November 10, 2024

GET OUT OF THE BOAT

November 10, 2024

Teaching Pastor Charles Billingsley

Does fear control you? Fear not only keeps us from accomplishing great goals, it can grow bigger in our heads than faith, if we’re not careful. Today Charles said, “Do not let winds of culture, the temptation of the evil one, or the weakness of your own convictions allow you to fall.” He also reminded us of a quote by Chuck Smith: “You are either going to walk [in faith or in fear]: If you walk in faith it will cancel out fear. But if you walk in fear, it will diminish your faith.”  Join us as we learn lessons from Peter’s willingness to walk on water when Jesus said, “Come!” Twenty seconds of insane courage on his part changed his life—and caused him to see Jesus as the Almighty God who is Creator of the universe.

Focal Passage: Matthew 14:22-33, Colossians 1:15-18.

Stand Watch:

  • Before we start, do you recall what miracle the disciples had just witnessed? Where had they been, on the Sea of Galilee? Read Matt. 14:22-24. Where did Jesus want the disciples to go?  What verb is used in vs. 22? How did He “make” them? Can you think of another verse where God “makes” us do something? Read Ps. 23:2. How/Why does He make us? Where did Jesus go? How long did He stay?
  • Read Matt. 14:25. Where were the disciples now? How far from land were they? What was the sea like? Were they afraid? What time was it? When they saw Jesus, what did they think? Why?
  • What was Jesus’ purpose in approaching them at 4 a.m., walking on the boisterous sea? Were the disciples where Jesus wanted them to be? Discuss. Had they obeyed His word (vs. 22a)? Read Mark 6:46-48. What else was Jesus doing? Did the disciples realize He was watching them? Do you think it would have made a difference? Does He ever take His eyes off us? Why would a storm come if they were doing what He said?
  • What are some reasons God “troubles” our lives? What emotions do we feel while we are in a storm? If HE sent you into the storm, how can you absolutely KNOW that He will protect you while you are in it?
  • Why are we to “stand watch”? What are we to watch over? What is the truth important? What are we to be in the world? How do we guard our heart? How can we protect our family? How important is prayer to our Christian life?

 Step out of the boat:

  • Read Mt. 14:26-29. When the disciples were afraid, how did Jesus identify Himself? Who was the only one to get out of the boat? Did he think it was really Jesus? Did Peter show faith in getting out of the boat? What did it take for Peter to do this?
  • Read Ex. 3:14. What does God mean when He calls Himself the “I AM”? What is He Lord over? Does He ever call “I AM! Don’t be afraid” to us?

Stay focused on Jesus:

  • Read Matt. 14:30. How did Peter walk (those steps) on the water? Was the sea still roaring? What happened next? What emotion replaced the faith that Peter had that he could go to Jesus? Can fear and faith exist together?
  • Did Peter realize quickly that he was sinking?  What did he do?
  • Read verse 31. How quickly did the Lord act? Why does it seem so often that we call, but we do not hear a response? What did He say to Peter? Does He say this to us?

Jesus will silence the storm:

  • Read vv. 32-33. What happened instantly when Jesus and Peter got back to the boat? Did Jesus say anything to the storm or to the sea?
  • Even though Jesus said nothing, what did the disciples realize? What did they do then? Was this the first time they “worshipped” Him? Why?

WHAT WE SHOULD DO:

  • Stand watch! We can be in the center of God’s will and still have storms.
  • Step out of the boat! If He is calling you to step out of your boat, do it.
  • Stay focused on God! If you take your eyes off of God, you will sink.
  • Jesus will silence the storm. What He tells you to do, He brings you through.

Close:   There may be very few times when we worship our Lord with everything we are, in the way He really is. How many times do we see Him as a genie, to do our bidding (in the name of prayer), to get what we feel we need? James tells us in 4:2-3, “You desire and do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” We need to see the Lord as Paul writes in Colossians 1:15-18: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” Praise be to God for His unspeakable gift! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

By Sandy Day
November 10, 2024

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