Message Notes

INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL 19 NOVEMBER 2023
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEWText: Matthew 14

Subject: Walking on the Sea

THE CONTEXT

22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.
23 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.
24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

Matthew 14:22-24

1. The Multitudes were sent away

2. The Disciples were in a Boat traveling to the next place of ministry

3. The Lord Jesus had gone into the mountains to be alone with God

STORMY WEATHER

25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

Matthew 14:25-27

1. A sudden storm arose

2. The Lord Jesus was walking on the Sea

3. The Disciples became afraid

4. They thought they had seen a ghost!

5. A word of assurance was given by the Lord Jesus

“Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

Matthew 14:27

PETER’S RESPONSE

28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

Matthew 14:28-29

1. He asked to walk on the water

2. The Lord replied in the affirmative

3. Peter walked on the water to the Lord Jesus

THE PROBLEM OF FEAR

30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

Matthew 14:30-33

1. Fear began to take a toll on Peter

a) He began to sink

b) He had to cry out “Lord, save me”

2. The Lord Jesus’ response

a) He stretched out His hand and caught Peter

b) He spoke to him candidly

“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Matthew 14:31

i) The problem of little faith

ii) The problem of doubt that arises from little faith

3. The Cessation of the storm

a) The Lord Jesus stepped into their boat

b) The storm ceased immediately

LESSONS FOR US TO LEARN

1. The problem of “little faith”

a) The reality

b) The roots

2. Root problems

a) Fear

b) Doubts

c) Not learning spiritual lessons well

d) Not growing our faith well