Walking on Water

Pastor John recently preached a sermon from Matthew 14:22-36. I was out of town or in nursery the Sunday he preached so I listened to it online. Wow. It was just what I needed to listen to in the context of going on staff with YoungLives. I want to share a few of the highlights. If you want to listen to it you can find it here. He preached it on January 18, 2009.

Fear is so often our motivator. Instead we need to know that it’s Jesus who's out on the water. We should be willing to join him and walk on water. It’s more important to be where He is, not in the safety in our boat. The boat often represents our comfort zone. Even in our fear, the best response is to tell God what I’m afraid of. Don’t hope for an island in the lake between you and Jesus, just in case you start to sink and need to swim to the safety of the island.

Are you in a boat? Is it being battered by the wind and the waves? What waves, sins, what broken relationships grieve you, what fears, destructive habits do you have or impossible needs that won't go away? Don't pretend, cry out to Jesus. Take a step, any step. If you sink, it's ok, ask for Jesus. You're not a failure, you've just realized you need Him more than you realize.

1. Express to God you're willingness to get out of the boat.

-Then wait for God to give the go ahead.

2. When you get the go ahead- go ahead!

-It doesn’t matter if you think you can.

-How do you know if you're getting the go ahead? From the Bible, as you pray and talk with wise friends.

3. If you start to sink ask for help

-Cry out, “Lord, save me!”

-We must be faced with fear and weakness, broken, bent, afraid and beaten.

-Don't let the storm have the last word in your life.

4. The impact on your life is worship and healing

-Jesus wants us to walk on water with him because it's impossible. We need his grace and power each step of the way.

-He draws us to step out and sometimes sink. This causes us to realize it's all him and none of us.