Matthew 14:22-33
SINKING PETER
LIFE OF CHRIST #29
One of the greatest English Speaking preachers who ever lived was Charles Haddon Spurgeon. He was known as the “Prince of Preachers”, and from a very young age until his death pastored in London England at a church known as the Metropolitan Tabernacle. Thousands came to hear him preach. Thousands read his sermons which were printed in pamphlets. Thousands were saved. Thousands today still read his sermons and other books including his classic work on the Psalms, called The Treasury of David.
The ministry of Spurgeon was almost stopped when he was only 22 years old. In order to accommodate the crowds that wanted to hear him, Spurgeon has rented a secular music hall called Surrey Gardens. The vast auditorium held ten thousand people, and was packed out.
The service that evening began on time. There was a greeting, a prayer, a hymn, then the Scripture was read, and another hymn was sung. Spurgeon then took the pulpit, asking the people to join him in prayer. During the prayer someone started yelling, “Fire! Fire!” and people began to panic, trying to get out of the building.
There was no fire. Pranksters were responsible. The end result of the panic was seven people dead and thirty taken to the hospital.
Spurgeon had escaped to a side room and collapsed on the floor. Spurgeon was devastated and taken to the home of a trusted friend to recuperate.
According to the book, The Hidden Price of Greatness, “Plunged into a pit of anguish, he sought comfort from God. None came.
Tears and doubts filled his waking thoughts and nightmares filled his sleep. He opened his Bible in search of strength; it only deepened his grief. His prayers seemed to bounce off a sky of brass.
To make matters worse the press, as it would in our day, criticized him unmercifully. It did not look good for the ministry of Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“In the second week after the incident, while Spurgeon walked in the small garden, a verse from the Bible came forcefully into his mind, Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (Philippians 2:9). The words bathed his soul and restored his faith.
“The name of Jesus became a strong tower of safety. Song burst from him, and the chains about his mind broke in pieces. He was free.” Ray Beeson, Ranelda Mack Hunsicker, The Hidden Price of Greatness (Wheaton, Illinois, Tyndale House Publishers, 1991) I don’t know the page numbers, but it is the chapter about Spurgeon.
Just two weeks after the disaster Spurgeon was back in his pulpit, preaching on the very verse which God used to free him. Spurgeon was to sink in defeat, despondency and despair, but Jesus Christ rescued Him!
This is not an unusual story, for every Christian faces times of trial when faith gets weak, and we being to sink.
Such was the case of Peter in our Scripture Reading, as we continue our chronological study of the Life of Christ. At one of the greatest spiritual moments of his life, as he began to walk on water, Peter began to sink!
Because there will be times when we sink, we need to study this incident in the Life of Peter. But there is another reason we need to study this passage.
This passage of Scripture has much to teach us about something God wants to have. That’s faith!
Four times in the Bible it says, the just shall live by faith.
Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Romans 5:1 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Peter has much to teach us about faith, especially faith during trials. This morning we want to see:
MOTIVATED FAITH – Vss. 25-28
MOVING FAITH – Vs. 29
MISDIRECTED FAITH – Vs. 30
MENDED FAITH – Vss. 31-33
We pick up our story where we left last week. Jesus fed the five thousand men plus women and children miraculously.
The people were so excited that some were considering forcibly making him king. Ruling the world comes later when Jesus will return the second time. But the purpose of Jesus coming the first time was to save sinners and give them eternal life.
John 6:15 - When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
Vs. 22 – Jesus ordered the disciples into a boat and sent them to the opposite shore.
He needed them to get out of there because they did not yet understand the atoning work that the Lord must do. They would have wanted to make Jesus king then and there as well.
Vs. 23 – Jesus sent the crowd home and went to pray.
Vs. 24 – There was a storm. The wind blew the boat off course, and they were out in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. The waves were battering the boat, and the wind was contrary. According to Mark they were toiling at rowing. Folks, they were battling for their lives!
Why were the disciples out there in the midst of the storm? Because the Lord had sent them!
Allow me to remind you that some of the biggest storms you will ever face in this life are ones that will come up because you are obeying your Lord Jesus!
There are two kinds of storms you will face if you are a Christian. You will face corrective storms. God will allow trials and hardships so you will straighten your life out and do what God wants you to do!
Jonah faced a corrective storm and was swallowed by the giant fish because he was being disciplined by God.
The other type of storm we face is the character building storm.
James 1:2-5 - My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. [5] If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Romans 5:3-5 - And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; [4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope: [5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
2 Timothy 3:12 - Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
It is the storms of life that teach us to trust Christ. It is the storms of life that teach us patience and maturity. It is the storms of life that lead us to a greater experience of hope and love, if we respond correctly. It is the storms of life which help us identify with the sufferings which our Lord went through for us.
MOTIVATED FAITH – Vss. 25-28
Vss. 25-26 – The fourth watch was between three and six in the morning. They had left between six and nine in the evening. So, they had been toiling for several hours.
Why did Jesus wait so long before He came? He wanted to allow them to be at the end of their own strength, just as Jesus delayed coming to Lazarus when He was sick. He waited for Lazarus to die, so that His power and glory would be all the more apparent.
Friend, although Jesus is always with us, he does not always make his presence known right away. Sometimes He seems to be silent. He waits for us to come to the end of ourselves before he lets us know that He is coming with help.
It is especially in the storms of life when Jesus makes His presence known.
It is during the surgery, or the recovery from an accident, or a bereavement, or a severe hurt or misunderstanding that Jesus come to us and says,
Isaiah 43:2 - When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Isaiah 41:10 - Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
And note the words of Vs. 27 …Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
The disciples thought that they were seeing a ghost, but in reality it’s their closest and dearest friend. In reality it’s their Savior and Lord, the very Son of God.
Why did Jesus walk on Water?
It’s hard to be certain, but here are some ideas:
· It showed the disciples that He would and could do whatever it takes to rescue them.
· It demonstrated His authority over the very problem the disciples were facing. And He has authority over your problems as well, my friend.
· It demonstrated Christ’s deity. This is something only God could do.
Vs. 28 – Now Peter enters the story. Although Peter was impetuous, and often talked without thinking, there is little to fault Peter for here.
Peter loved his Lord.
Peter wanted to please His Lord.
Peter enjoyed being in the Lord’s presence.
Peter always wanted to be where His Lord was.
He was quick to obey, and quick to repent, if necessary.
Peter said, “If”, or rather, “Since” it’s you, Lord, let me come out and join you. Peter realized that it was safer to be with Jesus on the water than it was to be without Jesus in the boat.
Notice, too, that Peter didn’t just jump out of the boat. He asked for permission. He was totally submitted to the Lord’s will in this.
There will be times in your life my friend, perhaps in the midst of a storm, when the Lord is going to challenge you to ask Him for something special, or to trust him for something special. You may be motivated to go somewhere no one else would dare to go. You may be motivated to do something no one else would dare to do.
Missionary Hudson Taylor walked around China in native garb.
Amy Carmichael rescued young girls destined to be temple prostitutes in India.
Jack Wyrtzen started a radio program, several camps, a Bible Institute, and conducted all sorts of youth rallies.
Peter’s faith was motivated by the Lord Jesus.
Let the Lord Jesus motivate your faith.
MOTIVATED FAITH
MOVING FAITH – Vs. 29
Vs. 29 – With Jesus’ permission, Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water. He did it!
Jesus was the one holding Peter up.
All Peter had to do was to trust Jesus for the strength.
Moving faith is better than stationary faith.
Moving faith says, “I will actively trust God and do whatever he wants me to do”.
Stationary faith says, “Oh yes, God can do anything, but I’ll play it safe and not take any chances.”
I’ve seen moving faith when a man brought to young men to our roller skating party in Amsterdam, New York so they would hear the Gospel. He then tracked down the speaker so that he would witness to them.
I saw moving faith one night when a lady name Barb prayed with another man, Mike, to lead him to the Lord.
I’ve seen moving faith when some of our church family have comforted others and/or brought them a meal or gift.
God will motivate you to step out in faith to do good works during good times and bad. This is his will for you life after you are saved.
Ephesians 2:10 - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
You say you have faith in Christ. You know you have forgiveness and eternal life because of your faith in Him.
What are you doing to indicate that you’re willing to get out of the boat and serve Him?
MOTIVATED FAITH
MOVING FAITH
MISDIRECTED FAITH – Vs. 30
Vs. 30 – As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus he was fine.
The minute he took his eyes off Jesus and put them on the problem, he began to sink. The wind was severe, and who knows what the wind was carrying past Peter’s head. Maybe it was a tree limb, or even the whole tree!
And every one of us can say when it comes to taking our eyes off of Jesus, “Been there, done that!”
We decide to trust the Lord and then we start looking at the problem instead of the Lord and we begin to sink.
Have you ever stopped to think that the amount of power for victory Jesus has in your life is directly related to how much you trust Him for that power?
Remember that in Jesus’ hometown the people were skeptical of Him. They did not believe on Him.
Matthew 13:58 - And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Misdirected faith puts our eyes somewhere else other than on Jesus.
MOTIVATED FAITH
MOVING FAITH
MISDIRECTED FAITH
MENDED FAITH – Vss. 30-33
Our Lord Jesus did not leave Peter in this sorry state of affairs. He repaired Peter’s faith in at least four steps.
· REQUEST
Vs. 30 - First of all Peter had to get his focus back on the Lord. He cried out for help.
The first thing we need to do when we start to sink is to cry out to the Lord, confessing our sin of unbelief, and asking once again for help.
REQUEST
· RESCUE
Vss. 31-32 – Jesus rescued him from the problem. He kept Peter from sinking and calmed the sea.
Remember when Jesus rescues you the problem does not always go away.
The sickness does not always go away.
The financial difficulty may linger a long time.
The misunderstanding and the hatred and unforgiveness of another may persist.
But no matter, the Lord will rescue you from sinking, and give you the grace to stand, and survive, and prosper, in spite of the problem. He won’t let you sink!
REQUEST
RESCUE
· REBUKE
Vs. 31 - Notice that Jesus saved Peter first and then rebuked him.
You’ve done this with your children, right?
First, you delivered them from danger, and then gave them “what for” for doing something wrong.
Jesus rebukes Peter, not for walking on water, but for not trusting Jesus completely. He did not trust enough.
When we are sensitive to God’s leading, we will not attempt too much, only what He permits.
When He allows us to venture forth, let’s keep focused on Him.
Hebrews 12:2 - Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
When we are rebuked for a lack of faith, simply confess and forsake it!
REQUEST
RESCUE
REBUKE
· REVERENCE
Vs. 33 – When all was said and done, Jesus was worshipped.
This was a great lesson for you and me.
When Jesus rescues us, and even rebukes us, He is deserving of our unadulterated praise and adoration as the very Son of God!
Let’s learn about faith from Peter this morning:
MOTIVATED FAITH
MOVING FAITH
MISDIRECTED FAITH
MENDED FAITH
· REQUEST
· RESCUE
· REBUKE
· REVERENCE