22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It´s a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. 27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don´t be afraid." 28"Lord, if it´s you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" 32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Introduction : The Peter who walked on the water and the Peter who sank into the water


1. Seek the Word.
    1) Word of God logos - textual written words (2Ti 3:16).
    2) Word of God rhema - inspired words from the Holy Spirit. That is, words that are
        given to me. They are not general words for the public, but seek words that are
        given to me personally. "Tell me to come to you on the water" (Mt 14:28-29).
    3) Faith comes from listening to the rhema in our heart (Ro 10:17; Jn 15:7).

2. Look only at Jesus.
    1) Many distractions: negative circumstances, feelings, knowledge, experience, advice,
        and warnings (Mt 14:30).
    2) Focus on Jesus and think about Him: His salvation, holiness, healing, blessing,
        eternal heaven, and the Threefold Blessing (Ps 103:2-5).
        "Look at Jesus who completes our faith" (Heb 12:1-2; 10:38).
    3) In Kadesh, the Israelites looked at their enemies, instead of at God. Peter looked at
        the wind and the waves (Nu 13:31-33; 14:7-9).

3. Be strong and courageous.
    1) You will be defeated if you fear (Isa 41:10). God told Joshua never to fear, but God
        told him many times to be strong and courageous (Jos 1:6-9).
    2) The reason David was loved by God-he depended on God and acted boldly.
        ① The challenge of a lion and a bear (1Sa 17:34-35).
        ② The challenge of Goliath (1Sa 17:36-37).
    3) Peter was afraid and sank into the water (Mt 14:30-31; Isa 43:1-2).

4. Rebuke the wind and the waves.
    1) The disciples were afraid of the wind and the waves (Mt 14:26-27, 32).
    2) God rebuked the wind and the waves (Mt 8:26).
        Command the mountain to throw itself into the sea (Mk 11:22-23, 24).


Conclusion : Peter was the first person who walked on water. But his faith failed because of doubt. When he saw the wind and the waves, he got scared and lost all of his courage and faith in the Lord. Satan always tries to put fear in our heart. But if we stand on the Word, look only at Jesus, and face our circumstances with a courageous heart, we can succeed.