WATER WALKERS

 

“Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea,  tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.    Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying,  “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”    And Peter answered Him and said,  “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”    So He said,  “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying,  “Lord, save me!”
 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him,  “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”  (Matthew 14:22-31)

 

 

Our pastor recently preached on the Four Principles of “Water Walkers”: 

 

1.     Don’t listen to the people in the boat.

2.     Don’t look at the waves.

3.     Don’t look down at your feet.

4.     Keep your eyes stayed on Jesus.

 

But before we even think about becoming “Water Walkers“, we must first leave the dock and get in the boat!  A lot of us are still outside of the fellowship ‘just sitting on the dock of the bay… ’  Too afraid to even get in the boat and become a part of the congregation.  We are content with standing on the outside and watching all of the boats with all of the people pass us by.  We tell ourselves, “One day I will join in, but not today.”  Or “What if I fall out of the boat, I don’t even know how to swim!”  “It’s safer here on dry land!”

 

So, we watch others getting in the boat and walking on water and wonder why our lives are all messed up.  God is waiting for you to get on board.  He has a wonderful gift for you. 

 

Here comes another boat!  Come on, get in!!!

 

Now that you’re in the boat, the real work begins.  Let’s find out how to become “Water Walkers.”  Let’s look at the first principle: 

 

       1.  Don’t listen to the people in the boat.

Who’s got your ear?  God or man?  Are you a leader or a follower?  Some of us find it much easier to follow the crowd.  We go along, to get along.  Doing whatever everyone else is doing or not doing.  For those of us who desire to get out of the boat, you will begin to hear the chatter.  “Oh, now that you’re saved, you think you’re better than us.”  or “Why are you spending so much time at church?”  or “You don’t have to do all that to be a Christian!”  Have you heard this kind of noise?  Remember the only voice you should be listening to is the voice of God.  Listening to the people in the boat (sometimes they’re your family and friends), will have you missing your blessings.  God knows what’s best for you because He is omniscient.  “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  (Jeremiah 29:11)  Remember Job and his well-meaning friends.

 

            2.  Don’t look at the waves (circumstances).  Are you watching the tide roll away?  Watching the waves can be very hypnotic and so can looking at our circumstances.  Sometimes we get so caught up in all of the drama of our lives that we can’t move.  We put all of our focus and attention on everything and everyone instead of God.  “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”  (Matthew 6:33)  Read Matthew 6:25-34  So, why are you worrying about things that God said He would take care of? 

 

For some of us, it’s not just our waves, but we concern ourselves with other people’s waves.  We love to be in other folk’s business!  We get all caught up in other people’s drama.  That’s why soap operas and these so-called reality shows are so popular.  (Jersey Shore, Housewives of …)  Are we watching these shows to make ourselves look and feel better?  Or are we just that curious and addicted to the noise?  Cut out the drama and trust God with your circumstances and you’ll not only get out of the boat, you’ll begin to walk on water.

 

Now that we’re out of the boat and walking on water,         3.  Don’t look down at your feet (self).  Let’s not get cocky and think it’s about us and anything that we have or can do.  “Pride goes before destruction.”  (Proverbs 16:18)  All you have to do is look at the current news to see what happens when the focus is on self and not God. 

 

There is a great song by Bishop Noel Jones called “Not About Us,” where he says it’s not about money, fame, titles, it’s all about Jesus.  Sometimes when we accomplish some success, we want to steal God’s glory by believing it was us that did it.  We build little empires and kingdoms unto our self.  God will not share His glory with anyone!  If God is not being glorified, our little empires and kingdoms will not stand.  We must realize that we cannot accomplish anything outside of Christ.  “…for with God all things are possible.”  (Mark 10:27)  When we try to take credit for what God has done, we will begin to sink like Peter and yell for the one who can save us.  “Lord, save me!”

 

So, how do we continuously walk on water?  4.  Keep your eyes stayed on Jesus, which is the fourth principle.  How can you keep your eyes on Jesus and not on everything else?  It comes down to trust.  If you believe what He promises, then it will be easier to keep your focus on Him.  You will be able to face any storm that comes your way with confidence and hope, because it will be God and not you that brings you victory.  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”  (Proverbs 3:4-5)  When you can trust God in every area of your life I.e. marriage, finances, children, career, etc., you will be able to endure any breeze, wind or storm that may come your way because your confidence will be in Christ and not yourself.  You will know His voice because you are in a personal relationship with Him.  He won’t have to yell to get your attention.  He already has it because you seek His counsel daily for everything no matter how big or small it is.

 

For those of you who are waiting for invitation to get out of the boat and become “Water Walkers,” HERE IT IS!!!  God has work for you to do.  “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”  (Matthew 9:37)  We here at New Vision Community Church are having a ‘Ministry Sign-Up Day!’  Sunday, November 7, 2010  This is an opportunity for you to get involved with helping us fulfill the vision and mission God has given us.  Here is a listing of ministries where you can become a “Water Walker”:

Ÿ        Greeters Ministry will welcome, receive, meet, recognize, speak to, and smile to everyone as the enter the church for Sunday Worship Service.

Ÿ        Connection Team Ministry will connect people to other fellow believers within the church body.

Ÿ        Breakfast Ministry is a ministry that provides, prepares and serves breakfast to all Sunday School participants.

Ÿ        Facility Team Ministry keeps all the physical aspects of our church in good condition so that our members and guests will have an attractive and comfortable place in which to worship.

Ÿ        Fellowship Planning Ministry provides the congregation with opportunities for the members and friends of the church to gather, to form significant and meaningful relationships and to develop an atmosphere that encourages a spirit of Christian unity.

Ÿ        Repast Ministry provides culinary and planning services for funeral repasts.

Ÿ        Visitation Ministry provides support, encouragement and comfort to those in our church through the outreach of visitation.

Ÿ        Bereavement Ministry offers spiritual support and the healing comfort of God to all who mourn a loved one through death.

Ÿ        Volunteer Ministry provides opportunities for those with a servant’s heart to help with our community service ministries one a month.  (Kid’s Closet and Angel Food)

Ÿ        Transportation Ministry is outreach ministry designed to provide shuttle service to members of the church and the broader community to and from Christ-centered activities.

Ÿ        Choices (A Prison Prevention Ministry) is a ministry that helps at-risk young males between the ages of 13 to 18 make the right Choices in life and prevent them from going to prison.

 

BE A “WATER WALKER!”  GOD NEEDS YOU and SO DO WE!!!