May 29, 2016

Where No Man Has a Gone Before

Matthew 14:22-23

Out of 100 Christians 1 will share their faith in their lifetime. For the vast amount of Christians Jesus is there to help us in our lives. Jesus things are the things you can't do by yourself. You can't make an unbeliever accept the gospel.

Peter's walk on the water.

We don't know the distance. He's out there he's on the water. The disciples are watching Jesus walking on the water then Peter walking out on the water. Who else did what Peter did. If your wait to do it perfectly before you do the thing God is giving you the opportunity to do, you will never do anything for the Lord. Not everything people do in the name in Jesus, are claimed in the name of Jesus. Gods will for us and our families is not always the scientifically rational thing to do.

Peter wanted to do what Jesus did.

Every rendition of Jesus walking on the water is preceded by the feeding of the 5,000. (5,000 men... Not including the women and children.) the disciples were used to sharing I. The works of what Jesus did. Being a Christian is being who Jesus is, doing what Jesus did and saying what Jesus said. Christian means little Christ. Jesus didn't only call us to be ambassadors but to be disciples, imitations. Soft serve Christianity wants the blessings of Christ without the commitment to Christ.

Peter followed Jesus where he understood the risk.

The Sea of Galilee was not as big as imagined. It was a big part of their lives. In your workplace, in your marriage, in your heart of hearts; That environment can be the very place where God steps in.

The greatest areas of faith that you are looking to make in you life, the greatest areas of ministry, the greatest areas of faith will be in your everyday. Sometimes we avoid areas, it is in these places God wants to reveal His glory.

God continually refined Peter's zeal.

Peter did what came to him on impulse. Jesus is tweaking and tuning Peter's zeal. Man of action. When we have impulse and zeal they can get you in trouble, other times sitting and waiting too long will make you miss the opportunity. It is not about His glory but our reputation. He makes it purposely uncomfortable to grow in His grace. Godly zeal is an admirable thing. Adjust the nature of your life to be less about yourself.

Jesus didn't let Peter fail completely.

Peters failure was caused by distraction. Peter didn't take a step and sink. He went far enough out I the middle of no where. He didn't sink all at once. "He started to sink" ... it was a gradual thing. Jesus is right there to catch him. It wasn't showing off. He did what was necessary in Christ. Gods will is not that we continue to do childish things indefinitely. Every now and then God uses failure to teach us what we need to learn. He is there to catch you if you fall.

Peter learned the winds are temporary.

How much does Satan need to do in your everyday life to distract you from the Lord. That thing that keeps you up at night is temporary. God will get us through.