"CLINGING TO HOPE IN THE STORM: God Doesn’t Ask Us to Walk on Water" 4-11-21

"CLINGING TO HOPE IN THE STORM: God Doesn’t Ask Us to Walk on Water"- 4-11-21

INTRODUCTION

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“Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭69:1-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Can you imagine walking with Jesus?  Have you ever considered how amazing it was to see the miracles and hear the words of Jesus?  It must have been so easy to trust God with Jesus right there with you (or was it?)

“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 ‭NIV‬‬

I.  THE STORM

“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 walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior . . ."

‭‭ Isaiah‬ ‭43:2-3‬a NIV

A.  What type of storm are you currently in?  (Relational, doubt, fear, etc.)

B.  ‬What forecast do you listen to?  (God’s, humanity, your view of the world, etc.)

C. Are you prepared for the storm?  (Flashlight, food, umbrella, etc.)

II. THE RESCUE

A.  Jesus to the rescue (again)

“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!””

‭‭ Matthew‬ ‭8:23-27‬ ‭NIV

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B.  Lessons

1.  Storms are common.

2.  We can survive storms.

3.  Jesus is with us in the midst of the storm.

"Faith is not merely your holding on to God--it is God holding on to you. He will not let you go!"

E. Stanley Jones

III. THE CHALLENGE

A.  Listen

1.  What did Jesus say?

2.  He said, "Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

B.  Don’t confuse your vision for God’s mission.

1.  Peter volunteered for a mission that was never requested.

2.  Lack of faith shows up

‬ C.  Be brave

1.  Be brave because God will be with you wherever you go.

““Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.””

‭‭ Joshua‬ ‭1:7-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

2.  Bravery is a spiritual issue.

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

‭‭ 2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

3.  What more do you need?  (You of little faith!)

a.  Hope

"Faith has to do with things that are not seen and hope with things that are not at hand."

Thomas Aquinas

"Live in faith and hope, though it be in darkness, for in this darkness God protects the soul. Cast your care upon God for you are His and He will not forget you. Do not think that He is leaving you alone, for that would be to wrong Him."

John of the Cross

CONCLUSION

Storms are coming.  Jesus will rescue you.  Be brave.

CHALLENGE

Be brave this week.  Take on something knowing that God has your back.  Go for it!

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I would be honored to speak with you in the upper parking lot following the service about what God is doing in your life.