Faith, Doubt, and Divine Rescue in Life's Storms

Devotional

Day 1: Bold Faith Beyond Comfort Zones

Faith in action requires stepping beyond our comfort zones, as illustrated by Peter's willingness to step out of the boat. This act of courage is a testament to the kind of faith that God calls us to—a faith that dares to defy the natural order and trusts in the call of Jesus. Peter's initial courage to walk towards Jesus is a powerful reminder that true faith often requires us to move into the unknown, trusting in God's guidance even when the path is uncertain. However, this boldness is not without its challenges, as the overwhelming evidence of our senses—the wind and the waves—can cause even the most courageous faith to falter. [20:14]

Matthew 14:28-29 (ESV): "And Peter answered him, 'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.' He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith? How can you take a tangible step towards that today?

Day 2: Embracing the Tension of Doubt

The reality of doubt is a natural part of the faith journey, as seen in Peter's experience. Doubt does not signify the absence of faith but rather the struggle between our trust in God and the overwhelming evidence of our circumstances. This tension is where our faith is tested and strengthened. Peter's moment of doubt, when he began to sink, highlights the human tendency to focus on the challenges rather than the divine presence that sustains us. Yet, it is in this struggle that we learn to rely more deeply on God's promises and presence. [22:41]

James 1:6 (ESV): "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."

Reflection: Identify a specific doubt you are currently facing. How can you bring this doubt before God in prayer and seek His guidance and reassurance?

Day 3: The Assurance of Divine Intervention

Jesus' response to Peter's sinking is a powerful reminder of His readiness to save us. Even when we falter, His hand is always extended, ready to lift us up. This demonstrates His grace and the assurance that He will not let us drown in our doubts. The story of Peter walking on water is not just about his boldness or fear but about recognizing the presence and power of Jesus in the midst of life's storms. Jesus' intervention is a profound reminder that His power is not only over the storm but also through it, guiding us and refining our faith. [39:34]

Isaiah 41:13 (ESV): "For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, 'Fear not, I am the one who helps you.'"

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt overwhelmed by doubt or fear. How did you experience God's intervention, and how can you remind yourself of His faithfulness in future challenges?

Day 4: Strength Through the Storm

While Jesus has the power to calm the storm, He often chooses to demonstrate His power by guiding us through it. This journey through adversity is where we learn to rely on His presence and grow in our faith. The story of Peter walking on water illustrates that God's strength is revealed not only in the calming of the storm but also in the journey through it. It is in these moments of trial that our faith is refined, and we learn to trust in His presence and guidance, even when the winds are strong and the waves are high. [32:09]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: Reflect on a current challenge you are facing. How can you shift your perspective to see this as an opportunity for God to demonstrate His strength in your life?

Day 5: Maintaining Focus on Jesus

The story encourages us to maintain our focus on Jesus, even amidst life's challenges. By fixing our eyes on Him, we can navigate the storms with confidence, knowing that He is the Son of God who has power over all creation. Peter's experience of walking on water and then sinking when he took his eyes off Jesus serves as a reminder of the importance of consistent faith. It is not about never experiencing doubt but about learning to fix our eyes on Jesus, trusting in His presence and power to see us through every storm. [41:57]

Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: What practical steps can you take to keep your focus on Jesus throughout your daily life, especially when faced with distractions or challenges?

Sermon Summary

In our journey of faith, we often encounter moments that test our resolve and challenge our trust in God. Today, we explored the story of Peter walking on water, a powerful narrative that illustrates the dynamics of faith, doubt, and divine intervention. This story is not just about Peter's boldness or his subsequent fear; it's about recognizing the presence and power of Jesus in the midst of life's storms.

Peter's initial courage to step out of the boat and walk towards Jesus is a testament to the kind of faith that God calls us to have. It's a faith that dares to defy the natural order, a faith that steps out into the unknown, trusting in the call of Jesus. However, as Peter's experience shows, even the most courageous faith can falter when faced with the overwhelming evidence of our senses—the wind and the waves of life's challenges.

The key moment in this story is not just Peter's sinking, but Jesus' response. Jesus reaches out and saves Peter, demonstrating that His power is not only over the storm but also through it. This is a profound reminder that while God has the power to calm the storms in our lives, He often chooses to reveal His strength by guiding us through them. This journey through the storm is where our faith is refined and where we learn to rely on His presence.

In our own lives, we may find ourselves in situations where we feel like we're sinking, overwhelmed by doubt and fear. Yet, it's in these moments that we are invited to cry out, "Lord, save me," and trust that He will reach out and lift us up. Our faith journey is not about never experiencing doubt, but about learning to fix our eyes on Jesus, even when the winds are strong and the waves are high.

As we reflect on this story, let us be encouraged to step out in faith, knowing that Jesus is with us, ready to catch us when we falter. Let us also remember that He is the Son of God, with power over all creation, and that He is faithful to see us through every storm.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith in Action: Peter's willingness to step out of the boat illustrates the boldness of faith that God calls us to. It's a reminder that true faith often requires us to move beyond our comfort zones and trust in God's call, even when the path is uncertain. [20:14]
2. The Reality of Doubt: Peter's experience shows that doubt is a natural part of the faith journey. It's not about the absence of faith, but the struggle between our trust in God and the overwhelming evidence of our circumstances. This tension is where our faith is tested and strengthened. [22:41]
3. Divine Intervention: Jesus' response to Peter's sinking is a powerful reminder of His readiness to save us. Even when we falter, His hand is always extended, ready to lift us up. This demonstrates His grace and the assurance that He will not let us drown in our doubts. [39:34]
4. Power Through the Storm: While Jesus has the power to calm the storm, He often chooses to demonstrate His power by guiding us through it. This journey through adversity is where we learn to rely on His presence and grow in our faith. [32:09]
5. Consistent Faith: The story encourages us to maintain our focus on Jesus, even amidst life's challenges. By fixing our eyes on Him, we can navigate the storms with confidence, knowing that He is the Son of God who has power over all creation. [41:57]
** [41:57]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:32] - Introduction and Personal Stories
[06:40] - The Sinking Feeling
[08:40] - Dream and Reality
[10:08] - Breaking the Hand
[11:06] - Peter's Sinking Feeling
[13:12] - Jesus' Solitude and Prayer
[16:07] - Jesus Walks on Water
[17:49] - Peter's Bold Faith
[18:49] - The Nature of Doubt
[20:14] - Peter's Courage and Fear
[22:41] - The Conflict of Faith
[24:57] - Personal Faith Journey
[26:44] - Jesus' Power Over the Storm
[28:44] - Recognizing Jesus' Divinity
[30:22] - Power Through the Storm
[32:09] - Personal Story of Loss
[33:54] - Grief and Faith
[35:50] - The Reality of Grief
[38:56] - Jesus' Assurance
[39:34] - Jesus' Saving Hand
[41:02] - Encouragement to Trust

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was Peter's initial reaction when he saw Jesus walking on the water, and what did he ask Jesus to do? [16:07]
How did Peter's perception of the wind and waves affect his ability to walk on water? [17:49]
What was Jesus' immediate response when Peter began to sink, and what does this reveal about Jesus' character? [16:07]
After Jesus and Peter got back into the boat, what was the disciples' reaction, and what did they declare about Jesus? [28:44]

Interpretation Questions

What does Peter's willingness to step out of the boat say about the nature of faith that God calls us to have? [20:14]
How does the story illustrate the tension between faith and doubt, and what can this teach us about our own faith journeys? [22:41]
In what ways does Jesus demonstrate His power through the storm, and how might this apply to the challenges we face in life? [30:22]
Why is it significant that the disciples worshipped Jesus and declared Him the Son of God after witnessing the events on the water? [28:44]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt called to step out in faith. What were the challenges you faced, and how did you respond? [22:41]
When you experience doubt in your faith journey, what practical steps can you take to refocus your eyes on Jesus? [21:12]
How can you cultivate a consistent faith that remains strong even when faced with life's storms? What specific practices might help you in this? [26:44]
Consider a current situation in your life where you feel overwhelmed. How can you invite Jesus into that situation and trust Him to guide you through it? [32:09]
How does recognizing Jesus' power over creation influence your trust in Him during difficult times? [28:44]
In what ways can you support others in your community who are experiencing their own "storms"? How can you be a source of encouragement and faith for them? [41:02]
What is one area of your life where you need to take a bold step of faith this week? How can you prepare yourself spiritually and mentally for this step? [20:14]

Sermon Clips

"So happy to be back at Forest Community Church and grateful for the invitation from Pastor Kim. And I just, I bring greetings from First Baptist Plano. We are so, so happy that we are in partnership with your church. And it's important to us, it's a big deal to us that we do life and ministry together." [00:01:33] (24 seconds)

"And I pray that we would be faithful today with what we've been entrusted with. We're being entrusted with the word, the truth, but we're called to be faithful. Help us to know how to apply the word to our lives. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. That sinking feeling." [00:03:12] (19 seconds)

"Shortly before dawn, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. So the scholars believe that this storm had been going on a while, and as Jesus is going to come out to them, he's going to come out to them, and he's going to come out to them, it's the fourth watch of the night, and it's between three in the morning before the sun comes up, probably four in the morning, and there's a practicality, Jesus was away from them and needed to get to them. Well, he's Jesus." [00:13:55] (26 seconds)

"And his approach, it's to lift them up. Take courage. And in your life, when you're in the storm, and I'm speaking figuratively, when you're in the storm and you seek the Lord, maybe you pray to God, maybe you even cry out to God in the middle, in the middle of something, and you sense a calmness, a calm, reassuring presence." [00:16:07] (33 seconds)

"When you sense, you seek the Lord, in the middle of it, and you sense this reassurance that doesn't come from anything inside of you, that's the presence of the Lord. And recognize you're in the presence of the Lord. That is the character. Lord, if it's you, Peter replied, tell me to come to you on the water. I can't believe he said that, but that's what he said. Come, he said. Now Peter's been called out on the water. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, came toward Jesus." [00:16:45] (29 seconds)

"Peter's problem was not so much a lack of intellectual conviction as the conflict. The conflict between the evidence of his senses, that wind and the waves and the storm and am I really over the side of this boat? Are my feet really on this water? This is unbelievable. Oh, my goodness, what have I done?" [00:22:05] (18 seconds)

"And I believe that just about anybody that ever has the guts and the heart and the courage to at some point have the audacity to step out in faith and if you're wrestling with something, I don't know if I can step out in faith. I just, I call. I call on you to have courage to do exactly what God calls you to do." [00:23:20] (24 seconds)

"We have that sinking feeling. Remember, he has power over the storm. It's in a big way. It was why he walked on water. I mean, it's practical to get out to the boat where the disciples were. But he walks on water to show his power. Matthew records this with great intentionality because he's recording, he's showing how Jesus reveals himself." [00:27:06] (28 seconds)

"They see his power as he walks on water. They see him pull Peter out of the water. And then those who are in the boat worship him saying, truly, you are the son of God. This is a key moment because they, with what happened, with how he walked on the water, with how he rescues Peter, with how even he allowed Peter to walk on water for a moment, they understood who he is." [00:29:14] (28 seconds)

"Because he's not going to stop the storm while Peter's sinking. He didn't do it. And your storm, he might not stop that either, though he can. But what does he do? He makes sure that Peter gets through it. He says, you have a little faith. Why did you doubt? But he didn't leave him there." [00:39:56] (24 seconds)

"For the one who wavers, for the one who boldly stepped out in faith, only to be the same one who boldly failed. Jesus. Got him through. Listen. He's still the one who walked on water. Amen. He's still the one who reached down and pulled Peter right back into that boat." [00:41:02] (30 seconds)

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?