sunday, june 22, 2008 speaker: doug virgint

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Peter’s Crisis of FaithPeter’s Crisis of FaithMatthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-56, Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-56,

John 6:15-21John 6:15-21

Message 5 in our series called Message 5 in our series called Lessons from the Life of PeterLessons from the Life of Peter

Sunday, June 22, 2008Sunday, June 22, 2008

Speaker: Doug VirgintSpeaker: Doug Virgint

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The nature of true faith

Matthew 14: 22 – 33

Mark 6: 45 – 56

Luke 9: 18 – 22

John 6: 15 - 21

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The nature of true faithThe nature of true faith

1) The context

2) The crisis

3) The courage

4) The cry

5) The confession

6) The conclusion

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1) The context

2) The crisis

3) The courage

4) The cry

5) The confession

6) The conclusion

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Nature of true faith – the Nature of true faith – the contextcontext

Matt Mark Luke John

- Jesus had previously calmed a storm X X X

- This all takes place after 5000 fed X X X

- Jesus praying on the mountain X X X

- The crowd wanted to kidnapJesus and present him as king

X

- The boat was in “middle” of lake X X X

- The boat had advanced 3 miles X

- It was 4 o’clock in the morning X X

- They had been rowing for 6 hours XX

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The sea of GalileeThe sea of Galilee

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Nature of true faith – the contextNature of true faith – the context

• In the four gospels, the feeding of the 5,000 is the high point in the popularity of our Lord with the multitude – the crowd.

• The crowd was looking for a political leader to free them from Rome and a miracle worker to give them free food.

• From here on it is all down hill with the crowd.

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Nature of true faith – the contextNature of true faith – the context

• But at the same time, for the disciples this is the dawning of a of a true faith – a true true faith – a true understanding about understanding about who Jesus really is.who Jesus really is.

• When we look at the multitude, we see what true faith is not.

• When we look at the disciples we see what true faith really is.

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1) The context

2) The crisis

3) The courage

4) The cry

5) The confession

6) The conclusion

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Nature of true faith – the crisisNature of true faith – the crisis

Matt Mark Luke John

- The boat was in “middle” of lake X X X

- The boat had advanced 3 miles X

- It was 4 o’clock in the morning X X

- They had been rowing for 6 hours XX

- They saw a “phantom” (fatigue) X X

- They were really in serious danger X X X

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1) The context

2) The crisis

3) The courage

4) The cry

5) The confession

6) The conclusion

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Nature true faith – the courageNature true faith – the courage

Think first about the other disciples :

• They were more preoccupied by their own problems than by the problems of the hungry crowd.

• They did not take time to consider that the “phantom” walking over the water was God’s provision to save them.

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Nature of true faith – the Nature of true faith – the couragecourageNow think about Peter:

• His courage. (in contrast with the disciples’

fear).

• His dependence on the authority and the power of Jesus.

• His understanding of the fact that he could do anything with the help of the Lord.

• But nevertheless his faith was very small !

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Nature of true faith – the Nature of true faith – the couragecourage

Now think about Jesus

• He was praying ! (The disciples did not know that – or had forgotten).

• The waves which caused so much fear for the disciples were simply a road for Him !

• He is all powerful - even the storms and the waves obey Him.

• Jesus saw what was going on, despite the distance and the storm. (Mark 6: 48)

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Nature of true faith Nature of true faith – the – the couragecourage

Now think about Jesus

• He is patient, and He recognizes even the small steps in Peter’s growing faith.

• He controls even the passage of time.

• He allowed Peter to sink, but not to drown.

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1) The context

2) The crisis

3) The courage

4) The cry

5) The confession

6) The conclusion

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Nature of true faith Nature of true faith – the cry– the cry

Lord save me !

• Our Lord never tires of saving us

• He ever lives to make intercession for us

• He is our “lawyer” who pleads for us

We must not refuse to launch out for fear of failing. (Parable of the talents)

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1) The context

2) The crisis

3) The courage

4) The cry

5) The confession

6) The conclusion

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Nature of true faith – the Nature of true faith – the confessionconfession

Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

(Matt 14: (Matt 14: 33)33)

But what about you?" he asked. "Who But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" do you say I am?" Peter answered,Peter answered, "The Christ of God.""The Christ of God."

(Luke (Luke 9: 20)9: 20)

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Nature of true faith – the Nature of true faith – the confessionconfession

Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go?whom shall we go? You have the You have the words of eternal lifewords of eternal life. .

We believe and know that you are theWe believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." Holy One of God."

(John 6: (John 6: 68,69)68,69)

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1) The context

2) The crisis

3) The courage

4) The cry

5) The confession

6) The conclusion

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Nature true faith - conclusionNature true faith - conclusion

Why does God allow storms in our Why does God allow storms in our lives?lives?

• Jesus sent the disciples away and they faced the storm alone !

• There was a danger that the disciples would be influenced by the crowd, who wanted to crown Him king.

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Why does God allow storms in our Why does God allow storms in our lives?lives?

• The disciples needed to learn that, even if Jesus would soon no longer be with them physically, He would still continue to look after them.

• There are lessons that we only learn through difficulties !

• Difficulties are opportunities to exercise our spiritual muscles – to grow!

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What is the nature of true faith?What is the nature of true faith?

• True faith is directed towards a person – not towards a religion or an idea.

• True faith is reasonable, and is based on historical facts. For years the disciples lived with Jesus and saw his miracles, saw him live and heard his teaching.

• Your faith must also be based on the historical facts about Jesus.

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• True faith is often audacious. (Hebrews 11)

• True faith needs to be validated.

• True faith is based on who Jesus is, not on circumstances. When things get tough, don’t take your eyes off Jesus!

• True faith perseveres.

• The important thing is not the quantity of faith, but towards whom it is directed.

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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.

(Hebrews 11: 6)(Hebrews 11: 6)

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For you who have already exercised faith in Christ:

– What is the Lord asking you to do today that you are afraid to do ?

– Do you need to trust God and step out by faith like Peter did ?

- Do you really trust Him ?

- He will not let you sink !

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For you who this morning have realized that you have not yet placed your faith in

Christ:

• You must recognize who Jesus-Christ is.

• You must confess that you are a sinner, who has offended a holy, righteous God

• You must accept Christ as your Saviour, accept that forgiveness from God can only come from Christ’s work on the cross.

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The nature of true faith

sunday, june 22, 2008 speaker: doug virgint

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