The Son of God – Part 2 | Matthew 14:22-36

Scripture

• Matthew 14:22–36

About this sermon

Introduction: The Son of God comes to His disciples walking on the sea of Galilee, in the 4th watch of the night, in the middle of a fierce wind storm. As we said last time, this was: Review: • A CHRIST ARRANGED TEST OF FAITH (vs.22-27) Everything about this situation makes clear that this was a divinely orchestrated test — a teaching ground — for the disciples of Christ. • THE DISMISSAL — Jesus sent His men ahead in a way that overcame their objections. • THE TROUBLE — The storm was the backdrop for something that these men needed to see demonstrated about the deity of their Lord. • THE ARRIVAL — His coming to them left unforgettable lessons, both about Him and about us. • CHRIST’S DEITY IS ON DISPLAY — Jesus comes in a way that leaves no doubt about His identity (Job 9:8). • THE DISCIPLES’S NEED IS ON DISPLAY — Jesus is responded to in a way that leaves no doubt about our weakness. • CHRIST’S TENDER FAITHFULNESS IS ON DISPLAY — Jesus responds to that weakness in a way that leaves no doubt about God’s mercy and love toward His people. Lesson: • A CHRIST AFFIRMED SIFTING OF FAITH (vs.28-31) Where we begin this morning is by taking note of what the disciples LEARN through this encounter. Jesus appears. The disciples are afraid. Jesus makes Himself known. Now, the question is — HOW WILL THEY RESPOND? I entitled this point, “A Christ affirmed sifting of faith” because Peter’s faith is going to be sifted in a way that HE INITIATES. This is God ordained, and the disciple was ordained to choose the method of his own sifting. Jesus simply affirms what Peter asked for. • THE REPRESENTATIVE DISCIPLE — PETER (vs.28) As is often the case, we see Peter, but Peter simply represents what was true in the others. He speaks for the group. He stands in the lead. One of the most wonderful and assuring things about our Savior is how He dealt with Peter. How He dealt with all the disciples, of course, but how He dealt with Peter is such a clear example of the kind of patience He had with them all. OBSERVATION: Christ’s dealings with Peter should challenge many a ministry leader who doesn’t seem to have a category for people like Peter. To be blunt, someone like Peter wouldn’t last very long with them. • WE SEE SIN AND WEAKNESS IN PETER Peter the outspoken one — Once again the first one to speak in this scene in response to what they are seeing. Peter the impulsive one — He not only speaks to Jesus but has the amazing idea of getting out of the boat to join on Him on the water. Charles H. Spurgeon — “What did Peter want with walking on the waters?” Spurgeon queried. Spurgeon suggested that his name, Peter, which means “rock,” might have warned him that “like a stone he would go to the bottom. … Surely, he wist not (didn’t know) what he said.” And as we examine all that we see about Peter in the gospel accounts, we see that these are not isolated incidents. This man is FULL of conflicting personality. He is sometimes highly praised by Jesus, and he is sometimes sternly rebuked by Jesus. How many, in our day, would conclude that Peter is not made of the stuff that you would want to entrust ministry to? There is a perfectionism, an impatience, an inability to have vision that sees beyond the present state of the disciple to the POTENTIAL state of the disciple in many cases. How many would brand him proud? Would brand him outspoken, uncareful? Would brand him with other character weaknesses unfit for ministry? Yet in our Lord’s estimation, not only is he fit, he was the one to lead the others. WHAT DID JESUS SEE IN PETER THAT WE OFTEN MISS IN PEOPLE WHO ARE SIMILAR? Could it be that we have too high a view of ourselves? We don’t have a category for it because a person represents something that WE ARE NOT. If someone is not LIKE US, then perhaps they aren’t a good candidate for ministry development? Could it be that have too low a view of Christ’s work to USE ANY OF US? We don’t have a category for it because we underestimate Christ’s patience with ALL OF US. Blind, to our own sinfulness and weaknesses AND WE FORGET that our own development came over a long period of time. • WE SEE GRACE AND STRENGTH IN PETER Christ’s patience and faithfulness toward His disciples meant the development of beautiful graces and strengths produced by the power of God. Peter the unpretentious one — Peter’s personality is genuine. This might be described as impulsive, but it comes from the place of a genuine faith. Peter is a passionate man, but He genuinely wants to please Christ. God makes people with strengths in their personalities that are NOT TO ELIMINATED but to be DEVELOPED. Personality is not a sin to be repented of, but instead is a feature of real humanity to be transformed by the grace of God. Peter the supremely loyal one — Peter’s love for Jesus was fierce. True, he eventually proves that he has the potential for shameful disloyalty, but that is not his pattern of character.

Topics

• Jesus Christ