Scripture Text: Matthew 14:28-29

“And Peter answering him said, Lord,

if it be thou bid me come unto thee

on the water.

And Jesus said to Peter “Come” and when

Peter was come down out of the ship he

walked on the water to go to Jesus.”

Subject:

“THE CALL TO BECOME A WATER WALKER”

In the public life of the historical Jesus miracles had a high place of importance.

The miracles of Christ authenticated His divinity and were a sign to His announcement that the Kingdom of God was at hand.

Miracles take place when there is a suspension or negation of the natural order.

All the miracles of Christ fall into four categories:

· Miracles over nature!

· Miracles over diseases!

· Miracles over demons!

· Miracles over death!

The miracles of Christ were not done to merely display His sovereign power, but they were done to manifest that Satan’s power and kingdom had been interrupted by Christ divine purpose and presence.

You would recall Luke records Him as saying:

“The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because

he hath anointed me to preach the gospel

to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the

brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to

the captives, and recovering of sight to the

blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”

My word I bring to you today is that of the many things Christ did there ought to be an area in which, as a believer, you look something like Jesus.

The power of miracles which God worked through Christ revealed His sovereignty; the power of the Holy Spirit working in us should reveal our latent potential.

The more you hang out with Jesus, the more you ought to look and act like Him.

The primary purpose of miracles was to reveal the power of Christ over the works of Satan- but the secondary purpose of miracles was that each of us, though clothe in our finiteness, might yet see that we have resident in our frail make-up the possibility to do what Christ did.

All Christians are called to emulate Christ!

As our Master, we are called to have the right view of God, and we must have a lofty view of all human persons. Each of us must set as our life’s goal to take on the mind and character of Christ.

In the sacred text chosen for today, the disciples are caught in a storm. Most of the disciples were men of God, but what made this storm so despairing is that they were caught in this one because they were on the ship in obedience to Jesus.

This storm arose not while they on a fishing expedition, but while in the line of duty to Christ’s command.

It’s one thing to be caught in a storm, but when a storm arises while on my Master’s business the storm becomes perilous.

Caught up in the storm the disciples saw someone or something and they concluded it is a ghost.

Have you ever been caught up in the matrix of confusion, and things got so bad you were not sure what you were seeing or hearing?

But the text states- but then came Jesus walking on the water- and He shouted to them, be not afraid it is I.

The geographical layout which serves as the basis for this text reveal that where Jesus was on the mountain and when they were on the lake- had Jesus done the usual land walking, the disciples might have perished- so Jesus took a short cut across the lake to come to the rescue of those His beloved.

Perhaps I speak to some weary beleaguered storm-tossed believer. You did what you believed was God’s will and right now you are caught in a storm. The winds are ripping you to threads and you are barely holding on- good news is, regardless how ragging the storm you can look for Jesus.

And Peter said, Lord if it be thou – if it really is you, bid me to come to thee.

Peter was saying Lord I would rather be in a storm with you than to be on a ship without you.

Peter was saying Lord, whatever you did to the lake to allow you to walk on it, tell the lake I want to come where you are.

Lord I want to be a water-walker just like you. I want to master storms like you do- so bid me come to you.

And the Bible states that Jesus made a monosyllabic response- He said “come!”

The problem with too many Christians is not failure but “low aim.”

Too many Christians are afraid to get “their feet wet.”

Too many Christians are influenced by the philosophy that “no one ever did it like that before.”

Too many Christians have a personal national anthem called “I shall not be moved.”

At this critical juncture in your life you are being called to become a spiritual water-walker.

Let me remind you that what is impossible with man is most possible with God.

Just because it is unprecedented it does not follow that it is not doable.

Let me challenge some of you when I tell you there is a crazy dream planted in your spirit.

There is something in your heart so out of the ordinary, if you told your best friend they would say, you were always a little crazy.

The water-walking dimension in your personality can never be realized until you step out of the boat.

I have often wondered what were the other disciples doing when Peter began his water walking expedition.

I have pass by here on my way to heaven, to remind some people that there is a divine assignment God has only for you and you will never embrace your purpose until you leave some friends behind.

There are some people who will tell you- get back in the boat.

You will never walk on water as long as you are intimidated by persons who are more fearful than you are.

By faith be a water-walker! Most of us only remember that peter sank as he took his eyes off Jesus.

But as I bid you good day, I remind you that when you meet failure it means someone was trying to do something.

Did you ever ask yourself how Peter got back in that boat!

He was a water-walker; the first time he walked in the flesh, but the second time he walked his hand was in Jesus hand.

I leave you when I tell you; you are called to be a water-walker.

Go back to your boat!

Go back to your storm!

Go back to your pain!

Go back to your embarrassment!

I challenge you- be a water-walker!

If you meet a river – cross it!

If you meet a mountain – climb it!

If you meet temptation – resist it!