Title: Why were you in doubt?
Why did you doubt?
Text/ Matthew 14:22-32
1. Introduction
Because of doubt Psyche lost Eros (Classic Art No. 158). Because of the suspicion of the 10 Canaanite spies, Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, and all those who doubted died in the wilderness, and only Caleb and Joshua, two men who kept the faith without doubt, were able to enter the land flowing with milk and honey.
Doubt is the great weapon of Satan the Devil. Satan the Devil constantly puts doubts in the hearts of our believers. How many businesses have been ruined by doubt, love broken by doubt, disease of the heart caused by doubt, friendship broken by doubt?
Today, <O you of little faith, why did you doubt?> is to share grace while meditating on the words of Jesus.
2. 起: A small boat floating in the middle of a big wave
After feeding the 5,000, the Lord left alone to the mountain to pray, and the disciples got on a small boat and went to the other side of the sea. The ship left the land and came out into the middle of the sea, and a great wind blew, creating a mountain of waves.
It is around 4 p.m., around 3 or 4 in the morning, in the dark, in the middle of the sea, a house-like wave hits the ship the disciples were on. The disciples are struggling with the fear of death and trying to set the boat up to overturn.
3. 承: A water ghost that appeared on the big waves
The suffering disciples suddenly lifted up their eyes and saw an empty object standing on a huge wave like a mountain. Everyone stood up with their heads up. You are a water ghost! Oh, it's a ghost! Now you're dead! The disciples were afraid and trembling, and they cried out in fear.
4. 轉: It wasn't a water ghost, it was a true god
Who would be calm in such a situation? Everyone screamed in surprise and fear, and immediately a sound was heard from the empty object. <Relax. Pay. Don't be afraid!>. It was not a water demon, but the voice of our Lord who was powerful. Hearing that voice, the disciples were relieved on the one hand, but doubted on the other hand.
At this time, Peter wondered if that was the case, so he bravely said, <If it is indeed the Lord, then tell me to come to the water! Then Jesus said <Come! Come!> said. Peter walked on the water and went to the Lord.
At that time, a great wind blew, and a great wave occurred, and Jesus was not seen because of the waves. At that moment, doubt entered Peter's mind. “Oh, it wasn’t the Lord. I saw in vain You are now becoming a water ghost!>. From that time on, Peter mercilessly sank into the dark blue sea. Peter exclaimed. <Lord, save me!>. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed me and saved me. And he said, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" He got into the boat and calmed the sea.
5. 結: What message does this event give us?
first. There are times when we stand in the same environment the disciples met: the dark night, in the middle of the sea, not on land, in the midst of the sea, not on land, in the constant roaring of house waves, in a desperate situation where no rescue can be called, in a place of death, where there is no urgency, but no exit. .
At that time, <Relax Pay. Don't be afraid!> Someone is coming to you. No matter how desperate the situation, we believers can not be afraid because of the belief that the Lord is there, who comes to the place saying <Take it easy!>.
second. But in reality, when we are at a dead end in life, we are more likely to drown in waves of doubt rather than belief. However, somehow, at first, he kept his faith, but soon fell into doubt and, like Peter, he said, <No, save me!>. But even at that time, our Lord holds up even when he says, “You man, why did you doubt!”
third. If you read today's text carefully, there is one wonderfully gracious word. That's what <immediately> means. When the disciples were startled and frightened, the Lord said <immediately>, <get it, take it easy!> And when Peter fell into the water, he held up his hand and saved him <immediately>.
Today, when we are in the same situation as the disciples and Peter, when we say <Lord, save me!>, <the Lord, the same yesterday, today, and forever> Heb 13:8> hands <immediately> as when he saved the disciples and Peter. He reaches out and saves us.
6. Closing story
Do not have any doubts. The one who doubts has nothing from the Lord!
I believe in the Lord, who immediately reached out his hand and saved him even though he said, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt!” Praise the Lord out loud. Hallelujah Amen!