Get Out Your Boat

You Are Closer Than You Think – Get Out Your Boat

Main Text: Matthew 14:20-36 (AMP)

GOD IS NOT GOING TO ASK YOU TO DO WHAT HE HAS NOT EQUIPPED YOU FOR

GOD IS NOT GOING TO ASK YOU TO DO SOMETHING OUTSIDE OF YOUR ABILITY TO PERFORM

GOD WILL NEVER ASK YOU TO DO SOMETHING THAT HE HAS EMPOWERED YOU TO DO

GOD WILL NOT ASK YOU TO DO WHAT HE DOESN'T ALREADY KNOW THE END OF IT

The graveyard is the wealthiest place in all of creation. Beneath those rectangular pieces of sod lie countless unsung melodies and unwritten poems. The grassy plots overflow with brilliant ideas that could have transformed the entire world. Our burial grounds reek with unattained successes and unrealized dreams."

These are things that could have been done but couldn't because people couldn't bring their dreams to realization out of fear.

We must realize that the closer we get to your next level The greater the attack will be.

Jesus Walks on the Water

Matthew 14:22-23 (AMP) Immediately He directed the disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee], while He sent the crowds away. After He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When it was evening, He was there alone.

• If Jesus tells you that he will meet you on the other side, it means you will make it to the other side
• The challenge we have is God never seems to tells us what we will have to grow through
• I have a question for you today, if Jesus found time to pray, should you
• Prayer is more than you talking to God but more about giving God time to talk to you
• Ask ourselves just how important is prayer that God's son needs to pray
• Prayer line is a tool to help you with that
• Why was he alone? Jesus understood the importance of being alone - There are fewer distractions when you are alone

Luke 18:1 (AMP) Now Jesus was telling the disciples a parable to make the point that at all times they ought to pray and not give up and lose heart,

Jude 1:20 (AMP) But you, beloved, build yourselves up on [the foundation of] your most holy faith [continually progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], pray in the Holy Spirit,

HOW'S YOUR PRAYER LIFE

Matthew 14:24-28 (AMP) But the boat [by this time] was already a long distance from land, tossed and battered by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night (3:00-6:00 a.m.) Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. But immediately He spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I! Do not be afraid!" Peter replied to Him, "Lord, if it is [really] You, command me to come to You on the water."

• Simon Peter is about to apply the formula for manifestation
• He didn't have a word on walking on the water
• So, before he would move, he needed the word to give the word

The Power of The Word

John 1:1 (AMP) In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.

John 1:14 (AMP) And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception).

Revelations 19:13 (AMP) He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

Hebrews 11:3 (AMP) By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of GOD - Romans 10:17

And once the word gave the word, he could now apply his faith to it

I need a word, from the word, to manifest the word in my world

Numbers 23:19 (AMP) "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken and will He not make it good and fulfill it?

Isaiah 55:11 (AMP) So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

Peter Walks on Water

Matthew 14:29-30 (AMP) He said, "Come!" So Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw [the effects of] the wind, he was frightened, and he began to sink, and he cried out, "Lord, save me!"

• Jesus didn't specify COME out Peter, he just said come
• Come broken, come bruised, come hurting, come out of lack, come out of fear, come out of that poverty mentality
• You will move in the direction of your most dominant thought

Hebrews 12:2 (AMP) [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].

Isaiah 26:3 (AMP) "You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].

Jesus Saves Peter

Matthew 14:31-33 (AMP) Immediately Jesus extended His hand and caught him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those in the boat worshiped Him [with awe-inspired reverence], saying, "Truly You are the Son of God!"

WISDOM KEYS

The story of Jesus walking on water appears in three of the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, John). But, only in Matthew do we also learn that Peter also walked on water!

1. STAY FOCUSED

Look for Jesus and keep looking to Jesus. Although a storm surrounded Him, Peter looked to Jesus. The only problem was that he stopped looking at Jesus. The principle is clear: especially when life is a tumultuous storm, look for Jesus and keep looking to Jesus. What does looking to Jesus look like for you?

2. PETER'S DOUBT CAME FROM HIS NATURAL EYES

3. PETER TURNED TO JESUS WHEN HE STARTED TO SINK

• When Peter sank (failed), he turned to Jesus, not back to the boat (his old way). When we encounter problems, it can be easy to just focus on the situation in front of us or on how our natural self may want to handle something.
• When Peter realized what was happening, he reached out to Jesus in desperation. Jesus saved him and He desires to do the same today.
• We are safe when we reach out to Jesus for help, but it doesn't mean everything will be easy or that there will be no problems.
• What about you? Where do you need to turn back to Christ for help? Don't waste time thinking you need to fix something before you turn to Him. Reach out and grab for His hand – He is ready and waiting for you.

4. OBEDIENCE

When Jesus commands you, obey Him. Jesus told Peter to "come" to Him on the water. Even though it made no sense, Peter did what Jesus said. This is what obedience looks like – doing what Jesus says. Is there any area in your life where you are not obeying the Lord?

5. STEP OUT

Faith is simply taking the next step. Peter took one step to get out of the boat and onto the water. Peter was doing just fine when he was focused on the next step and got into trouble when he lost sight of his next step. What next step has Jesus asked you to take?

6. FAITH UNLEASHES THE SUPERNATURAL

Peter did not experience the supernatural power of God that allowed him to walk on water until he trusted as evidenced by his actions. Is there anything you need to be doing differently in faith?

7. FEAR WILL SINK YOU

When Peter had faith, he walked on water. When he had fear, he sank in the water. The same is true for you. Fear will sink you. Is there any fear that is gripping and controlling your decision making?

8. A LITTLE FAITH IS BETTER THAN NO FAITH

The Lord Jesus spoke of Peter's "little faith". This means that he was capable of even greater sustained faith. But the guys in the boat apparently had no faith.

9. JESUS HELPED PETER IMMEDIATELY

Jesus didn't leave Peter to fend for himself and figure out how to get out of the situation caused by his doubt. When Peter asked Jesus to save him, Jesus immediately reached out His hand and caught him (Matt. 14:31) and will do the same for us today.

Discussion Questions

1. Peter asked Jesus to command him to come out on the water before he stepped out. What "word from the Lord" do you need before taking your next step of faith?
2. The message states, "I need a word, from the word, to manifest the word in my world." How does spending time in God's Word empower you to step out in faith?
3. Jesus told the disciples He would meet them on the other side, but He didn't tell them about the storm. Why do you think God doesn't always reveal the challenges we'll face on our journey?
4. Peter was the only disciple to get out of the boat. What "boat" (comfort zone, security, familiar place) is God asking you to step out of?
5. The teaching emphasizes, "You will move in the direction of your most dominant thought." What are you focusing on—the storm or Jesus—and how is that affecting your faith?
6. Peter began to sink when he looked at the wind instead of Jesus. What circumstances are you looking at that are causing you to sink in fear or doubt?
7. When Peter started to sink, he didn't turn back to the boat but cried out to Jesus. When you fail or struggle, do you tend to return to old ways or reach out to Jesus?
8. The message says "Fear will sink you" but "A little faith is better than no faith." How can you grow from little faith to greater sustained faith?
9. The eleven disciples stayed in the boat and witnessed Peter's miracle. Are you currently an observer of God's work, or are you actively participating in what He's doing?
10. Jesus immediately reached out His hand and caught Peter when he cried for help. How does knowing Jesus responds immediately to your cry for help encourage you to take more risks of faith?

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