Pastor Richard Waialeale
February 3, 2019 - W1905

Walk Before You’re Ready

Conquer

Pastor Richard Waialeale

February 2 & 3, 2019

Welcome, New Hope! Mary and I just returned from a family wedding in Sacramento, [California] and it was nice. It also got me thinking: The truth is that most weddings, as beautiful and lovely as they can be, become forgettable! 

On the other hand, unforgettable weddings usually have an unpredictable facet, such as, the minister repeatedly saying the wrong names to the bride and groom; the fainting bride; the groom with cold feet; or the bridesmaid falling in the mud just before the door! These are all unforgettable parts that make weddings unforgettable! 

Most people’s lives are as lovely as can be—but forgettable. But when Jesus comes, He makes what is forgettable into something unforgettable, very special! Let me explain: Jesus, His mother, and friends attended a forgettable wedding in Cana of Galilee that turned into an unforgettable wedding, and people are still talking about it today! Jesus had just performed His first public miracle of turning water into the best wine—an unpredictable facet that made the wedding unforgettable! 

Every time Jesus shows up in a person’s life, He transforms the ordinary human heart into the best it can be—a miracle is performed (changing water into wine)! Here is another miracle by Jesus:  

Matthew 14:24-26 (NLT) says, “Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw Him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, ‘It’s a ghost!’”

The disciples didn’t understand what was going on and were terrified! Sometimes, we, too, can miss what’s going on and become fearful; but, remember and know that Jesus never does a miracle to show off. Instead, He wants to teach us something, and every teaching moment is a miracle, and vise-versa. There are three kinds of faith required when walking on water: 

1. FAITH TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT (leave your comfort zone)

Matthew 14:27-29 NLT, says, “²⁷ But Jesus spoke to them at once. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ he said. ‘Take courage. I am here!’ ²⁸ Then Peter called to him, ‘Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water. ’²⁹ ‘Yes, come,’ Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat...”

The first step of faith to walking on water is to obey the Word of God and act on it—leave your place of security and trust God! Peter knows that the last thing you do in a storm is to get away from your boat—it’s your salvation from harm! But, Jesus told him to come to Him, and Peter leaves his place of security and heads toward Jesus, simply because he wanted to get to Jesus! This is incredible for a guy like Peter because he had been a fisherman all his life, and, likely had been through lots of storms in the Sea of Galilee. 

Getting out of the boat could also happen in your relationship when an argument or confrontation turns into unforgiveness—it’s easier not to forgive than to forgive. But you must forgive! Or it could happen on your job when you might have a lapse of integrity: God wants to use you in incredible ways (it doesn’t matter what your past is), He challenges you, “I have a purpose and a plan for your life; the ball is in your court, but you must have integrity!”

Romans 10:17 NKJV says, ^17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Faith comes from hearing God’s word and acting on it: First you listen; then, you act on it. Here’s the key: When you act on God’s word, after a while, it becomes routine! Peter walked on water because he saw Jesus walking on water. You will start doing what Jesus is doing in the world. Jesus is forgiving, so you start forgiving. Jesus is kind, so you start being kind. Jesus served, so you serve. Obey the Word of God and act on it! 

After getting out our comfort zone and leaving the boat have…

2. FAITH TO STEP OUT ON WATER (focus on Jesus)

Matthew 14:29-30 (NLT), “…and walked on the water towards Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink.” 

As long as Peter kept his eyes focused on Jesus, he was able to walk on water, because he realized that it was God’s power and not his own. But, when he looked away from Jesus, that’s when he took a dive and sank! It wasn’t Peter’s power that caused him to walk on water; it was God’s power!  

In the Old Testament in the book of Daniel chapter 3, Nebuchadnezzar built a golden image and commanded that at the sound of music, everyone was to fall down and worship the golden image; if they didn’t, they’d be thrown into a blazing furnace. Daniel’s three friends refused to bow down and worship the false idol. Nebuchadnezzar was furious and ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter and Daniel’s three friends be thrown into the fire. The guards who escorted them to the furnace were destroyed, but Daniel’s three friends in the furnace were not!

The point is: Do not look at what you’re walking through. Look at the one you’re walking with. Daniel’s three friends stood by their God, and instead of worshiping Nebuchadnezzar’s idol, they kept their eyes on Jesus! 

Keep your eyes focused on Jesus—it takes incredible concentration. If you focus on what’s above the circumstances and walk towards Jesus, you will begin to live a life that you were created to live. That’s what a walking-on-water kind of life is: Getting your eyes above the circumstances and keeping them on Jesus. 

3.HAVE FAITH TO CRY OUT WHEN YOU ARE SINKING

Matthew 14:30-33 NLT says, “³⁰ But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. ³¹ Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

³² When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. ³³ Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

If you’re to walk on water and live this kind of life, you will sink sometimes. When you do, cry out to God! He will reach out to you and bring you back into the boat—back to a place of healing and purpose. Just call out to Him! 

Remember, God causes storms of correction that disciplines and storms of perfection that develops!   

Faith is developed through struggle. Faith is to believe even when you don’t see the evidence. To me, faith isn’t just to believe when lacking evidence; it is also to obey in spite of the consequences. When you do that, you will see the miracles of Jesus happening in your life. Every teaching moment is a miracle. 

FAITH IS OBEYING IN SPITE OF THE CONSEQUENCES! 

STUDY QUESTIONS:

1. Are there areas where your faith is calling you to get out of the boat? Step on to the water? And    to cry out when you are sinking?
2. Are you doing only some and not all of those three steps toward faith: Leave your comfort zone, Focus on Jesus, Cry out when you fail?
3. What do you need to do to stop looking away and to bring your focus back to Jesus?
4. How will you apply the Books of Matthew and Daniel to your life to help you grow towards Jesus?