How Much Persistence Do You Have When You Doubt The Wisdom Of Stepping Out Of The Boat?

Good Morning Friends,

I’ve heard a lot of conversation on the passage about Jesus walking on water that has focused on Peter, who finds himself sinking into stormy seas when he begins to doubt Jesus. But if we only focus on the moment that Peter sinks, we will have missed the most wonderful part of the story. I want to encourage us to put the failure aside for a time and look at the promise. Peter walks on the water. Here we experience a new nature, a new source of power and a new relationship, but to do that Peter and we too must use a little out of the boat thinking. Today we look at a parable about not losing heart and the faith to walk on water and the commitment of an Apostle to live boldly. How Much Persistence Do You Have When You Doubt The Wisdom Of Stepping Out Of The Boat?

Scripture: Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, “Grant me justice against my opponent.” For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, “Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.” ‘ And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’

Luke 18:1-8 (NRSV)

Three months later we set sail on a ship that had wintered at the island, an Alexandrian ship with the Twin Brothers as its figurehead. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there for three days; then we weighed anchor and came to Rhegium. After one day there a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. There we found believers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. The believers from there, when they heard of us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. When we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him He lived there for two whole years at his own expense and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

Acts 28:11-16, 30-31 (NRSV)

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’ 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, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’

Matthew 14:22-33 (NRSV)

Message: Trouble is temporary but then so too is the flesh. We are divided creatures. Still as Christians we can be certain of a future glory in heaven. We can have faith friends strong enough to get us out of the boat and onto the water because God’s Spirit prays for us perfectly even as Jesus calls for us to “Come ahead.” God is working in every situation for the good, revealing His plan for all Christians to be glorified. This is the miracle of walking on water. Here we are to know that God is for us and not against us. Know that there is nothing that can condemn us when Jesus calls. Know that nothing can separate us from God’s love when Jesus is present. Know that if we respond in faith to the call of Jesus miracles can happen but that first we must risk thinking beyond the practical and common sense and safe things of being in this boat of ours. Now understand that our faith makes no sense to people still sitting in the boat, still sitting in the pews never having been sent out. Friends, babies born to virgins, empty tombs, choosing death in order to live, ruling by serving, and being first by bringing up the rear doesn’t make sense. It sure doesn’t make sense to step out of a perfectly good boat at the height of a storm but that is what we are called to do, and it is here that life begins anew. It is here we discover that it is not risky at all to trust Jesus. Friends, if you all want to walk on water you have to think out of the boat.

And So, today’s scriptures converge with an appeal for us, in the storms of life, to be persistent in prayer. Whether our task is walking on water or convincing a judge of just action or committing, with sacrifice, to a cause greater than ourselves, we are to be in continual prayer. The parable about the woman with no rights, and no one to defend her, facing some matter of great injustice sets the stage. And it is in such a situation that we might fail in earthly matters of justice, but we must not shirk from a spiritual firmness to press on with faith when others grow faint. We are not to bow before injustice systems but work for a just resolution for the cause of Christ. We are to realize that Christ desires that just as much as we pray, we would work for justice in this world with persistence and faith that produces hope that does not disappoint. Friends, our attitude and mindset make a difference. There are physical obstacles to overcome that might be difficult to move but it is the mental hindrances that are perhaps even more important. We must believe before we can accomplish a task worthy of glorifying God.

Pray we realize that God not only sets the agenda but also the timing of events. Pray we appreciate the life and power of the Holy Spirit each and every day. Pray we understand the innocent music of God as we rage against life’s entropy. Pray we do not grow discouraged. Pray we have a spiritual contentment that empower our love to act in faith and a physical commitment to overcome the obstacles that challenge justice. Pray the Kingdom of God come to rule in our hearts on earth as it is in heaven. Pray we love beyond our impermanence. Pray we call out…shout out for others to be with us in a future as we have been called. Pray we extend the transient experience of this life with the love of eternity that empowers us to walk on water. Pray we trust God and expect promised blessings to overcome not just our anxieties but the very reality of being in the flesh. Pray we reach beyond human reasoning and do great and amazing things thinking outside the boat. Pray we set free our Moorings and set sail. Pray we step up and out hearing the call of Jesus.

Blessings,

John Lawson