Stepping Out in Faith: Embracing God's Faithfulness

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Faithfulness Remains Unchanging

No matter the season or circumstance, God’s faithfulness endures from generation to generation. He is the same God who heard the cries of His people in the past, provided for their needs, healed their wounds, and answered their prayers—and He continues to do so today. When you feel uncertain or overwhelmed, you can stand firm on the unshakable foundation of His faithfulness, trusting that He will not abandon you. His character does not shift with the winds of change; He is steadfast, reliable, and always present, inviting you to lean on Him in every moment. [45:24]

Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to remember and rely on God’s unchanging faithfulness today?

Day 2: Stepping Out in Faith—Even When Afraid

Taking a step of faith often means moving forward even when you feel afraid or uncertain. Like Peter stepping out of the boat onto the water, you may not know what will happen next, but when you hear Jesus calling, He invites you to trust Him and take the risk. It’s not about having perfect confidence or never feeling fear; it’s about choosing to act in faith, believing that Jesus is with you and will catch you if you falter. Sometimes, the greatest miracles happen when you dare to leave the safety of the boat and follow His voice. [52:27]

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 “boat” of comfort or safety that Jesus might be calling you to step out of this week?

Day 3: It’s Not the Size of Your Faith, But Who It’s In

Faith isn’t about having a huge, unshakeable confidence all the time; even a little faith, when placed in Jesus, can move mountains. Jesus reminds us that it’s not the quantity of our faith that matters, but the object of our faith—Himself. When you focus on Jesus and trust in His power rather than your own strength, you can take bold steps and experience God doing amazing things through you, even if your faith feels small. [55:15]

Matthew 17:20 (ESV)
"He said to them, 'Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.'"

Reflection: Where do you feel your faith is “little” right now, and how can you shift your focus from your faith’s size to Jesus’ power?

Day 4: Welcoming Those Who Are Different

God’s invitation extends beyond our comfort zones, calling us to welcome and embrace people who are different from us. Just as Peter was challenged to invite Gentiles into fellowship, we are called to open our hearts and communities to those who may not look, act, or believe exactly as we do. This kind of hospitality and risk-taking love reflects the heart of Jesus, who breaks down barriers and invites all people to belong. [07:43]

Acts 10:34-35 (ESV)
"So Peter opened his mouth and said: 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.'"

Reflection: Who is someone in your life or community that you tend to keep at a distance, and what is one step you can take to welcome them this week?

Day 5: Bravery in Everyday Discipleship

Being a disciple of Jesus means saying yes to brave, everyday acts—standing up for what’s right, showing kindness to the lonely, or sharing your faith even when it feels risky. Jesus promises to be with you in every situation, giving you strength and courage when you feel weak or afraid. When you trust Him and take risks for His sake, you become a light in the world, shining His love into dark places and making a difference wherever you go. [58:09]

Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Reflection: What is one brave thing you sense God asking you to do today, and how can you rely on His presence as you take that step?

Sermon Summary

Today, we reflected on the faithfulness of God through the stories of Mary, David, and especially Peter, who dared to step out of the boat and walk on water at Jesus’ invitation. The same God who answered prayers and provided for His people in the past is still present and active in our lives today. We are reminded that God’s faithfulness is not just a story from long ago, but a living reality that we can stand on, especially when we face our own “giants” or storms.

As we revisited the night when the disciples struggled against the wind on the Sea of Galilee, we saw how Jesus came to them in their fear, walking on the water and calling out, “It is I, do not be afraid, be strong.” Peter’s willingness to step out onto the waves, even with trembling faith, shows us that faith is not about having it all together or being fearless. Rather, it’s about trusting the One who calls us, even when the risks seem great and the outcome is uncertain.

Peter’s experience teaches us that faith is not measured by its size, but by its object. Even “little faith” can move mountains when it is placed in Jesus. Sometimes, we may falter or begin to sink when we take our eyes off Him, but Jesus is always ready to reach out and lift us up. He invites us to take risks, to step out of our comfort zones, and to trust Him with the unknown.

We also considered Peter’s later vision in Jaffa, where God challenged him to welcome those who were once considered outsiders. This vision was not just about food, but about opening our hearts and communities to people who are different from us. True discipleship means being willing to take risks—not only in following Jesus personally, but also in loving and including others, even when it feels uncomfortable.

As we go into our week, may we be brave and take risks for God’s kingdom, trusting that He is with us, giving us strength and courage. Let us shine the light of Jesus into the world, knowing that He is always faithful and always near.

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Key Takeaways

1. God’s Faithfulness Is Unchanging The same God who provided for Mary, David, and the disciples is present with us today. His faithfulness is not a relic of the past but a living foundation we can stand on, especially in times of uncertainty or fear. When we remember how God has answered prayers before, it gives us confidence to trust Him now. [45:24]
2. Faith Means Risking the Unknown Peter’s decision to step out of the boat was not because he was fearless, but because he trusted Jesus’ call. True faith often requires us to leave the safety of what we know and risk stepping into the unknown, believing that Jesus is with us. It is better to risk getting “wet” in obedience than to remain paralyzed by fear in the boat. [52:27]
3. The Object of Our Faith Matters More Than Its Size Jesus taught that even a little faith, when placed in Him, can accomplish great things. We don’t need to muster up superhuman faith; we simply need to trust the One who is faithful. Our confidence comes not from the strength of our belief, but from the strength of our Savior. [55:15]
4. Discipleship Means Welcoming the Outsider Peter’s vision in Jaffa challenged him to embrace those who were different, breaking down barriers that had kept people apart. Following Jesus means being willing to include and love those who may not look, act, or believe like us. This kind of risk-taking hospitality is at the heart of the gospel and the mission of the church. [07:43]
5. Jesus Is Always Ready to Lift Us Up When Peter began to sink, Jesus immediately reached out to save him. In our own moments of doubt, fear, or failure, Jesus is always near, ready to help and restore us. Our journey of faith will have ups and downs, but we can be assured that we are never alone—He is always reaching out His hand. [54:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[44:37] - Calling on the God of Mary and David
[45:24] - God’s Faithfulness Through the Ages
[46:01] - God’s Power and Provision
[47:23] - Standing on God’s Faithfulness
[48:27] - The Disciples on the Windy Sea
[49:48] - Jesus Walks on Water
[51:02] - Jesus’ Voice: “Do Not Be Afraid”
[52:27] - Peter Steps Out in Faith
[53:46] - Sinking and Being Lifted by Jesus
[55:15] - Faith Like a Mustard Seed
[56:46] - Praying for Courage and Trust
[58:56] - Worship: “Jesus We Love You”
[65:11] - The Vision in Jaffa: Welcoming the Outsider
[69:29] - Three Acts of Risk-Taking Discipleship
[70:46] - Glow-in-the-Dark Crosses: Shining Jesus’ Light
[71:25] - Benediction and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, how did they react at first, and what did Jesus say to them? ([51:02])
What did Peter do when he heard Jesus’ voice, and what happened when he started to sink? ([53:46])
In Peter’s vision in Jaffa, what was unusual about the food he saw, and what did Jesus tell him to do? ([01:06:23])
According to the sermon, what decision did the early church make after Peter’s vision? ([01:07:43])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Peter was willing to step out of the boat, even though he was afraid? What does this say about the nature of faith? ([52:27])
When Peter began to sink, Jesus immediately reached out to help him. What does this teach us about Jesus’ response to our moments of doubt or fear? ([54:31])
Peter’s vision challenged him to welcome people who were different from him. Why was this a risk for Peter, and what does it reveal about following Jesus? ([01:07:43])
The sermon said, “Faith is not about how much you have, but who you put it in.” How does this idea challenge the way people usually think about faith? ([55:15])

Application Questions

Think about a time when you felt God calling you to do something that felt risky or uncomfortable. Did you step out, or did you stay “in the boat”? What would it look like to take a step of faith this week? ([52:27])
Are there areas in your life right now where you feel like you’re “sinking” or losing focus on Jesus? What practical steps can you take to keep your eyes on Him? ([53:46])
The sermon talked about welcoming outsiders and including people who are different from us. Is there someone in your life or community who you find hard to welcome? What is one thing you could do to reach out to them this week? ([01:07:43])
When you remember God’s faithfulness in the past, how does it help you trust Him with your current challenges? Can you share a specific example? ([45:24])
The sermon said, “It’s better to risk getting wet in obedience than to stay paralyzed by fear in the boat.” What is one area where fear is holding you back from obeying God? What would it look like to take a small risk for God’s kingdom? ([55:55])
Peter’s story shows that even “little faith” can do great things when it’s placed in Jesus. Is there something you feel too weak or unqualified to do for God? How can you trust Him with your “little faith” this week? ([55:15])
The church decided to include people who were once considered outsiders. How can our small group or church become more welcoming to people who might feel left out or different? ([01:07:43])

Sermon Clips

yeah Peter I remember that night it was a It was a windy night not like stormy windy more like annoyingly windy i mean we were trying to just get a few miles into the sea and Jesus was off praying i sort of remember that with the wind blowing it was almost like I don't know we weren't going forwards we were kind of going backwards weren't we [00:48:19]

tired that was such a long day of being Jesus's disciple i mean all those people and almost no food i mean a whole group of Jewish people with no food you can't have that\n no you can't have that i mean feeding 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish is one thing but doing the dishes afterwards\n you've never done dishes in your life Andrew what are [00:49:00]

i don't know how he had the strength to climb up that mountain to pray you know it's amazing it seems like Jesus always could find the strength to pray yeah even if someone fell asleep on him in the garden [00:49:32]

mean I remember remember Thomas was hiding under the tarps and Philip was over there rewriting his will i mean we were all terrified yeah until we heard his voice do you remember that it was the same voice that called you and me and the others to be fishers of men it was the same voice over there just [00:50:42]

yeah it was the same voice when he called out to Lazarus you come forth it was it was this amazing voice that we knew so well do you remember what he said that night\n yeah i mean how could I forget he said "It is I do not be afraid be strong." And you know we pretty were [00:51:14]

i mean to tell you that in that moment I I was still afraid i I didn't know what was going to happen i knew it was going to be risky you know it's pretty choppy water out there but I believe that if Jesus was calling me then I I had to do it it was an act of faith [00:52:05]

you know I always admired that in you granted half the time the things you did were crazy where you know you just put your foot right in your mouth but this time you actually put your money where your mouth was\n yeah you know it's it's crazy that you actually were able to walk on the water\n i' I've always wondered what was that like walking on the water\n i don't know [00:52:33]

it was pretty amazing it was like standing in or maybe I don't know maybe standing on it it was it was this amazing experience but you know as long as I had this sense that it was Jesus calling me I it's like I heard his voice and I could stay focused on it was like seeing him [00:52:59]

maybe I just took my eyes off Jesus and then you're right I started to sink it was first my toes and then my ankles and of course then my knees i I really I don't know what I would have done if Jesus hadn't reached in to help me out [00:54:15]

yeah i mean it wouldn't be the first time Jesus picked us up i mean Jesus had to pick up each of us many times yeah for me just as much as anybody still glad I did it but you know afterwards Jesus said you know Peter you've got little faith [00:54:23]

it's not about how much faith Andrew it was about who your faith is in and and and when your faith is in Jesus you can take all kinds of risks jesus really wants his people to have adventures like that\n yeah and and we we sure have had [00:55:28]

but I think that's the point i think Jesus would rather have us risk taking a step out of the boat and getting wet than to stay scared in the boat staying scared in the boat yeah I'm pretty sure that was Jesus's point but speaking about in the boat um [00:55:47]

well maybe what Jesus was inviting us me to do is to see it as an invitation to bring other people the people that would eat those foods to bring those people into our fellowship maybe we should be inviting the Gentiles to join [01:07:43]

but so that's what we decided at the Jerusalem conference we decided that we would invite the Gentiles to come and join us in our church fellowship h kind of sounds like a risk do you have faith in them to do it [01:08:13]

we can take all kinds of risks if if Jesus is calling me if he can teach me to walk as his disciple if he can teach me to walk on water huh yeah I can walk with people I don't normally hang with huh maybe that's the [01:08:46]

well what a cool story a story in three parts about taking a chance first coming to Jesus when he calls to be a follower and then coming out on the waters to walk and do something incredible and then taking a chance on being friends with a group of people that you've always sort of kept your distance from [01:09:39]

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