We all face storms in life; however, what we do when we face them is up to us because God is always willing to be with us, walk with us on the water and calm the storm. I pray we will not be afraid but have faith and be courageous!

THE SEVEN SIGNS OF JOHN

  1. Changing water into wine (John 2:1-11).
  2. Healing the royal official’s son (John 4:46-54).
  3. Healing the paralytic (John 5:1-15).
  4. Feeding the 5000 (John 6:5-15).
  5. Jesus walking on water (John 6:16-21).
  6. Healing the blind man (John 9:1-7).
  7. The raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-45).

John 20:30-31, “30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

SERMON TEXT

John 6:16-21, “16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” 21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

Matthew 14:22-34, “22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” 34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.”

BREAKDOWN

  1. John’s gospel gives the shortest account of Jesus walking on water; most likely because he knew that people were aware of Matthew and Mark’s accounts in their gospels.
  2. After the miraculous feeding Jesus sent the disciples ahead of Him so He could pray by Himself (John 6:16-17 & Matthew 14:22-23).
  3. While the disciples were struggling to row in the midst of a storm they saw Jesus on the water and were afraid (John 6:18-19 & Matthew 14:24-26).
  4. Jesus identified Himself and then told them to take courage and not be afraid (John 6:20 & Matthew 14:27).
  5. Peter called out to Jesus to walk on the water, did so, however he began to sink when he became afraid and Jesus saved him while rebuking His little faith (Matthew 14:28-31).
  6. Jesus came into the boat with Peter, calmed the storm and His disciples worshipped Him as the Son of God (Matthew 14:32-33).
  7. Once Jesus was in the boat another miracle occurred because they immediately reached the shore (John 6:21 & Matthew 14:34).

APPLICATIONS

  1. ALWAYS MAKE TIME TO PRAY BY YOURSELF: We can learn from Jesus’ life to be committed to private prayer. Matthew 6:6, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
  2. DO ALL THE GOOD YOU CAN DO: The disciples rowed for many miles in the storm because they were obedient to Jesus’ command. Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
  3. LEARN TO RECOGNIZE JESUS: The disciples almost missed their encounter with Jesus because He only came to them when they cried out. Mark records, “He was about to pass by them” (Mark 6:48).
  4. TAKE COURAGE, DON’T BE AFRAID: Whenever you are with Jesus you have nothing to be afraid of. Matthew 28:20, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
  5. WORSHIP JESUS FOR WHO HE IS, NOT JUST FOR WHAT HE DOES: Yes, Jesus enabled Peter to walk on water and calmed the storm- but what was greater than all that was the fact that He loved them enough to be with them. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.”
  6. GOD CAN SHORTEN YOUR JOURNEY: Just like how they arrived immediately at the shore, Jesus can make things happen instantly in your life that would otherwise take years! Romans 10:17 (KJV), “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Don’t be afraid, have faith in God and live courageous in the storm!