Overcoming Fear | Special Message | October 13, 2024
We can overcome whatever we face large or small through Jesus.
22 Immediately afterward He compelled the disciples to get into the boat and to go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. ~ Matthew 14:22-23 NASB
- Anankazō – action that is not just strongly encouraged but is presented as unavoidable or essential
- He didn’t want the crowd’s influence on the disciples. (15 So Jesus, aware that they intended to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself, alone. ~ John 6:15 NASB)
- Jesus wanted to sneak away to prayer.
- A Lesson Set Up – (6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; ~ 1 Peter 1:6-7 NASB)
24 But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. ~ Matthew 14:24 NASB
25 And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. ~ Matthew 14:25 NASB
- Darkness forces us to remember.
- Demonstrate Authority (Mark 4:35-41)
- Delegate Authority (Mark 6:7)
- Discharge Authority (Mark 6:52)
26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” ~ Matthew 14:26-27 NASB
- Many of us conclude that a move of God in our midst was instead actually the work of the Enemy.
- I’m scared so this can’t be from God.
- I’ve never seen Jesus do this before, so this can’t be from God.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21 NASB – 21 but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good,
28 Peter responded and said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. ~ Matthew 14:28-29 NASB
- Two great barriers: Head and Heart
- Head = demanding understanding before willingness to experience
- Heart = Woundedness creating fear of being let down
- We are “His Handiwork” and “Hands For His Work” (10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. ~ Ephesians 2:10 NASB)
30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out with His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” ~ Matthew 14:30-31 NASB
- What tone did you hear? This says a lot about your relationship with Him. You of little faith – a statement of affectionate encouragement
- Four times He said “You of little faith” in Matthew: PROVISION & PROTECTION
- Matthew 6:30 NASB – Grass of the field… ( 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!)
- Matthew 8:26 NASB – Jesus sleeping in the boat – (26 He *said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.)
- Matthew 14:31 NASB – Peter looks at the waves ( 31 Immediately Jesus reached out with His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”)
- Matthew 16:8 NASB– failure to bring bread (8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “You men of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?)
32 When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. ~ Matthew 14:32 NASB
- Jesus calms first the storm inside the disciples (v27) and then the He calmed storm outside the disciples (v32). In life we often expect the opposite.
33 And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are truly God’s Son!” 34 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. ~ Matthew 14:33-34 NASB
- We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who is suffering with pain in their right ankle.
- We believe the Lord wants to reset someone’s endocrine system.