September 03, 2017 | Bob Bartlett
Passage: Matthew 14:22-32
The Making of Great Faith Series
“Fear, Doubt, Unbelief and a Brief Walk on Water” Matthew 14:22-32
Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Truth: The quest for a great faith never ends!
Hebrews 11:1 ‘Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see’
- “sure of what we hope for:”
- “certain of what we do not see:”
Truth: God will always put my faith to the test.
Waves of Doubt on the High Seas:
- Fool me into thinking the storms (in life) are b______________ than my God. Matthew 8:6 a fierce squall, disciples in full panic mode, Where is Jesus? Sound asleep in the bow of the boat.
- “Who is this?” The Sovereign Lord – the Lord is Sovereign! Isaiah 40:12
- Fool me into thinking that God i________ with me. I am forsaken by God.
- Matthew 10:29-30 It’s not possible for the sparrow nor me to be forgotten!
- Hebrews 13:5 “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
- Fool me into thinking that God isn’t G_____. He abides above the impossible!
- Mark 10:27 - All things are possible with God!
- “Why did you doubt?” Why do I doubt? Psalm 33:6, Psalm 147:4-5
The 3 Step Solution to Possess a Great Faith
- Fix my e_________ on Jesus. Hebrews 12:1-2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus…”
- In particular His love! 1John 4:18 “There is no fear in perfect love, perfect love drives out all fear…the one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
- Fix my e______ on Jesus’ voice. Vs 27: But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
- I must know His voice! His Word is his voice! Jeremiah 15:16
- Fix my f________ on the walk of Jesus’ bidding. Vs 28-29: “Lord, if it’s you, Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water”
- Always step out in obedience – nothing happens until I obey! James 2:22
The making of a great faith begins but never ends by seeking a deeper walk with Jesus!