In our Gospel lesson for today we will see that Jesus provides, preserves, and protects. We might try to control our lives. And do things within our personal power. But we are nothing without Christ. When we recognize His strength. We know He will rescue us from the “waves” of life!
Almighty God, the protector of all who trust In You, strengthen our faith, and give us courage to believe that in Your love You will rescue us from all adversity through Jesus Christ our LORD.
Hymn: #39 - “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty” Vv.1-2
Confession/Absolution:
LORD - we pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father.
In Your compassion forgive us our sins. Known and unknown. Things done. And left undone. And so uphold us by Your Spirit.
That we may live and serve you in newness of life. To the honor and glory of Your Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God have mercy on you. Forgive you all your sins.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ. And may He strengthen you in all goodness.
And by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2 Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.
Matthew 14:22-23 Jesus Walks on the Water
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.
Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “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, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Hymn #39 - “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty” Vv. 3-4
In today’s story, there were people who did walk on water. The disciples were out on a boat on a lake. And there were some big winds and waves coming up.
Suddenly. In the middle of the night. They saw someone walking over the water to them. They were scared at first. But then the person called out. And it was Jesus!
He told them not to worry. Then Peter. Who sometimes acts without thinking. Asked Jesus if he could come join Him on the water. Jesus invited Peter out. So he stepped out of the boat and began to walk over the waves.
It must have suddenly occurred to Peter that this should not be happening. Because he suddenly looked down and started to panic. He began to sink. And called out to Jesus “save me!”
Jesus took Peter’s hand. And led him back to the boat. And as soon as they climbed in. The wind died down.
This might seem like a strange story. Who walks on water, after all? Can we believe enough to do that?
No…we can’t believe enough to do anything, on our own. Peter started to sink when he took His eyes off Jesus. In our lives. We start to “sink” spiritually if we put our trust in ourselves. If we think we can do things on our own. We will fail. But when we fix our eyes on Jesus. We can know that we will be safe.
Here comes Jesus. His feet are flattening out the sea like it’s a wet sidewalk. He doesn’t stand on the shore and shout instructions to us, “Row a little harder! Put some muscle into it! Get your act together! Think positive! You can do it!”
Jesus is not a life coach, a personal trainer, or a cheerleader on the sidelines of life. He is the Lord of the storms of life. He rules the winds and the waves. He comes to us in the midst of our fear and hopelessness to say, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
“Take courage, it is I who rescued the frightened Israelites when they were trapped between the chariots of Egypt and the Red Sea.”
“Take courage, it is I who calmed the sea for the sailors when they cast Jonah into the waves.”
The one who walks on water to save us, to be with us in the storms of life, is not a ghost. He is the flesh-and-blood God of our salvation.
He doesn’t tread upon the waves to wow us but to rescue us, to forgive us, to be our light when all about is darkness."[1]
He has promised to protect and provide for us. When we pray. And read our Bibles. And remember that God is nearby. We can take hope in His presence and power. We can live much easier with Jesus to guide us… Jesus will keep us afloat!
Lord thank you for your love and care. Thank you for rescuing us from the stormy seas of life. Help us to remember to trust in you for strength and power. Help us to keep our eyes and hearts fixed on you. We can do nothing without you. Thank you for giving us strength.[2]
Hymn # - 37/38 “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”
Words –975
Passive Sentences –0%
Readability –85.6%
Reading Level -3.3
[1] Chad Bird
[2] https://ministry-to-children.com/jesus-walks-on-water-sermon/
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Image Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things
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