Title: Faith up grade/Matt 14: 22-33
Contents
Hymns: 318/348/6
Sermon text: Matthew 14:22-33
Title: Upgrade of Faith
Today's text is about Jesus upgrading the disciples' faith to the next level. It tells the story of Peter walking on water and going to Jesus. Jesus sent his disciples first. The disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee in a boat. There is a storm and the boat is wrecked. At this time, Jesus walks on the water and follows him. The disciples call it a ghost. Jesus said, "Take it easy, it is I; do not be afraid."
At this time, Peter said, “Lord, if it is given to you, command me to come to the water.” Jesus said, “Come.” Peter walked to Jesus on foot, but when he saw a strong wind, he was afraid and fell away. Jesus saves you quickly. Through this event, the Lord raises the level of faith by one word.
How can I deepen my faith one step further and UP GRADE through this text? We would like to share the grace of seeing Peter's works of faith.
First, you have to go beyond your own talent (major) to upgrade your faith. You have to go beyond your own knowledge. You have to go beyond your own experience. You have to go beyond your own reason.
See verse 28. Peter goes beyond his talent (a fisherman's specialty). “Peter answered and said, Lord, if it be given to me, command me to come over the waters.”
What is Peter's talent (major)? Fisherman. You know water best. I am well aware of falling into the water. Peter knows empirically. I know that if you go into the water you will fall. But Peter goes beyond his own experience, beyond his own reason, and beyond his talents (major), exclaiming, “Let me walk on the water you have given me.”
Peter transcends his own limitations, reason, experience, and knowledge. This is the secret to your faith being upgraded. God is greater than my talent (major). God is greater than my reason. God is greater than my experience. God is greater than my philosophy.
Are my experiences, knowledge, and talents (major) not becoming obstacles to approaching the Lord? If my knowledge, experience, and reason are obstacles to reaching God, it is the Tower of Babel and can become an idol. True knowledge, true experience, and true reason are tools that come to God. Beyond reason, beyond my knowledge, beyond my experience, I ask you, in the name of Jesus, to UPGRADE your faith in the presence of the Lord.
Second, in order to upgrade your faith one step further, you must risk your life for the Word and take an adventure of faith.
“Let me walk on the water, so what does Jesus say? In verse 29, he says, ‘Come. I am walking.
When Jesus says, “Walk on the water,” Peter believes the word and walks on the water, risking his life and the adventure of faith. Strange, but I walked on water. Wouldn't you die if you fell into the water? It's a matter of life at stake. Peter believes in the words that Jesus is coming and bets on those words. At this time, a miracle happened. Finally, Peter meets Jesus anew. Jesus! You are the Son of God. Peter's faith was upgraded by one level.
Third, in order to upgrade your faith one step further, you need to find God again from the frustration of your faith.
What happened to Peter while he was walking on the water? fell again. After walking for a while, I was scared to see the waves crashing. He was surprised too. No, it's hard to believe that I'm walking on water. Watching the waves for a moment, I was afraid. Then I fell into the water. Peter's adventure of faith walking on water was thwarted.
This time is important. In order to upgrade your faith to the next level, it is important when you are frustrated while living your life of faith. When we are frustrated, when we are disappointed, when we are in trouble, we seek God again. What does Peter do? Verse 30 says, “When he saw the wind, he was afraid and fell away, and he cried out, “Lord, save me.” That's it.
It is to seek God again from the frustration of faith.
Look at verse 31. What did Jesus say when he rescued Peter? “He immediately reached out and grabbed me,” he said.
When we find God again in the frustration of faith, then God raises us up again. Through this, our faith will be upgraded to one level. Then we can feel God more deeply. At that time, you can experience God's kindness and love for you more deeply.