Faith Amidst Storms: Lessons from Peter's Journey

 

Summary

In reflecting on the incident of Jesus walking on water, as recorded in Matthew 14:22-33, we delve into the profound lessons about faith and spiritual depression. This narrative is not just a miraculous account but a deep exploration of faith's nature and its impact on our spiritual well-being. Jesus, after sending the multitudes away, went to pray alone, while the disciples found themselves in a storm-tossed sea. Jesus approached them, walking on water, and Peter, in a moment of bold faith, asked to join Him. However, Peter's faith faltered when he focused on the storm rather than Jesus, leading to his sinking and desperate cry for help.

This incident highlights the importance of understanding the true nature of faith. Faith is not merely an initial act of belief but a continuous, active trust in Jesus, regardless of life's storms. The narrative emphasizes that spiritual depression often stems from a failure to maintain this active faith, leading to doubt and despair. Peter's experience teaches us that our temperaments remain unchanged upon conversion, and our strengths can become our weaknesses if not anchored in Christ.

Moreover, doubts are not incompatible with faith. They are a natural part of the Christian journey, but they should not dominate us. The antidote to doubt is a robust, growing faith rooted in a deep knowledge of Jesus and His power. This faith is not static; it requires daily renewal and focus on Christ. The story of Peter walking on water serves as a reminder that Jesus is always present, ready to save us when we falter, and that He can keep us from falling if we keep our eyes on Him.

Key Takeaways:

1. Faith as an Active Trust: Faith is not a one-time decision but a continuous, active trust in Jesus. Like Peter, we must step out in faith, but unlike him, we must maintain our focus on Christ to avoid spiritual depression. Our faith should be dynamic, growing, and constantly renewed by our relationship with Jesus. [03:37]

2. Understanding Our Temperament: Conversion does not change our temperament; it remains a part of us. Our strengths can become our weaknesses if not surrendered to Christ. Peter's impulsive nature led to his downfall, teaching us to be aware of our temperamental tendencies and to rely on Jesus for balance and strength. [11:29]

3. Doubts and Faith Coexist: Doubts are a natural part of the Christian journey and do not negate our faith. They should be seen as opportunities to deepen our trust in Jesus. Acknowledging doubts while holding onto faith allows us to grow spiritually and strengthens our reliance on Christ. [21:38]

4. The Power of Great Faith: A great faith is characterized by a deep knowledge of Jesus and His power. It is not enough to believe theoretically; we must trust Jesus practically in our daily lives. This trust is the antidote to doubt and spiritual depression, enabling us to walk confidently with Christ. [24:00]

5. The Importance of Focus: Keeping our eyes on Jesus is crucial to maintaining our faith. Like Peter, when we focus on the storms of life, we begin to sink. By steadfastly looking to Jesus, we find the strength to overcome doubts and fears, ensuring a steady and victorious Christian walk. [35:40]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to the Incident
- [00:29] - Jesus Prays Alone
- [00:42] - Disciples in the Storm
- [00:58] - Peter's Bold Request
- [01:15] - Peter's Fear and Doubt
- [01:30] - Jesus' Rescue
- [01:43] - Spiritual Depression
- [02:01] - Faith's Nature and Character
- [03:04] - The Importance of Faith
- [04:08] - The Person of Jesus
- [06:25] - Peter's Experience
- [09:00] - The Storm and Peter's Faith
- [10:22] - Lessons from Peter's Temperament
- [19:05] - Understanding Doubts
- [24:00] - Characteristics of Great Faith
- [35:40] - The Importance of Focus
- [37:59] - Jesus' Assurance and Our Response

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 14:22-33

Observation Questions:
1. What was the initial reaction of the disciples when they saw Jesus walking on the water, and how did Jesus respond to them? [00:42]
2. Describe Peter's request to Jesus and what happened when he stepped out of the boat. [00:58]
3. How did Jesus address Peter's doubt, and what was the outcome once they returned to the boat? [01:30]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Peter's experience illustrate the concept of faith as an active trust in Jesus, and what does this suggest about the nature of faith in the Christian life? [03:37]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our natural temperament can impact our spiritual journey, and how can this be managed according to the teachings of Jesus? [11:29]
3. How does the sermon explain the coexistence of doubt and faith, and what role does a deeper knowledge of Jesus play in overcoming doubt? [21:38]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt overwhelmed by life's storms. How did you respond, and what might you do differently to maintain your focus on Jesus? [35:40]
2. Consider your temperament and how it affects your faith journey. What are some strengths that could become weaknesses if not anchored in Christ, and how can you surrender these to Him? [11:29]
3. Identify a doubt you currently have about your faith. How can you use this doubt as an opportunity to deepen your trust in Jesus and grow spiritually? [21:38]
4. Think about a time when you relied on an initial act of faith without renewing it daily. What steps can you take to ensure your faith remains active and growing? [36:27]
5. What specific practices can you implement to keep your eyes on Jesus amidst distractions and challenges in your life? [35:40]
6. How can you cultivate a deeper knowledge of Jesus and His power in your daily life to combat spiritual depression and doubt? [24:00]
7. Reflect on a moment when you felt like you were sinking, much like Peter. How did you reach out for help, and what was the outcome? How can this experience strengthen your faith moving forward? [37:59]

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as a Continuous Journey
Faith is not a static decision but a dynamic journey that requires ongoing trust in Jesus. In the story of Peter walking on water, we see that faith involves stepping out boldly but also maintaining focus on Christ amidst life's storms. Peter's initial act of faith was commendable, but his subsequent fear and doubt led to his sinking. This teaches us that faith must be actively maintained and renewed daily through our relationship with Jesus. By keeping our eyes on Him, we can avoid spiritual depression and grow in our trust. [03:37]

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to actively renew your faith and trust in Jesus amidst your current challenges?


Day 2: Temperament and Transformation
Conversion does not alter our inherent temperament; it remains a part of who we are. Peter's impulsive nature, which initially led him to step out in faith, also contributed to his downfall when he became fearful. This highlights the importance of surrendering our strengths and weaknesses to Christ. By doing so, we can find balance and strength in Him, allowing our temperament to be used for His glory rather than becoming a stumbling block. [11:29]

"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned." (Romans 12:3, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a strength in your temperament that could become a weakness if not surrendered to Christ. How can you rely on Jesus to transform this aspect of your character?


Day 3: Embracing Doubt as a Path to Growth
Doubts are a natural part of the Christian journey and do not negate our faith. Instead, they can be opportunities to deepen our trust in Jesus. Acknowledging doubts while holding onto faith allows us to grow spiritually and strengthens our reliance on Christ. Peter's experience teaches us that doubts should not dominate us but rather be seen as a chance to develop a more robust faith rooted in a deep knowledge of Jesus and His power. [21:38]

"Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'" (Mark 9:24, ESV)

Reflection: What is a specific doubt you are currently facing in your faith journey? How can you invite Jesus into this doubt to help you grow and strengthen your trust in Him?


Day 4: The Depth of Great Faith
Great faith is characterized by a deep knowledge of Jesus and His power. It is not enough to believe theoretically; we must trust Jesus practically in our daily lives. This trust is the antidote to doubt and spiritual depression, enabling us to walk confidently with Christ. By cultivating a profound understanding of who Jesus is, we can develop a faith that is resilient and capable of overcoming life's challenges. [24:00]

"And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (John 17:3, ESV)

Reflection: How can you deepen your knowledge of Jesus and His power today? What practical steps can you take to trust Him more fully in your daily life?


Day 5: The Power of Focus
Keeping our eyes on Jesus is crucial to maintaining our faith. Like Peter, when we focus on the storms of life, we begin to sink. By steadfastly looking to Jesus, we find the strength to overcome doubts and fears, ensuring a steady and victorious Christian walk. This focus on Christ allows us to navigate life's challenges with confidence, knowing that He is always present and ready to save us when we falter. [35:40]

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: What distractions or "storms" are currently drawing your focus away from Jesus? How can you intentionally redirect your attention to Him today to maintain a steady walk in faith?

Quotes


Faith is an activity, something that must be applied. Where is your faith? They had it, but they were not bringing it to focus upon this particular problem. Now this morning, as we shall see, while in general we are still considering the question of faith and the true character of faith, it is a somewhat different aspect of the question and of the problem. [00:03:35]

Our temperaments do not change; they remain exactly what they were. You don't become somebody else; you're still yourself. Oh yes, we all say, I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, and yet we go on to head, and the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God. [00:10:54]

The trouble with this kind of person is that he tends to act without thinking. The trouble with this person's faith is that it hasn't been based upon thorough thought. The difficulty is that this kind of individual doesn't think things right through, doesn't work them right out. Now that was always, it seems to me, the trouble with Peter. [00:15:54]

Doubts are not incompatible with faith. I found many people many times in my pastoral experience very unhappy because they haven't grasped that principle. Some people seem to think that once you become a Christian, you should never again be assailed by doubts, but that isn't so. Peter here still has faith. [00:21:28]

The antidote to all this is great faith. It's little faith that causes the men to be mastered by doubts. The antidote, therefore, must be a great faith, a big faith, and that, as I see it, is the thing that is emphasized here above everything else. What are the characteristics of a great faith, a big faith? [00:24:00]

The Christian faith begins and ends with a knowledge of the Lord. That's it. Must I say it again? Again, it begins with a knowledge of the Lord, not a feeling, not an act of will, but a knowledge of this blessed person. There's no value in any feeling; there's no value in any action unless it's based upon this. [00:26:12]

The antidote to depression is knowledge of him, and you get that in this word, and he takes trouble. You must take trouble to learn it. It's hard work; it's difficult work, yes, but you've got to study it and pray over it and give yourself to it. The tragedy of the hour, it seems to me, is that people are far too dependent for their happiness upon meetings. [00:29:52]

Faith says this: what he has begun to do, he can continue to do. What he started doing was a miracle, so if he can do a miracle, he can go on doing it. What he has already initiated, he can keep going. Being confident of this very thing, says Paul to the Philippians, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. [00:35:01]

You cannot live on an initial faith. That's what seems to have been trying to do. He started off with a great faith, and then, you see, instead of going on with the same faith, he, as it were, tries to live upon it. You can't do it. You can't live on an initial faith. You can't live on a preliminary experience. [00:36:21]

The only way to keep walking is to keep steadily looking at him. May I say a final word of comfort and consolation? It's all here in this wonderful incident, isn't it? The first is, my dear friend, he will never let you sink. Peter cries out in terror and alarm, Lord, he says, save me, and immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand and caught him. [00:37:59]

The great lesson of the whole incident, in a sense, is this, isn't it? That he can keep us from falling. We never need be desperate like that. We never need to cry out like that. If we only keep on looking at him and believing in him, we shall never fall. We just keep straight on. If Peter had only looked at him, he'd have gone on walking until he'd come to him. [00:39:45]

Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees and looks to that alone, laughs at impossibilities and cries, it shall be done. That's faith. Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees in him and looks to that alone, to nothing else. It laughs at impossibilities, these waves, and cries, it shall be done. [00:40:27]

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Transcript
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