How to walk on water

SUNDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER, 1999.

BIBLE READING: MATTHEW 14:22-36

CAPTAIN ALISTAIR VENTER

 

INTRODUCTION:

Five year old Johnny was one day in the kitchen with his mother making dinner. His mother needed a tin of tomato soup from the pantry around the corner, so she asked if he would not go and fetch it for her. He said: It’s too dark there, I don’t want to go alone". His mother asked again, but he said it was too dark, and he was too scared. Then his mother said: "Its OK Johnny – Jesus will be in there with you!" Johnny walked very slowly to the pantry door, and opened it. He peeped inside, saw it was dark, and started to retreat when he suddenly thought of something. From the kitchen his mother heard Johnny saying: "Jesus, if you’re in there, would you hand me that can of tomato soup?"

We all seem to have fears of our own, don’t we? In the story we read about when Jesus came walking on the water towards the disciples, those men were really frightened. Then Jesus invited Peter to do the impossible – he invited him to walk on the water as well. Walking on the water is an impossible thing to do! You all agree with me, don’t you? How many of you have ever walked on water? This evening I want us to look at the waters as a metaphor for all the powers that are against the Christians and the problems in a Christian’s life. I want to discover whether it is possible for us to walk on them, without sinking!

Jesus had just performed an amazing miracle of the feeding of the 5000, and the people were so impressed with him that they almost wanted to make him king there and then. But Jesus chose rather to retreat from them all – he went up the mountain to pray, and he sent his disciples to cross over the sea. What I want you to notice first of all is that:

 

  1. JESUS SENT HIS DISCIPLES:

    2. The little word that strikes me is that Jesus MADE His disciples get into the boat and go without him. It almost seems like they did not want to go, they would have preferred to stay with him, but he compelled them to go without Him. If Jesus sends us, then it must be alright. If we go and do what He tells us to do, we will always arrive at our destination, even if there are storms that have to be overcome.

    When the disciples set out, the water seemed to be calm – but not for long. We are told that they were not too far out when the storm hit, causing the boat to bob around as it were in the waves. Sometimes people believe that when they go and do something for Jesus, that everything is going to be plain sailing. They think that no storm or trouble will ever face us, that no persecution will ever come our way, that there will never have to be hardship or poverty or sickness. Jonah, when he went to sea, suffered quite badly because he was being disciplined by God. But surely when we go and do what God tells us to do, why would we ever have to face any troubles. But the fact is, that obedient Christians very often undergo severe trials and tribulations. The calm changes to a storm. Why? It is the storms of life that try our faith, not the calm. It is in the storms that we realise our need of God in our lives.

    The winds that came upon the little boat in which the disciples were sailing came up against them. They were sailing right into the strong wind, and I am sure that it must have occurred to them that if they changed direction and went back the other way, that things would be better for them. I glad that it was only a temptation which they did not give in to. Jesus had told them where to go, and they had to be obedient. In spite of the fact that things were really tough, they kept going, they kept in the right direction. I guess they might have wondered where Jesus was! Where was He and what was He doing?

  2. JESUS WAS PRAYING FOR HIS DISCIPLES:

    3. Jesus spent something like 8 hours or more praying alone on the mountainside. We don’t know what all he prayed about, But I am sure that he would have prayed for himself, that the father would strengthen Him and give him the courage to stay focused on his mission. He would have prayed and thanked His father for providing food for the 5000. I am pretty sure that he would have prayed for his disciples, who were with Him in His mission. He would have been aware of the wind that had come up, and he would have known how his disciples would be battling in the storm.

    How do we know that Jesus prays for us? John 17 is one of the most beautiful prayers of Jesus, in which we see how he prays not only for himself, but also for his disciples, for his church and for us.

    You might be aware of the story of Moses who was one day also up on the mountain. Moses had commissioned Joshua to lead the Israelite army in battle against the Amalekites. You will remember that every time Moses lifted his hands in prayer, the Israelites down below in battle won the upper hand, but when he put his hands down, they started to lose. Eventually Aaron and Hur came to his support and helped to hold up his hands, and the Israelites won the battle.

    I want to say to you that Jesus lives to make intercession for you and me. He kind of keeps his arms up all the time! That is what he is doing right now while we are going through the storms of life. Will we drown in the waters? Will we be overcome storm? NO! For we have One who is praying for you and me! Thirdly, I want you to notice something else:

  3. JESUS SEES HIS DISCIPLES:

    4. Not only does Jesus pray for us, but he also sees us in our struggles. In Mark 6:48 we read; "He saw the disciples straining at the oars because the wind was against them". Think about this. It was dark, there was this opposing wind, there were obviously big waves, the disciples were alone, really battling to keep the boat under control….. but Jesus was aware of it. Jesus watched it all. You see, the God we serve is omniscient – that means, he is all knowing, nothing can be hidden from him. As he prayed on that mountain top, his eyes were on his disciples.

    How many times have you questioned God when you are going through a rough time? Where are you God? Do you know what I am going through? Don’t you care? Do you understand what conditions I am living under here? OF COURSE HE KNOWS. OF COURSE HE CARES. That is why he is praying for us. As our High Priest, He is able to sympathise with all our weaknesses. Don’t ever think of turning back when the storm seems to be getting too strong! Why? Because:

    IV. JESUS COMES IN HIS TIME:

    Jesus not only commanded his disciples to go, he not only prayed for them and saw them in their trouble – but he eventually came to them! He comes to us also you know – but not always when WE want Him to come. He comes to us in His time. They were kind of out there for something between 8 and 12 hours. That is a long time to battle against the strong gale force wind!

    I spoke to you the other day about the delay in Jesus coming to the aid of Mary and Martha when Lazarus died – and when he did eventually come, he was able to do just the right thing at the right time. Have you ever faced a situation like that. You go through an experience which you just aren’t able to handle – you need Jesus to come alongside so desparately – but he does not pitch when you want him? I have been through such an experience more than once, and it has been so hard – but He does eventually come – in His time! I want you to note how Jesus came!

  4. JESUS WALKED ON THE WATER:

    5. Jesus has defeated all enemies on the cross – in fact in His death He triumphed over his enemies. There is nothing that God cannot do. No waters can drown him. Nothing can get Him down. He is the Eternal God, the Redeemer of His people. He has conquered sin, death, the devil, the world and hell. He can walk on the waters. Do you know what, we can too? We are told in the Bible that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us! Listen to what Isaiah 43:1-3 has to say: "This what the Lord says: "He who created you, O Jacob; He who formed you O Israel: Fear not for I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you pass through the fire, you will not be burned; and the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord you God, the Holy one of Israel, you Saviour…"

    I want to say to you today that Jesus wants you and I to be able to walk on water as well! He wants us to be able to walk above our problems, our difficulties, our trials. When Jesus approached the boat, he said to his disciples: "Take courage. It is I. Be not afraid". His disciples recognised his voice. They first thought he was a ghost, until they heard his voice. Jesus said on one occasion: "My sheep know my voice", and that voice instills courage into us. Why? Jesus said: "It is I" One of the titles for God is "I AM", and in this little statement, Jesus was assuring His disciples that He was the eternal God, the Great I AM! When Peter said to Jesus: "Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water," Jesus said: "COME". Peter represents all of us here today.

  5. JESUS WANTS US TO WALK ON THE WATERS:

How do we do that? Hebrews 12:2 says: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith". That is what Peter did, and as long as his eyes were on Jesus, he was able to walk on the water. The moment he concentrated on the storm, the waves, the water, he started to sink.

We are able to walk on water when we put our faith and trust in God. Doubt causes us to sink! Faith enables us to walk. You see, Peter, looking at the situation around him, started to doubt whether Jesus could really help him. He was a man of Little faith. Paul said on one occasion: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". The issue is that we need to focus on Jesus, think about Jesus and abide in the Word of God.

David said to Goliath: "In the name of the Lord I am coming against you" That is walking on water. Notice one thing tonight. Even when Peter was walking on the water, there was still wind and waves. Jesus did not still the storm. God wants us to be able to walk on the waters while the waters are at their greatest power against us. During that time, Jesus is interceding on our behalf. The Holy Spirit is there to guide us through the darkness, the storm, the wind and all the other things we have to fight against. The Holy Spirit is teaching us to grow in faith and to walk on water.

 

CONCLUSION:

When Jesus came and climbed into the boat, there was a calm, and he took them home – home to Geneseret. After every storm, there is a calm, there is comfort, there is a sense in which we are taken home.

Never doubt the love of Jesus Christ for you. He is praying, he is watching, he is aware of what you are facing, and He is coming to help you to walk on the waters -–to be victorious in spite of circumstances. Romans 8:31 says: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face – and you will be able to walk on the waters!

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