Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction
Good evening and welcome back.
Tonight if you will turn back in your Bibles to .
This morning we talked about eating supper and tonight we are going to talk about something that many people do after they eat.
A Midnight Stroll.
However, this stroll is like none other we have ever witnessed and I would say, none like any other we have every experienced ourselves.
This what I am talking about of course is Jesus’ Midnight Stroll on the water out to the disciples.
Just like the importance of the events we talked about this morning, this one is also very significant in the ministry of Jesus as it is recorded in 3 of the 4 gospels.
We have it here in Matthew and it is also recorded in as well as .
And many times we think that the whole story and the entire significance is related to Peter walking on the water with Jesus.
This is very important and very significant but it is only one part of the narrative here.
There is actually a great deal at play here, so let’s get right into it.
Again, we are looking at .
Matthew writes . . .
Scripture Focus
Matthew 14:
Some Alone Time (vs 22-24)
So, here we are now right after Jesus feeds the 5000 men and how ever many women and children were with them.
And if you recall, when the events we talked about this morning were taking place, what Jesus was really doing was trying to find a place to be alone for a while.
Remember earlier in the narrative . . .
Matthew 14:
Jesus was just trying to get some peace and quiet so that he could refresh and recharge a bit.
And sometimes I think we forget the importance of solitude and “alone time.”
And when I say “alone time,” we are not really alone, but rather time when we are alone with God.
Time when we can reflect and block out all of the noise and distractions of the world and focus on God.
Time when we can be refreshed and renewed.
Paul even says . .
And what I would like for us to focus on is the phrase, renewed day by day.
As Paul points out, this world and this life takes it’s toll on us and we are outwardly wasting away.
However, in order to make we have to get to a place where we are renewed.
And if we really want to be healthy we should be doing it day by day.
I have found for me personally, I have to.
If I don’t then I am a grouchy old bear.
Just ask my wife!
You know, she’s been through a lot the last few months and I have been concerned about her.
But also there have been lots of things competing for my time and attention.
And I have found for me as stress increases, my need for alone time increases.
If I do not stay centered, then I end up a mess.
And really all of us have to do that.
For me, it is getting up early in the morning and drinking coffee and just taking a deep breath and listening for a while.
For others it may be something else.
But we all need that time and we all need to connect with God.
And we think it strange that Jesus would also need this, but remember he is fully human and fully man, so he also needs that connection with the Father.
But also, he is showing us an example of how we should be as well.
So, after he hears of John’s death, he wants to be a alone with God for a while, but the crowds follow.
And Jesus does what Jesus does, he ministers to the crowds.
But after that, he again tries to get alone with the Father . . .
Matthew tells us that after the meal . . .
Matthew 14:22
He sends the disciples away on the boat and finally was alone with the Father, so he could pray.
And I don’t know if Jesus sensed there was a problem, or if he had finished praying and was going to make is way back to the boat, the Bible doesn’t really say, but . . .
And the reason this was a problem was because the water was shallow and this wasn’t a very big boat.
And when the wind gets up, the more shallow the water the heavier the waves gets and it can get pretty dangerous, pretty fast.
John tells us that . . .
John 6:
So, the boat was in trouble.
So, the boat was in trouble.
In fact, Mark tells us that when Jesus returned to the shore where the boat was at . . .
Mark 6:
Take Courage (vs 25-27)
Now, what Jesus does next, even though the disciples were very afraid and thought they were going to die is a bit comical if you really look at it.
Matthew writes that . . .
Matthew 14:25
And Mark adds . . .
Mark 6:48-
And finally John …
John 6:
And the comical part of this is their reaction to Jesus.
Here he is at 3AM walking out on the lake to them and almost walks by them.
And they “cry out” probably crying out to God because they thought they had seen a ghost!
And what is ironic is here is God coming to save them and they don’t even recognize it.
And besides the point of them thinking they have seen a ghost scaring them, also one of the old maritime legends they knew about was that when you saw a ghost on the water that meant you were about to die.
So they are crying out to God to save them, who is already there.
And for us, how often do we do the same thing?
We are so consumed by all of the trouble and all of the things going on around us that we cannot even see when God is right in front us.
We cry out to God to help us, but the reality is God is already here.
God is not in some far off land, waiting to hear from us.
God is ever-present, always right beside us.
Walking with us.
Carrying us through things.
And . . .
Folks, God is always here!
Whether it is 3AM or 3PM, God is here, but we spend more time crying out in fear of the unknown instead of recognizing God at work in our situation.
And that is really all the disciples are doing here, failing to recognize the Savior at work.
And when Jesus sees their fear . . .
And that is what God is saying to us every single day.
Don’t be afraid.
Take courage because He is here.
Whatever it is that we are going through, we can take courage and be encouraged because God is with us!
Keep Your Eyes on Jesus (vs 28-31)
And Peter though, has to push things to the limit.
He has to make absolutely sure.
Can’t take it by faith, so . . .
And Jesus’ response is simple, concise, but brilliant all at the same time.
Isn’t that all Jesus is saying to any of us.
“Come to me....”
All we have to do is respond to Jesus when he calls and things will be okay.
Regardless of how bad we think they are going to get.
And truth be told they may get bad, but if we stay focused on Jesus, stay focused on God we can get through it.
We can make it.
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