Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Looking at Matt 14:22-33
- Reading v27 "take courage, it is I, don't be afraid"
- This was a mighty miracle performed by Jesus Christ
- His miracles reveal who He really is - examples
- His miracles revealed His power and love to His disciples
- Leading to the great question - "who do you say that I am" and Peter responds "the Christ, the son of the God"
- He is training His disciples
- The disciples were His eyewitnesses
- The Lord prepares us in all His dealings with us
- Five principles
The Christian life has times of trial
- A storm on the sea of Galilee
- Overview of the situation
- A journey of 5 miles to cross the lake/sea of Galilee
- Tonight was difficult due to the winds and waves
- After 9-10 hours they had only traveled 3-4 miles - they were straining against the oars
- Galilee was notorious for winds coming down the hills and sweeping onto the lakes
- Ships could quickly get into trouble and sink
- Storms can quickly overtake us
- Personal example
- Life is like this - trials come
- The Christian life involves trials
- They come quickly and it can be difficult to see the end of them
- It is not a sign of disobedience
- The disciples were crossing the lake as Jesus had commanded
- Things do not always 'go smoothly if you are in the will of God'
- Very severe trials may come
- E.g. those in Missionary Service
- During trials the Lord often manifests His power and love
- It is not a case of bad things are from the devil and good things are from God
- Satan can use these situations - the disciples thought Jesus was a ghost
- Jesus drew near to the disciples
- We often get to the end of our resources/we reach our limit
- Trials often come when we are vulnerable
- This occurred with the disciples - explanation
- Quote from Commentator
- Jesus does not come until after 9-10 hours
- Quote from Psalm 93
- What ever trial comes/however we might be tested - the Lord is greater
When we go through trials - the Lord Jesus is praying for us
- Jesus went up on the hill to pray
- We know that during His ministry He had times of prayer with His Father
- God knows all things
- Example
- God watches over us and is mindful of us
- We can take great encouragement from the fact He knows our situation
- We can pour out our hearts to Him
- Quote from Hebrews - He "can save to the uttermost" as "He always live to intercede for us"
- Christ prays for us
- Christ was praying for the disciples - hence they could keep going in the storm
He has absolute power over the whole creation
- Jesus walks on water - this demonstrates that all of creation is under His power and authority
- Genesis teaches us we have dominion of creation
- Jesus has total control over creation
- Example of human advancement
- We should not be surprised that Jesus has all authority and power
- Trials disorientate us but Jesus tells us not to be afraid
- Personal example of being lost
- Example - "take courage, it is I, do not be afraid"
- Words He speaks to His disciples
- As you go through trials today - the Lord is there to help, so you can be courageous and strong
He gives power to people who believe in Him
- Peter has faith - he walks on the water
- He tells Jesus to bid him come
- Personal example - I would never do this
- Peter is given insight
- If Jesus can walk on water, He can give strength for Peter to do the same
- Jesus can help lift us above our trials
- Peter is triumphing over the water
- Peter has doubts - he begins to sink
- Christians are often full of faith and have doubts
- Example of Captain Pugwash
- People sink straight away in water
- Jesus saves Peter immediately (v31)
- He says that Peter has little (not no) faith
- He encourages Peter to keep on trusting in Him
- Personal example of son learning to ride a bike
- Jesus wants us to keep on trusting Him
- Quote from unknown source
- Jesus can give us the strength in the midst of trials not to sink and to overcome
Trials end in worship
- Peter and the other disciples declared Jesus the "Son of God"
- After we go through trials - we often really praise and worship Him
- We can often lose sight of the fact that we need Him
- A trial brings this into perspective
- Have you known these times?
- Do we praise and worship Him as the Son of God
- The disciples realised that what Jesus had done - was just for them
- No-one else was watching
- When we pray to God - we ask Him to help us and for others
- God responds in countless ways
- God cares for us
- He hears our prayers - even if the are weak and feeble
- He tells us to "take courage, it is I, don't be afraid"