SIGNS – THE MIRACLES OF JESUS
Part 2 – Rules for Walking On Water
(Matthew 14:21-33)
April 14, 2024
Dr. Mark S. Hartman, Lead Pastor
Introduction
On December 29, 1987, a Russian cosmonaut returned to the earth after 326 days in orbit. He was in good health but only because of the new invention he had worn in space. Five years earlier, two cosmonauts had spent 211 days in space and came back really suffering from that experience. Their blood pressure was way up, their heart rate was at a dangerous level, and they couldn’t walk for a week. So, the Russian scientists invented the “penguin suit.”
Matthew 14:21 Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
1. JESUS UNDERSTOOD THE NEED OF ALONE TIME.
A. Matthew 14:22-23 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. (NKJV)
B. Mark 1:35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. (NKJV)
C. Before Jesus spoke or decided or made any big moves, He spent time in silence and solitude with His Heavenly Father.
2. GOD USES ANYTHING TO GROW OUR FAITH.
A. The uniqueness of the Sea of Galilee made it a potentially dangerous place.
B. Mark 6:47-48 When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. (NIV)
3. WHEN STORMS COME, WHETHER WE CAN SEE HIM OR NOT, JESUS IS THERE.
A. Matthew 14: 27-28 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
B. Matthew 14:29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
C. Matthew 14:30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” NKJV
D. Matthew 14:31-33 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”
4. THERE ARE FIVE RULES FOR WALKING ON WATER.
Rule 1: Without the storm there can be no miracle.
James 1:2 “Be happy you are going through a problem…it’s making your stronger.” (Paraphrase)
Rule 2: We will never walk on water until we are willing to get out of the boat and take that first step.
Rule 3: We will never walk on water in the big storms until we first do it in the present storm.
Rule 4: Get out of the boat and start obeying Jesus.
Rule 5: After we have learned how to walk on water in the storms of our life, our view of Jesus will be forever changed.
Matthew 14:33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him. Saying, “…of a truth you are the Son of God.”