Matthew 14 22-33 Advanced Faith Assessment Multiple Tests
Advanced Assessments
Get out of the boat and keep going
Test within a test – waves of test
Help make you successful
I. A test intended for success
A. An intentional setup
(NKJV) Matthew 14 22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.
1. Commanded them to go
2. Sent them out alone - unusual
B. After a display of His power
(NKJV) Matthew 14 20 So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. 21 Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
C. Prayed for them
(NKJV) Matthew 14 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.
D. Never lost sight of them
Mark 6 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them
1. Knew their need (clear moonlit night)
2. Never beyond His sight or care
E. Came to them at the appropriate time
(NKJV) Matthew 14 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
1. Key aspect to the test
II. The initial elements of the test
A. They were alone
(NKJV) Matthew 14 23 … Now when evening came, He was alone there.
B. A Similar but more complex test
(NKJV) Matthew 14 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
1. Wind against them
2. Not just a test of Him saving them
C. Circumstances compounded the test
1. Exhaustion
(NKJV) Matthew 14 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
Mark 6 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them
a) Worn out
2. Lack of progress
(NKJV) Matthew 14 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
a) Movement but Little progress toward the goal (went 3 ½ mi and still that far away even further from away than in the beginning only 2 mi trip)
b) Off course middle of lake
3. Time delays
(NKJV) Matthew 14 23 … Now when evening came, He was alone there
25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
a) 9-12 hours of work
(1) Should have been an hour or so trip (2 miles rowing)
(2) Evening till 3-6 am
D. An unexpected manner of help
(NKJV) Matthew 14 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
a) Came walking on the water
III. A test with initial failure
A. Weren’t expecting Him
(NKJV) Matthew 14 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
1. Not expecting a radical intervention
B. Didn’t recognize him
(NKJV) Matthew 14 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
1. Negative outlook – expecting more trouble
C. His coming created anxiety
(NKJV) Matthew 14 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
1. More frightened by His appearance than His absence
IV. A test with hints to produce faith
A. Emotional encouragement
(NKJV) Matthew 14 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
B. Revelation of Himself
(NKJV) Matthew 14 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
1. God is here I AM of OT
2. He is present (and has been present)– the name of the ever present one
3. All is okay - He is the one who actively present - working on behave of His people
C. A Challenge to trust
(NKJV) Matthew 14 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
1. No reason to fear
V. The test within the test – Get out of the boat by faith
A. Invited to a new level of living
(NKJV) Matthew 14 28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 So He said, “Come.”
1. Demanded a desire to step out
2. Leave the comfortable place for the unknown
3. Obtained clear direction – avoid the foolish
B. Left the ordinary
(NKJV) Matthew 14 28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat,
1. No one else followed
2. A dangerous step but not as dangerous as staying in the boat
C. Experienced the impossible
(NKJV) Matthew 14 29 … he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
1. Did the impossible
D. Moved toward Jesus
(NKJV) Matthew 14 29 … he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
1. Grew more intimate in His trust of Jesus
VI. The test within the test – Faith must be followed by faith
A. Took eyes off Jesus
(NKJV) Matthew 14 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous,
1. No longer looking at Jesus
2. Significant opposition to movement
3. Hard to stay focused – waves and swells?
B. Wavered because of circumstances
(NKJV) Matthew 14 30 … he was afraid;
1. Not just a fun thing – walking on the water
2. Fear of circumstances - A dangerous place
3. Fear of own inability – can’t sustain oneself
4. Lost sense of Jesus power and care
C. Began to fail
(NKJV) Matthew 14 30 … and beginning to sink
1. Won’t make it on one’s own
2. Turn back to Him
D. Jesus did not abandon
(NKJV) Matthew 14 30 … he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
E. Jesus assessed his faith
(NKJV) Matthew 14 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
1. Proper assessment
2. A message of hope – could be different next time
VII. The expected response:
A. Keep trusting the God worthy of trust
(NKJV) Matthew 14 33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”