.   2. The text tells us from John’s account that they rowed the tossing boat 3 or 4 miles before they saw Jesus.   3. Why did Jesus wait? The lesson they were about to learn would come through the difficulty of the circumstance. Jesus is more interested in the spiritual than in the physical. Jesus was in control. We must never forget that as we walk by faith, no matter what our circumstances might be, good or bad

2. “They Cried Out For Fear” “And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." Matt. 14:26-27 II.  “They cried out for fear” There is no way the disciples could have expected to see Jesus “walking” to them. In a similar situation, He was in the boat with them and they simply woke Jesus up. But here He is not with them – they are afraid.  2. Matt 14:26-27 – “And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." a. They interpret what they see as a ghost. But Jesus does not want them to be afraid. He attempts to calm their fears by telling them “It is I”.  Was this enough to calm then down?  Is it enough for us? 3.  There is no reason for Jesus’ disciples to fear. He is not far from us. They had obeyed Him and launched out on to the sea. Jesus would not forsake them for doing what He commanded.

2. “They Cried Out For Fear” “When believers are in the place of obedience they are in the place of safety, no matter what the circumstances. The place of security is not the place of favorable circumstance, but the place of obedience to God’s will." - J.W. McGarvey

3. The Power of Faith “And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.“ So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.” Matt. 14:28-29 III.  The Power Of Faith Does it  surprise you that Peter is the one who responds?  2. Matt 14:28-29 “And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.“ So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.” A.  Few men have shown greater faith than Peter did, when he crawled out of the boat and stepped on to the water!  To step out of a boat when the water is calm requires faith enough. (storm) B.  Peter is sometimes faulted for things that reflect love, courage, and faith as much as brashness or cowardice. 1.  Although he denied the Lord while in the courtyard during Jesus’ trial, he was nevertheless there, as close to Jesus as he could get. The rest of the disciples were nowhere to be found.

3. The Power of Faith “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." Matt. 17:4 On the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter’s suggestion was unwise but it was prompted by sincere devotion: (Matt 17:4) “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

3. The Power of Faith “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head." Jn. 13:9 Peter did not resist Jesus’ washing his feet because of pride, but because of his deep humility.  He could not conceive of His Lord washing the feet of anyone so unworthy. And when Jesus explained the significance of what He was doing, Peter said, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head”

“walk by faith and not by sight” 2 Cor. 5:7 3. The Power of Faith “walk by faith and not by sight” 2 Cor. 5:7 A.  Peter knew the fury and force of a storm on the water. He was not simply being impetuous here. He was walking by faith. 1.  When Paul said we “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7), he was describing actions that grow out of confidence in God’s ability and our willingness to overcome the circumstances. 2.  Faith is not completed in the mind alone, but is the potent motivator of action. Thus Heb. 11:4 those who were examples of great faith were people who acted on their conviction. by faith Abel, Enoch, Noah, Moses obeyed God’ commands.

4. The Source of Faith “And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water” Matt. 14:28  IV. The Source of Faith A. Peter’s faith is not blind faith.  He had reasons for what he was contemplating.  He did not get out of the boat without a reasonable confidence that he could walk on water.  He said, “Lord, if it is you” (V. 28) B.  Peter’s confidence and action here is the cumulative result of what he had seen and heard. 1.  Peter was first drawn to Christ when his brother (Andrew) said “we have found the Messiah” He concluded that Jesus was One worthy to follow through what was taught to him and confirmed by O.T. prophesy. 2.  According to Matt. 10, Peter, himself, had been given power by Jesus over unclean spirits and the ability to heal all kinds of diseases 3.  He had witnessed the feeding of the 5,000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish. He had been assured through this that Jesus cared for others and himself. 4.  He was watching Jesus walk on water. How could he not have faith that, if the Lord commanded it, that he too could walk on water? 5.  Your faith and trust in Jesus has sufficient basis. Jesus has, in so many ways, sufficiently  demonstrated his divine wisdom, power and love. How can we ever doubt Him?

5. The Requirement of Faith “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water” Matt. 14:28  V. The Requirement of Faith A. Peter did not just leap from the boat on impulse, thinking the Lord would surely want him to come to him. He asked permission, “Lord. . .command me to come to you on the water” B.  Peter sought Jesus’ word. He did not presume to know what Jesus desired, not what Jesus would empower him to do. Many in religion believe that God is “obligated” to sanction anything that they conclude is good to do. They do not look for God’s Word on the matter. 1.  Jesus said “come,” and he went. He acted by faith (i.e., belief in Jesus’ power and the authority of His command!) Faith requires positive instruction. Rom. 10:17  17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

6. The Vulnerability of Faith “when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!” Matt. 14:30  VI. The Vulnerability of Faith – We can learn here that faith can fail. Peter, for a while, believed. But, “when he saw the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and began to sink”. Peter’s fear reappeared once he was out on the water. His initial faith in Jesus overcame the original fear. So this signaled a failure of his faith. C.  But we also see the consequence Of Peter’s failed faith. Matt 14:30… and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”   D. Do you think Peter was in peril here? What happens if Jesus does not respond to his plea?  Does it matter that he was walking successfully before? 1.  When his faith failed, he could no longer walk on water. The faith that Jesus required here was a constant faith that was evidenced in his willingness to keep his eyes on Jesus. This “saving” faith was not a once in a moment conviction, or even a “once in a moment” obedience.

6. The Vulnerability of Faith “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” 1 Jn. 1:7 Blessings are conditioned upon a constant faith The bible teaches the security of Christians, but only as long as we walk by faith.  1 John 1:7 – 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

7. The Solution for a Failed Faith “…Beginning to sink he cried out, saying ‘Lord save me!” “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”  Matt. 14:30-31  VII.   The solution for a Failed Faith  A. Peter recognized he was sinking. The source of his fear (waves and wind) became even more threatening as he was sinking. But there was no hope unless he returns his attention to Jesus. He knew that the solution was not in himself. B.  “…Beginning to sink he cried out, saying ‘Lord save me!”  This willingness to seek God’s help is at the heart of saving faith.  This recognition of hopelessness is a vital part in our salvation. Those who are not drawn to God through a sense of helplessness (contriteness) will easily turn away from him. C.  O you of little faith, why did you doubt?  Jesus rebukes Peter’s failure to continue to trust.  This was a serious rebuke. Although Peter exercises faith, following Jesus’ commands will always test our faith and require a stronger faith.  “ D. It was not the violence of the winds, nor the raging of the waves, which endangered his life, but his littleness of faith. 1.  How much importance or urgency do you place on strengthening your faith in Jesus? Is your faith dynamic, or a well settled issue?

7. The Solution for a Failed Faith “And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."   Matt. 14:32-33  Matt 14:32-33 -  “And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."   A.  The moment Jesus and Peter got into the boat with the other disciples, the wind stopped. It was as if the wind was simply waiting for the miracle to be finished; and when it had served its purpose, it stopped. Jesus was in control. John tells us that the boat immediately appeared at the shoreline. B.  Their amazement gave way to awe, and they worshipped Jesus. The miracle had produced its intended result. As faith is strengthened and the deliverance of God is experienced and recognized, we are compelled to worship God. C. That great day, the apostle Peter learned not a physical lesson, but a spiritual one, “walk by faith, not by sight”

“We Walk by Faith” - 2 Cor. 5:7 Walking In Faith Is Believing When I Don’t See It – Heb. 11:1 Walking In Faith Is Obeying When I Don’t Understand It – Heb. 11:27 Walking In Faith Is Giving When I Think I Don’t Have It – Heb. 11:4 Walking In Faith Is Persisting When I Don’t Feel Like It – Heb. 11:27 Walking In Faith Is Thanking Before I Receive It – Mk. 11:24 Walking In Faith Is Trusting If I Don’t Get What I Think I Need – Heb. 11:39-40 Walking In Faith Is Believing When I Don’t See It Heb. 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.“ Evidence for: God, Bible, Jesus Son of God, God walks with the Christian II. Walking In Faith Is Obeying When I Don’t Understand It A. (Hebrews 11:8) Abraham is a classic example of obeying when he didn’t understand. He was about 75 years old, and God asked him to give up all his security. God said, I want you to leave. Pick up everything and get ready for the greatest adventure of your life. The scary part of it is God gave Abraham no details. B. Sometimes God will command you and I to do something from His Word in our lives, and you’ll think, "There’s no way this is going to work!" Yet, God says, Do it! And guess what? Works out for your good III. Walking In Faith Is Giving When I Think I Don’t Have It A. Heb. 11:4 "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts" B. "Isn’t that interesting? Giving and faith go together. God uses our giving (money, talent, time) to test our faithfulness. Sometimes we say I don’t have time to give; but we watch TV, Internet, movies IV. Walking In Faith Is Persisting When I Don’t Feel Like It A. "How do you develop persistence? How do you develop the kind of persistence that keeps you in a position where your faith is strong even when every bone in your body says, "Quit!" Where do you get that kind of persistence?“ Let’s look at Moses: B. Heb. 11:27 "By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible." Notice the key to persistence is that last phrase – “he could see the invisible” Only as we see the invisible can we accomplish the impossible. The key to persistence is to keep your eyes on God. Keep your eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ. V. Walking In Faith Is Thanking Before I Receive It A. A good illustration for this is Joshua. By faith, the walls of Jericho fell after the people had marched around them for seven days. Jericho was the most fortified city in the world at that time. God said, “Here’s what I want you to do: March around the city for 7 days and then I’ll cause a miracle." What were they doing for those 7 days? Thanking God in advance. Praising God in advance. B. Faith doesn’t mean you believe God can do something. He can do it whether you believe it or not. Faith doesn’t mean believing He will do something. That’s hope. You hope He will. Faith is believing He’s doing it! That He’s already doing it. That the answer is already on the way. (Mark 11:24) "whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.“ VI. Walking In Faith Is Trusting If I Don’t Get What I Think I Need A. "Walking in faith does not exempt you from problems. We all know that from personal experience.’ B. Heb. 11:39-40 "And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us." C. Anybody can trust God in their life when things are going great. Big deal! D. Real faith is developed in the valleys of life, when the situation looks impossible, when the people look hopeless, when the tide has turned against you, and when you’re tempted to ask yourself, "Why is this happening to me?" E. Faith is trusting that if you don’t get what you want, God has a better idea -- a far, far better plan. In Abraham’s case, it took God 5more years to reveal the better plan, but He did. And don’t you think there were some real questions during those 5 years? Faith is trusting even if you don’t get what you think you need Am I walking by faith, or am I allowing the pressures of life, work, and the world to hinder my obedience and thus not walking by faith?

Salvation Hear the gospel (Rom. 10:17) Believe In Jesus (Jn. 8:24) REPENT of your sins (Lk. 13:3) Confess your faith (Matt. 10:32-33) Baptized Into Christ (Acts 2:38) REMISSION OF SINS Faithful until death (Rev. 2:10)