AG TOPIC:

WATER WALKING

”Lord, if it is you, tell me to

come to you on the water.”
– Matthew 14:28
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he
dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later
that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the
waves because the wind was against it.

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on
the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
 

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the
wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you
doubt?”

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  Then those who were in the boat worshiped
him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Matthew 14:22-33
Water-Walkers
Recognize God’s Presence
It takes eyes of faith to recognize Jesus.
Jesus gives us the opportunity to get to know Him more.
Water-Walkers
Discern between Faith & Foolishness
Peter made sure that Jesus thinks it’s a good idea for him
to get out of the boat.
Water-Walkers
Get Out of the Boat
The boat is whatever keeps you so comfortable that you don’t
want to give it up even it’s keeping you from joining Jesus on
the waves.
Water-Walkers
Expect Problems
The storm should come as no surprise – it’s been there all along.

There is danger in getting out of the boat. There is danger in staying in it as well.
Water-Walkers
Accept Fear as the Price of Growth
The choice to follow Jesus – the choice to grow – the choice for the constant recurrence of
fear.

Risk and Comfort –both grow into a habit. It’s up to us which habit we want to grow in us.
Water-Walkers
Master Failure Management
Peter failed. But there were 11 bigger failures sitting in the boat.

Only Peter knew the glory of walking on water.

Water-Walkers
See Failure as Opportunity to Grow
Peter placed himself in a position to fail. He also placed himself in a position to grow.

Failure does not shape you. The way you respond to failure shapes you.
Water-Walkers
Learn to Wait on the Lord
We need to wait for the Lord to make the storm
disappear.
Water-Walkers
Brings a Deeper Connection with God
Jesus is not in the boat. The main reason Peter got out
of the boat is that he wanted to be where Jesus was.
Water-Walkers are
Recognize God’s Presence
Discern between Faith & Foolishness
Get Out of the Boat
Expect Problems
Accept Fear as the Price of Growth
Master Failure Management
See Failure as Opportunity to Grow
Learn to Wait on the Lord
Brings a Deeper Connection with God
You may have gotten comfortable sitting in your boat.

But if you get out…

First, you will fail. But Jesus is there to pick you up.
Second, once in a while, you will walk on the water.
QUESTION:
1. What is your boat? Where is fear or comfort keeping you from
trusting God?
2. Where are you in relation to Jesus these days?
• Huddled in the boat with a life preserver and the seat belt on.
• One leg in, one leg out.
• I’m walking on th water – and loving it.
• I’m out of the boat – but the win looks bad.