Episode 99

Walk On Water

Tuesday, July 22, 202537 min

Join Pastor Greg as he continues his series titled "Strange Miracles".

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Devotionals from This Message

Five short reflections drawn from this message — Monday through Friday.

Daily devotion

The Invitation to the Impossible

Monday

"But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.' 'Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water.' 'Come,' he said." - Matthew 14:27-29

Have you ever watched someone do something amazing and thought, "I wish I could do that"? In Matthew 14, we find the disciples in a boat, battling a fierce storm. Then, something extraordinary happens—Jesus appears, walking on water. While the others are frozen in fear, Peter does something remarkable. He asks to join Jesus in this impossible feat.

Peter doesn't just want to witness the miracle; he wants to participate in it. "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water," he calls out. With one simple word—"Come"—Jesus extends an invitation to the impossible.

What's beautiful about this moment isn't just that Jesus performs a miracle, but that He invites Peter to be part of it. The God of the universe doesn't just want us to be spectators of His power; He wants us to experience it firsthand.

Today, Jesus is still extending invitations. He's still saying "Come" to those willing to step out in faith. The question is: are we listening for His invitation? Are we willing to climb out of our comfortable boats when He calls?

"Isn't that amazing, by the way, that the God of the universe would not just do a miracle, but he would invite you to be a part of it, that he would invite you to experience it, that he would say, hey, come. Come with me. And I believe in you that you can do this."

Reflect: What "impossible" thing might Jesus be inviting you to step into right now, and what's keeping you from accepting that invitation?

Prayer: Lord, open my ears to hear Your invitations. Give me the courage to step out of my comfort zone when You call. Help me to see that the greatest miracles happen not when I'm watching from a distance, but when I'm walking with You in faith. Amen.

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Episode 100Jul 27, 202543 min

Delayed Miracles

Join Pastor Greg as he continues his series titled "Strange Miracles".

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Episode 98Jul 15, 202529 min

Message summary

In the biblical account of Jesus walking on water, we see Peter's bold faith and subsequent doubt when he steps out onto the sea. This story reveals how God uses imperfect people like Peter—a walking contradiction who was both courageous and fearful. When Peter began to sink, it wasn't because he doubted Jesus, but because he doubted himself and his ability to be used by God. The miracle happened at the intersection of Peter's faith in Jesus and Jesus' faith in Peter. This reminds us that God believes in our potential even when we don't, and invites us to participate in His miraculous work rather than just observe it.

Walking on Water: Finding Faith in the Midst of Storms

In Matthew 14:22-31, we find one of the most fascinating miracles in the Bible - Jesus walking on water. What makes this miracle particularly interesting is that it has a little bit of everything: Jesus walking on water, Peter joining Him in this supernatural feat, Peter failing midway through, and then Jesus rescuing him.

Why Does God Use Imperfect People Like Peter?

Of all the disciples, it had to be Peter who attempted this miracle. Peter was something of a walking contradiction - a man with two distinct sides to his personality. Jesus even renamed him from Simon to Peter (meaning "rock") after Peter received divine revelation about Jesus' identity. Yet shortly after, Jesus called him "Satan" when Peter rebuked Him about going to the cross. Peter was bold enough to fight soldiers when they came for Jesus, yet later denied knowing Christ to a servant girl. He was both courageous and cowardly, faithful and doubtful. This walking contradiction gives us hope because: 1. If God could use someone as inconsistent as Peter, He can use us too 2. After the Holy Spirit filled Peter, the "Simon" side of him diminished 3. Our old nature can become less prominent as our new nature in Christ grows stronger

What Happens When Storms Hit While You're Being Obedient?

The disciples were doing exactly what Jesus commanded - going to the other side of the sea. Yet in their obedience, they encountered a violent storm. This challenges our assumption that following God's will guarantees smooth sailing. The hardest moments in our spiritual journey often come when we're doing everything right. We expect that obedience should bring peace and blessing, but sometimes it brings storms instead. The disciples were battling against contrary winds, making no headway, when Jesus appeared walking on the water.

How Do We Respond When Jesus Invites Us Into the Impossible?

When the disciples saw Jesus walking on water, they were terrified, thinking He was a ghost. After Jesus identified Himself, Peter made a bold request: "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." Notice that while the other disciples were content to watch the miracle, Peter wanted to participate in it. Jesus' response was simple: "Come." Just one word. No detailed instructions, no safety briefing - just an invitation. The most difficult part of any miracle is taking that first step. Peter had to decide: would he step out and be part of the miracle, or sit and just watch? Many of us struggle with this same decision point in our spiritual lives. We enjoy watching God work in others' lives, but hesitate to step out ourselves.

What Are You Actually Walking On When You Step Out in Faith?

When Peter stepped out of the boat, he wasn't actually walking on water - he was walking on a word from God. Jesus had said "Come," and Peter was standing on that promise. Every miracle in our lives requires us to step out on a word of faith. Isn't it amazing that the God of the universe not only performs miracles but invites us to participate in them? When Jesus said "Come," it wasn't a trap or a test - it was a statement of faith and belief in Peter that he could do the impossible with Christ.

Why Do We Fail in the Middle of Our Miracles?

Peter didn't fail on his first step. He actually walked a good distance toward Jesus. The failure came in the middle of the miracle, when he "saw the wind" and became afraid. While we often think the first step is the hardest, sometimes it's the steps in the middle that challenge us most. The first step might be taken in desperation or excitement, but continuing to walk in faith is where many of us struggle: - Like joining a gym (first step) but failing to keep going - Starting a debt reduction plan but giving up halfway through - Beginning recovery from addiction but losing momentum Peter began to doubt in the middle of his miracle. When Jesus rescued him, He said, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" Jesus wasn't criticizing the size of Peter's faith but its duration. Peter had enough faith to start, but not enough to continue.

What Are We Really Doubting When We Fail?

What was Peter doubting in that moment? It wasn't Jesus - Peter cried out to Jesus for help, showing he still trusted Him. What Peter doubted was himself - his own ability to be used by God for something miraculous. This is what holds many of us back from experiencing God's power in our lives. We believe God can work miracles through others, but doubt He can work through us. We say, "God can do anything," but secretly add, "except use me." How many miracles have you missed because you doubted God could use you? What dreams have you abandoned because you felt unqualified or unworthy?

Life Application

The beautiful truth in this story is that Jesus believed in Peter even when Peter didn't believe in himself. When Jesus commanded Peter to come, He had faith that Peter could do it. The miracle happened when Peter's faith in Jesus met Jesus' faith in Peter. Jesus didn't stop believing in Peter when he failed. He didn't tell Peter to quit following Him because he messed up. Jesus still believed in him - and He believes in you too. God has faith in you to accomplish every dream He's given you and every purpose He's placed within you. As the Apostle Paul declared, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." The key is recognizing that while you might not be able to do it on your own, with Him, all things are possible. This week, ask yourself: - What "water" is Jesus asking me to walk on right now? - Where have I stopped in the middle of a miracle because I doubted myself? - What would change if I truly believed that Jesus has faith in me? - What step of faith do I need to take today? Remember, don't stop believing. You're already doing it. Don't doubt now. Jesus believes in you.

Summary

In this sermon, the pastor explores the miracle of Jesus and Peter walking on water from Matthew 14. The message focuses on Peter's journey as a walking contradiction - sometimes bold in faith, other times doubtful and weak. The sermon highlights how Peter stepped out in faith to join Jesus on the water but began to sink when he focused on the storm rather than Christ. The pastor emphasizes that Peter's doubt wasn't about Jesus's ability, but about his own worthiness to be used by God - a struggle many believers face today.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss this powerful story of faith and doubt, we ask that You would open our hearts to receive what You have for us today. Help us to recognize the areas where we doubt not Your ability, but our own worthiness to be used by You. Give us the courage to step out in faith and keep our eyes fixed on You even when storms rage around us. In Jesus' name, amen.

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Walk On Water

Transcript

Devotionals from This Message

The Invitation to the Impossible

Continue listening

Delayed Miracles

Message summary

Walking on Water: Finding Faith in the Midst of Storms

Why Does God Use Imperfect People Like Peter?

What Happens When Storms Hit While You're Being Obedient?

How Do We Respond When Jesus Invites Us Into the Impossible?

What Are You Actually Walking On When You Step Out in Faith?

Why Do We Fail in the Middle of Our Miracles?

What Are We Really Doubting When We Fail?

Life Application

Group Discussion Guide

Summary

Intro Prayer

Ice Breaker

Key Verses

Questions

Grab the Axe Head

Life Application

Key Takeaways

Ending Prayer