UNSINKABLE?

MATTHEW 14:22-33

Pastor Rick Jackson

It was said of the Titanic (though not officially), "God Himself couldn't sink this ship!" Of course, God didn't have to. The arrogance of man, the ignorance of man, and the ill-preparedness of man was all that was necessary for the great ship to sink on its maiden voyage.

Because of their proximity to the Lord Jesus Christ the disciples saw and did things that no-one else has ever experienced. This is one of those occasions.

I. THE EVER-PRESENT SAVIOUR! [v. 22-23]

Jesus was always exactly where He was supposed to be. Others sometimes thought He wasn't (Mary & Martha, his brethren, his disciples, etc.) but He was! Even here Jesus is where He needs to be.

1. He was in the place of purpose [v. 22-23a]

2. He was in the place of prayer [v. 23b]

3. He was in the place of privacy [v. 23c]

Matthew 6:5-6 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

II. THE IGNORANT SAINTS [v. 24-27]

Ignorant doesn't mean "stupid" it merely means you don't know everything. "Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects." Of course there are areas in which we should NOT be ignorant. The disciples were ignorant on this occasion.

1. They were in the place of preparation [v. 22] Sent by Jesus!

2. They were in the place of pressure [v. 24] Known by God!

3. They were in the place of His presence! [v. 25-27] Accompanied by God!

III. THE ARROGANT SAYINGS

1. Stepping out on faith is NOT blind faith. [v. 28-29, Rm. 10:17]

2. Losing your focus is NOT irreparable [v. 30-31, Heb. 12:2, Is. 26:3]

3. Worshipping God is NOT a sign of weakness (i.e., true faith in the true God is NOT a crutch) [v. 32-33]

Part of this message was adapted from a sermon by Evangelist Wendell Calder which I heard over 15 years ago.