DON'T
JUMP SHIP, STAY IN THE BOAT
Matthew
14:15-33
Intro:
Many great messages have been preached about Peter walking on the water. As
you study the Word of God remember there is both a primary interpretation
and many personal, practical, and prophetical applications can be made.
Today I want us to look at a practical application of this story with our
focus on the Peter and the Ship.
I.
THE OCCASION
A.
His feeding of the 5,000, Vs 15-21,-Type of Christ's death at Calvary
1.
His Death was Sufficient for all, Vs 20
Mat 14:20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
2.
His Death was Satisfying to all, Vs 20
Mat 14:20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
3.
His Death is to be Shared with all, Vs 19
Mat 14:19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
B.
He commissioned His Disciples, Vs 22
Mat 14:22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
C.
He ascended up to Pray, Vs 23
Mat 14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
II.
THE ORDER, Vs 22
A.
The Period of the Order, Vs 22
Mat 14:22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
Straightway
-Shortly after his death, -before his ascension
B.
The Proclamation of the Order,
"Get
into a ship, and to go before him..."
C.
The Progression of the Order, "U-n-t-o the other side,"
Ill.
THE OPPOSITION, Vs 24
But
the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves:
For
the wind was contrary
Today
there are many contrary winds which beat upon the church.
IV.
THE OPPORTUNITY, Vs 25-29A
Mat 14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
Mat 14:26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
Mat 14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
Mat 14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
Mat 14:29a And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the
ship....
Peter was satisfied in the boat until the
opposition came. This is a picture of man in the church today. As long as
there is not any opposition, they stay in the Church. But, like Peter, when
the storms start raging, they want to leave the church in order
to get "close to the Lord." When
things look bad in the boat there will always be opportunities to jump ship
that look real good
This
causes me to ask some questions
1.
What were their orders? Vs 22
Mat 14:22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
-Get into the ship; -go to the other side
2.
Had they carried out these orders?
3.
Did Christ change His mind?
V.
THE OUTCOME Notice what happens: Vs 29b-33
1.
Peter did walk on the water, but he did not make it to Jesus, Vs 29
Mat 14:29b
......he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
2.
Peter learned the wind was more boisterous when he was out of the
ship than they were when he was in the ship, Vs 30
Mat 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
3.
The Lord rescued him and then rebuked him in Vs 31
Mat 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
4.
The Lord took Peter back to the same ship, Vs 32
Mat 14:32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
5.
In the ship they worshipped Him, Vs 33
Mat 14:33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
6.
In the ship they made it to the other side, Vs 34
Mat 14:34 And when they were gone over, they came into the land of
Gennesaret.
by
Bro. Stinnett Ballew
