IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER... Matthew 14:22-33 INTRODUCTION A. The only consolation I had going to California this past week for an annual meeting was to know that, even when I was leaving more than a hundred kids behind in our Vacation Bible School, I was actually going to visit the border, and there, meet the hundreds of kids and women crossing the US-Mexicos frontier and learn how to them better in Highland, Baltimore, and, especially, in the Board of Child Care! B. There were many overwhelming, agonizing moments in this trip to the border. C. Videoing the almost 2,000-mile tall wall separating the the friend countries was one of them! D. As I was taking this video, something happened when I saw how that big, long and tall wall entered and continued into the waters of the sea. E. As I was observing the foaming, furious waves beating the rocks and the shores, an idea came to my mind: 1. Who would survive those lethal, betraying waters beyond this impossible wall? 2. How can immigration agents follow undocumented people -- weak and hungry as they are -- and be able to catch them in those waters? 3. What if these brothers and sisters crossing the frontier through these waters can actually walk on water, or escape? F. Today, our Gospel lesson is exactly about feeling and living that reality. G. It can be summarize like this: 1. Against the walls of life, against the fears and waves of our Christian life, What if we can overcome the challenges, the obstacles, and walk on waters? I. IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER, YOU HAVE TO GET IN THE BOAT; YOU HAVE TO BE WILLING AND DETERMINED TO GO ON AHEAD TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAKE A. 22-23 As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side II. IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER, YOU SHOULD DARE TO LEAVE THE WORLD, THE REST, BEHIND A. 23b while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, III. IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER, YOU OUGHT TO CLIMB TO THE MOUNTAIN TO BE WITH YOURSELF ALONE AND WITH GOD INTO THE NIGHT A. 23c he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night. IV. IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER, YOU MUST FACE THE WINDS AND THE WAVES A. 24-26 Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. V. IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER, YOU SHOULD FACE YOUR OWN GHOSTS, YOUR OWN TERROR, FEARS; YOUR OWN TWILIGHT A. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror. VI. IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER, YOU MUST, ONLY TO BELIEVE IN JESUS, BUT TO BELIEVE JESUS COMFORTING YOU AND ASSURING YOU, COURAGE, ITS ME. DONT BE AFRAID! A. 27 But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.” VII. IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER, YOU OUGHT TO SINCERELY AND TRULY EVIDENCE IT WITH YOUR ACTIONS A. 28 Peter, suddenly bold, said, 1. Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.” B. JESUS WANTS PETER TO WALK ON WALL 1. 29-30 He said, “Come ahead.” C. PETER DOES SIX ACTIONS: JUMPS, WALKS, LOOKS, LOOSES HIS NERVE, STARTS TO SINK, BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING, YOU HAVE TO CRY, ASK HELP TO JESUS BY SAYING, MASTER, SAVE ME! 1. Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!” D. JESUS DOESNT HESITATE, REACHES DOWN, GRABS PETERS HAND AND TELLS HIM, FAINT-HEART, WHAT GOT INTO YOU? 1. 31 Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?” E. JESUS AND PETER CLIMB TOGETHER INTO THE BOAT 1. 32-33 The two of them climbed into the boat, F. PEACE IS MADE BY JESUS 1. 33b and the wind died down G. THE REST OF THE DISCIPLES WORSHIP JESUS AND SAY, THIS IS IT! YOU ARE GODS SON FOR SURE! 1. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!”
Posted on: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 00:01:22 +0000
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