A trip across the lake/Sea of Galilee. Presumably not very far because the crowds followed Jesus on foot Mat 14.13. Luke 9 tells us they went to Bethsaida.

Context – 1. The death of John the Baptist – Matt 14.12, John a prophet and cousin of Jesus. V13 Jesus wanted to be alone.

Context – 2. The return of the disciples, Mark 6.31. Time for a break – an opportunity for rest after a busy mission- preaching, healing and driving out demons.

Context – 3. The feeding of the five thousand. John 6 the people wanted to make Jesus their King – John 6.15 Jesus needed to get away and so went up into the mountains.

This was a busy time, yet in this, time needed to be found.

The hills provided that opportunity and Jesus went up into the hills to be alone and to pray.

As people we vary, but for us all there are times when it is good to be with people and times when it is good to be alone.

Pointers, what happened to John, Jesus own feelings, his mission how would it change?

The disciples and their mission, they were getting experience,getting stuck in, when would they be ready to head up the work? The crowds he loved them, but many wanted what they could get from Jesus. Plus Jesus needed time alone with God and night was a good opportunity.

This past Friday a good time – when we were able share with other Christians in prayer.

The disciples later into the night were really struggling, the Sea of Galilee was getting really stroppy, they were going West and the wind was blowing East, the waves were throwing the boat around.

Just as you think things can’t get worse, they do. Notice that Jesus was well aware of their situation. Whether he could sea the boat I very much doubt, but they were very much in his mind and about 3.00am he went out to them.

He walked of course but not on land but upon the Sea!

Was this prompted by the disciple’s plight, or was it a time for his deity to re-emmerge. The one who holds the world together, walking upon a tiny part of creation. In the way he chose I guess he could have walked above the sea---- as people don’t walk on air or water.

There is the danger that we think we have got Jesus sorted. This account reminds us that we must not put Jesus into a box. The crowds wanted to, and perhaps we do. Yet we need to recapture the sense of wonder with our God, With our intimacy with God we can become too chummy.

The disciples of course were scared. When they saw Jesus they cried out in fear. It’s a ghost.v26

Grown men terrified because of seeing Jesus – certainly in a place he was not expected.

In or out v28

Well the disciples were trying to get their minds round this when Peter asks if he can go wave walking too.

Peter comes in for a lot of flak. Yet he alone did the business.

He knew only Jesus could make it happen. Jesus did the OK so he went.

Peter – did it. The only other person recorded in history to have done so, apart from Jesus. He had the faith to do what Jesus said to him.

Faith is not doing what we think are great ideas but what are His. Phil 4.13.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Walk on water – only if that is what Jesus wants you to do.

Peter did what was supernatural because Jesus made it possible.

Peter began to sink – v30

He was distracted; walking up and down on the waves must have unsettled him. He changed his focus. He began to sink.

Where is your focus?

Is it upon Jesus and as we look to the future is it what we can do in our strength or his? More of God less of us. What I mean is that we need God to be at work, taking what we can offer – ourselves and making ourselves available to God.

In our work, in our leisure, in our relationships, in our witness.

Jesus rebukes Peter for his lack of faith – why because he didn’t believe he could walk on water " you of little faith". Well it seems incredible to me. Or is it that Peter thought Jesus would let him drown?

Where is God when it hurts, doesn’t he know the pain, Lord I’m going under. Does God ever take his eyes off us? Are his ears ever unable to hear our cry? I believe we see here that Jesus does know. He does enable us to fulfil our God given mission.

Get out of the boat. What does that mean for you? For Roger Hayden our former Baptist Superintendent it was about retirement. What is it for you? What is it for us?

1. Getting to know God’s heart – Prayer – why bother - because it is a crucial component.
2. Witness – I can’t, or I won’t or what difference will it make? How will people respond unless they hear and see?
3. We can’t do that – if it is of God - you can.

You see as we allow Jesus to work in us and as we make ourselves available to him others too will discover that Jesus is the Son of God. The walking on the water was a knockout but compare that to Christ’s death and resurrection – and you would have to say - what a God!

OHP's:

Jesus after a night of prayer

Jesus walked on water

Peter walked on water why because he wanted to, Jesus made it possible,

At one point the waves got bigger than Jesus – in his thinking.

What was involved –?

i. Seeing Jesus

ii. Getting out of the boat – defying Science

iii. Walking on water

Faith in Jesus

Boldness to trust

Are you going to stay in the boat or are you ready to get over the side.

Ill diving from a height, going down a drop slide or death slide.

Knowing it can’t kill you.

Without faith it is impossible to please God – faith to believe in his existence, faith to take God at his word.

Faith to commit your life to Him.

Faith Goals

Pray for restoration, conversion, and transformation.

Taking God at his word – ill Of Julie Russell going to Nepal or others hearing the call of God upon their lives.

Trusting Go for our needs –our provider

Trusting God with our lives and those with love.

Trusting God to answer prayer

Finding God to be our security