WEBVTT

00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:06.200
 Father, as we come to worship you through your word, through listening to your word,

00:00:06.820 --> 00:00:12.820
 I ask that you would touch our hearts, that you would bring your word in the deepest parts of

00:00:12.820 --> 00:00:17.800
 our hearts, that we would know the freedom that you bring, the liberation that you bring from sin

00:00:17.800 --> 00:00:26.019
 and from the evils that dwell so closely to us. So Lord, as we come here at this point of the

00:00:26.019 --> 00:00:30.800
 service, would you bless us and pour out your Holy Spirit upon us. In Jesus' name, amen.

00:00:31.579 --> 00:00:32.399
 And you may be seated.

00:00:40.280 --> 00:00:46.399
 So just a couple of weeks ago, I was walking to the pool. I like to go to the pool every morning,

00:00:46.500 --> 00:00:52.100
 or I try to go every morning. I'm for five days a week. I get four usually, and it's one of the ways

00:00:52.100 --> 00:00:59.800
 that I manage my stress. And as I was walking towards the location, one of my neighbors kind

00:00:59.800 --> 00:01:05.320
 of called me over. And so I went over, and I hadn't really talked to him before. So we started talking,

00:01:05.859 --> 00:01:12.599
 and we talked about, you know, his children and my son, because he had seen my wife and our son

00:01:12.599 --> 00:01:18.319
 walking together down the street. And we eventually got to talking about what I do for a living. So I

00:01:18.319 --> 00:01:25.039
 told him that I'm a pastor and that I, you know, I study theology as well. And he, you know, he was

00:01:25.039 --> 00:01:31.299
 totally fine with that. He said, you know what, I actually, I believe in God. And he said these

00:01:31.299 --> 00:01:38.039
 words. He said, I'm about 99% sure of God. And there's always, you know, that always that 1% doubt.

00:01:39.060 --> 00:01:44.399
 And I thought, you know, that's interesting. And so I shared with him, you know, I, you know,

00:01:44.400 --> 00:01:50.359
 God did a, like, a marvelous work in my life that, and God did a full 180 in my life. So I know that

00:01:50.359 --> 00:01:55.760
 for sure that God exists. But then as I was saying that, I was remembering, you know, I've had doubts

00:01:55.760 --> 00:02:00.860
 in my life as well. I've had doubts even as a Christian. And so I shared that with him too.

00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:06.460
 And it's kind of a weird mix. And maybe some of you were listening very carefully in the Matthew text

00:02:06.460 --> 00:02:13.180
 that I read earlier. But Jesus has some pretty interesting words about doubt. And so I'll invite you to

00:02:13.180 --> 00:02:19.099
 turn to that. You know, we have some big questions about that because we all experience doubt. And so

00:02:19.099 --> 00:02:24.939
 what would Jesus say if he were, you know, in the conversation with my friend and I talking about

00:02:24.939 --> 00:02:31.600
 that 1% of doubt? Would Jesus be okay with that? Or how would that work? Maybe some of you have asked

00:02:31.600 --> 00:02:38.319
 questions to Christians and they said, just believe. So we'll look at that. We'll look at Matthew chapter 14

00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:45.819
 and see what Jesus has to say about our doubts. Now, before we start at verse 22, it's helpful for

00:02:45.819 --> 00:02:53.900
 us to remember that Matthew, who is the author of this gospel or this book in the Bible, Matthew is

00:02:53.900 --> 00:03:01.319
 writing a historical account. He's claiming to be writing a historical account. Historical in the sense

00:03:01.319 --> 00:03:08.859
 that he's an eyewitness. Historical in the other sense that this is part of a long train of God's acts

00:03:08.859 --> 00:03:14.819
 in history. This is part of something, a continuation of something that God has been doing. So these are

00:03:14.819 --> 00:03:22.359
 the two basic claims. We see that in the genealogy at the beginning of the book. And the third thing is

00:03:22.359 --> 00:03:28.459
 that it has big implications for us today. So let's look at verse 22 and we'll start there.

00:03:28.460 --> 00:03:36.900
 Matthew chapter 14, verse 22. Immediately, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before

00:03:36.900 --> 00:03:44.520
 him to the other side while he dismissed the crowds. So just for a bit of context, Jesus just performed a

00:03:44.520 --> 00:03:54.400
 big miracle. He just fed 5,000 people, 5,000 men, plus women and children. And before that, he had just

00:03:54.400 --> 00:04:00.360
 heard the news that his cousin, John the Baptist, was executed. So he was going to find solitude.

00:04:00.580 --> 00:04:07.540
 And on his way towards finding solitude and spent time with God, he stopped and he saw a big crowd

00:04:07.540 --> 00:04:13.960
 that was following him. He had compassion on them. He fed them. And now he's dismissing the crowds and

00:04:13.960 --> 00:04:19.519
 he's sending his disciples over because they have a mission to do. He's sending them over across the sea.

00:04:19.519 --> 00:04:28.259
 Okay, so now in verse 23, we see that, and after Jesus had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the

00:04:28.259 --> 00:04:34.620
 mountain by himself to pray. And so Jesus was finding the solitude after hearing the news and after a lot

00:04:34.620 --> 00:04:41.719
 of teaching and miracles and all these things. Now, some of you might be wondering, like, Jesus is praying?

00:04:41.720 --> 00:04:49.400
 You know, if we had, you know, if some of our friends, my wife and I's friends were, you know, when they come

00:04:49.400 --> 00:04:54.520
 over to dinner, we pray in Jesus's name. And so they would maybe hear this and wonder, you know, is Jesus

00:04:54.520 --> 00:05:03.740
 praying in Jesus's name? Like, how does that work? Like, is he just talking to himself? Well, and another part of

00:05:03.740 --> 00:05:10.320
 this confusion around why Jesus would pray is that, you know, we think that prayer is only useful because

00:05:10.319 --> 00:05:19.139
 we're in a bad situation. So why is Jesus praying? Well, very essential to prayer is communion with God.

00:05:19.959 --> 00:05:25.699
 Jesus, from all eternity, has been in communion with God the Father and with the Holy Spirit. And so Jesus

00:05:25.699 --> 00:05:32.639
 is just continuing fellowship, communion with God. This is very right for Jesus. Why would he not pray?

00:05:32.959 --> 00:05:39.539
 Why would he not spend time with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit? And this is really, I know,

00:05:39.540 --> 00:05:43.080
 this really, the reason why I'm spending time on this is because it really convicted me this week.

00:05:43.220 --> 00:05:46.900
 You know, I haven't been spending that much time in prayer, maybe the last couple of weeks, actually.

00:05:46.960 --> 00:05:52.700
 And maybe some of you are in that boat as well. That prayer has only become a duty where, you know,

00:05:52.720 --> 00:05:57.240
 you're in need and you pray. You need something, you pray. You're in a bad situation, you pray.

00:05:57.860 --> 00:06:02.900
 But a huge part of prayer, a central part of prayer, is that it's communion with God. And so Jesus is

00:06:02.899 --> 00:06:10.319
 reminding us of that essential truth today. So verse 23, we'll continue there. Verse 23b.

00:06:11.479 --> 00:06:17.799
 Now when evening came, he was there alone. So the evening, just before the evening, they had supper,

00:06:18.239 --> 00:06:24.939
 they left, and now we're getting into later into the evening. Jesus was alone in the mountain and

00:06:24.939 --> 00:06:31.579
 praying. But verse 24, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves,

00:06:31.579 --> 00:06:42.139
 for the wind was against them. Now this section depicts a very common experience where we might

00:06:42.139 --> 00:06:50.120
 sense that Jesus is leading us to a particular place, and then things are going wrong. Things are

00:06:50.120 --> 00:06:55.120
 not going well. You're starting to fear for your life. And you're probably starting to wonder, Jesus,

00:06:55.399 --> 00:07:00.680
 like, what were you thinking? Like, you sent me there. I'm sure some of you have asked that. I have

00:07:00.680 --> 00:07:06.740
 asked that many times. Jesus, why did you allow me to go in this area and spend, you know, months here

00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:14.180
 in this place where it seems like there was no fruit, where I was in danger? Jesus, why would you

00:07:14.180 --> 00:07:21.840
 do that? Like, did you call us here? See, and based on our circumstances, we start to doubt

00:07:21.839 --> 00:07:30.779
 and judge Jesus. God, I thought you led me to this job, or had me marry this person, or give this up,

00:07:30.879 --> 00:07:36.000
 or to adopt these children, or fill in the blank. I thought you were calling me to this. Didn't you know

00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:41.539
 that it would turn out this way? And this is a big mystery in the Christian faith, is that we don't

00:07:41.539 --> 00:07:47.239
 always have an answer to that dilemma. We don't always have an answer at the end of our circumstances.

00:07:47.240 --> 00:07:54.480
 Sometimes we find out why God led us to a place. Other times, we don't. So I studied at McGill

00:07:54.480 --> 00:08:00.300
 University, and I became a Christian there. Years after that, it became very obvious to me why

00:08:00.300 --> 00:08:06.199
 after I had applied to the University of Toronto and received a substantial scholarship,

00:08:06.540 --> 00:08:11.879
 was refused from the school a couple of months later. I went from full scholarship to refused from

00:08:11.879 --> 00:08:18.439
 University. That didn't make sense to me. Years later, I became a Christian. That made sense to me.

00:08:18.699 --> 00:08:24.939
 God wanted me to go to Montreal so I could hear the gospel. That made sense to me. But, you know,

00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:32.259
 why did I become a Christian at 19 and not at 12 or 3 or at 30? I don't know. Probably won't know

00:08:32.259 --> 00:08:40.559
 until I see Jesus, until I get to heaven. But as the disciples are delivering these big life questions

00:08:40.559 --> 00:08:47.919
 while holding on for their lives, something completely shocking and unexpected happens next.

00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:49.179
 In verse 25,

00:08:51.039 --> 00:08:53.299
 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea,

00:08:54.379 --> 00:08:57.039
 the disciples were terrified and said,

00:08:57.219 --> 00:08:59.919
 It is a ghost. And they cried out in fear.

00:09:04.599 --> 00:09:06.039
 Sorry, I think I skipped there.

00:09:06.039 --> 00:09:07.360
 Verse 25.

00:09:07.719 --> 00:09:10.799
 And in the fourth watch of the night, he came to them walking on the sea.

00:09:11.199 --> 00:09:15.779
 Okay, so the fourth watch is between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.

00:09:16.159 --> 00:09:17.539
 So smack it right in the morning.

00:09:18.159 --> 00:09:20.639
 And just by the way, if you call me between 3 and 6,

00:09:21.139 --> 00:09:24.539
 I probably won't answer. I'll be sleeping. I have headphones.

00:09:25.019 --> 00:09:26.379
 Or not headphones, I have earplugs.

00:09:26.559 --> 00:09:28.620
 But Jesus here is coming.

00:09:29.319 --> 00:09:30.039
 He's coming to them.

00:09:30.959 --> 00:09:32.419
 He's coming to them on the sea.

00:09:32.419 --> 00:09:34.860
 It's really, really unexpected.

00:09:35.959 --> 00:09:38.899
 This setting really shows us the helplessness of the disciples.

00:09:39.059 --> 00:09:40.079
 They're on the middle of the sea.

00:09:40.899 --> 00:09:42.799
 And in the ancient cultures, the sea

00:09:42.799 --> 00:09:45.179
 was known as the area of chaos,

00:09:45.299 --> 00:09:45.899
 of death.

00:09:46.679 --> 00:09:48.620
 And maybe some of you come from

00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:50.159
 a northern community.

00:09:50.379 --> 00:09:53.240
 Maybe we have someone from an indigenous community.

00:09:53.599 --> 00:09:54.879
 You likely know

00:09:54.879 --> 00:09:56.299
 quite a few people who have drowned.

00:09:57.679 --> 00:09:59.120
 I know some people in my family

00:09:59.120 --> 00:09:59.699
 who have drowned.

00:09:59.699 --> 00:10:01.219
 The waters are a dangerous place.

00:10:01.220 --> 00:10:03.420
 We haven't mastered them completely.

00:10:04.279 --> 00:10:05.560
 And so they're in this place of chaos.

00:10:05.779 --> 00:10:06.899
 And not only that,

00:10:07.080 --> 00:10:08.240
 but Jesus is in the mountain.

00:10:10.060 --> 00:10:11.540
 Jesus is not useful in the mountain.

00:10:11.660 --> 00:10:13.360
 They need Jesus right there on the sea.

00:10:14.519 --> 00:10:17.000
 And there's, I mean, there's no flare guns.

00:10:17.160 --> 00:10:19.279
 There's no emergency helicopters.

00:10:19.440 --> 00:10:19.960
 No phones.

00:10:20.840 --> 00:10:22.440
 Everyone's asleep between 3 and 6.

00:10:22.519 --> 00:10:25.519
 Things are going really, really badly for them.

00:10:25.519 --> 00:10:28.799
 But Jesus is walking on the water

00:10:28.799 --> 00:10:30.039
 towards them.

00:10:31.139 --> 00:10:32.059
 So here we are.

00:10:32.379 --> 00:10:32.899
 The miracle.

00:10:33.399 --> 00:10:34.480
 Okay, so some of you are thinking,

00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:36.019
 okay, walking on the water.

00:10:36.559 --> 00:10:38.819
 How are you, Jonathan?

00:10:38.960 --> 00:10:39.699
 How on earth,

00:10:40.179 --> 00:10:41.559
 or maybe how on water,

00:10:42.139 --> 00:10:44.000
 Jonathan, are you going to explain this to me?

00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:46.460
 Like, please tell me that you're going to take

00:10:46.460 --> 00:10:48.139
 a very symbolic view of this.

00:10:48.659 --> 00:10:50.439
 Like, are you going to ask us to believe

00:10:50.440 --> 00:10:52.160
 this really happened?

00:10:53.960 --> 00:10:56.220
 If some of you have looked at this passage before

00:10:56.220 --> 00:10:57.600
 and looked at commentaries,

00:10:57.700 --> 00:10:59.320
 you would notice that many people

00:10:59.320 --> 00:11:01.460
 have written many things about this.

00:11:02.040 --> 00:11:05.120
 And I'll just say there's a lot of foolishness

00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:06.940
 that's been written about this.

00:11:07.660 --> 00:11:10.800
 Some people have said that there's a low tide

00:11:10.800 --> 00:11:11.700
 at that moment.

00:11:12.220 --> 00:11:14.320
 And that Jesus is coming

00:11:14.320 --> 00:11:15.240
 because there's a low tide.

00:11:15.280 --> 00:11:16.000
 So there's no miracle.

00:11:16.120 --> 00:11:18.360
 He's just walking on the bottom of the sea.

00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:21.680
 But if any of you have seen any pictures

00:11:21.680 --> 00:11:23.539
 of under the water at the bottom of the sea,

00:11:23.620 --> 00:11:24.960
 there's coral reefs and rocks.

00:11:25.100 --> 00:11:26.800
 And so Jesus would be walking like this

00:11:26.800 --> 00:11:27.680
 and cutting his feet

00:11:27.680 --> 00:11:29.000
 and not enjoying this.

00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:31.000
 Like, I don't think that makes sense.

00:11:32.139 --> 00:11:33.519
 Someone else wrote that there's,

00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:35.620
 that Jesus projected an image of himself.

00:11:37.080 --> 00:11:39.220
 Okay, well, wouldn't that be equally miraculous?

00:11:39.639 --> 00:11:42.740
 That Jesus projected an image of himself?

00:11:43.899 --> 00:11:45.960
 Someone else wrote that Jesus

00:11:45.960 --> 00:11:47.879
 is still close to the shore.

00:11:47.879 --> 00:11:49.159
 He's walking on the shore,

00:11:49.220 --> 00:11:51.799
 maybe a couple feet down from the shore.

00:11:53.179 --> 00:11:55.019
 Okay, so Peter walks in the water?

00:11:55.559 --> 00:11:57.100
 Like, how does that make sense?

00:11:57.519 --> 00:12:00.179
 Because Peter walked from the boat towards Jesus.

00:12:00.419 --> 00:12:02.019
 So Jesus doesn't walk on water,

00:12:02.200 --> 00:12:03.919
 but Peter walks on water?

00:12:05.439 --> 00:12:07.539
 And other people have compared it to myths,

00:12:07.659 --> 00:12:10.019
 but the literary genre is not the same.

00:12:10.659 --> 00:12:13.259
 And some people said that it was first understood as myth,

00:12:13.320 --> 00:12:15.580
 but later thought of as historical,

00:12:15.759 --> 00:12:16.779
 but there's no proof for that.

00:12:16.779 --> 00:12:19.480
 So what is happening here?

00:12:19.600 --> 00:12:21.399
 What is, is Jesus really walking on water?

00:12:21.860 --> 00:12:23.539
 Well, if we can have our first point, Andrew,

00:12:24.059 --> 00:12:26.879
 I think this will help us to remind us

00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:27.600
 of what is happening.

00:12:28.339 --> 00:12:31.240
 So this is the point that we've been reminding ourselves

00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:32.519
 as we are looking at these miracles

00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:33.759
 over our series.

00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:36.659
 This is a true story about Jesus

00:12:36.659 --> 00:12:37.980
 and a real miracle.

00:12:38.580 --> 00:12:40.480
 At least this is the claim that Matthew is making.

00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:43.819
 And we have to take him for what he's saying.

00:12:43.939 --> 00:12:46.340
 We can't just think he's foolish,

00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:47.860
 think he's stupid.

00:12:48.919 --> 00:12:51.259
 This is a true story about Jesus

00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:52.759
 and a real miracle.

00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:55.120
 Now the examples above,

00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:56.819
 to me at least,

00:12:56.879 --> 00:12:57.679
 sound quite ridiculous.

00:12:58.080 --> 00:12:59.059
 And part of that,

00:12:59.500 --> 00:12:59.799
 I think,

00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:01.100
 is because we don't,

00:13:01.539 --> 00:13:04.019
 often we don't check our assumptions.

00:13:04.580 --> 00:13:05.799
 We have very strong assumptions

00:13:05.799 --> 00:13:06.519
 and a lot of people

00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:07.860
 have strong assumptions

00:13:07.860 --> 00:13:08.580
 about the miraculous

00:13:08.580 --> 00:13:09.679
 and about the world.

00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:11.840
 And they bring those assumptions to the text

00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:12.460
 and they can't,

00:13:12.460 --> 00:13:14.179
 they can't listen to the text anymore.

00:13:14.319 --> 00:13:15.779
 It's not making them more rational

00:13:15.779 --> 00:13:17.759
 to have these very strong assumptions.

00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:20.279
 But we need to check our assumptions

00:13:20.279 --> 00:13:22.019
 to be able to be reasonable

00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:23.159
 with our assumptions.

00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:27.539
 I wish I had the quotes with me,

00:13:27.720 --> 00:13:29.139
 but Stephen Hawking,

00:13:29.179 --> 00:13:29.700
 you might know him

00:13:29.700 --> 00:13:31.340
 as one of the greatest physicists

00:13:31.340 --> 00:13:32.059
 that ever lived,

00:13:32.580 --> 00:13:34.379
 wrote a book in the Grand Design.

00:13:35.139 --> 00:13:36.700
 And at the very beginning of his book,

00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:37.799
 in the thesis of his book,

00:13:38.059 --> 00:13:40.480
 he talks about how laws created the universe.

00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:43.120
 So we see,

00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:44.460
 we can observe that there are laws,

00:13:44.860 --> 00:13:47.100
 therefore the laws have always been there

00:13:47.100 --> 00:13:48.560
 and the laws sustained the universe

00:13:48.560 --> 00:13:51.139
 in the way that the whole universe functions.

00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:52.040
 So therefore,

00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:54.639
 the laws must have brought the universe

00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:55.320
 into existence.

00:13:57.580 --> 00:13:59.000
 But how was,

00:13:59.440 --> 00:14:00.240
 how were there laws

00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:01.759
 before anything appeared?

00:14:01.899 --> 00:14:02.600
 Like that just,

00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:03.840
 the logic doesn't make sense.

00:14:03.920 --> 00:14:04.740
 There's a really good book

00:14:04.740 --> 00:14:06.980
 on his,

00:14:07.720 --> 00:14:09.000
 as a response to the Grand Design

00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:09.860
 by John Lennox,

00:14:09.920 --> 00:14:11.040
 who's a Christian scientist.

00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:13.320
 And even the title of the book,

00:14:13.320 --> 00:14:14.080
 The Grand Design,

00:14:14.580 --> 00:14:15.779
 like when you have a Grand Design,

00:14:15.779 --> 00:14:16.439
 would you think

00:14:16.439 --> 00:14:17.919
 that there's a Grand Designer?

00:14:18.879 --> 00:14:19.039
 Like,

00:14:19.079 --> 00:14:19.779
 doesn't that just

00:14:19.779 --> 00:14:21.259
 logically follow?

00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:23.439
 See,

00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:24.600
 God,

00:14:24.679 --> 00:14:25.600
 who is the Grand Designer,

00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:26.659
 the lawgiver,

00:14:27.399 --> 00:14:28.439
 can reveal himself

00:14:28.439 --> 00:14:29.620
 within his created order.

00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:31.679
 There's no controversy with that.

00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:33.339
 It seems perfectly logical.

00:14:34.699 --> 00:14:35.600
 And I was,

00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:36.819
 I was thinking of how can I,

00:14:36.980 --> 00:14:38.059
 what is a good image

00:14:38.059 --> 00:14:39.519
 for me to communicate this

00:14:39.519 --> 00:14:40.500
 with you this morning?

00:14:40.919 --> 00:14:41.919
 And I tested this

00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:43.019
 at the eight o'clock service,

00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:44.559
 and there was no riots

00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:45.299
 or nothing,

00:14:45.500 --> 00:14:47.100
 no objects thrown at me.

00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:48.379
 So I'm going to share it

00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:49.100
 with you as well.

00:14:49.679 --> 00:14:51.179
 I think this is helpful.

00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:52.000
 If it's not,

00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:53.079
 come tell me afterwards.

00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:53.819
 But,

00:14:54.179 --> 00:14:55.539
 for God to enter his creation,

00:14:56.139 --> 00:14:57.360
 an act miraculously

00:14:57.360 --> 00:14:59.480
 would be like a jazz artist

00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:01.279
 improvising a stunning tune

00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:03.799
 above the underlying chord sequence.

00:15:05.179 --> 00:15:06.740
 I'm assuming a tiny bit

00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:07.500
 of music knowledge

00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:08.319
 and some experience

00:15:08.319 --> 00:15:09.100
 with jazz music.

00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:10.580
 Some of you maybe think

00:15:10.580 --> 00:15:12.159
 that jazz is completely chaotic.

00:15:12.659 --> 00:15:13.220
 It's just people

00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:14.180
 playing random notes.

00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:15.379
 I assure you,

00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:16.399
 that's not the case.

00:15:17.139 --> 00:15:17.420
 There's,

00:15:17.700 --> 00:15:18.460
 they have a sheet

00:15:18.460 --> 00:15:19.800
 where there's a sequence

00:15:19.800 --> 00:15:20.420
 that's happening

00:15:20.420 --> 00:15:21.100
 and there are chords

00:15:21.100 --> 00:15:22.600
 and the person

00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:23.420
 who is improvising

00:15:23.420 --> 00:15:24.360
 is improvising

00:15:24.360 --> 00:15:25.860
 within those chords

00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:26.820
 something that is

00:15:26.820 --> 00:15:27.480
 quite logical

00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:28.860
 and it's quite masterful,

00:15:28.940 --> 00:15:29.240
 actually.

00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:30.620
 It's very impressive.

00:15:31.480 --> 00:15:32.200
 Years ago,

00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:33.220
 when I was at McGill,

00:15:34.060 --> 00:15:35.440
 I studied French horn

00:15:35.440 --> 00:15:36.200
 at McGill,

00:15:36.200 --> 00:15:38.060
 I was asked to join

00:15:38.060 --> 00:15:39.080
 the jazz ensemble,

00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:40.060
 the McGill jazz ensemble

00:15:40.060 --> 00:15:40.640
 for a concert.

00:15:41.020 --> 00:15:41.860
 They had a special guest

00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:42.879
 from the States conducting

00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:44.460
 and I was the third

00:15:44.460 --> 00:15:45.520
 French horn player they asked.

00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:45.960
 So you can,

00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:46.940
 you can understand

00:15:46.940 --> 00:15:48.200
 that French horn players

00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:49.600
 don't usually like to be asked

00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:50.400
 to play jazz

00:15:50.400 --> 00:15:51.360
 in a jazz ensemble.

00:15:52.020 --> 00:15:52.400
 So we,

00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:53.480
 so I went,

00:15:53.560 --> 00:15:54.480
 I did the gig,

00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:55.720
 I thought this would be cool

00:15:55.720 --> 00:15:56.980
 and this will be fun

00:15:56.980 --> 00:15:58.400
 but the conductor asked me

00:15:58.400 --> 00:15:59.440
 to play a solo

00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:01.860
 and I told him

00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:02.660
 very kindly,

00:16:02.900 --> 00:16:03.420
 sir,

00:16:03.420 --> 00:16:05.540
 I don't play solos.

00:16:05.539 --> 00:16:06.759
 I don't improvise.

00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:07.879
 I'm a French horn player

00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:09.719
 not a saxophone player

00:16:09.719 --> 00:16:10.500
 and he said,

00:16:10.559 --> 00:16:10.719
 ah,

00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:11.339
 you'll be fine.

00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:12.379
 Just pick two notes

00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:13.959
 and just play them

00:16:13.959 --> 00:16:14.699
 over and over again

00:16:14.699 --> 00:16:15.719
 in a very good

00:16:15.719 --> 00:16:16.579
 rhythmic sequence

00:16:16.579 --> 00:16:18.159
 and you know what,

00:16:18.219 --> 00:16:19.379
 actually I remember

00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:21.059
 there was a French horn player

00:16:21.059 --> 00:16:22.059
 once that played a solo

00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:22.699
 in my band

00:16:22.699 --> 00:16:23.659
 and he played

00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:24.639
 this very famous tune

00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:25.259
 and he just played

00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:26.159
 a little bit more jazzy.

00:16:26.339 --> 00:16:26.939
 You'll be fine.

00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:28.019
 So I thought,

00:16:28.099 --> 00:16:28.259
 okay,

00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:29.099
 I can do this.

00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:30.319
 So I got to the concert,

00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:32.599
 made a total fool of myself.

00:16:32.599 --> 00:16:35.019
 It was completely chaotic.

00:16:35.019 --> 00:16:36.199
 It had no sense

00:16:36.199 --> 00:16:36.720
 with the music

00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:37.740
 but the rest of the ensemble

00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:38.419
 sounded great.

00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:38.860
 So,

00:16:39.340 --> 00:16:39.539
 okay,

00:16:39.659 --> 00:16:40.919
 that's a little anecdote

00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:42.159
 to help us understand

00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:43.539
 that for Jesus

00:16:43.539 --> 00:16:44.600
 to walk on water,

00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:47.259
 he's not obliterating

00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:48.360
 the laws of nature

00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:49.659
 but he,

00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:50.879
 because he created

00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:51.519
 the laws of nature,

00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:53.419
 he understands them

00:16:53.419 --> 00:16:53.879
 so well

00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:54.840
 and because he's sovereign

00:16:54.840 --> 00:16:55.699
 over the laws of nature,

00:16:56.059 --> 00:16:56.960
 he can exercise

00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:59.199
 his sovereignty

00:16:59.199 --> 00:16:59.699
 over them

00:16:59.699 --> 00:17:00.199
 in a way

00:17:00.199 --> 00:17:03.000
 that is completely compatible

00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:03.980
 even though

00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:05.079
 he's walking on water.

00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:05.539
 He's the one

00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:06.559
 who created those laws.

00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:09.039
 Okay,

00:17:09.079 --> 00:17:09.960
 so not only does Matthew

00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:11.339
 claim the event

00:17:11.339 --> 00:17:12.059
 to be historical,

00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:13.000
 he also claims

00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:14.960
 that it relates

00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:16.880
 to a historical sequence,

00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:18.039
 that God has been acting

00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:19.119
 with his people

00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:20.220
 for years,

00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:21.359
 for centuries

00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:21.920
 and millennia.

00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:24.299
 We see that God

00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:25.400
 created the universe.

00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:26.660
 We already looked

00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:27.359
 at that briefly

00:17:27.359 --> 00:17:28.500
 but he also revealed

00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:29.059
 his mercy

00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:30.380
 by delivering his people

00:17:30.380 --> 00:17:31.940
 through a body of waters,

00:17:32.040 --> 00:17:32.560
 the Red Sea.

00:17:33.640 --> 00:17:34.560
 And not only that

00:17:34.560 --> 00:17:35.780
 but we see the prophets

00:17:35.780 --> 00:17:36.660
 who have done miracles

00:17:36.660 --> 00:17:38.020
 that God had enabled them

00:17:38.020 --> 00:17:39.240
 to do water miracles

00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:40.740
 and the psalmists

00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.720
 who sing about God

00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.520
 delivering people

00:17:42.520 --> 00:17:43.820
 from out of the water.

00:17:45.020 --> 00:17:45.140
 See,

00:17:45.180 --> 00:17:45.960
 this is completely

00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:46.900
 consistent

00:17:46.900 --> 00:17:48.260
 and historical.

00:17:48.520 --> 00:17:49.220
 It's following

00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:50.160
 the historical sequence

00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:51.320
 of what God has done.

00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:53.800
 And now Matthew

00:17:53.800 --> 00:17:55.220
 is recording God

00:17:55.220 --> 00:17:56.280
 before him

00:17:56.280 --> 00:17:57.440
 walking on the waters.

00:17:58.340 --> 00:17:58.780
 So we've got

00:17:58.780 --> 00:17:59.540
 our next point,

00:17:59.660 --> 00:17:59.880
 Andrew.

00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:02.260
 I think this will help us

00:18:02.260 --> 00:18:03.220
 summarize what is happening

00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:03.700
 so far.

00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:06.400
 So Jesus walking on water

00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:08.620
 isn't an impossibility

00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:10.240
 or an isolated event.

00:18:10.820 --> 00:18:11.980
 It's an announcement

00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:13.740
 that the sovereign Lord

00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:14.540
 is here.

00:18:15.820 --> 00:18:17.380
 Jesus walking on water

00:18:17.380 --> 00:18:18.520
 isn't an impossibility

00:18:18.520 --> 00:18:20.000
 or an isolated event.

00:18:20.180 --> 00:18:21.060
 It's an announcement

00:18:21.060 --> 00:18:22.140
 that the sovereign Lord

00:18:22.140 --> 00:18:23.020
 is here.

00:18:24.080 --> 00:18:26.340
 So how do the disciples

00:18:26.340 --> 00:18:27.520
 respond to Jesus

00:18:27.520 --> 00:18:28.560
 walking on water?

00:18:29.020 --> 00:18:29.240
 Like,

00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:29.900
 do they yell,

00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:30.240
 like,

00:18:30.580 --> 00:18:30.820
 Jesus,

00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:32.060
 come over here,

00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:32.800
 save us,

00:18:33.100 --> 00:18:33.660
 help us,

00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:34.460
 we're dying here.

00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:35.660
 Is that what they do?

00:18:35.720 --> 00:18:36.860
 Let's look at verse 26.

00:18:38.820 --> 00:18:39.140
 We read,

00:18:39.140 --> 00:18:50.780
 Now you might be thinking,

00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:50.960
 like,

00:18:50.960 --> 00:18:51.780
 that's odd.

00:18:51.880 --> 00:18:51.980
 Like,

00:18:52.020 --> 00:18:52.880
 didn't they just see

00:18:52.880 --> 00:18:55.440
 Jesus multiply bread

00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:57.820
 and feed over 5,000 people?

00:18:57.920 --> 00:18:58.040
 Like,

00:18:58.100 --> 00:18:59.880
 why wouldn't they just believe

00:18:59.880 --> 00:19:01.520
 that Jesus was there

00:19:01.520 --> 00:19:03.300
 and walking on the sea?

00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:06.200
 Now I think this verse

00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:07.619
 is very helpful for us

00:19:07.619 --> 00:19:08.220
 to understand

00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:11.079
 that this is a real miracle,

00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:13.200
 that people don't expect

00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:14.579
 people to walk on water.

00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:17.399
 And it also,

00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:17.799
 you know,

00:19:17.879 --> 00:19:19.200
 just as a side note,

00:19:19.379 --> 00:19:19.539
 like,

00:19:19.659 --> 00:19:20.759
 this really shows

00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:21.619
 that Jesus is

00:19:21.619 --> 00:19:22.619
 both human,

00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:24.119
 but also God,

00:19:24.319 --> 00:19:25.059
 fully human,

00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:26.200
 fully God.

00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:28.120
 And so there he is

00:19:28.120 --> 00:19:28.980
 walking on water.

00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:30.980
 And these people

00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:32.220
 who are seeing

00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:33.420
 this man,

00:19:34.360 --> 00:19:35.100
 who is God,

00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:36.259
 walking on water,

00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:39.660
 are in awe.

00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.039
 Is this a ghost?

00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:43.759
 Now some of you

00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:44.779
 also might be thinking,

00:19:45.340 --> 00:19:45.880
 okay,

00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:46.980
 this is strange,

00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:48.539
 but bear with me

00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:48.900
 for a moment.

00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:49.180
 Like,

00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:49.700
 some of you

00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:50.940
 have gone to the dentist.

00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:53.600
 Maybe it was

00:19:53.600 --> 00:19:54.420
 the 50th time

00:19:54.420 --> 00:19:55.180
 you've been to the dentist.

00:19:55.180 --> 00:19:56.259
 And,

00:19:56.340 --> 00:19:57.160
 you know,

00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:57.700
 you're fine,

00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:58.279
 everything's good.

00:19:58.360 --> 00:19:58.700
 The dentist,

00:19:58.880 --> 00:19:59.000
 you know,

00:19:59.019 --> 00:19:59.680
 it's three in the afternoon,

00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:00.799
 the dentist has been doing this

00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:02.840
 for five hours already.

00:20:03.120 --> 00:20:04.840
 They're well trained,

00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:06.620
 they know what they're doing.

00:20:06.900 --> 00:20:07.799
 But all of a sudden,

00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:09.400
 when the buzzing instrument

00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:11.460
 is coming close to your mouth,

00:20:12.060 --> 00:20:12.840
 you're starting to wonder,

00:20:13.820 --> 00:20:14.200
 uh-oh,

00:20:14.380 --> 00:20:15.080
 is this the time

00:20:15.080 --> 00:20:15.980
 when they're going to get it wrong?

00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:16.880
 Right?

00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:17.519
 We all of a sudden

00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:18.140
 start to forget,

00:20:18.220 --> 00:20:18.820
 we start to fear.

00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:20.100
 Just last week,

00:20:20.120 --> 00:20:21.360
 I was flying from Halifax,

00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:22.860
 and as you see in the blog,

00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:23.600
 I went to Halifax

00:20:23.600 --> 00:20:24.240
 to a conference,

00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:26.279
 and I was sitting by the window.

00:20:26.359 --> 00:20:27.319
 I love the window seat.

00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.500
 I was sitting by the window,

00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:30.140
 and I saw the wings

00:20:30.140 --> 00:20:31.140
 kind of going like this

00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:31.859
 in the turbulence,

00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:32.839
 and I started to wonder,

00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:35.099
 how is this plane made?

00:20:35.319 --> 00:20:35.460
 Like,

00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:36.500
 are the wings

00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:37.059
 kind of like,

00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:37.519
 you know,

00:20:37.579 --> 00:20:38.740
 drilled from the top,

00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.440
 and there's kind of like

00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.279
 a thing that goes on top,

00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:40.759
 or are they like

00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:41.940
 really built into the body?

00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:42.799
 And I started to doubt,

00:20:42.859 --> 00:20:43.500
 I started to fear,

00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:44.519
 and it's poured,

00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:45.279
 so they give you a drink.

00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:45.920
 I was looking forward

00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:47.059
 to my drink at that moment,

00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:48.059
 so I can forget

00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:48.880
 about what was,

00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:50.079
 about my fear,

00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:50.339
 that,

00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:51.120
 wow,

00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:52.039
 the wings might just like

00:20:52.039 --> 00:20:52.859
 pop off,

00:20:52.939 --> 00:20:53.559
 and the body,

00:20:53.679 --> 00:20:53.799
 like,

00:20:54.139 --> 00:20:54.719
 do these pilots,

00:20:54.719 --> 00:20:55.699
 are these pilots trained

00:20:55.699 --> 00:20:56.759
 for these moments?

00:20:58.319 --> 00:20:58.719
 So,

00:20:58.939 --> 00:20:59.099
 okay,

00:20:59.139 --> 00:20:59.759
 so I think that something

00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:00.839
 similar is happening here,

00:21:01.199 --> 00:21:02.279
 that even though we have

00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:03.539
 full confidence in something,

00:21:03.859 --> 00:21:04.619
 or in someone,

00:21:05.399 --> 00:21:06.199
 there's still times

00:21:06.199 --> 00:21:06.759
 when we fear,

00:21:07.679 --> 00:21:09.039
 because that's who we are,

00:21:09.139 --> 00:21:09.359
 that's,

00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:09.619
 that's,

00:21:09.619 --> 00:21:10.679
 that's,

00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:12.199
 that's just who we are

00:21:12.199 --> 00:21:12.859
 as human beings.

00:21:12.979 --> 00:21:13.119
 We,

00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.299
 we fear,

00:21:14.379 --> 00:21:14.939
 our emotions

00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:16.299
 can,

00:21:16.360 --> 00:21:16.940
 can flood

00:21:16.940 --> 00:21:17.279
 the,

00:21:17.320 --> 00:21:18.340
 the rational part of us

00:21:18.340 --> 00:21:18.519
 that,

00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.680
 that causes us to fear.

00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:23.700
 So,

00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:26.059
 where am I here?

00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:28.000
 Okay,

00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:28.460
 so here's,

00:21:28.620 --> 00:21:29.519
 if I can have my,

00:21:29.580 --> 00:21:30.220
 my next point,

00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:30.559
 Andrew.

00:21:33.160 --> 00:21:34.279
 We are cast away

00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:35.279
 from God's presence.

00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:36.740
 Therefore,

00:21:37.620 --> 00:21:38.960
 our hearts become faint

00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:40.920
 as we strive to survive.

00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:42.220
 Now,

00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:42.820
 I use the word

00:21:42.820 --> 00:21:43.660
 cast away here,

00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.519
 deliberately.

00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:45.379
 Some of you have seen

00:21:45.379 --> 00:21:46.279
 the movie cast away,

00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:47.639
 and you see what

00:21:47.639 --> 00:21:48.639
 being on the sea

00:21:48.639 --> 00:21:49.819
 and being in a boat

00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:50.519
 for a long time

00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:51.119
 does to you.

00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:53.019
 But,

00:21:53.139 --> 00:21:54.359
 the whole idea here

00:21:54.359 --> 00:21:55.519
 of being cast away

00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.359
 from God's presence,

00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:58.099
 and therefore our hearts

00:21:58.099 --> 00:21:59.259
 becoming faint

00:21:59.259 --> 00:22:00.440
 as we strive to survive,

00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.259
 brings us back

00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:02.099
 to the very beginning

00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:03.299
 of when God created

00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:04.500
 everything,

00:22:04.680 --> 00:22:05.480
 and created a garden,

00:22:05.660 --> 00:22:06.599
 and created human beings

00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:07.599
 to put them in the garden,

00:22:08.119 --> 00:22:09.279
 and to relate to them.

00:22:09.839 --> 00:22:10.039
 See,

00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:10.559
 in the garden,

00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:11.480
 God created

00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:12.720
 a place

00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:13.579
 where love

00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:15.220
 abounds,

00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:16.960
 where there's provision,

00:22:17.579 --> 00:22:18.819
 where we don't have to worry,

00:22:19.439 --> 00:22:20.599
 we're in communion with God,

00:22:20.679 --> 00:22:21.939
 everything is provided,

00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:24.099
 and we enjoy.

00:22:24.639 --> 00:22:25.019
 But now,

00:22:25.460 --> 00:22:26.799
 now that human beings

00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.319
 have sinned

00:22:27.319 --> 00:22:28.439
 and rebelled against God,

00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:29.079
 God

00:22:29.079 --> 00:22:30.939
 exiled us

00:22:30.939 --> 00:22:31.519
 or cast us

00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:32.519
 out of the garden,

00:22:32.659 --> 00:22:33.359
 out of this place

00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:34.359
 of harmony with God,

00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:35.720
 full provision with God.

00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:36.099
 So then,

00:22:36.879 --> 00:22:37.099
 you know,

00:22:37.139 --> 00:22:38.279
 we strive to survive,

00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:39.059
 we fear,

00:22:39.179 --> 00:22:39.899
 we get anxious.

00:22:39.900 --> 00:22:41.740
 That's just part of life.

00:22:44.840 --> 00:22:46.200
 And in some way,

00:22:46.300 --> 00:22:46.400
 this,

00:22:47.080 --> 00:22:47.340
 you know,

00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:48.480
 we as human beings

00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.800
 long for this return

00:22:49.800 --> 00:22:50.680
 to harmony,

00:22:50.800 --> 00:22:51.340
 so we create

00:22:51.340 --> 00:22:52.080
 these institutions

00:22:52.080 --> 00:22:52.759
 or politics

00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:54.320
 and technology

00:22:54.320 --> 00:22:54.920
 and the sciences

00:22:54.920 --> 00:22:56.040
 to try to capture

00:22:56.040 --> 00:22:57.280
 that goodness

00:22:57.280 --> 00:22:58.100
 and that harmony,

00:22:58.580 --> 00:22:59.180
 that safety

00:22:59.180 --> 00:22:59.720
 and security

00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:00.440
 that we had

00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:01.560
 with God.

00:23:02.840 --> 00:23:03.180
 But,

00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:05.600
 but this,

00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:06.440
 you know,

00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:09.299
 in these education systems

00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:10.500
 or political systems

00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.600
 or the sciences,

00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:12.900
 although they,

00:23:13.580 --> 00:23:13.820
 you know,

00:23:13.840 --> 00:23:14.519
 we try to use them

00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:15.519
 as means for salvation,

00:23:15.660 --> 00:23:16.400
 they are not what,

00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:17.720
 what will bring us

00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:18.320
 satisfaction.

00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.480
 They are not the presence

00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:20.180
 of God.

00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:23.299
 Our salvation

00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:23.940
 or our rescue

00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:26.400
 really is being brought back

00:23:26.400 --> 00:23:27.340
 into that relationship

00:23:27.340 --> 00:23:29.299
 where God comes to us

00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:30.140
 and rescues us

00:23:30.140 --> 00:23:31.120
 to safety with him.

00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:32.320
 And this is what we see

00:23:32.320 --> 00:23:33.759
 Jesus doing

00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.880
 in verse 27.

00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:37.460
 Let's look at verse 27.

00:23:38.380 --> 00:23:38.920
 But immediately,

00:23:39.320 --> 00:23:40.740
 Jesus spoke to the disciples

00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:41.360
 saying,

00:23:42.120 --> 00:23:42.700
 Take heart,

00:23:43.120 --> 00:23:43.740
 it is I,

00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:45.140
 do not be afraid.

00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:47.780
 He says,

00:23:47.880 --> 00:23:48.340
 Take heart,

00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:48.860
 it is I,

00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:49.640
 do not be afraid.

00:23:50.340 --> 00:23:51.540
 If I can have my next point,

00:23:51.660 --> 00:23:51.880
 Andrew.

00:23:54.620 --> 00:23:55.740
 So this is the next point.

00:23:56.040 --> 00:23:56.640
 I'm just,

00:23:56.900 --> 00:23:57.840
 I've looked at the Greek

00:23:57.840 --> 00:24:00.320
 and part of the original language

00:24:00.320 --> 00:24:02.620
 is written in such a way

00:24:02.620 --> 00:24:03.720
 that this would be

00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:05.819
 a very logical conclusion.

00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:07.240
 This is what the disciples

00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:08.319
 would have heard.

00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:09.860
 They would have heard,

00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.720
 Take courage.

00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:13.200
 I am is here.

00:24:13.880 --> 00:24:14.519
 Do not fear.

00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:16.420
 Take courage.

00:24:16.839 --> 00:24:18.000
 I am is here.

00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:19.900
 Do not fear.

00:24:20.839 --> 00:24:21.460
 And when they would,

00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:22.640
 when they would have heard this,

00:24:22.700 --> 00:24:23.059
 they would have,

00:24:23.420 --> 00:24:23.539
 you know,

00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.059
 like in the movie

00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:25.819
 when there's the memory flashback

00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.319
 that comes

00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:26.860
 and you just see

00:24:26.860 --> 00:24:27.559
 the different scenes

00:24:27.559 --> 00:24:28.400
 of one's upbringing,

00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:28.819
 they would have,

00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:29.480
 you know,

00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:31.039
 Peter and Andrew and John,

00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:31.680
 they would have heard,

00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:32.320
 you know,

00:24:32.380 --> 00:24:34.039
 they would have been brought back

00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.680
 to the stories

00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.519
 of when they were children

00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:37.060
 and hearing of the God of Moses,

00:24:37.360 --> 00:24:38.500
 the God who revealed himself

00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:39.180
 to Moses saying,

00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:41.000
 I am that I am.

00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:42.680
 Or the God who spoke

00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:43.779
 to Isaiah saying,

00:24:43.860 --> 00:24:45.080
 I am the Lord your God.

00:24:45.620 --> 00:24:46.380
 Do not fear.

00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:47.580
 They would have heard

00:24:47.580 --> 00:24:48.640
 that divine name.

00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.400
 They would have heard

00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:50.920
 that God is with them.

00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:52.759
 And this story tells us

00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.960
 in a very powerful way

00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:55.680
 that in the midst

00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:56.360
 of our storms

00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:57.160
 or our fears

00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:58.660
 or our uncertainties,

00:24:58.660 --> 00:25:01.000
 the Lord mercifully comes

00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:02.240
 to comfort

00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:03.440
 and to rescue.

00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:06.000
 Jesus is saying,

00:25:06.140 --> 00:25:06.360
 Friend,

00:25:06.840 --> 00:25:08.300
 your body is failing you.

00:25:09.259 --> 00:25:10.100
 I am is here.

00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:12.600
 You're facing poverty.

00:25:13.040 --> 00:25:14.019
 I am is here.

00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:15.000
 You're feeling lonely.

00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:16.160
 I am is here.

00:25:16.800 --> 00:25:17.960
 You're afraid of the future.

00:25:18.320 --> 00:25:19.200
 I am is here.

00:25:19.340 --> 00:25:20.340
 You're feeling hopeless.

00:25:20.820 --> 00:25:21.860
 I am is here.

00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:22.860
 Your marriage

00:25:22.860 --> 00:25:23.620
 or your relationships

00:25:23.620 --> 00:25:24.340
 are crumbling

00:25:24.340 --> 00:25:25.120
 before your eyes.

00:25:25.820 --> 00:25:26.660
 I am is here.

00:25:28.660 --> 00:25:30.120
 I am is here.

00:25:31.120 --> 00:25:31.960
 And I think this is

00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:32.740
 further pointed out

00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:34.360
 by the bracketing statements,

00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:35.360
 Take courage

00:25:35.360 --> 00:25:36.480
 and do not fear.

00:25:36.580 --> 00:25:37.380
 These are words,

00:25:37.840 --> 00:25:38.800
 the most common commandments

00:25:38.800 --> 00:25:40.140
 of God in the Old Testament.

00:25:41.300 --> 00:25:41.940
 Take courage.

00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:43.380
 I am is here.

00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:45.120
 Do not fear.

00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:47.900
 Now, I understand

00:25:47.900 --> 00:25:49.279
 that sometimes

00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:51.220
 God comforts us

00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:53.360
 with the promise

00:25:53.360 --> 00:25:54.440
 of the future,

00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:56.779
 a future rescue.

00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:57.660
 And other times

00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:58.599
 he rescues us

00:25:58.599 --> 00:26:00.460
 as a sign

00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:01.660
 of the future rescue.

00:26:02.379 --> 00:26:03.139
 And so there's always that,

00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.440
 we're always pointed

00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:05.599
 towards that future

00:26:05.599 --> 00:26:06.539
 culminating rescue

00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:08.119
 when God makes

00:26:08.119 --> 00:26:08.899
 all things new

00:26:08.899 --> 00:26:09.720
 and brings us back

00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:10.399
 into his presence.

00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:12.160
 And this story tells us

00:26:12.160 --> 00:26:14.059
 that Jesus came to us

00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:14.720
 in our exile

00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:17.139
 and comes to us

00:26:17.139 --> 00:26:18.259
 ready to help.

00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:22.559
 Now, I often forget

00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:25.819
 that God is near

00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:27.779
 to my friends

00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.480
 and my families

00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:28.940
 and neighbors

00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:29.799
 who are now Christians.

00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:32.339
 I often forget that.

00:26:32.660 --> 00:26:33.759
 I often forget that God

00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.599
 is somehow

00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:35.640
 in his providence

00:26:35.640 --> 00:26:36.779
 near to them.

00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:38.339
 When I became a Christian,

00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:39.579
 I remember

00:26:39.579 --> 00:26:40.660
 kind of looking back

00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:41.119
 at my life

00:26:41.119 --> 00:26:42.160
 and being able to see

00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:44.140
 some significant moments

00:26:44.140 --> 00:26:45.339
 that I think the Lord

00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:46.359
 was kind of pointing to me

00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:47.579
 that he was there.

00:26:48.219 --> 00:26:48.699
 He was there.

00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:49.699
 He was directing me this way.

00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:50.859
 He was preparing me for that.

00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:52.339
 He allowed this to happen

00:26:52.339 --> 00:26:53.339
 so that I would cry out

00:26:53.339 --> 00:26:54.000
 to him one day.

00:26:54.959 --> 00:26:55.599
 It didn't make sense

00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:56.099
 to me then.

00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:58.099
 It made sense to me after.

00:26:58.599 --> 00:26:59.399
 And so this, I think,

00:26:59.459 --> 00:27:00.879
 is a very good encouragement

00:27:00.879 --> 00:27:01.299
 for us

00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:03.079
 to remember

00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:04.019
 that God is near

00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:05.839
 to our unbelieving friends

00:27:05.839 --> 00:27:06.459
 and families

00:27:06.459 --> 00:27:07.299
 and neighbors.

00:27:08.339 --> 00:27:09.159
 And this is part

00:27:09.159 --> 00:27:09.919
 of Matthew's thesis.

00:27:10.979 --> 00:27:11.379
 Emmanuel,

00:27:11.639 --> 00:27:12.419
 God is with us.

00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:15.720
 We pray

00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:16.680
 because God is near.

00:27:18.360 --> 00:27:19.480
 So what would you do

00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:20.740
 if you were

00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.880
 with the disciples

00:27:21.880 --> 00:27:22.680
 in that boat

00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:23.840
 in the middle of the sea,

00:27:23.900 --> 00:27:25.140
 in the middle of the storm,

00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:26.880
 and saw Jesus

00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:28.680
 walking towards you

00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:29.300
 and saying,

00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:30.240
 I am is here.

00:27:30.340 --> 00:27:30.920
 Take courage.

00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:31.660
 Do not fear.

00:27:31.820 --> 00:27:32.519
 I am is here.

00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:34.279
 Would you say,

00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:34.779
 Jesus,

00:27:35.060 --> 00:27:35.779
 bad grammar.

00:27:37.060 --> 00:27:37.820
 I am here.

00:27:37.819 --> 00:27:40.740
 Well, let's see

00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.740
 what Peter does.

00:27:41.839 --> 00:27:42.460
 Verse 28.

00:27:43.439 --> 00:27:44.819
 And Peter answered Jesus,

00:27:45.859 --> 00:27:46.859
 Lord, if it is you,

00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:47.559
 command me

00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:48.480
 to come to you

00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.059
 on the water.

00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:50.939
 And Jesus said,

00:27:51.319 --> 00:27:51.599
 come.

00:27:52.139 --> 00:27:53.179
 So Peter got out

00:27:53.179 --> 00:27:53.599
 of the boat

00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:55.000
 and walked on the water

00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:56.539
 and came to Jesus.

00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:58.359
 Now when I read this,

00:27:59.220 --> 00:28:01.220
 I don't see myself

00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:01.980
 in Peter's shoes.

00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:03.059
 I think,

00:28:03.399 --> 00:28:03.659
 wow,

00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:04.740
 like what an imagination.

00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:05.960
 Like he sees Jesus

00:28:05.960 --> 00:28:06.759
 walking on the water?

00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:08.379
 I want to walk

00:28:08.379 --> 00:28:09.059
 on the water too.

00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:11.980
 I just don't relate to that.

00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:13.579
 I'm maybe more fearful

00:28:13.579 --> 00:28:15.220
 or I'm more careful maybe.

00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:16.079
 That's the word

00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:16.960
 that I like to use,

00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:17.879
 but I'm just more

00:28:17.879 --> 00:28:19.639
 of a wimp.

00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:21.659
 I don't see these opportunities

00:28:21.659 --> 00:28:22.079
 and think,

00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:22.500
 wow,

00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:23.200
 I should do that too.

00:28:23.839 --> 00:28:24.220
 So anyway,

00:28:24.399 --> 00:28:24.899
 wow,

00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:25.980
 like what an imagination.

00:28:26.179 --> 00:28:26.279
 What,

00:28:26.859 --> 00:28:27.159
 you know,

00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:28.139
 what ambition

00:28:28.139 --> 00:28:30.039
 that Peter would ask Jesus

00:28:30.039 --> 00:28:31.299
 to walk on water with him.

00:28:32.379 --> 00:28:33.079
 It's worth noting

00:28:33.079 --> 00:28:33.779
 that many,

00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:34.439
 many people

00:28:34.439 --> 00:28:35.079
 have written,

00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.220
 you know,

00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:36.960
 very polarized

00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:39.660
 opinions on this scene

00:28:39.660 --> 00:28:40.160
 that Peter,

00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:40.960
 you know,

00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:42.860
 like Peter is testing the Lord.

00:28:42.920 --> 00:28:43.480
 He's putting the Lord

00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:44.039
 to the test

00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:45.360
 and that's why

00:28:45.360 --> 00:28:46.220
 he falls in the water.

00:28:46.400 --> 00:28:47.700
 So we shouldn't do that.

00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:48.900
 It's not a lesson for us.

00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:49.860
 Other people,

00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:50.380
 on the other hand,

00:28:50.420 --> 00:28:50.640
 say,

00:28:51.340 --> 00:28:51.680
 wow,

00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:53.160
 like Peter asked

00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:54.319
 and it was his faith

00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:55.400
 that led him to ask

00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:56.500
 and he walked on water

00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:57.299
 and the others,

00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:58.240
 they just stayed in the boat.

00:28:58.620 --> 00:28:59.880
 Like they weren't faithful

00:28:59.880 --> 00:29:01.460
 or they weren't full of faith

00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:03.060
 but Peter had faith

00:29:03.060 --> 00:29:04.240
 and we should be like Peter.

00:29:05.060 --> 00:29:05.780
 And so it's like,

00:29:05.840 --> 00:29:06.100
 woo,

00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:07.240
 like you're being pulled

00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:08.200
 into the two extremities.

00:29:08.320 --> 00:29:09.280
 Like what do we believe

00:29:09.280 --> 00:29:09.840
 about this?

00:29:11.140 --> 00:29:11.500
 Well,

00:29:11.540 --> 00:29:12.940
 I see this not as a prescription

00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:13.840
 but as a description.

00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:16.640
 I think we can get lost

00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:17.820
 when we focus too much

00:29:17.820 --> 00:29:19.960
 on the disciples

00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:21.480
 and try to gain,

00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:22.520
 you know,

00:29:22.580 --> 00:29:23.700
 too many insights from them.

00:29:23.820 --> 00:29:24.920
 We can sort of

00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:25.720
 get ourselves

00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:27.920
 into fog

00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:28.580
 when we do that.

00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:29.699
 I think that it's better

00:29:29.699 --> 00:29:31.079
 for us to focus on Jesus

00:29:31.079 --> 00:29:31.899
 and so I think,

00:29:32.279 --> 00:29:32.379
 you know,

00:29:32.399 --> 00:29:33.439
 I take the view

00:29:33.439 --> 00:29:34.199
 that our faith

00:29:34.199 --> 00:29:34.919
 and personality

00:29:34.919 --> 00:29:36.480
 aren't necessarily

00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:37.379
 isolated from themselves.

00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:38.480
 Peter's personality

00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:40.019
 and faith combined

00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:41.639
 had him ask Jesus

00:29:41.639 --> 00:29:42.399
 to walk on the water.

00:29:42.859 --> 00:29:43.099
 Okay,

00:29:43.220 --> 00:29:43.439
 good.

00:29:45.059 --> 00:29:46.740
 And both were involved

00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.019
 in his,

00:29:47.199 --> 00:29:47.419
 yeah,

00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:48.119
 in his request

00:29:48.119 --> 00:29:50.000
 but Jesus isn't surprised

00:29:50.000 --> 00:29:51.079
 by these

00:29:51.079 --> 00:29:52.000
 but he works with them.

00:29:52.679 --> 00:29:54.359
 He works with our personality.

00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:55.599
 He created our personality.

00:29:56.039 --> 00:29:56.939
 He works with our faith.

00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:57.899
 He gave us faith.

00:29:58.579 --> 00:29:59.579
 He works with both.

00:30:00.619 --> 00:30:01.259
 I don't see this

00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:01.639
 as a,

00:30:01.639 --> 00:30:02.919
 necessarily as a prescription,

00:30:03.079 --> 00:30:03.379
 however.

00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.980
 I see that as a description.

00:30:06.059 --> 00:30:06.679
 And what happens

00:30:06.679 --> 00:30:07.399
 in verse 30

00:30:07.399 --> 00:30:09.799
 is shocking.

00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:11.039
 Let's take a look

00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:11.639
 at verse 30.

00:30:13.639 --> 00:30:14.379
 It says,

00:30:14.380 --> 00:30:18.260
 But when Peter saw the wind,

00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:19.500
 he was afraid

00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:20.860
 and beginning to sink,

00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:21.480
 he cried out,

00:30:21.540 --> 00:30:21.800
 Lord,

00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:22.640
 save me.

00:30:23.500 --> 00:30:24.580
 And Jesus immediately

00:30:24.580 --> 00:30:26.100
 reached out his hand

00:30:26.100 --> 00:30:27.220
 and took hold of Peter

00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:27.960
 saying to him,

00:30:28.380 --> 00:30:29.720
 O you of little faith,

00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:31.560
 why did you doubt?

00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:35.020
 And so we see here

00:30:35.020 --> 00:30:39.180
 that even though Peter

00:30:39.180 --> 00:30:40.040
 had great faith

00:30:40.040 --> 00:30:41.400
 and then doubted,

00:30:41.400 --> 00:30:42.900
 that Jesus was merciful,

00:30:43.060 --> 00:30:43.900
 Jesus was strong,

00:30:44.060 --> 00:30:44.660
 Jesus was able

00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:45.720
 to pull him out of the water

00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:46.140
 and I think

00:30:46.140 --> 00:30:47.080
 this is what the text

00:30:47.080 --> 00:30:49.080
 is having us contemplate,

00:30:49.540 --> 00:30:52.500
 is the faithfulness

00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:52.880
 of Jesus

00:30:52.880 --> 00:30:53.880
 and the mercy of Jesus.

00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:56.580
 Now this brings up

00:30:56.580 --> 00:30:58.440
 some pretty significant questions,

00:30:58.540 --> 00:30:59.640
 some big questions.

00:30:59.900 --> 00:30:59.960
 Like,

00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:01.660
 you might be thinking,

00:31:01.820 --> 00:31:02.400
 like he actually,

00:31:02.560 --> 00:31:03.120
 like Peter actually

00:31:03.120 --> 00:31:03.940
 went out of the water,

00:31:04.400 --> 00:31:05.280
 unlike the others.

00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:06.160
 Like,

00:31:06.180 --> 00:31:06.740
 why did Jesus

00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:08.639
 speak so harshly?

00:31:08.700 --> 00:31:09.359
 Why did he say

00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:10.460
 you had little faith

00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:11.779
 and doubted?

00:31:11.839 --> 00:31:11.980
 Like,

00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:12.519
 isn't that,

00:31:13.059 --> 00:31:13.980
 isn't that a bit harsh?

00:31:15.059 --> 00:31:15.259
 Like,

00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:16.599
 is Jesus punishing Peter

00:31:16.599 --> 00:31:17.819
 for his ambition?

00:31:19.420 --> 00:31:20.779
 Can I have the next point,

00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:21.079
 Andrew?

00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:27.180
 Jesus may allow us

00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:27.700
 to fall

00:31:27.700 --> 00:31:29.099
 so that our faith

00:31:29.099 --> 00:31:30.559
 won't lead to arrogance

00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:31.980
 but to a call

00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:32.740
 for mercy.

00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:35.160
 Jesus may allow us

00:31:35.160 --> 00:31:35.599
 to fall

00:31:35.599 --> 00:31:37.039
 so that our faith

00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:38.480
 won't lead to arrogance

00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:39.700
 but to a call

00:31:39.700 --> 00:31:40.259
 for mercy.

00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:44.319
 And this,

00:31:44.400 --> 00:31:45.480
 this might be a bit hard

00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:46.039
 for us to,

00:31:46.039 --> 00:31:46.480
 to kind of,

00:31:46.859 --> 00:31:47.160
 you know,

00:31:47.240 --> 00:31:47.759
 wrestle with,

00:31:47.839 --> 00:31:49.400
 but it really does go

00:31:49.400 --> 00:31:51.039
 against what we would expect

00:31:51.039 --> 00:31:52.640
 if Jesus' sole purpose

00:31:52.640 --> 00:31:54.640
 was to cater

00:31:54.640 --> 00:31:55.559
 to our felt needs.

00:31:57.700 --> 00:31:58.200
 You know,

00:31:58.200 --> 00:31:59.059
 if we have that relationship,

00:31:59.240 --> 00:31:59.980
 if we think that we have

00:31:59.980 --> 00:32:00.519
 this relationship

00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:01.359
 with Jesus

00:32:01.359 --> 00:32:01.700
 where,

00:32:01.700 --> 00:32:02.840
 you know,

00:32:03.539 --> 00:32:04.759
 he should just cater,

00:32:04.880 --> 00:32:05.940
 he should just serve us

00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:07.140
 and he should answer

00:32:07.140 --> 00:32:07.420
 every,

00:32:07.519 --> 00:32:08.319
 every prayer

00:32:08.319 --> 00:32:09.980
 like we want him to,

00:32:10.840 --> 00:32:12.120
 that's not a relationship

00:32:12.120 --> 00:32:13.940
 and that's not how he works.

00:32:14.840 --> 00:32:15.319
 And I think

00:32:15.319 --> 00:32:16.440
 Jesus may allow us

00:32:16.440 --> 00:32:16.759
 to fall

00:32:16.759 --> 00:32:18.080
 so that our faith

00:32:18.080 --> 00:32:19.080
 won't lead to arrogance.

00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:20.600
 It won't lead to that

00:32:20.600 --> 00:32:22.259
 towering over God

00:32:22.259 --> 00:32:23.160
 and trying to put him

00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:23.580
 in a box

00:32:23.580 --> 00:32:23.860
 and say,

00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:24.220
 God,

00:32:24.319 --> 00:32:25.420
 you owe this to me.

00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:27.440
 But,

00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:28.299
 that we would cry

00:32:28.299 --> 00:32:30.000
 and call for mercy.

00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:30.579
 Jesus,

00:32:30.839 --> 00:32:31.259
 save me.

00:32:31.339 --> 00:32:31.579
 Lord,

00:32:31.940 --> 00:32:32.700
 save me.

00:32:33.059 --> 00:32:33.660
 That we would have

00:32:33.660 --> 00:32:34.339
 that posture

00:32:34.339 --> 00:32:35.059
 before him,

00:32:35.119 --> 00:32:35.539
 that posture

00:32:35.539 --> 00:32:36.480
 of humility.

00:32:39.380 --> 00:32:39.980
 And so,

00:32:40.119 --> 00:32:41.140
 we see in this story,

00:32:41.240 --> 00:32:42.539
 this very powerful story,

00:32:42.619 --> 00:32:43.680
 that God's mercy

00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:44.759
 forms the basis

00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:45.759
 of our faith

00:32:45.759 --> 00:32:47.619
 and sustains us

00:32:47.619 --> 00:32:48.519
 through our journey.

00:32:49.519 --> 00:32:49.880
 And this,

00:32:50.059 --> 00:32:50.660
 just by the way,

00:32:50.700 --> 00:32:51.319
 this is one of the reasons

00:32:51.319 --> 00:32:53.059
 why I really like

00:32:53.059 --> 00:32:54.799
 the Anglican way,

00:32:54.900 --> 00:32:55.680
 the Anglican liturgy.

00:32:55.680 --> 00:32:57.140
 I think mercy,

00:32:57.400 --> 00:32:59.039
 seeking the mercy of God

00:32:59.039 --> 00:33:00.039
 is at the very center.

00:33:00.779 --> 00:33:01.880
 And it's so easy

00:33:01.880 --> 00:33:03.320
 for me to become arrogant.

00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:04.740
 I become way more arrogant

00:33:04.740 --> 00:33:05.640
 than I become humble.

00:33:06.900 --> 00:33:07.960
 Who would have guessed?

00:33:08.660 --> 00:33:10.920
 But I have the suspicion

00:33:10.920 --> 00:33:12.460
 that you might have

00:33:12.460 --> 00:33:13.480
 that experience as well,

00:33:13.560 --> 00:33:14.460
 that it's way more easy

00:33:14.460 --> 00:33:16.400
 for us to become arrogant

00:33:16.400 --> 00:33:16.960
 or proud

00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:18.500
 or heart of heart

00:33:18.500 --> 00:33:19.640
 and think that others

00:33:19.640 --> 00:33:20.920
 owe us certain things.

00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:22.200
 You know,

00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:22.820
 when we drive,

00:33:22.940 --> 00:33:23.560
 like,

00:33:23.559 --> 00:33:25.379
 you cut me off,

00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:25.539
 well,

00:33:25.559 --> 00:33:26.740
 you better drive fast

00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:26.960
 because,

00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:27.839
 like,

00:33:28.019 --> 00:33:29.599
 I'm going to tailgate you.

00:33:29.819 --> 00:33:30.359
 I don't know,

00:33:30.440 --> 00:33:30.559
 like,

00:33:31.039 --> 00:33:32.960
 how dare people do that to us?

00:33:33.619 --> 00:33:33.919
 But,

00:33:34.200 --> 00:33:35.220
 but we're creatures.

00:33:35.359 --> 00:33:36.200
 We're fallen creatures.

00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:37.940
 And we're all in need

00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:38.619
 of God's mercy.

00:33:41.559 --> 00:33:42.000
 Now,

00:33:42.299 --> 00:33:43.039
 some of you

00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:45.079
 are probably thinking,

00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:45.319
 okay,

00:33:45.339 --> 00:33:46.000
 I can understand

00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:47.200
 that Jesus is merciful

00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:48.159
 by pulling Peter

00:33:48.159 --> 00:33:48.960
 out of the water.

00:33:49.539 --> 00:33:50.299
 That's very good.

00:33:50.419 --> 00:33:51.059
 That's very fine.

00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:52.799
 But he rebukes him

00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:53.279
 for doubting,

00:33:53.279 --> 00:33:53.519
 like,

00:33:53.639 --> 00:33:55.220
 we mentioned that

00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:55.680
 just earlier,

00:33:55.759 --> 00:33:55.899
 but,

00:33:56.819 --> 00:33:57.059
 like,

00:33:57.099 --> 00:33:58.200
 Jesus rebukes Peter

00:33:58.200 --> 00:33:58.720
 for doubting.

00:33:59.859 --> 00:34:00.059
 Like,

00:34:00.079 --> 00:34:00.619
 isn't that,

00:34:01.279 --> 00:34:01.480
 like,

00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:01.940
 isn't that just one

00:34:01.940 --> 00:34:02.700
 of those weird

00:34:02.700 --> 00:34:03.639
 religious tactics

00:34:03.639 --> 00:34:04.700
 to have people

00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:05.759
 completely buy into

00:34:05.759 --> 00:34:06.200
 the cult,

00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:06.720
 like,

00:34:06.759 --> 00:34:07.299
 without thinking

00:34:07.299 --> 00:34:07.920
 things through?

00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:08.880
 Like,

00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:09.400
 you're not allowed

00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:10.099
 to ask questions.

00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:11.219
 You have to just believe.

00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:13.219
 You have to believe

00:34:13.219 --> 00:34:14.340
 wholeheartedly.

00:34:14.679 --> 00:34:15.259
 No questions,

00:34:15.380 --> 00:34:15.840
 no doubts.

00:34:16.279 --> 00:34:17.039
 And if you have

00:34:17.039 --> 00:34:17.800
 questions or doubts,

00:34:18.440 --> 00:34:19.699
 God is going to be

00:34:19.699 --> 00:34:20.320
 angry with you.

00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:21.179
 God's going to curse you.

00:34:21.279 --> 00:34:21.559
 Is this,

00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:22.480
 is this what's happening

00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:24.500
 here in the text?

00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:27.099
 And I think this touches

00:34:27.099 --> 00:34:28.059
 on what my friend and I

00:34:28.059 --> 00:34:29.760
 were having a conversation

00:34:29.760 --> 00:34:30.159
 over.

00:34:30.900 --> 00:34:31.059
 You know,

00:34:31.059 --> 00:34:31.900
 is Jesus okay with

00:34:31.900 --> 00:34:32.880
 that one percent

00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:33.579
 of doubt?

00:34:35.880 --> 00:34:36.280
 Now,

00:34:36.300 --> 00:34:36.840
 doubt is a very,

00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:37.599
 very big theme,

00:34:37.639 --> 00:34:39.000
 and I can't unpack

00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:40.780
 the theme exhaustively.

00:34:41.320 --> 00:34:41.659
 There's someone

00:34:41.659 --> 00:34:42.639
 from our congregation

00:34:42.639 --> 00:34:44.740
 whose sole purpose,

00:34:44.840 --> 00:34:45.400
 his job,

00:34:45.840 --> 00:34:46.500
 in his job,

00:34:46.500 --> 00:34:48.980
 is to be a good doubter,

00:34:49.320 --> 00:34:50.320
 is to read proposals

00:34:50.320 --> 00:34:51.920
 and doubt every single

00:34:51.920 --> 00:34:52.739
 word and phrase

00:34:52.739 --> 00:34:53.980
 that is in the proposals

00:34:53.980 --> 00:34:55.699
 and report to say,

00:34:56.119 --> 00:34:56.579
 this is wrong,

00:34:56.699 --> 00:34:57.340
 this is not good,

00:34:57.480 --> 00:34:58.199
 this is not a good estimate,

00:34:58.280 --> 00:34:58.780
 this is bad,

00:34:59.019 --> 00:34:59.699
 you shouldn't do this,

00:34:59.860 --> 00:35:00.460
 and, like,

00:35:00.500 --> 00:35:01.360
 just completely doubt

00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:02.280
 everything that the people

00:35:02.280 --> 00:35:02.940
 sent him.

00:35:03.659 --> 00:35:04.360
 Other people,

00:35:04.860 --> 00:35:06.199
 like myself,

00:35:06.360 --> 00:35:07.880
 like I was pursuing

00:35:07.880 --> 00:35:09.619
 a music career,

00:35:09.719 --> 00:35:10.119
 and some of you

00:35:10.119 --> 00:35:10.760
 maybe are musicians

00:35:10.760 --> 00:35:12.559
 or are doing job interviews,

00:35:12.659 --> 00:35:13.519
 and your sole purpose

00:35:13.519 --> 00:35:14.539
 is to not doubt.

00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:15.739
 If you doubt,

00:35:16.420 --> 00:35:18.119
 you'll miss your opportunity.

00:35:18.960 --> 00:35:20.219
 You'll overthink things,

00:35:20.280 --> 00:35:21.460
 so you try to suppress

00:35:21.460 --> 00:35:23.300
 that aspect of you

00:35:23.300 --> 00:35:23.820
 that doubts,

00:35:24.360 --> 00:35:25.099
 and you just try to have

00:35:25.099 --> 00:35:26.119
 full confidence

00:35:26.119 --> 00:35:26.860
 in what you're doing.

00:35:29.500 --> 00:35:30.960
 But I understand

00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:32.639
 that many of us

00:35:32.639 --> 00:35:34.960
 are facing trials right now

00:35:34.960 --> 00:35:36.699
 that have us doubting,

00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:38.639
 so I want to be careful.

00:35:40.239 --> 00:35:41.300
 I've tried to think

00:35:41.300 --> 00:35:42.800
 of different degrees

00:35:42.800 --> 00:35:44.140
 in different ways

00:35:44.140 --> 00:35:44.740
 that we doubt.

00:35:45.300 --> 00:35:46.120
 I think one of the ways

00:35:46.120 --> 00:35:46.720
 that we doubt

00:35:46.720 --> 00:35:48.780
 as human beings

00:35:48.780 --> 00:35:50.760
 is that we use doubt,

00:35:50.940 --> 00:35:52.220
 we use skepticism

00:35:52.220 --> 00:35:52.860
 or questions

00:35:52.860 --> 00:35:53.940
 as a mask

00:35:53.940 --> 00:35:55.200
 or as a hand

00:35:55.200 --> 00:35:56.580
 that says,

00:35:57.100 --> 00:35:57.780
 I'd rather keep

00:35:57.780 --> 00:35:58.400
 my autonomy,

00:35:58.620 --> 00:35:59.019
 thank you.

00:36:00.640 --> 00:36:01.720
 I think a classic example

00:36:01.720 --> 00:36:02.920
 of that is Jordan Peterson.

00:36:04.060 --> 00:36:04.940
 We see him,

00:36:04.960 --> 00:36:05.160
 you know,

00:36:05.200 --> 00:36:06.360
 talking about God a lot,

00:36:07.000 --> 00:36:08.660
 but talking about Jesus,

00:36:08.820 --> 00:36:08.960
 no,

00:36:09.019 --> 00:36:09.519
 and then he has

00:36:09.519 --> 00:36:10.620
 very sophisticated ways

00:36:10.620 --> 00:36:11.820
 of walking around

00:36:11.820 --> 00:36:13.420
 the issues of the historicity

00:36:13.420 --> 00:36:13.980
 of the Gospels

00:36:13.980 --> 00:36:14.740
 and all that.

00:36:15.600 --> 00:36:16.480
 So in some ways,

00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:18.480
 he wants to adhere to that,

00:36:18.539 --> 00:36:18.940
 but no,

00:36:19.080 --> 00:36:19.220
 like,

00:36:19.980 --> 00:36:21.120
 if it's going to cost me

00:36:21.120 --> 00:36:21.539
 my life,

00:36:21.660 --> 00:36:22.200
 no thank you.

00:36:22.420 --> 00:36:23.460
 And we use questions

00:36:23.460 --> 00:36:25.400
 and we try to use doubt

00:36:25.400 --> 00:36:26.120
 in that way

00:36:26.120 --> 00:36:27.220
 to create a barrier.

00:36:28.260 --> 00:36:29.140
 And others who have

00:36:29.140 --> 00:36:30.019
 intellectual doubts

00:36:30.019 --> 00:36:31.240
 that,

00:36:31.600 --> 00:36:32.360
 you know,

00:36:32.380 --> 00:36:33.280
 if they were resolved,

00:36:33.640 --> 00:36:34.960
 we would happily embrace

00:36:34.960 --> 00:36:35.800
 the Christian faith

00:36:35.800 --> 00:36:37.640
 or some truths

00:36:37.640 --> 00:36:38.519
 about the Christian life.

00:36:38.519 --> 00:36:39.079
 like,

00:36:39.159 --> 00:36:39.599
 I just,

00:36:39.699 --> 00:36:40.860
 I'm struggling with Jesus

00:36:40.860 --> 00:36:41.719
 with this one thing.

00:36:42.679 --> 00:36:43.800
 Do you really mean that?

00:36:44.579 --> 00:36:46.019
 And we feel pressed inside

00:36:46.019 --> 00:36:46.460
 emotionally

00:36:46.460 --> 00:36:47.179
 where we're not sure.

00:36:47.320 --> 00:36:48.039
 But if the answer

00:36:48.039 --> 00:36:48.460
 were to come,

00:36:48.500 --> 00:36:49.360
 we would embrace

00:36:49.360 --> 00:36:50.239
 that truth.

00:36:50.280 --> 00:36:51.159
 We would embrace Jesus.

00:36:51.639 --> 00:36:51.860
 That's,

00:36:51.940 --> 00:36:52.400
 I think,

00:36:52.420 --> 00:36:52.920
 the second way

00:36:52.920 --> 00:36:53.619
 that we tend to doubt.

00:36:53.679 --> 00:36:54.340
 And the third way,

00:36:54.599 --> 00:36:55.579
 I think,

00:36:55.719 --> 00:36:55.920
 is

00:36:55.920 --> 00:36:57.719
 when we have

00:36:57.719 --> 00:36:58.759
 circumstances

00:36:58.759 --> 00:37:00.759
 that

00:37:00.759 --> 00:37:04.519
 bring trial

00:37:04.519 --> 00:37:05.079
 over us

00:37:05.079 --> 00:37:06.219
 and our emotions,

00:37:06.480 --> 00:37:07.380
 you know,

00:37:07.440 --> 00:37:08.639
 they get the best of us.

00:37:09.500 --> 00:37:10.319
 And we wonder,

00:37:10.779 --> 00:37:10.960
 God,

00:37:11.019 --> 00:37:11.519
 are you good?

00:37:12.139 --> 00:37:13.119
 Are you good in this?

00:37:14.239 --> 00:37:15.519
 Are you still good in this?

00:37:15.639 --> 00:37:16.199
 Are you faithful?

00:37:16.259 --> 00:37:17.119
 Are you going to be faithful?

00:37:18.079 --> 00:37:18.360
 God,

00:37:18.759 --> 00:37:19.819
 are you going to be with us?

00:37:20.019 --> 00:37:20.860
 Are you going to be with me?

00:37:22.099 --> 00:37:23.039
 And I think we see this

00:37:23.039 --> 00:37:23.719
 with Peter,

00:37:24.159 --> 00:37:25.279
 that he was convinced

00:37:25.279 --> 00:37:26.960
 of Jesus walking on the water.

00:37:27.159 --> 00:37:27.360
 Wow,

00:37:27.480 --> 00:37:27.579
 like,

00:37:28.019 --> 00:37:28.360
 Jesus,

00:37:28.559 --> 00:37:29.059
 invite me.

00:37:29.940 --> 00:37:30.920
 But then he saw the wind

00:37:30.920 --> 00:37:32.159
 and he got afraid.

00:37:32.159 --> 00:37:35.980
 And so he began to sink.

00:37:37.799 --> 00:37:38.679
 But what I find

00:37:38.679 --> 00:37:39.480
 really interesting

00:37:39.480 --> 00:37:40.339
 about this text

00:37:40.339 --> 00:37:40.779
 is that

00:37:40.779 --> 00:37:42.619
 there's no resolution

00:37:42.619 --> 00:37:43.379
 to the question.

00:37:44.480 --> 00:37:44.719
 Oh,

00:37:44.759 --> 00:37:45.480
 you of little faith,

00:37:45.539 --> 00:37:46.139
 why did you doubt?

00:37:47.339 --> 00:37:48.279
 Then it moves on.

00:37:48.440 --> 00:37:49.980
 We see in verse 32,

00:37:50.099 --> 00:37:50.899
 it just moves on

00:37:50.899 --> 00:37:51.379
 to,

00:37:51.639 --> 00:37:52.699
 and when they got into the boat,

00:37:53.000 --> 00:37:53.819
 the wind ceased.

00:37:55.920 --> 00:37:56.319
 See,

00:37:56.339 --> 00:37:56.879
 I think Matthew

00:37:56.879 --> 00:37:58.119
 used this question

00:37:58.119 --> 00:37:59.179
 as a rhetorical device,

00:37:59.440 --> 00:38:01.259
 as a very powerful way

00:38:01.259 --> 00:38:01.759
 to have

00:38:01.760 --> 00:38:02.800
 you and I

00:38:02.800 --> 00:38:04.080
 ask that question

00:38:04.080 --> 00:38:04.640
 of ourselves.

00:38:06.320 --> 00:38:07.440
 What is my doubt?

00:38:08.020 --> 00:38:09.740
 What is my 1% of doubt?

00:38:10.400 --> 00:38:10.840
 Is it

00:38:10.840 --> 00:38:11.820
 a mechanism

00:38:11.820 --> 00:38:12.560
 that I use

00:38:12.560 --> 00:38:13.620
 to preserve

00:38:13.620 --> 00:38:14.440
 my autonomy

00:38:14.440 --> 00:38:15.500
 and preserve myself

00:38:15.500 --> 00:38:16.800
 and do what I want?

00:38:16.880 --> 00:38:17.800
 Is it a license

00:38:17.800 --> 00:38:19.440
 to live my own

00:38:19.440 --> 00:38:20.400
 personal lifestyle

00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:21.820
 and enjoy

00:38:21.820 --> 00:38:23.760
 things that are

00:38:23.760 --> 00:38:25.540
 contrary to God's will?

00:38:26.240 --> 00:38:26.600
 Or,

00:38:27.660 --> 00:38:27.880
 you know,

00:38:27.940 --> 00:38:29.240
 are my doubts

00:38:29.239 --> 00:38:31.439
 really about

00:38:31.439 --> 00:38:32.959
 finding out more?

00:38:33.059 --> 00:38:34.359
 Is it true skepticism

00:38:34.359 --> 00:38:35.139
 where I would love

00:38:35.139 --> 00:38:35.979
 to have the answer?

00:38:36.319 --> 00:38:37.019
 And if you're in that

00:38:37.019 --> 00:38:37.679
 position right now,

00:38:37.719 --> 00:38:38.599
 if you're asking

00:38:38.599 --> 00:38:39.579
 those big questions,

00:38:39.959 --> 00:38:40.859
 feel free to talk

00:38:40.859 --> 00:38:41.659
 with me

00:38:41.659 --> 00:38:42.479
 or some of the others

00:38:42.479 --> 00:38:43.679
 after the service.

00:38:43.839 --> 00:38:45.079
 I would love to pray

00:38:45.079 --> 00:38:46.079
 and walk through

00:38:46.079 --> 00:38:46.619
 that with you.

00:38:47.899 --> 00:38:48.279
 And

00:38:48.279 --> 00:38:50.000
 for others,

00:38:50.719 --> 00:38:51.059
 you know,

00:38:51.419 --> 00:38:52.519
 it's really about

00:38:52.519 --> 00:38:53.519
 the goodness of God.

00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:56.599
 so-and-so

00:38:56.599 --> 00:38:57.179
 in my family

00:38:57.179 --> 00:38:57.619
 is sick.

00:38:58.099 --> 00:38:59.039
 Is God still good?

00:39:00.699 --> 00:39:01.360
 So let's see

00:39:01.360 --> 00:39:01.820
 how this story

00:39:01.820 --> 00:39:02.259
 wraps up

00:39:02.259 --> 00:39:02.980
 in verse 32.

00:39:05.059 --> 00:39:05.900
 We see here,

00:39:06.960 --> 00:39:07.579
 it says that

00:39:07.579 --> 00:39:08.400
 when they got

00:39:08.400 --> 00:39:09.199
 into the boat,

00:39:09.420 --> 00:39:10.280
 the wind ceased.

00:39:11.099 --> 00:39:12.179
 And those in the boat

00:39:12.179 --> 00:39:13.579
 worshipped Jesus,

00:39:13.759 --> 00:39:14.019
 saying,

00:39:14.400 --> 00:39:14.699
 truly,

00:39:14.900 --> 00:39:15.739
 you are the Son

00:39:15.739 --> 00:39:16.659
 of God.

00:39:18.139 --> 00:39:19.340
 And so here we see

00:39:19.340 --> 00:39:20.480
 in this story

00:39:20.480 --> 00:39:21.699
 the power of Jesus

00:39:21.699 --> 00:39:22.939
 as the Lord,

00:39:23.019 --> 00:39:23.759
 the sovereign Lord

00:39:23.759 --> 00:39:24.460
 over creation.

00:39:24.839 --> 00:39:25.619
 We see the mercy

00:39:25.619 --> 00:39:26.079
 of Jesus

00:39:26.079 --> 00:39:27.139
 walking towards

00:39:27.139 --> 00:39:27.779
 his disciples

00:39:27.779 --> 00:39:29.259
 who are in trouble.

00:39:30.279 --> 00:39:31.379
 He's walking on the sea

00:39:31.379 --> 00:39:32.279
 in the middle

00:39:32.279 --> 00:39:32.899
 of their trials

00:39:32.899 --> 00:39:33.719
 and he's there

00:39:33.719 --> 00:39:34.219
 with them.

00:39:34.699 --> 00:39:35.339
 We see his mercy

00:39:35.339 --> 00:39:36.359
 and he rescues Peter.

00:39:37.839 --> 00:39:39.559
 We see the big theme

00:39:39.559 --> 00:39:40.279
 of salvation

00:39:40.279 --> 00:39:41.039
 and worship

00:39:41.039 --> 00:39:42.119
 where Jesus

00:39:42.119 --> 00:39:43.119
 rescuing them

00:39:43.119 --> 00:39:44.239
 and ceasing

00:39:44.239 --> 00:39:45.559
 the wind

00:39:45.559 --> 00:39:47.159
 brings worship.

00:39:47.379 --> 00:39:47.899
 That they worship,

00:39:48.000 --> 00:39:48.519
 they see Jesus

00:39:48.519 --> 00:39:49.079
 and they say,

00:39:49.419 --> 00:39:49.639
 truly,

00:39:49.799 --> 00:39:50.539
 you are the Son

00:39:50.539 --> 00:39:51.359
 of God.

00:39:51.699 --> 00:39:54.960
 See,

00:39:55.019 --> 00:39:55.419
 this story,

00:39:55.519 --> 00:39:56.819
 Jesus powerfully

00:39:56.819 --> 00:39:58.659
 conquered the deadly

00:39:58.659 --> 00:39:59.519
 powers of the sea

00:39:59.519 --> 00:40:00.699
 and saved those

00:40:00.699 --> 00:40:01.099
 on the sea.

00:40:01.199 --> 00:40:02.939
 But this also

00:40:02.939 --> 00:40:03.839
 powerfully captures

00:40:03.839 --> 00:40:05.339
 what he would

00:40:05.339 --> 00:40:05.960
 later do

00:40:05.960 --> 00:40:06.960
 on the cross.

00:40:07.419 --> 00:40:07.919
 So if we have

00:40:07.919 --> 00:40:08.879
 our last point,

00:40:09.000 --> 00:40:09.199
 Andrew.

00:40:10.539 --> 00:40:11.699
 Jesus on the cross

00:40:11.699 --> 00:40:12.739
 is God's

00:40:12.739 --> 00:40:13.859
 strong hand

00:40:13.859 --> 00:40:14.639
 extended

00:40:14.639 --> 00:40:16.039
 to all who cry,

00:40:16.679 --> 00:40:16.980
 Lord,

00:40:17.159 --> 00:40:17.879
 save me.

00:40:19.779 --> 00:40:21.079
 Jesus on the cross

00:40:21.079 --> 00:40:21.619
 is God's

00:40:21.619 --> 00:40:22.940
 strong hand

00:40:22.940 --> 00:40:24.159
 extended to all

00:40:24.159 --> 00:40:24.699
 who cry,

00:40:25.199 --> 00:40:25.500
 Lord,

00:40:25.860 --> 00:40:26.480
 save me.

00:40:28.400 --> 00:40:28.920
 See,

00:40:29.079 --> 00:40:29.659
 you and I

00:40:29.659 --> 00:40:30.259
 are,

00:40:30.639 --> 00:40:31.219
 in some ways,

00:40:31.340 --> 00:40:32.000
 we're Peter.

00:40:32.239 --> 00:40:32.920
 We're sinking.

00:40:34.239 --> 00:40:35.079
 We're sinking

00:40:35.079 --> 00:40:36.579
 and we are

00:40:36.579 --> 00:40:37.779
 completely dependent

00:40:37.779 --> 00:40:38.860
 upon the rescue

00:40:38.860 --> 00:40:39.840
 and the mercy

00:40:39.840 --> 00:40:40.920
 of Jesus.

00:40:40.920 --> 00:40:42.059
 and there's no

00:40:42.059 --> 00:40:43.400
 better way for us

00:40:43.400 --> 00:40:44.300
 to contemplate

00:40:44.300 --> 00:40:44.960
 the mercy of Jesus

00:40:44.960 --> 00:40:45.980
 than looking at the cross

00:40:45.980 --> 00:40:47.320
 where Jesus,

00:40:47.480 --> 00:40:48.280
 the Son of God,

00:40:49.180 --> 00:40:50.659
 who was all-powerful,

00:40:52.579 --> 00:40:53.119
 gave up

00:40:53.119 --> 00:40:54.139
 his splendor,

00:40:54.220 --> 00:40:54.579
 gave up

00:40:54.579 --> 00:40:55.500
 his glory,

00:40:55.659 --> 00:40:56.300
 everything that,

00:40:56.559 --> 00:40:57.200
 all the praise

00:40:57.200 --> 00:40:58.019
 that was due to him,

00:40:58.079 --> 00:40:58.480
 all the praise

00:40:58.480 --> 00:40:59.400
 that he had in heaven,

00:40:59.820 --> 00:41:01.039
 he laid it down

00:41:01.039 --> 00:41:02.300
 and he came to die

00:41:02.300 --> 00:41:02.659
 for us

00:41:02.659 --> 00:41:03.280
 so that he could

00:41:03.280 --> 00:41:04.480
 offer the ultimate

00:41:04.480 --> 00:41:05.099
 rescue

00:41:05.099 --> 00:41:06.380
 over our

00:41:06.380 --> 00:41:08.119
 sin,

00:41:08.200 --> 00:41:09.019
 over our death

00:41:09.019 --> 00:41:11.599
 and he will one day

00:41:11.599 --> 00:41:12.680
 put all of creation

00:41:12.680 --> 00:41:13.740
 back into its

00:41:13.740 --> 00:41:14.340
 proper order

00:41:14.340 --> 00:41:15.280
 so that we will have

00:41:15.280 --> 00:41:16.280
 full harmony

00:41:16.280 --> 00:41:17.460
 with God

00:41:17.460 --> 00:41:18.800
 like in the garden.

00:41:19.340 --> 00:41:19.900
 Please stand.

00:41:28.900 --> 00:41:29.940
 Jesus can meet

00:41:29.940 --> 00:41:30.940
 you in the storm.

00:41:31.119 --> 00:41:31.800
 Jesus can meet

00:41:31.800 --> 00:41:33.940
 us in our fears,

00:41:34.780 --> 00:41:35.700
 in our uncertainties,

00:41:35.699 --> 00:41:36.599
 in our hypocrisy,

00:41:37.019 --> 00:41:38.239
 in our lack of faith,

00:41:38.539 --> 00:41:39.139
 in our doubts,

00:41:39.739 --> 00:41:40.779
 and any other situation.

00:41:42.779 --> 00:41:43.779
 Some of you have doubts

00:41:43.779 --> 00:41:44.659
 and again,

00:41:44.819 --> 00:41:45.899
 I invite you to come

00:41:45.899 --> 00:41:47.019
 talk with me after

00:41:47.019 --> 00:41:48.019
 or talk with someone else

00:41:48.019 --> 00:41:49.939
 and others of you

00:41:49.939 --> 00:41:50.539
 are feeling lost

00:41:50.539 --> 00:41:51.419
 or running away

00:41:51.419 --> 00:41:52.519
 and you know it

00:41:52.519 --> 00:41:53.159
 in the deep

00:41:53.159 --> 00:41:54.519
 parts of your heart

00:41:54.519 --> 00:41:57.879
 and you're wondering,

00:41:58.000 --> 00:41:58.119
 you know,

00:41:58.179 --> 00:41:59.359
 if I call out to Jesus,

00:41:59.699 --> 00:42:00.759
 will that be good for me?

00:42:01.000 --> 00:42:01.500
 Will that be good?

00:42:01.519 --> 00:42:02.039
 And I assure you,

00:42:02.059 --> 00:42:02.539
 it is good.

00:42:02.839 --> 00:42:03.899
 It is good to call out

00:42:03.899 --> 00:42:04.259
 to Jesus.

00:42:04.399 --> 00:42:05.259
 He will save you.

00:42:05.260 --> 00:42:06.280
 He will save you

00:42:06.280 --> 00:42:08.680
 from the deadly waters.

00:42:09.520 --> 00:42:10.360
 Let us pray.

00:42:12.000 --> 00:42:12.500
 Father,

00:42:12.640 --> 00:42:13.300
 you are the

00:42:13.300 --> 00:42:15.580
 ultimate giver

00:42:15.580 --> 00:42:16.340
 of life

00:42:16.340 --> 00:42:17.000
 and you sent

00:42:17.000 --> 00:42:17.640
 your son Jesus

00:42:17.640 --> 00:42:19.040
 that we might have life,

00:42:19.120 --> 00:42:20.180
 that we may have life

00:42:20.180 --> 00:42:20.800
 in him.

00:42:21.280 --> 00:42:22.000
 And I thank you,

00:42:22.100 --> 00:42:22.180
 Lord,

00:42:22.240 --> 00:42:22.660
 that you,

00:42:22.860 --> 00:42:23.000
 Jesus,

00:42:23.140 --> 00:42:23.860
 died on the cross

00:42:23.860 --> 00:42:24.540
 for us,

00:42:24.660 --> 00:42:25.700
 for our salvation.

00:42:25.840 --> 00:42:26.340
 And I pray

00:42:26.340 --> 00:42:28.300
 that the truths

00:42:28.300 --> 00:42:28.880
 of your gospel

00:42:28.880 --> 00:42:29.440
 would touch us

00:42:29.440 --> 00:42:30.320
 so deeply today

00:42:30.320 --> 00:42:31.760
 that,

00:42:31.860 --> 00:42:32.260
 Lord,

00:42:32.440 --> 00:42:33.740
 many of us here

00:42:33.740 --> 00:42:35.320
 would understand

00:42:35.320 --> 00:42:35.880
 the goodness

00:42:35.880 --> 00:42:36.480
 that comes

00:42:36.480 --> 00:42:37.160
 through our

00:42:37.160 --> 00:42:38.059
 relationship with you,

00:42:38.160 --> 00:42:38.920
 through repenting

00:42:38.920 --> 00:42:39.780
 and turning to you

00:42:39.780 --> 00:42:41.420
 and asking

00:42:41.420 --> 00:42:42.600
 for your mercy.

00:42:44.340 --> 00:42:44.800
 So,

00:42:44.860 --> 00:42:44.940
 Lord,

00:42:44.960 --> 00:42:45.580
 as we meditate

00:42:45.580 --> 00:42:46.340
 upon these words,

00:42:46.380 --> 00:42:46.920
 as we meditate

00:42:46.920 --> 00:42:47.680
 upon the cross

00:42:47.680 --> 00:42:48.280
 and what Jesus

00:42:48.280 --> 00:42:48.860
 has done

00:42:48.860 --> 00:42:49.720
 for us,

00:42:49.760 --> 00:42:50.340
 I pray that you

00:42:50.340 --> 00:42:51.059
 would bless us,

00:42:51.059 --> 00:42:51.700
 that you would

00:42:51.700 --> 00:42:52.940
 bless us

00:42:52.940 --> 00:42:54.240
 and grow us

00:42:54.240 --> 00:42:55.620
 and allow us

00:42:55.620 --> 00:42:56.000
 to know

00:42:56.000 --> 00:42:56.940
 that goodness

00:42:56.940 --> 00:42:58.100
 of fellowship

00:42:58.099 --> 00:42:58.579
 with you.

00:42:58.940 --> 00:42:59.839
 In Jesus' name,

00:43:00.480 --> 00:43:00.779
 Amen.