Sermons on Matthew 14:28-31
The various sermons below interpret Matthew 14:28-31 by focusing on the theme of faith as an active, risk-taking endeavor. They emphasize the necessity of stepping out in faith, akin to Peter stepping out of the boat, highlighting that faith requires action and risk, not just belief. A sermon from Radiate Church suggests that Peter was walking on a "rhema" word from Jesus, emphasizing the importance of acting on a current and spoken word from God. Meanwhile, a sermon from JinanICF uses the metaphor of "getting out of the boat" to illustrate that true faith involves stepping out of one's comfort zone. Both sermons agree that faith is not passive but requires believers to take bold steps based on God's word.
In contrast, the sermons diverge in their focus on the implications of faith. A sermon from Radiate Church presents the idea that faith involves pioneering new paths and creating encounters with God, emphasizing action without guarantees. On the other hand, a sermon from Rock City Church introduces the theme that life's storms are opportunities for faith growth, suggesting that Jesus prioritizes the development of faith over comfort and safety. This sermon highlights the role of challenges in strengthening faith, whereas the sermon from JinanICF focuses more on the necessity of risk-taking as an expression of faith.
Matthew 14:28-31 Interpretation:
Embracing Ridiculous Faith: Trusting God Boldly (Radiate Church) interprets Matthew 14:28-31 by suggesting that Peter was not walking on water but rather on a word from Jesus. The sermon emphasizes that Peter's faith was based on Jesus' command to "come," and it was this word that enabled him to step out of the boat. The pastor uses the Greek terms "logos" (written word) and "rhema" (spoken word) to differentiate between the types of words from God, highlighting that Peter acted on a "rhema" word, which is a current and constant spoken word from God.
Living Faithfully: Embracing Purpose and Trust in God (JinanICF) interprets Matthew 14:28-31 by emphasizing the necessity of stepping out in faith, akin to Peter stepping out of the boat. The sermon uses the metaphor of "getting out of the boat" to illustrate the idea that faith requires action and risk, not just belief. The sermon suggests that many people claim to have faith but are unwilling to take risks or step out of their comfort zones, which is necessary to truly walk in faith.
Matthew 14:28-31 Theological Themes:
Embracing Ridiculous Faith: Trusting God Boldly (Radiate Church) presents the theme that ridiculous faith requires action without guarantees. The sermon emphasizes that faith is about stepping out on God's word, not waiting for a guarantee of success. It challenges believers to pioneer new paths and create encounters with God rather than waiting for them to happen.
Faith Strengthened Through Life's Storms: Recognizing Jesus (Rock City Church) introduces the theme that Jesus cares more about the development of our faith than keeping us comfortable and safe. The sermon suggests that storms in life are opportunities for faith growth and that Jesus uses these moments to teach and strengthen believers.
Living Faithfully: Embracing Purpose and Trust in God (JinanICF) presents the theme that faith is not just about belief but involves action and risk-taking. The sermon emphasizes that true faith requires stepping out of one's comfort zone and trusting God even when the situation seems unsafe or uncertain. This theme is distinct in its focus on the active component of faith, rather than just the passive belief.
Matthew 14:28-31 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Embracing Ridiculous Faith: Trusting God Boldly (Radiate Church) provides context by explaining the events surrounding Matthew 14:28-31, such as Jesus teaching in parables, the feeding of the 5,000, and John the Baptist's martyrdom. The sermon highlights the rhythm of Jesus withdrawing to pray before and after significant events, suggesting a model for believers to find rest and solitude with God.
Matthew 14:28-31 Cross-References in the Bible:
Embracing Ridiculous Faith: Trusting God Boldly (Radiate Church) references Hebrews 4:14-16 to explain why believers can trust Jesus. The passage describes Jesus as a high priest who understands human weaknesses because he faced the same temptations. This supports the idea that Jesus is trustworthy and empathetic to our struggles.
Faith Strengthened Through Life's Storms: Recognizing Jesus (Rock City Church) references Mark 4, where Jesus calms a storm, to draw parallels with the storm in Matthew 14. The sermon highlights the disciples' growing faith, noting that their response evolves from questioning Jesus' identity to affirming him as the Son of God.
Overcoming Fear Through Confidence in Christ (Upper Gornal Pentecostal Church) references Romans 8:39 to emphasize that nothing can separate believers from the love of God, reinforcing the idea that even when Peter doubted and began to sink, Jesus' love and support were unwavering. The sermon also references John 18:10 and John 21:15-17 to draw parallels between Peter's impulsive actions and his later restoration by Jesus, highlighting the theme of redemption and forgiveness.
Living Faithfully: Embracing Purpose and Trust in God (JinanICF) references Genesis 50:20 to illustrate the concept of God's sovereignty and control, suggesting that just as God had a plan for Joseph despite his brothers' actions, God has a plan for believers who step out in faith. The sermon also references Matthew 17:20 to emphasize the power of faith, even as small as a mustard seed, to accomplish great things.
Matthew 14:28-31 Christian References outside the Bible:
Faith Strengthened Through Life's Storms: Recognizing Jesus (Rock City Church) references Charles Spurgeon, who said, "I've learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the rock of ages." This quote is used to illustrate the idea of embracing life's challenges as opportunities to encounter Jesus more deeply.
Matthew 14:28-31 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Embracing Ridiculous Faith: Trusting God Boldly (Radiate Church) uses a personal anecdote about a NordicTrack rowing machine to illustrate the disciples' exhaustion from rowing against the wind. The pastor humorously describes his own experience with the machine to convey the physical and mental strain the disciples faced.
Faith Strengthened Through Life's Storms: Recognizing Jesus (Rock City Church) shares a story about a day at the beach with Pastor Oleg, who predicts a storm based on observing whitecaps on the water. This illustration is used to explain how seasoned seamen, like the disciples, could anticipate storms, yet Jesus still sent them into the boat, emphasizing that their storm was part of God's plan.
Living Faithfully: Embracing Purpose and Trust in God (JinanICF) uses the metaphor of a book titled "If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat" to illustrate the necessity of taking risks in faith. This secular reference serves to reinforce the sermon's message that faith requires action and stepping out of one's comfort zone.