22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It´s a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But 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. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Introduction: Jesus walks on water.
1. It is a miracle to walk on water. 1) It is normal to live according to the laws of nature. 2) We need miracles when we cannot live according to the laws of nature. - The Israelite´s miracle of the Red Sea, the miracle in the desert of Shur (Ex 14:15-16, 21; 15:23-25). 3) Jesus is not a magician. - He only performs miracles when we face a fatal crisis (Mt 14:24-25).
2. A miracle takes place with God´s word. 1) Peter asked for God´s word (Mt 14:28-29; Ro 10:17). - Faith and rhema 2) Faith has to overcome our senses and circumstances. ¨Ø Circumstances do not level out at once, even though we have faith. ¨è Even though we believe in God, the wind and the waves are still fierce. - Look only at Jesus and His word (Heb 12:2). - Maintain peace in your heart or you will be defeated by your senses and and circumstances when fear doubt approach you (Jas 1:6-7; Isa 41:10).
3. A second chance. 1) Peter began to sink, but Jesus rescued him from drowning (Mt 14:30-31). 2) A mulligan in our lives-A golfer is given a second chance when he makes a mistake (Ps 119:67, 71; 50:15). 3) Failure is an opportunity to draw us close to Jesus. - Peter was holding the hand of Jesus while he was climbing back into the boat (Mt 14:32-33). 4) Jesus got into the boat and immediately the boat reached Capernaum (Jn 6:21). - Jesus also brings victory to our daily life (Jn 15:7).
Conclusion : As human beings, we must to do what we can do. However, when we are in desperate trouble and things are beyond our ability, we must ask for miracles. If we stay close to Jesus in our daily life, God´s supernatural power will help us!
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