February 2002
"Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the
sea. 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." 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.
But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to
sink he cried out saying, "Lord save me!"
And immediately Jesus stretched out
His hand and caught him....."
(Matt. 14:25-31a)
Get Out of the Boat!
How many of us last year did not live up to our potential? How many of us
last year put our life on cruise control? How many of us found ourselves
sleepwalking through our daily activities? Sometimes we feel like life is
too much for us. Sometimes we find ourselves spiritually depressed because
the responsibilities we have seem impossible. This is not the way God
wants us to live. He has a wonderful plan and purpose for your life.
Jesus said, "....I am come that they might have life, and that they might
have it more abundantly." (Jn 10:10b) It has been said, "If you
do the same thing, the same way, you more than likely, will get the same
results." I challenge you this year, to get out of the boat!
The book, If You Want To Walk On Water, You've Got To Get Out
Of The Boat, by John Ortberg, based upon the text cited above, helps us to see
that the Christian is called to an adventurous life. When we walk in faith with
Christ Jesus our lives can be thrilling and fulfilling beyond our belief.
How can Peter walk on water? How can we become water-walkers?
First, we must have enough faith to get out of the boat
(v29). Peter could walk on water because he had faith in Christ's word,
"Come." "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of
God." (Rom 10:17) Water-walkers have learned to accept and stand on
God's Word. In a world that is filled with so much uncertainty, God's Word
is the only place where we can put our trust.
Second, we must respond to the Lord's call (v29).
When the Lord called, Peter did not stop to survey the hinders-he would be
violating a natural law; he was about to do something no other man had done, he
took a leap of faith. When we consider the greatness of our God, the
barrier become small and insignificant. People in the boat of life, alone
and relying only on their own resources, are soon threatened and overwhelmed by
the storms, the waves, the winds, and the darkness of life's seas. The
prophet Habakkak said, "The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my
feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places."
(Hab 3:19a) Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13) With assignment, God gives enablement.
Third, we must not be dismayed by the storms (v30).
When Peter saw the unruly winds he was afraid. Storms are part of this
life. You're either in a storm, just left a storm or heading for a storm.
So, if you wait until there is no storm to get out of the boat and walk on
water, you will never experience the joy of water-walking. Notice,
in the text (v22), Jesus had told the disciples to get in the boat and go to the
other side. So, sometimes storms come, even when we obey the Master.
But, we must remember His promises are bigger than our problems. He
promised, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee: and
through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the
fire, thous shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."
(Is 43:2)
Fourth, we may fail sometimes in our trying (v30)
When Peter consider the winds and what he was doing - walking on water, he
"....and begining to sink.." All that we do may not be
successful, but thank God for the courage and the joy of trying. Peter
would not have had the water walking experience if he had stayed in the boat.
The story is told about some tourists climbing a mountain. About half way of the
mountain they saw a memorial plaque alongside the mountain and asked their guide
what did it say. The man interpreted the writing, "Here lies John
Stacy, he died while climbing." What an epitaph!
Will this be said of you?
Fifth, when we lose faith and begin to fall, he will catch us
(v31). When Peter began to sink, "...Jesus stretched forth His hand, and
caught him...." Knowing that Jesus will catch us should be reassuring.
Later Peter would write, "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for
you." (1 Pet. 5:7, NKJV)
"You are fearfully and wonderfully made." You
are not made to be a boat-person, you have been designed by the Master to walk
on water. This is your year for a breakout. This is your year to
live up to your full potential. All you need to do is*get out of the boat!
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