WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.380 Let us read together from the New Testament, from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 14, verses 22-33. 00:00:10.259 --> 00:00:14.700 And this is the text from which we will have our sermon tonight. 00:00:16.339 --> 00:00:17.940 This is the word of the Lord. 00:00:18.760 --> 00:00:25.699 Immediately, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 00:00:25.699 --> 00:00:31.100 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. 00:00:31.619 --> 00:00:33.840 When evening came, he was there alone. 00:00:34.280 --> 00:00:39.780 But the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 00:00:40.340 --> 00:00:44.259 And in the fourth watch of the night, he came to them walking on the sea. 00:00:45.079 --> 00:00:49.239 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, 00:00:49.700 --> 00:00:50.439 It is a ghost. 00:00:51.060 --> 00:00:52.500 And they cried out in fear. 00:00:52.820 --> 00:00:55.239 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 00:00:55.700 --> 00:00:57.359 Take heart, it is I. 00:00:57.940 --> 00:00:58.940 Do not be afraid. 00:01:00.300 --> 00:01:01.400 And Peter answered him, 00:01:01.480 --> 00:01:05.299 Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. 00:01:06.060 --> 00:01:06.780 He said, 00:01:07.079 --> 00:01:07.400 Come. 00:01:07.600 --> 00:01:11.760 So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 00:01:12.400 --> 00:01:14.600 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid. 00:01:15.219 --> 00:01:16.760 And beginning to sink, he cried out, 00:01:17.100 --> 00:01:18.359 Lord, save me. 00:01:18.359 --> 00:01:23.579 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, 00:01:24.420 --> 00:01:26.260 Oh, you of little faith, why did you doubt? 00:01:27.359 --> 00:01:29.219 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 00:01:29.939 --> 00:01:32.079 And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, 00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:35.159 Truly, you are the Son of God. 00:01:35.739 --> 00:01:37.319 This is God's holy word. 00:01:37.319 --> 00:01:44.479 Tonight we are continuing our study on the questions that Jesus asked. 00:01:45.099 --> 00:01:52.699 And the context for the question tonight is one of the more famous stories in the Bible of Jesus walking on the water. 00:01:52.819 --> 00:01:57.099 It's so famous that it's become a bit of a cultural reference, even an idiom. 00:01:57.099 --> 00:02:02.339 I mean, even hip-hop artist Eminem wrote a song called Walk on the Water, 00:02:02.559 --> 00:02:08.319 describing the pressure he feels to live up to expectations and how impossible this is. 00:02:08.479 --> 00:02:11.500 So it's become an idiom for doing the impossible. 00:02:11.959 --> 00:02:15.459 One of my favorite movies when I was a student was a movie called Tombstone, 00:02:15.579 --> 00:02:19.879 about legendary U.S. Marshall and the Wild West, Wyatt Earp, 00:02:19.919 --> 00:02:26.039 and his reputation, things that were documented about him, was how invincible he was. 00:02:26.039 --> 00:02:32.879 There's actually one situation that's shown in the movie where there is documentation where bullets are whizzing all around him, 00:02:33.000 --> 00:02:36.659 so much so his long black coat had bullet holes all in it. 00:02:36.759 --> 00:02:41.799 His boot heel had a bullet in it lodged. 00:02:42.039 --> 00:02:44.000 His saddle had a bullet lodged. 00:02:44.239 --> 00:02:45.319 He was untouched. 00:02:45.780 --> 00:02:49.840 And Doc Holliday, who's another famous Wild West gunslinger, 00:02:50.199 --> 00:02:53.840 used to talk about his friend Wyatt Earp and how invisible he was. 00:02:53.840 --> 00:02:56.800 And in this situation, after it was over, they were like, 00:02:56.920 --> 00:02:57.879 where is Wyatt? 00:02:58.060 --> 00:03:00.680 He said, he's down by the creek, walking on water. 00:03:01.420 --> 00:03:05.800 It has become one of those things that is just said when the impossible has happened, 00:03:05.800 --> 00:03:08.080 or something can't be true. 00:03:08.539 --> 00:03:13.199 And here we have Jesus walking on the water, but also Peter. 00:03:13.640 --> 00:03:16.960 And we get the question that we're going to be talking about tonight. 00:03:17.379 --> 00:03:18.900 Why did you doubt? 00:03:18.900 --> 00:03:24.900 Now, the context of our passage in Matthew 14 that Corey just read, 00:03:25.219 --> 00:03:30.300 number one, it talks about Jesus sends them into the struggle. 00:03:30.879 --> 00:03:34.760 This event comes right after Jesus has fed the 5,000. 00:03:35.460 --> 00:03:37.759 And in verse 22, it says, 00:03:38.420 --> 00:03:42.040 immediately he made the disciples get into the boat. 00:03:42.039 --> 00:03:47.219 When you look at this word made, it actually could be translated as compelled. 00:03:47.659 --> 00:03:51.599 He compelled them to get into the boat and go to the other side. 00:03:51.659 --> 00:03:52.759 It's very strong language. 00:03:53.399 --> 00:03:58.319 And the question would be, why did he make them go into this situation? 00:03:58.759 --> 00:04:00.899 Some scholars have tried to explain it. 00:04:01.019 --> 00:04:02.859 John 6 is a parallel passage. 00:04:03.379 --> 00:04:08.280 And in John 6, 15, after he fed the 5,000, it says, 00:04:08.280 --> 00:04:15.379 Jesus, perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, 00:04:15.860 --> 00:04:16.819 Jesus withdrew. 00:04:17.500 --> 00:04:20.220 So after he's done this miracle, the people are like, 00:04:20.300 --> 00:04:25.980 we want a king that can feed us out of loaves and fishes, feed 5,000 men. 00:04:26.300 --> 00:04:29.540 Some have estimated there could be as many as 20,000 people there. 00:04:29.699 --> 00:04:31.560 He's done this incredible miracle. 00:04:31.720 --> 00:04:33.079 We want a king like that. 00:04:33.079 --> 00:04:37.319 And it says, Jesus immediately made the disciples get into the boat. 00:04:38.199 --> 00:04:40.060 Jesus knows what's going to happen. 00:04:40.159 --> 00:04:41.060 He's all knowing. 00:04:41.199 --> 00:04:44.959 He knows the situation that he's sending the disciples into. 00:04:45.339 --> 00:04:49.199 And they go into this situation that's going to be a big struggle. 00:04:49.659 --> 00:04:51.279 They're walking in obedience. 00:04:52.459 --> 00:04:57.360 They're going into this time of struggle as they're walking into obedience. 00:04:58.319 --> 00:05:01.259 Jesus, on the other hand, in verse 23 of our passage, 00:05:01.259 --> 00:05:04.620 says that he stayed behind to dismiss the crowds. 00:05:05.159 --> 00:05:08.259 And then he was going to go off to be by himself. 00:05:08.399 --> 00:05:10.839 Now, this is something that Jesus would often do. 00:05:11.279 --> 00:05:15.980 Luke 5, 16 talks about this was a customary thing that Jesus would do, 00:05:16.019 --> 00:05:18.839 to go be by himself, to pray to the Father. 00:05:18.899 --> 00:05:20.740 He's going to be with God. 00:05:21.839 --> 00:05:24.860 Now, some commentators are putting all this together and saying, 00:05:25.259 --> 00:05:27.399 Jesus might be going to pray 00:05:27.399 --> 00:05:33.539 because he's getting the exact same temptation that Satan tempted him with in the wilderness. 00:05:33.939 --> 00:05:37.979 The opportunity to get the crown without the cross. 00:05:39.019 --> 00:05:40.279 And some commentators are saying, 00:05:40.399 --> 00:05:42.060 Jesus is going away to be with the Father 00:05:42.060 --> 00:05:47.439 because this actually is a temptation to avoid the wrath of God on the cross. 00:05:47.839 --> 00:05:48.919 And so he's going off to pray. 00:05:49.039 --> 00:05:50.659 Others commentators would say 00:05:50.659 --> 00:05:55.959 that he's actually preparing for the ministry that's ahead of them immediately to the Gentile regions. 00:05:55.959 --> 00:05:57.819 Whatever reason it is, 00:05:57.919 --> 00:06:01.919 Jesus is attempting to retreat to go be with his Father. 00:06:02.419 --> 00:06:03.799 And while that's happening, 00:06:03.959 --> 00:06:05.939 while he's going away to pray, 00:06:06.479 --> 00:06:08.740 the disciples are in the boat, 00:06:09.000 --> 00:06:09.859 in the middle, 00:06:10.639 --> 00:06:14.099 and they're rowing and not getting anywhere. 00:06:14.459 --> 00:06:15.439 They are struggling. 00:06:15.899 --> 00:06:16.779 It's now evening. 00:06:17.479 --> 00:06:19.219 The wind is against them. 00:06:19.639 --> 00:06:22.719 Verse 24 says they're being beaten by the waves. 00:06:22.720 --> 00:06:28.580 Now, this is a little bit of a different situation than when Jesus calms the sea, 00:06:28.720 --> 00:06:31.640 when they're actually feeling like their lives are in danger. 00:06:31.740 --> 00:06:33.860 This is more not yet danger, 00:06:33.960 --> 00:06:35.240 but they're really struggling. 00:06:35.520 --> 00:06:37.340 They're having to work really hard. 00:06:37.460 --> 00:06:40.380 They're attempting to do what Jesus told them to do. 00:06:40.379 --> 00:06:43.540 It says it's in the fourth watch, 00:06:43.659 --> 00:06:46.019 which is between 3 and 6 a.m. 00:06:46.019 --> 00:06:47.259 So if you do the math, 00:06:47.680 --> 00:06:50.339 they've been rowing or trying to get to the other side 00:06:50.339 --> 00:06:52.920 for about six to eight hours. 00:06:53.459 --> 00:06:56.659 And it's pretty amazing that they didn't turn back at this point. 00:06:56.800 --> 00:06:59.240 They are still walking in obedience, 00:06:59.480 --> 00:07:01.819 trying to fight against the wind. 00:07:02.159 --> 00:07:03.699 Now, you've got to keep in mind that 00:07:03.699 --> 00:07:06.240 at least four of these men were fishermen. 00:07:06.800 --> 00:07:08.600 They're used to getting into the boat. 00:07:08.740 --> 00:07:09.220 They're not. 00:07:09.400 --> 00:07:11.120 This is not something unusual, 00:07:11.620 --> 00:07:13.900 the winds that come into the Sea of Galilee. 00:07:14.740 --> 00:07:17.139 Kelly and I, this, and Hannah Ryan, this summer, 00:07:17.300 --> 00:07:20.100 we actually went to the Isle of May near Enstruther 00:07:20.100 --> 00:07:21.680 and went to see the puffins. 00:07:22.180 --> 00:07:23.819 And if you go on one of these boats, 00:07:23.939 --> 00:07:27.259 sometimes you catch the wind in the Firth of Forth. 00:07:27.319 --> 00:07:29.680 It's kind of open to the North Sea, not too far. 00:07:29.920 --> 00:07:31.819 It's not protected by some of the land. 00:07:32.100 --> 00:07:33.600 And you get some pretty rough water. 00:07:33.600 --> 00:07:35.820 So these little tours out to the puffins 00:07:35.820 --> 00:07:40.000 are these ex-fishermen that are now guides 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:42.920 and kind of doing this thing with the boats. 00:07:44.080 --> 00:07:45.220 And the wind is coming. 00:07:45.700 --> 00:07:49.280 All of a sudden, it feels like we're on an amusement park ride. 00:07:49.379 --> 00:07:52.540 I mean, we are going up and down, side to side. 00:07:52.640 --> 00:07:55.180 We're kind of looking at each other like, this is fun. 00:07:55.240 --> 00:07:56.960 And then the people across from us are like, 00:07:57.060 --> 00:07:58.700 I'm going to be sick, right? 00:07:58.780 --> 00:08:02.140 And so all of a sudden, not to get too graphic, 00:08:02.139 --> 00:08:03.419 but people are getting sick. 00:08:03.539 --> 00:08:06.680 And these fishermen, these ex-fishermen that are on this boat 00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:09.500 are just acting like this is just another day. 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:10.560 They are ready. 00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:13.259 Kelly kind of joked that they're kind of part like nurses, 00:08:13.539 --> 00:08:15.240 kind of part fishermen or whatever. 00:08:15.699 --> 00:08:17.339 They're just coming with their bags 00:08:17.339 --> 00:08:18.719 and they're kind of balancing themselves 00:08:18.719 --> 00:08:21.439 and they're cleaning up messes that are being made. 00:08:21.579 --> 00:08:24.000 They're not thrown off at all. 00:08:24.419 --> 00:08:25.819 And one of the things you've got to understand 00:08:25.819 --> 00:08:27.639 is these fishermen in the boat, 00:08:27.959 --> 00:08:31.199 they don't get just necessarily thrown off by wind. 00:08:31.779 --> 00:08:34.659 But it says that they are really struggling. 00:08:35.120 --> 00:08:37.639 They've made it, John says, about three to four miles 00:08:37.639 --> 00:08:40.120 out in the middle of the sea. 00:08:40.600 --> 00:08:42.399 But they didn't turn back. 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:44.360 They were walking in obedience. 00:08:45.860 --> 00:08:50.100 Their struggle came as they were being obedient to the Lord. 00:08:50.100 --> 00:08:52.580 So this is not like Jonah who's running 00:08:52.580 --> 00:08:55.360 and a storm comes as a way for the Lord, 00:08:55.720 --> 00:08:57.940 bringing about discipline. 00:08:58.820 --> 00:09:01.259 And one of the things we just have to keep in mind 00:09:01.259 --> 00:09:05.500 is oftentimes we feel like when we're struggling in life 00:09:05.500 --> 00:09:08.600 or something really terrible is going on, 00:09:08.740 --> 00:09:11.860 we're like, what did I do to deserve this? 00:09:12.080 --> 00:09:14.800 What did I do to cause this? 00:09:15.279 --> 00:09:17.279 And often we just need to understand 00:09:17.279 --> 00:09:21.299 that struggle often comes in the midst of obedience. 00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:23.899 And we're going to see more about that. 00:09:24.439 --> 00:09:26.079 But we need to understand 00:09:26.079 --> 00:09:29.699 this wasn't because they were being unwise or disobedient. 00:09:29.699 --> 00:09:32.179 They were walking in obedience 00:09:32.179 --> 00:09:36.240 as he was sending them in the midst of struggle. 00:09:36.839 --> 00:09:38.519 And we just need to understand 00:09:38.519 --> 00:09:41.159 that Jesus will send us into the struggle 00:09:41.159 --> 00:09:43.839 in order for us to see the glory. 00:09:44.459 --> 00:09:47.120 And we're about to see the glory of Jesus. 00:09:47.279 --> 00:09:48.179 In this passage, 00:09:49.179 --> 00:09:51.179 we can tell from this passage 00:09:51.179 --> 00:09:55.179 that Jesus's aim wasn't to end their struggle 00:09:55.179 --> 00:09:57.620 because it says he knew they were struggling 00:09:57.620 --> 00:10:00.519 and he was actually walking on the sea, 00:10:00.600 --> 00:10:01.639 it says in Mark, 00:10:01.939 --> 00:10:04.159 that he meant to pass them by. 00:10:05.199 --> 00:10:08.339 He could have stopped the struggle at any moment. 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:11.039 We see later that he just says peace 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:12.500 and the sea can be still. 00:10:12.699 --> 00:10:14.480 He could have just prayed to his father 00:10:14.480 --> 00:10:15.539 while he was praying. 00:10:15.539 --> 00:10:17.899 He could have just prayed that the struggle would end, 00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:18.699 but he didn't. 00:10:19.039 --> 00:10:22.860 The struggle was necessary for them to see the glory. 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:25.939 So the next thing we see 00:10:25.939 --> 00:10:27.620 is he sent them into the struggle, 00:10:27.819 --> 00:10:30.839 but then he comes to them in the struggle. 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:33.299 Jesus comes walking on water. 00:10:33.860 --> 00:10:36.599 They are terrified because they think it's a ghost. 00:10:37.120 --> 00:10:38.500 The word that's used there 00:10:38.500 --> 00:10:40.819 is where we get phantom or apparition. 00:10:40.820 --> 00:10:44.700 Again, they're not unfamiliar with the Sea of Galilee, 00:10:44.800 --> 00:10:46.960 but they've never seen anything like this, 00:10:47.200 --> 00:10:50.420 a ghost or something walking on the water. 00:10:50.860 --> 00:10:52.400 And as Mark, I mentioned earlier, 00:10:52.540 --> 00:10:56.300 Mark mentions that Jesus intended to pass by, 00:10:56.700 --> 00:10:58.940 but the text helps us to see 00:10:58.940 --> 00:11:02.120 that Jesus was coming to them 00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:04.220 because they were terrified. 00:11:04.220 --> 00:11:07.779 They were crying out in fear 00:11:07.779 --> 00:11:09.180 and he comes to them. 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:12.600 When I was a kid, I was very, very young. 00:11:12.680 --> 00:11:13.820 One of my earliest memories. 00:11:14.040 --> 00:11:15.960 My mom had talked my dad 00:11:15.960 --> 00:11:18.500 into doing some little face mask thing 00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:19.600 that was like green. 00:11:20.200 --> 00:11:22.360 And it was after we kids had gone to bed, 00:11:22.460 --> 00:11:24.060 but as kids often do, 00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:26.399 I get up and I walk into the bathroom, 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:27.060 the toilet, 00:11:27.220 --> 00:11:30.100 and I see my dad there in a green mask. 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:31.560 And I'm a little kid 00:11:31.560 --> 00:11:33.100 who's fascinated with Incredible Hulk. 00:11:33.220 --> 00:11:36.659 I think Incredible Hulk is in our house. 00:11:36.779 --> 00:11:39.320 And I just scream and start crying. 00:11:39.879 --> 00:11:41.639 And I think my dad laughed a little bit, 00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:43.279 but he came to me and he says, 00:11:43.620 --> 00:11:44.720 it's okay, son. 00:11:44.820 --> 00:11:45.460 It's me. 00:11:45.580 --> 00:11:46.180 It's daddy. 00:11:47.500 --> 00:11:49.060 And that calmed me down a little bit, 00:11:49.139 --> 00:11:50.700 but obviously it's still etched in my mind 00:11:50.700 --> 00:11:52.580 because I think I was like two years old, seriously. 00:11:52.720 --> 00:11:54.960 It was like when I shouldn't be having memories. 00:11:55.160 --> 00:11:56.000 It was etched there. 00:11:56.279 --> 00:11:57.779 But he came, it's me. 00:11:58.300 --> 00:11:59.440 Everything is okay. 00:11:59.440 --> 00:12:00.520 Don't be afraid. 00:12:01.320 --> 00:12:03.040 And that's what we have here with Jesus. 00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:04.900 He comes to them because they're terrified. 00:12:05.360 --> 00:12:06.280 And he says, 00:12:06.460 --> 00:12:07.040 it is I. 00:12:07.200 --> 00:12:07.880 Take heart. 00:12:08.320 --> 00:12:09.660 Don't be afraid. 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:13.280 And one of the things that is just so fascinating 00:12:13.280 --> 00:12:14.980 is this phrase here, 00:12:15.100 --> 00:12:15.780 it is I, 00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:18.640 is actually the words in Greek, 00:12:18.800 --> 00:12:19.640 ego eimi, 00:12:20.360 --> 00:12:22.100 which is translated, 00:12:22.620 --> 00:12:23.320 I am. 00:12:24.900 --> 00:12:26.040 Take heart. 00:12:26.800 --> 00:12:27.880 I am. 00:12:27.879 --> 00:12:29.759 Don't be afraid. 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:34.059 Jesus here is using the covenant name 00:12:34.059 --> 00:12:36.159 of the God of Israel, 00:12:36.159 --> 00:12:37.439 telling them, 00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:39.620 I am is with you. 00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:41.779 Do not be afraid. 00:12:42.840 --> 00:12:46.399 Through that understanding that he is the I am, 00:12:46.600 --> 00:12:48.279 they can take courage. 00:12:48.279 --> 00:12:51.039 They can take heart and have courage. 00:12:51.039 --> 00:12:55.279 Peter then says, 00:12:55.419 --> 00:12:55.500 well, 00:12:55.500 --> 00:12:56.439 if it is you, 00:12:57.399 --> 00:12:59.719 command me to come to you. 00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:01.919 So Peter comes to Jesus. 00:13:02.039 --> 00:13:02.139 Now, 00:13:02.179 --> 00:13:03.139 this is very interesting. 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:06.079 Matthew is the only gospel writer 00:13:06.079 --> 00:13:08.439 that includes this part about Peter 00:13:08.439 --> 00:13:11.079 going out of the boat onto the water. 00:13:11.959 --> 00:13:12.379 Now, 00:13:12.459 --> 00:13:13.299 as you may know, 00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:16.179 many believe that Mark's gospel 00:13:16.179 --> 00:13:18.179 is kind of like Peter's account 00:13:18.179 --> 00:13:19.279 of what's happening. 00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:21.979 But Mark leaves this part out. 00:13:22.120 --> 00:13:23.019 Why is that? 00:13:24.179 --> 00:13:24.739 Well, 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:26.939 why is Matthew addressing it? 00:13:27.239 --> 00:13:29.039 We believe that Matthew was writing 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:30.159 to a Jewish audience, 00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:31.839 and this could have been one of the ways 00:13:31.839 --> 00:13:33.859 that he is proving that Jesus, 00:13:34.199 --> 00:13:34.679 in fact, 00:13:34.859 --> 00:13:37.239 is the God of the Bible, 00:13:37.339 --> 00:13:38.319 the God of Scripture, 00:13:38.599 --> 00:13:39.539 the I am. 00:13:39.539 --> 00:13:43.339 When he's making this potential allusion 00:13:43.339 --> 00:13:46.459 to how Moses led the people of Israel 00:13:46.459 --> 00:13:47.939 through the Red Sea, 00:13:48.439 --> 00:13:49.740 the great I am here 00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:53.120 still leads his people across the sea. 00:13:53.459 --> 00:13:56.439 This could be why Matthew includes it. 00:13:56.819 --> 00:13:57.120 Ultimately, 00:13:57.279 --> 00:13:59.599 the gospel writers probably left this part out 00:13:59.599 --> 00:14:00.199 about Peter 00:14:00.199 --> 00:14:03.259 because they didn't want him to get the glory. 00:14:03.959 --> 00:14:04.339 Seriously, 00:14:04.559 --> 00:14:06.219 it's more about Jesus 00:14:06.219 --> 00:14:07.439 than it is about Peter. 00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:11.320 But while Matthew includes this about Peter, 00:14:11.460 --> 00:14:13.880 we get to learn something about faith. 00:14:14.640 --> 00:14:16.280 But here the focus is on Jesus. 00:14:16.460 --> 00:14:17.860 He is the great I am 00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:20.200 who has the winds and the seas of his command. 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:23.000 We're reminded of Job 9-8 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:23.500 where it says, 00:14:23.780 --> 00:14:25.280 God alone stretched out the heavens 00:14:25.280 --> 00:14:27.780 and treads on the waves of the sea. 00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:30.940 Jesus is this creator God. 00:14:31.920 --> 00:14:33.820 And Peter asked to go out to him. 00:14:34.040 --> 00:14:34.380 He says, 00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:36.160 command me to come to you. 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:37.719 Now Peter's a fisherman. 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:38.879 He's been on this water 00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:40.980 a thousand times or more. 00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:43.879 He's never walked on it before. 00:14:44.159 --> 00:14:45.459 So it's pretty crazy 00:14:45.459 --> 00:14:47.799 that he would even think to ask this. 00:14:48.679 --> 00:14:49.819 But he's bold. 00:14:49.899 --> 00:14:50.620 And he says, 00:14:50.939 --> 00:14:52.459 command me to walk on the water. 00:14:52.519 --> 00:14:53.219 That's crazy. 00:14:53.860 --> 00:14:54.839 But what's crazier 00:14:54.839 --> 00:14:56.339 is he actually does it. 00:14:56.539 --> 00:14:58.079 He gets out of the boat. 00:14:58.339 --> 00:15:00.740 He shows so much faith in Jesus 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:02.039 to get out of the boat 00:15:02.039 --> 00:15:03.839 and to come toward him. 00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:06.540 But in a moment, 00:15:07.399 --> 00:15:08.800 Jesus is about to say, 00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:10.480 oh, you of little faith, 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:12.360 why did you doubt? 00:15:13.040 --> 00:15:13.460 And I'm like, 00:15:13.540 --> 00:15:14.100 little faith, 00:15:14.160 --> 00:15:14.720 are you serious? 00:15:14.780 --> 00:15:15.860 He's the only one 00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:18.540 that had the belief in Jesus 00:15:18.540 --> 00:15:19.100 to say, 00:15:19.180 --> 00:15:20.379 let me come to you. 00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:21.720 If you command it, 00:15:21.860 --> 00:15:22.899 I can do it. 00:15:23.139 --> 00:15:24.620 Let me come to you. 00:15:24.980 --> 00:15:27.480 How is it that he can be so bold 00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:28.440 and full of faith 00:15:28.440 --> 00:15:29.600 in one moment 00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:30.740 to ask for this? 00:15:31.780 --> 00:15:32.580 But then, 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:34.040 all of a sudden, 00:15:34.140 --> 00:15:36.060 his faith is too small. 00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:38.940 And this is how we learn 00:15:38.940 --> 00:15:40.720 so much about faith. 00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:42.160 Peter doubts. 00:15:42.700 --> 00:15:43.680 Peter gets out of the boat 00:15:43.680 --> 00:15:44.860 and he's walking on the water 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:45.440 to Jesus. 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:48.060 But when he saw the wind, 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:49.640 he was afraid. 00:15:50.040 --> 00:15:51.200 And he started sinking. 00:15:51.340 --> 00:15:52.820 Now, like Corey was just talking about, 00:15:52.880 --> 00:15:54.020 you can't see oxygen. 00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:57.259 He could see the effects of the wind. 00:15:57.460 --> 00:15:59.419 Just like on our way to the Isle of May, 00:15:59.460 --> 00:16:00.699 when the wind starts blowing, 00:16:01.019 --> 00:16:02.600 it starts churning up the water. 00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:03.879 All of a sudden, 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:04.980 things are different. 00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:07.019 The circumstances changed. 00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:09.840 And he gets afraid. 00:16:10.899 --> 00:16:12.379 And when he starts sinking, 00:16:12.539 --> 00:16:13.240 what does he do? 00:16:13.819 --> 00:16:16.519 He takes his eyes off of Jesus. 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:19.679 When the circumstances changed, 00:16:19.799 --> 00:16:22.159 he took his eyes off Jesus. 00:16:22.159 --> 00:16:24.679 Things were pretty crazy around him. 00:16:24.719 --> 00:16:26.600 And that's what he was focusing on 00:16:26.600 --> 00:16:29.399 instead of focusing on Jesus. 00:16:29.659 --> 00:16:31.500 He believed in Jesus enough 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:32.659 to get out of the boat, 00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:36.219 but he didn't fix his eyes on Jesus. 00:16:37.019 --> 00:16:38.759 That great act of faith, 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:39.240 seemingly, 00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:40.219 to get out of the boat 00:16:40.219 --> 00:16:41.679 is negated right here 00:16:41.679 --> 00:16:44.579 by focusing on the circumstances instead. 00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:46.459 What do we learn about faith? 00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:49.639 Faith, as many have said, 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:52.059 it's not about the strength of your faith. 00:16:52.459 --> 00:16:55.039 It's about the object of your faith. 00:16:55.799 --> 00:16:57.339 He took his eyes off Jesus. 00:16:58.759 --> 00:17:00.719 The object of this one 00:17:00.719 --> 00:17:02.079 that we believe in. 00:17:02.199 --> 00:17:04.579 He took his eyes off of Jesus. 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:06.059 And he cried out, 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.599 Lord, save me. 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:09.799 And it says, 00:17:09.920 --> 00:17:12.539 Jesus immediately reached out his hand 00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:14.139 and took hold of him. 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:15.779 Verses 30 and 31. 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:17.960 Jesus was right there 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:20.119 in the middle of the storm, 00:17:20.119 --> 00:17:21.439 in the middle of the struggle. 00:17:21.439 --> 00:17:23.159 He was right there with him. 00:17:23.239 --> 00:17:24.739 In the middle of his doubt, 00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:27.719 Jesus was right there with him. 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:30.599 And one of the things I love 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:31.799 is how it says, 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:34.099 immediately Jesus reached out his hand. 00:17:34.919 --> 00:17:37.179 Jesus' timing is perfect. 00:17:38.719 --> 00:17:40.559 Even if he doesn't feel like 00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:42.439 he's immediately rescuing us, 00:17:42.899 --> 00:17:44.539 his timing is perfect. 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:47.720 And he is right there with us, 00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:49.579 even in the midst of struggle. 00:17:50.539 --> 00:17:52.059 Now, one pastor pointed out 00:17:52.059 --> 00:17:53.379 that Peter, 00:17:54.159 --> 00:17:55.159 his prayer was, 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.039 save me. 00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:58.359 And this pastor said, 00:17:58.460 --> 00:17:59.819 short prayers are okay. 00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:01.740 Even when you are, 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:02.899 especially when you're 00:18:02.899 --> 00:18:03.980 in the middle of struggle. 00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:06.259 And I know there are times 00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:08.720 when I believe, 00:18:09.140 --> 00:18:10.759 if I'm struggling, 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:12.079 I will believe 00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:14.160 that if my prayers are good enough, 00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:15.579 then he will get me 00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:16.440 out of the struggle. 00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:18.420 And if he's not immediately 00:18:18.420 --> 00:18:19.539 getting out of the struggle, 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:21.279 maybe my prayers 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:22.539 just aren't good enough. 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:24.059 And I start feeling guilty 00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:26.019 for not having better prayers. 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:29.460 There are times that we struggle, 00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:31.299 and I've shared a little bit, 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:32.539 some of you are aware 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:34.119 of some of our family situation 00:18:34.119 --> 00:18:36.200 where we have faced 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:37.359 lots of struggle. 00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:38.799 And I look back 00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:40.059 on those times like, 00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:41.740 man, I was really hoping 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:43.139 that at the very least 00:18:43.139 --> 00:18:45.000 those times would make me 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:45.980 a man of prayer. 00:18:46.440 --> 00:18:48.000 But I feel like I just failed 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:50.159 because my prayer life 00:18:50.159 --> 00:18:50.960 was just like, 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:52.220 even felt weak. 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:53.399 And as I, 00:18:53.659 --> 00:18:54.460 in this passage, 00:18:54.680 --> 00:18:55.619 thinking about this 00:18:55.619 --> 00:18:56.579 and looking back, 00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:58.399 my prayers were just like, 00:18:58.460 --> 00:18:59.819 God, please help. 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:02.519 And I'm like, 00:19:02.579 --> 00:19:03.619 that's a bad prayer. 00:19:03.859 --> 00:19:04.639 It's like, no. 00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:07.240 That's exactly what I needed to pray. 00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:08.339 I couldn't pray more. 00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:09.919 And the Bible, 00:19:10.079 --> 00:19:11.059 Paul tells us in Romans 00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:12.519 that the Spirit even helps us 00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:13.180 in our weakness 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:14.460 and we don't know what to pray. 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:17.259 He intercedes on our behalf. 00:19:19.139 --> 00:19:21.059 Sometimes that's all we can do 00:19:21.059 --> 00:19:22.759 is Lord, help me. 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:23.799 Save me. 00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:27.579 Please, please strengthen me. 00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:30.299 Please help me to get through this. 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:32.000 Those are prayers 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.579 that really honor the Lord 00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:35.980 when we cry out to Him for help. 00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:39.200 This isn't about our prayers 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:40.039 being good enough. 00:19:40.139 --> 00:19:41.680 This is about who Jesus is 00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:44.379 and who we are praying to, 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:45.960 not the strength of our prayers 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:48.339 and understanding that He is with us 00:19:48.339 --> 00:19:50.720 and His timing is perfect. 00:19:52.039 --> 00:19:52.759 Verse 31, 00:19:53.359 --> 00:19:54.200 it says, 00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:56.779 Jesus immediately reached out His hand. 00:19:56.899 --> 00:19:57.720 He's right there. 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.819 He never left Him. 00:19:58.819 --> 00:20:00.779 And I think oftentimes 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:01.960 God's sitting there 00:20:01.960 --> 00:20:03.059 shaking His head at me. 00:20:03.139 --> 00:20:03.379 It's like, 00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:04.879 you got yourself into this. 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:05.779 Get yourself out. 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:09.720 But what we see here is Jesus, 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:12.559 He's not shaking His head at Peter. 00:20:12.659 --> 00:20:13.359 He's just saying, 00:20:13.619 --> 00:20:14.700 you should have trusted me. 00:20:15.679 --> 00:20:17.059 Like, why did you doubt? 00:20:17.179 --> 00:20:17.740 He says. 00:20:19.919 --> 00:20:22.480 He's not looking at Him in disgust. 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:24.299 He's right there to save Him. 00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:27.039 And then all of that 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:28.559 to get to Jesus' question. 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:30.579 Why did you doubt? 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:33.159 This seems like, again, 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:34.399 an odd question to ask 00:20:34.399 --> 00:20:36.379 after Peter has done something so bold 00:20:36.379 --> 00:20:38.220 and so seemingly full of faith 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:39.200 is to ask Him 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:41.220 to let Him walk on the water. 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:42.240 Command me to do it. 00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:44.180 And then He actually took that step 00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:45.419 to get out of the boat 00:20:45.419 --> 00:20:46.460 and walk on water. 00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:47.879 So He demonstrated 00:20:47.879 --> 00:20:49.919 that He believed in Jesus' power. 00:20:50.800 --> 00:20:52.800 But yet when the circumstance changed, 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:54.600 He tended to focus 00:20:54.600 --> 00:20:55.840 on those circumstances 00:20:55.840 --> 00:20:58.019 instead of taking His eyes 00:20:58.019 --> 00:21:00.060 and fixing them on Jesus. 00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:01.120 It's like we see this 00:21:01.120 --> 00:21:03.360 in the trope in movies all the time 00:21:03.360 --> 00:21:05.500 where something difficult is happening. 00:21:06.440 --> 00:21:07.420 It's in books as well, 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:09.140 so I shouldn't just reference films 00:21:09.140 --> 00:21:09.500 or whatever. 00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:11.519 But they're like, 00:21:11.620 --> 00:21:12.519 hey, look at me. 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:14.200 Focus on me. 00:21:14.400 --> 00:21:15.000 Don't focus. 00:21:15.180 --> 00:21:15.980 Don't what? 00:21:16.080 --> 00:21:16.900 Don't look down. 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:18.600 Focus on me. 00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:20.759 And this is what Jesus is saying. 00:21:20.939 --> 00:21:22.699 Keep your eyes on me. 00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:26.099 Why did you doubt, Jesus said? 00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:28.139 One of the things that we understand 00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:31.539 is like it's actually very natural 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:32.719 for us to doubt. 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:36.879 In fact, faith is something 00:21:36.879 --> 00:21:38.579 that is not natural to us 00:21:38.579 --> 00:21:39.819 because of our sin nature. 00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:41.019 Fear and doubt 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:42.819 are completely natural to us. 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:46.599 It's natural when we're living our lives 00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:48.699 for our minds to go through 00:21:48.699 --> 00:21:50.559 all the what-if scenarios 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:52.199 instead of having faith. 00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:55.059 It's natural to go after that craving 00:21:55.059 --> 00:21:57.559 or want immediate gratification 00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:59.259 instead of believing 00:21:59.259 --> 00:22:00.879 in what God commands. 00:22:01.199 --> 00:22:03.159 It's natural to see other people's lives 00:22:03.159 --> 00:22:05.079 and question why your life 00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:07.139 isn't as smooth or as easy as theirs. 00:22:07.639 --> 00:22:08.719 It's natural to think 00:22:08.719 --> 00:22:10.579 the grass is always greener. 00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:12.779 It's natural to doubt 00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:15.660 that Scripture applies to my situation. 00:22:15.879 --> 00:22:18.779 Yeah, but what about this? 00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:21.000 It's natural for us to doubt 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:21.819 and not have faith. 00:22:21.899 --> 00:22:23.660 It's natural to compromise 00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:25.279 on our convictions 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:27.339 because we don't believe 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:28.299 in God's promises. 00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:30.819 All these things that are driven 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:31.960 by fear and doubt 00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:34.220 instead of having faith in our Father, 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:36.700 He understands this 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:37.639 and these struggles, 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:38.500 these circumstances 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:40.639 are meant to strengthen our faith, 00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:43.620 to help us through our fears and doubts 00:22:43.620 --> 00:22:46.100 and to understand that He is there 00:22:46.100 --> 00:22:47.920 and He does come through for us 00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:49.980 even if it's not how we thought it would be. 00:22:51.620 --> 00:22:53.300 The Lord is so committed 00:22:53.300 --> 00:22:55.800 to your growth and your good 00:22:55.800 --> 00:22:59.080 that He works in every situation we face 00:22:59.080 --> 00:23:00.520 to grow our faith, 00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:03.300 to get rid of our self-reliance 00:23:03.300 --> 00:23:04.640 and to trust in Him. 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.700 And like Peter, 00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:10.059 I think one of the problems 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:11.340 of why did you doubt, 00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:12.600 why do I doubt, 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:15.220 it's because I know Jesus 00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:17.539 can overcome what I'm facing, 00:23:17.900 --> 00:23:21.580 but will He overcome what I'm facing? 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:24.580 And this comes down to not believing 00:23:24.580 --> 00:23:26.299 necessarily in the power of God, 00:23:26.400 --> 00:23:27.960 but do we believe in the wisdom 00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:30.700 and the goodness of Jesus? 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:34.259 Do we trust that He knows 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:35.400 what is best for us? 00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:37.759 Faith understands that He knows 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:38.560 what is best 00:23:38.560 --> 00:23:42.019 and always gives what is best. 00:23:43.120 --> 00:23:44.720 That's what faith does. 00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:45.820 Why did you doubt? 00:23:47.080 --> 00:23:49.180 This passage always reminds me 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:52.960 of James 1, verses 5-8, 00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:55.580 where it sounds like James 00:23:55.580 --> 00:23:57.040 is referencing this situation. 00:23:57.840 --> 00:23:59.140 James starts out chapter 1, 00:23:59.220 --> 00:24:00.700 as you recall from Corey's sermons, 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:02.040 we remember all these sermons 00:24:02.040 --> 00:24:03.200 in chapter 1 of James, 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:04.400 where he's talking about 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:06.660 finding joy in trials. 00:24:07.580 --> 00:24:09.420 And then verse 5, he says, 00:24:09.620 --> 00:24:11.980 if any of you lacks wisdom, 00:24:12.360 --> 00:24:13.740 let him ask of God 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:14.780 who gives generously, 00:24:15.040 --> 00:24:16.060 without reproach, 00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:17.940 and it will be given to him. 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:19.920 So that context would tell us 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:21.340 that a lot of that wisdom 00:24:21.340 --> 00:24:22.940 is helping me understand, 00:24:23.300 --> 00:24:24.480 help me understand, Lord, 00:24:24.620 --> 00:24:25.860 how to have joy 00:24:25.860 --> 00:24:27.380 in the midst of trials. 00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:29.560 So we ask for wisdom, 00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:30.020 he says, 00:24:30.100 --> 00:24:30.840 but then he says, 00:24:30.840 --> 00:24:32.440 but let him ask in faith 00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:33.520 with no doubting, 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:35.380 for the one who doubts 00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:37.420 is like the wave of the sea, 00:24:37.940 --> 00:24:40.500 blown and tossed by the wind. 00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:43.700 But he who doubts 00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:45.300 is like a wave of the sea 00:24:45.300 --> 00:24:47.980 that is driven and tossed by the wind. 00:24:48.300 --> 00:24:50.040 For that person must not suppose 00:24:50.040 --> 00:24:51.240 that he will receive anything 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:51.840 from the Lord. 00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:53.420 He is a double-minded man, 00:24:53.860 --> 00:24:55.920 unstable in all his ways. 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:59.279 It sounds like this passage, right? 00:24:59.860 --> 00:25:01.900 We're blown and tossed by the wind 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:02.660 when we doubt. 00:25:04.060 --> 00:25:05.340 But James says, 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.500 pray to God, 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:07.720 ask him for wisdom. 00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:10.000 Don't doubt that he will give it to you. 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:12.240 So why do we doubt? 00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:15.340 Doubt comes when we take our eyes 00:25:15.340 --> 00:25:16.440 off of Jesus. 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:19.120 One writer, John Bloom, says this. 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:19.840 He says, 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:22.539 doubt is not the complete absence of faith. 00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:25.360 It's faith laden with weights 00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:26.419 of unbelief, 00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:28.379 which threaten to sink us. 00:25:29.379 --> 00:25:31.619 So we must fix our eyes on Jesus, 00:25:31.779 --> 00:25:32.839 who he is. 00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:35.379 Look at the Jesus of this passage. 00:25:35.939 --> 00:25:37.319 He gets into the boat 00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:40.039 and the wind immediately stops. 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:44.759 It's so dramatic what happened 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:46.339 that it says the disciples 00:25:46.339 --> 00:25:48.419 immediately worshipped him. 00:25:48.819 --> 00:25:50.359 Right then, right there. 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:51.119 And in fact, 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:52.419 John chapter 6 says 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:53.560 that when he got in the boat, 00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:55.620 immediately the boat was at the land 00:25:55.620 --> 00:25:56.480 to which they were going. 00:25:56.840 --> 00:25:58.180 Another miracle happened. 00:25:58.560 --> 00:25:59.400 It's as if they just, 00:25:59.560 --> 00:26:00.460 they appeared, 00:26:00.840 --> 00:26:01.840 the struggle is over, 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:04.060 they appear on the other side. 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:06.140 This is the Jesus 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:07.580 who fed the 5,000. 00:26:08.039 --> 00:26:09.700 Now he's walking on water 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.320 and he's saying, 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.519 take heart, 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:12.759 I am. 00:26:13.300 --> 00:26:14.759 He's the one that the winds 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.680 and the seas obey 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:17.680 that can even transport the boat 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.620 to the other side. 00:26:18.619 --> 00:26:20.139 This is the Jesus 00:26:20.139 --> 00:26:22.259 that we must fix our eyes on 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:23.579 and call out to. 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:26.019 So why do we doubt 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:29.379 when the great I am 00:26:29.379 --> 00:26:31.079 is near to us? 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:32.199 He is with us 00:26:32.199 --> 00:26:33.319 in every circumstance. 00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:35.739 So just to wrap up, 00:26:35.919 --> 00:26:36.919 to think about this, 00:26:37.459 --> 00:26:38.000 number one, 00:26:38.139 --> 00:26:39.899 obedience doesn't prevent struggle 00:26:39.899 --> 00:26:41.839 and often leads us into struggle. 00:26:42.159 --> 00:26:42.439 Why? 00:26:42.899 --> 00:26:44.259 Because Jesus wants us 00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:45.219 to see his glory. 00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:47.500 Because he wants us 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:48.940 to grow in our faith 00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:50.160 and to rid us 00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:51.660 of self-reliance. 00:26:52.660 --> 00:26:54.880 As hard as the struggle is, 00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:56.400 he is with us. 00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:59.480 So when we're tempted to doubt, 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.460 I would say, 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:01.539 ask for wisdom. 00:27:03.120 --> 00:27:04.620 Lord, give me wisdom 00:27:04.620 --> 00:27:06.160 to navigate this situation 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:07.059 so I can trust 00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:08.740 that you have my good in mind, 00:27:08.819 --> 00:27:10.279 that I will see your glory. 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:12.960 J.I. Packer says this, 00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:14.259 for what is this wisdom 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:15.100 that he gives? 00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:16.900 It is not a sharing 00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:18.180 in all his knowledge, 00:27:18.660 --> 00:27:19.579 but a disposition 00:27:19.579 --> 00:27:20.519 to confess 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.779 that he is wise 00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:23.579 and to cleave to him 00:27:23.579 --> 00:27:25.140 and live for him 00:27:25.140 --> 00:27:26.360 in the light of his word 00:27:26.360 --> 00:27:27.779 through thick and thin. 00:27:27.880 --> 00:27:28.579 In other words, 00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:29.860 it's like he's saying, 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:31.140 God, you know 00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:32.000 what you're doing 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:33.720 and I'm just going to cling to you 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:35.019 and live my life for you 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:36.339 because you are good 00:27:36.339 --> 00:27:37.460 no matter what. 00:27:38.400 --> 00:27:39.559 So ask for wisdom. 00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:40.640 And then the second thing, 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.940 Hebrews 12, 2 says, 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:43.259 is fix our eyes on Jesus. 00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:44.480 It says, 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:45.759 let us run with endurance 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:47.620 the race that is set before us, 00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:49.640 fixing our eyes on Jesus, 00:27:50.099 --> 00:27:51.440 the founder and perfecter 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:52.120 of our faith, 00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:53.059 who for the joy 00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:54.220 that was set before him 00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:55.440 endured the cross, 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:57.259 despising the shame, 00:27:57.700 --> 00:27:58.299 and is seated 00:27:58.299 --> 00:27:59.460 at the right hand 00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:00.519 of the throne of God. 00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:03.079 Jesus fixed his eyes 00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:03.839 on the joy 00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:04.759 that was set before him, 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:07.000 the glory that would be revealed 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:08.620 when he was with God, 00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:10.200 the glory that we would see 00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:11.880 when we are together with him 00:28:11.880 --> 00:28:14.039 and then our joining together 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:14.580 with him, 00:28:14.680 --> 00:28:15.960 him being with his bride 00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:17.059 for the joy 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:18.400 that was set before him. 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:20.299 That's how he endured 00:28:20.299 --> 00:28:21.420 the cross. 00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:23.799 So fix our eyes on Jesus 00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:25.819 and being united with him. 00:28:26.140 --> 00:28:27.880 Don't focus on the storm. 00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:30.559 Don't focus on the circumstances, 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:31.980 but instead focused 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:33.620 on the great I am 00:28:33.620 --> 00:28:35.640 who can walk on water 00:28:35.640 --> 00:28:37.780 and assures us 00:28:37.780 --> 00:28:38.960 that he will get us 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:40.080 to the other side. 00:28:40.600 --> 00:28:41.220 Let's pray. 00:28:45.120 --> 00:28:45.980 Lord Jesus, 00:28:46.140 --> 00:28:47.200 we are so thankful 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:50.780 that you are the great I am 00:28:50.780 --> 00:28:52.180 who walked on the water, 00:28:52.600 --> 00:28:54.360 who commanded Peter 00:28:54.360 --> 00:28:55.680 to come to you 00:28:55.680 --> 00:28:57.220 as he requested. 00:28:57.560 --> 00:28:58.480 You answered his prayer. 00:29:00.540 --> 00:29:02.220 And instead of getting upset 00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:03.500 at his doubt, 00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:06.619 you immediately reached out 00:29:06.619 --> 00:29:08.099 your hand to grab him 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:09.000 and saved him. 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.220 And so, 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:11.240 Father God, 00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:12.420 we thank you so much 00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:13.240 for the way 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:14.900 that you are with us. 00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:15.619 You have given us 00:29:15.619 --> 00:29:16.299 your spirit. 00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:17.759 You sent Jesus 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:21.119 to live the life 00:29:21.119 --> 00:29:22.359 that we could not live. 00:29:22.500 --> 00:29:24.180 He never doubted. 00:29:24.339 --> 00:29:25.319 He never wavered 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:26.319 in unbelief 00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:28.400 as the Scripture says. 00:29:29.160 --> 00:29:30.720 Even when it was a struggle 00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:32.140 to think about 00:29:32.140 --> 00:29:33.440 facing your wrath, 00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:34.119 Lord God, 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:36.500 Jesus fixed his eyes 00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:37.319 on the joy 00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:38.720 that was set before him. 00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:40.099 So, 00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:40.599 Lord, 00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.660 please help us 00:29:41.660 --> 00:29:43.680 as we face struggles, 00:29:43.680 --> 00:29:45.119 as we go through times 00:29:45.119 --> 00:29:46.640 when circumstances change, 00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:48.019 help us to fix our eyes 00:29:48.019 --> 00:29:48.660 on Jesus, 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:50.359 the great I am. 00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:51.779 And we pray all this 00:29:51.779 --> 00:29:52.559 in Jesus' name. 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:53.200 Amen.