Enduring Faith: Trusting God Through Trials
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, I want to talk about faith, specifically the kind of faith that sustains us even when we don't see immediate results. We often measure faith by the grandeur of the miracles we witness, but true faith is about endurance and trust in God, even when the outcome is uncertain. Our scripture today is from Matthew 14, where Jesus walks on water and invites Peter to do the same. This story teaches us that faith isn't about the impressive acts we perform but about our ability to maintain faith through trials and uncertainties.
Jesus had just performed the miracle of feeding 5,000 people, and then He sent His disciples ahead of Him in a boat while He went to pray. Later, He walked on water to meet them. The disciples were terrified, thinking He was a ghost. Jesus reassured them, and Peter, seeking confirmation, asked Jesus to call him out onto the water. Peter walked on water but began to sink when he saw the wind and waves. Jesus saved him, saying, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
This story illustrates that fear can arise even when God is moving in our lives. Sometimes, our fear is not from the devil but from our flesh, as God operates outside the boxes we put Him in. Peter's initial faith allowed him to step out of the boat, but sustaining that faith was the real challenge. Jesus measures our faith not by the impressive acts we perform but by how long we can sustain our faith, even when we face failure or don't see immediate results.
Peter's story also teaches us about recovery from failure. After sinking, Peter had to walk back to the boat with Jesus. This second walk on water, after experiencing failure, is a powerful lesson in resilience and enduring faith. Many of us are like Peter, standing next to Jesus but not moving forward because of past failures or disappointments. Jesus calls us to have faith again, to take risks, and to believe once more.
If you're not a follower of Jesus, today is the day to step out of your boat and start walking towards Him. For those who are already believers but feel stuck, it's time to exercise your faith again. Let's not just stand beside Jesus feeling secure; let's bring heaven to earth through our actions and enduring faith.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faith Beyond Results: True faith is not measured by the grandeur of the miracles we witness but by our ability to sustain belief without immediate results. This enduring faith is what God values most. [03:13]
2. Fear and Faith: Fear can arise even when God is moving in our lives. Sometimes, this fear is not from the devil but from our flesh, as God operates outside the boxes we put Him in. We must push past this fear to let God move in our lives. [04:46]
3. Stepping Out in Faith: Peter's initial act of stepping out of the boat represents the boldness of faith. However, sustaining that faith amidst the storm is the real challenge. Jesus measures our faith by its endurance, not by the initial act. [06:50]
4. Recovery from Failure: After sinking, Peter had to walk back to the boat with Jesus. This second walk on water, after experiencing failure, teaches us about resilience and enduring faith. Failure is an opportunity to depend on God in new ways. [17:27]
5. Faith in Action: Faith requires action. It's not enough to stand beside Jesus feeling secure; we must bring heaven to earth through our actions. This involves taking risks, believing again, and operating at the level of faith we once had. [19:52]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[0:30] - Introduction and Context
[01:50] - The Nature of Worship
[03:13] - Great Faith Explained
[04:46] - Fear and God's Movement
[05:55] - Pushing Past Fear
[06:50] - Peter Walks on Water
[07:31] - God's Perspective on Miracles
[08:19] - Sustaining Faith
[09:07] - The Disciples' Fear
[10:30] - Peter's Security Question
[12:31] - Proving Discipleship
[14:03] - Stepping Out of Comfort Zones
[15:25] - Encountering Failure
[17:27] - Walking Back with Jesus
[19:52] - Faith Requires Action
[21:17] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
[24:18] - Call to Renew Faith
[26:23] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Matthew 14:22-33 (NIV)
### Observation Questions
1. What miracle had Jesus just performed before He sent the disciples ahead in the boat? [03:13]
2. How did the disciples initially react when they saw Jesus walking on the water? [04:46]
3. What did Peter ask Jesus to do to confirm His identity? [06:50]
4. What happened to Peter when he saw the wind and waves while walking on water? [06:50]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to walk on water to meet the disciples instead of another method? [04:46]
2. What does Peter's request to walk on water reveal about his understanding of Jesus' identity? [10:30]
3. How does Jesus' response to Peter's sinking ("You of little faith, why did you doubt?") help us understand the nature of faith? [07:31]
4. What can we learn from Peter's experience about recovering from failure and continuing in faith? [17:27]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt fear even though you knew God was moving in your life. How did you handle that fear, and what can you do differently next time? [04:46]
2. Peter stepped out of the boat with initial boldness but struggled to sustain his faith. Is there an area in your life where you need to sustain your faith despite challenges? How can you work on this? [06:50]
3. Think about a past failure that has made you hesitant to take risks in your faith. How can you, like Peter, walk back to the boat with Jesus and try again? [17:27]
4. Jesus calls us to have faith in action. What is one specific action you can take this week to step out in faith, even if it feels risky or uncomfortable? [19:52]
5. Are there any "boats" in your life that you need to step out of because you have outgrown them? What steps can you take to move forward in faith? [14:03]
6. How can you push past your fear and discomfort to let God move in your life in new and unexpected ways? [05:55]
7. If you are not currently a follower of Jesus, what is holding you back from stepping out of your boat and walking towards Him? If you are a believer, how can you encourage someone else to take that step? [21:17]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Beyond Results
True faith is not measured by the grandeur of the miracles we witness but by our ability to sustain belief without immediate results. This enduring faith is what God values most. Often, we find ourselves looking for immediate signs and wonders to validate our faith. However, the essence of true faith lies in trusting God even when we don't see immediate outcomes. This kind of faith requires patience and a deep-rooted trust in God's timing and plans. It is about believing that God is at work, even when we cannot see the evidence right away.
In Matthew 14, Peter's initial act of stepping out of the boat to walk on water was a bold demonstration of faith. However, the real test came when he had to sustain that faith amidst the storm. Jesus measures our faith not by the initial act but by its endurance. This enduring faith is what pleases God and allows us to grow spiritually. [03:13]
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you are waiting for God's intervention. How can you practice enduring faith in this situation, trusting that God is at work even if you don't see immediate results?
Day 2: Fear and Faith
Fear can arise even when God is moving in our lives. Sometimes, this fear is not from the devil but from our flesh, as God operates outside the boxes we put Him in. We must push past this fear to let God move in our lives. When Peter saw the wind and waves, he began to sink because he allowed fear to overshadow his faith. This fear can often come from our own insecurities and doubts, not necessarily from external evil forces.
Understanding that fear is a natural human response can help us address it more effectively. By acknowledging our fears and bringing them to God, we can find the strength to push past them. God often calls us to step out of our comfort zones, and it is in these moments that our faith is truly tested. [04:46]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: Identify a fear that is holding you back from fully trusting God. How can you confront this fear and allow God to move in your life despite it?
Day 3: Stepping Out in Faith
Peter's initial act of stepping out of the boat represents the boldness of faith. However, sustaining that faith amidst the storm is the real challenge. Jesus measures our faith by its endurance, not by the initial act. Stepping out in faith often requires us to take risks and move beyond our comfort zones. It is an act of obedience and trust in God's calling.
However, the true test of faith comes when we face challenges and uncertainties. It is easy to start with enthusiasm, but sustaining that faith requires perseverance and reliance on God's strength. Peter's experience teaches us that while the initial step is important, maintaining our faith through trials is what truly matters. [06:50]
James 1:3-4 (ESV): "For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Think about a time when you took a bold step of faith. How did you handle the challenges that followed? What can you do to sustain your faith in current or future trials?
Day 4: Recovery from Failure
After sinking, Peter had to walk back to the boat with Jesus. This second walk on water, after experiencing failure, teaches us about resilience and enduring faith. Failure is an opportunity to depend on God in new ways. Peter's story shows that failure is not the end but a part of the journey of faith. It is through our failures that we learn to rely more on God and less on our own strength.
Walking back to the boat with Jesus symbolizes the process of recovery and restoration. It is a reminder that Jesus is always there to lift us up and walk with us, even after we have fallen. This resilience and willingness to try again are crucial aspects of enduring faith. [17:27]
Micah 7:8 (ESV): "Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent failure or setback. How can you see this experience as an opportunity to depend more on God and grow in your faith?
Day 5: Faith in Action
Faith requires action. It's not enough to stand beside Jesus feeling secure; we must bring heaven to earth through our actions. This involves taking risks, believing again, and operating at the level of faith we once had. True faith is demonstrated through our actions and willingness to step out and make a difference in the world.
Jesus calls us to be active participants in His mission, not just passive observers. This means taking bold steps to live out our faith in practical ways, whether it's through acts of service, sharing the gospel, or standing up for what is right. Our actions should reflect the faith we profess, bringing the reality of God's kingdom into our everyday lives. [19:52]
James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: Identify one specific action you can take today to live out your faith. How can this action bring the reality of God's kingdom into your life and the lives of those around you?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Great faith, the measure of your faith is not determined by how impressive the thing you do is. Great faith is not measured by how impressive the thing you do is. Faith is determined by how long you can sustain it without ever seeing a result." [02:30] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Did you know God could be on the move in your life and your family in this church and you'd still be scared out of your mind? Now, I grew up a Pentecostal pastor's kid. My dad was an AG pastor for over 25 years. And growing up in settings like this, you would often hear that when you feel fear, you rebuke the spirit of fear because it's from the devil." [04:46] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Can you push past your fear and discomfort to let God move in your life? Let's pick up in verse 26. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. It's a ghost, they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them, take courage. It is I don't be afraid." [05:55] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We see it as big and God doesn't see it as big. And we can take confidence today that what seems like a mountain to us, what's in our way, what we can't get past, isn't even a molehill for God. God said, this isn't a problem for me. He doesn't need any extra strength to move that thing out of your life." [08:19] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You wanna know what the hardest thing for God to ever say to you is? I know you just failed. I know you feel like your whole world's falling apart, but let's do it again. Sometimes you can get out of the boat. Like I've got this. I feel good about myself. I'm confident. And then, you hit failure and failure if you're arrogant will break you." [18:02] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Sometimes we're terrified because God didn't check with us before he did something. Our job description for Jesus is different than what he's currently working on. Right? They had seen Jesus. Just the day before, feed 5,000 people. They had seen him around water. They had seen him on boats. They had even seen him calm storms, but they hadn't seen him walk on water before. Just the fact that he's up to something new scares them out of their mind." [04:46] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Peter understands Jesus identity so much that he knows that if that's really Jesus, he's going to pull me out of my comfort zone. Like if for him to prove who he is, he's not going to let me spectate this miracle. He wants me to participate in this miracle with him. If I know that's, if that's really Jesus, he's not going to hoard all this power for himself, but he's going to release and empower me to do the very thing he's doing right now." [11:24] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus will give you a way out before the boat falls apart, but he's not going to pull you out. Peter stepped out himself and walked toward Jesus. Jesus has not come grab him out of the boat. But one way or another, you'll get out of the boat. It'll either crash and shipwreck or you'll step out and walk to Jesus." [14:50] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You just have to have the faith to walk again. Everybody's standing all over the room. I'm gonna close with this. Worship team, you guys can come back up. We're gonna seal this thing with worship in just a minute, but it's time for some of us to operate some lasting faith, faith that gets up again. And Jesus is calling some of you today to do it again." [20:30] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "There's no such thing as serving your time. While you're here and you're breathing, you're supposed to be operating in faith, telling your story, loving on people, encouraging people, not just living your own life, your own way, feeling secure, going to heaven. There's something else for you to do again." [25:36] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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