Sabbath Worship at Atlanta Berean | July 20, 2024 | Transformation Now! | You Wouldn't Do That!

In our journey of faith, we must confront the reality of our spiritual growth and ask ourselves, “Am I praying or playing?” This question is not merely rhetorical; it demands introspection and honesty. If we find ourselves stagnant, holding onto the same testimony, grudges, or immature prayers year after year, we must acknowledge that we are not truly engaging with God. Our spiritual life requires more than going through the motions; it requires a heart desperate for God, much like Peter when he stepped out onto the water.

Our comfort and security, often symbolized by material wealth such as a healthy 401(k), can lull us into complacency. Yet, we must remember that our true security lies not in numbers but in God’s providence. The story of Jesus feeding the multitudes with five loaves and two fish reminds us that God’s provision is abundant and that we must be willing to relinquish control and let God work in our lives.

In the church, we coexist with both the converted and the unconverted, the convinced and the convicted. This dichotomy will persist until Christ’s return, and we must not expect perfection within the church. Instead, we should focus on the assurance that failure is neither final nor fatal. Peter’s experience of walking on water, faltering, and being saved by Jesus illustrates that in the midst of adversity, we are being taught and shaped by God’s “university.”

We are engaged in spiritual warfare, and surrender is not an option. The enemy seeks to distract us from Jesus, but we must remain steadfast, knowing that Jesus watches over us and limits our temptations to what we can bear. Our trials are common, calculated, and conquerable through the power of Christ’s sacrifice and our testimony.

In summary, our spiritual vitality is measured by our willingness to step out in faith, to let go of our need to be right, and to embrace the trials that refine us. We must be vigilant in prayer, seeking understanding and discernment to align our will with God’s. Our testimonies are not for ourselves but for the edification of others, and we must boldly proclaim what God has done in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

– True spiritual growth is marked by a continuous transformation, not by clinging to past experiences or harboring old grievances. We must engage in earnest prayer, seeking God’s will and allowing Him to work through our vulnerabilities and challenges. [01:38:37]

– Material wealth and comfort can be fleeting. Our faith must not rest on the transient but on the eternal God who provides for our needs. The story of Jesus feeding the multitudes serves as a reminder that God’s blessings are plentiful and that we must trust in His provision. [01:41:07]

– The church is a mix of individuals at different stages of their spiritual journey. While we strive for unity, we must accept that perfection is not of this world. Our focus should be on Christ, who enables us to navigate through internal church challenges and personal trials. [02:20:48]

– Adversity is not an indication of God’s absence but a tool for our development. Like Peter, we may falter in our faith, but Jesus is always ready to extend His hand. Our trials are opportunities for growth, leading us to a deeper dependence on God. [02:23:05]

– Prayer is a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare. It is through prayer that we gain the strength to overcome temptations and trials. Our testimonies, fueled by our experiences and the blood of the Lamb, are vital in combating the enemy’s attempts to silence us. [02:01:21]

Day 1: Embracing Continuous Transformation
Growth in faith is not a static experience; it is a dynamic process that involves shedding the old and embracing the new. It is about letting go of past grievances and immature prayers to make room for a deeper, more profound relationship with God. This transformation requires earnest prayer, a willingness to be vulnerable, and an openness to God’s will. It is in the quiet moments of honest reflection that one can truly assess whether they are praying with purpose or merely playing at faith. As believers, it is essential to seek God’s guidance and allow Him to mold and shape the heart, leading to a life that reflects His love and grace. [01:38:37]

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.” – Psalm 51:10-11

Reflection: Reflect on an aspect of your life that has remained unchanged for a long time. How can you invite God into this area to initiate transformation?

Day 2: Trusting in Divine Provision
The allure of material wealth can often overshadow the eternal security that comes from trusting in God’s providence. The miraculous feeding of the multitudes with five loaves and two fish is a testament to God’s ability to provide abundantly. This narrative encourages believers to relinquish their grip on earthly securities and to place their trust in God’s provision. It is a call to live by faith, not by sight, and to recognize that true security and comfort come from a reliance on the divine, not on the accumulation of material wealth. [01:41:07]

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19

Reflection: What material possessions or comforts might be hindering your trust in God’s provision? How can you shift your reliance from these to God’s promises?

Day 3: Accepting Imperfection in Fellowship
The church is a mosaic of individuals at various stages of their spiritual walk, encompassing both the converted and the unconverted. This diversity is not a flaw but a reflection of the world’s complexity. Believers are called to accept that perfection is beyond human reach and to find solace in the knowledge that Christ is the one who guides and sustains the church. It is through His strength that one can navigate the challenges within the church community and personal life, always striving for unity but never expecting flawlessness. [02:20:48]

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13

Reflection: How can you show grace and patience to fellow church members who are at different stages in their spiritual journey?

Day 4: Learning Through Adversity
Adversity is not a sign of divine neglect but a classroom for spiritual growth. Like Peter’s experience on the water, moments of faltering faith are often when one learns the most about trust and reliance on God. These trials are not meant to break but to build, to teach dependence on God’s strength rather than one’s own. Recognizing that Jesus is always ready to extend His hand in times of need can transform challenges into valuable lessons in the journey of faith. [02:23:05]

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

Reflection: What recent difficulty or trial can you view as an opportunity for growth, and how can you actively rely on God’s strength in this situation?

Day 5: The Power of Prayer and Testimony
Prayer is the believer’s most potent weapon in spiritual warfare, providing strength to withstand temptations and trials. It is through prayer that one aligns their will with God’s and gains discernment. Moreover, sharing one’s testimony is not just a personal narrative but a tool for edification and a means to combat the enemy’s lies. By boldly proclaiming God’s work in their lives, believers can encourage others and stand firm against spiritual attacks. [02:01:21]

“And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” – Revelation 12:11

Reflection: How can you use your personal testimony as a source of encouragement to others today, and what steps can you take to share it?

All praise God this morning! If you really mean it, say it like you mean it: “My life, my all, I give. Amen!”

Praise be to God! We are delighted to be in the house of God again today and to see all of you that are here in person and those of you online. We thank God for you, and we ask and pray that God will continue to bless us mightily as we give Him the praise, the honor, and the glory that’s rightfully due to His holy name. Amen.

Our series has been thus far: prayer. Come on now, do you know it? Oh, I think we have to do some remedial classes today. Prayer still works! I don’t know about you, but I’m not only saying it; I’m living it because I’m watching God move mountains, and I’m watching God open up ways where there has been no way. I don’t know if I’m the only one in the house that’s experiencing that, but I can tell you right now, in Jesus’ name, that God has been mighty good. Amen.

Yesterday, as I was doing my normal errands, sometimes I forget there are things that I still have to do outside of all of the pastoral work that absorbs most of the time. We still have little things to do. I came across two pretty bad car accidents—three cars, just one crashed into the other and the other, and twice within just a few moments. I thought about it and said, “God, it could have been me.” Someone says that every tenth car we drive by or that drives by us has a drunk driver behind the wheel, and we don’t really realize what God had to do this morning on your way to church to get you here safely.

And those of you at home, you are so blessed because God has allowed you to be a part of a worship experience, and we are delighted that you are here. So this morning, as we open your word again, we ask you to go with us. This morning, we’re going to read a passage from the Gospel of Matthew. If you have your Bibles with you, would you turn with me to the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 14, beginning at verse 22?

When you find it, would you stand with me for just a moment as we celebrate, as we read, as we enjoy together the word of God? It’s good to see my friend and his lovely wife, Chaplain Cox. Say good to see you, my brother. Sonia, God bless you; glad you’re here this morning. And to my brother, who I know is worshiping with us online, Dr. William Felder, just an encouragement to me and an inspiration. I know he would be here with us, but he’s at home, and we pray God will bless you.

Matthew chapter 14, beginning at verse 22:

“And straight away,” some versions say “and immediately,” Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship and to go before him unto the other side while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray. And when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves, for the wind was contrary.

And in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when his disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a spirit,” and they cried out for fear. But immediately, Jesus spake unto them, saying, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”

And Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” And he said unto him, “Come.” And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, “Lord, save me!”

And immediately, Jesus stretched forth his hand and caught him and said unto him, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshiped him, saying, “Of a truth, thou art the Son of God.”

Father, bless your word and bless the worshippers, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

And so the question is: Are you praying, or are you playing? It’s a plain, personal, and pointed question, and it’s a question that all of us need to come to terms with. We need to do some self-assessment. We need to ask ourselves, “Where am I on this continuum of Christian growth?”

If you’re still talking about the same testimony you had last year and five years ago, the chances are you’re not praying; you’re playing. If you’re still carrying the same grudge you were carrying last Sabbath when you walked in the house, the likelihood is that you’re not praying; you’re playing. If you’re still praying, “Now I lay me down to sleep,” and you’re somewhere north of five or six years old, the likelihood is that you are not really praying, but you’re playing.

If your objective is to twist God’s arm into him acquiescing to what you demand and what you desire, I got bad news for you: you’re not praying; you’re playing. The one thing that this story highlights, lifts up, and celebrates is that Peter was at a place of desperation.

And the truth be told, I think that’s the issue with many of us. Life is still relatively good. We have food on the table, we have gas in the car, we have health in our bodies, and a quick glance at the 401(k) looks mighty good. So life is good. Don’t get too happy now because remember a few years ago, God had to get our attention, and he erased the four and he erased the one.

Hello! I’m just trying to help two or three of you all who have rested your faith and your hope and your well-being in the numbers. God still has an eraser close by. It’s important to understand the context of what is happening here. If we go back, we will discover that Jesus has just fed the multitudes with five loaves and two veggie fish.

I’m talking to Adventists, or what am I supposed to say? Hello! And the Bible tells us that not only did he feed them, but they were able to take home with them leftovers—little doggy bags. They were not just satisfied, but they were filled, and they were feeling mighty good. I knew there were some Adventists in the crowd.

See, you don’t read your Bible too closely, so you don’t know that. But let me help you right now: there were some Adventists in the crowd. What preacher, where you get that from? Well, they had a board meeting, and by unanimous consent, they agreed to come and take Jesus by force and make him king. You got to go to John chapter 6 around verse 14 and 15 to understand the whole context of what is happening.

But the thought is, how can they come and make him king when Matthew tells us he was born king? And so Jesus, sensing the danger, understanding that his disciples were likewise caught up in the popular frenzy, caught up in the popular notion, caught up in this desire to come and make him king—don’t be too hard on them because we’re like that sometimes.

God is moving too slow, and so we’ve got to help him. Some of y’all may not believe it, but I’ve studied it. I’ve come to the conclusion that Judas was not an unbeliever; he just had a problem with miscalculation. You see, he was there when Jesus rose Lazarus from the grave. He was there when Jesus encountered blind Bartimaeus and restored his sight. He was there at the home of the widow of Nain when Jesus went in and raised her son back to life.

He was there! I’m talking about Judas. Judas was there when the woman came forward, and after having felt the power of God coursing through her body, she had to testify and declare, “He touched me, and now I’m no longer the same.” He was there when the woman who was bent over for years came into contact with Jesus, and Jesus, by his mighty power, straightened her up. He was there.

And so there was no doubt in his mind as to who Jesus was. His problem with Jesus was that Jesus was moving too slow, and so he set in motion a plan to force Jesus to declare himself to be king so he could assume his role as treasurer in the new kingdom. He didn’t count on Jesus not using his divine powers to break free of the Roman powers.

And when he saw what he saw and felt what he felt, rather than repent, he only got to the level of remorse and regret. You see, if we are paired, if we are hanging out in an area that is only measured by our remorse and our regret and we don’t go to the next level of repentance, we ain’t praying; we just playing.

We’re not sorry for the sin; we’re just sorry we got caught. And the overwhelming sense of guilt caused him, rather than to repent, to go out and hang himself. And this is for two or three of you all. Judas didn’t sell Jesus for 30 pieces of silver; he sold himself. That was the price he put on his own self. That was his evaluation of his own self.

You know, it’s like folk who, you know, you loan money to, and every time they see you, they make a quick left turn. Hello! You see, they’re putting a price on themselves. They’re saying, “That’s what I’m worth.” I thought I’d help two or three of y’all today.

And so the Bible tells us that Jesus, now out of concern for his disciples and out of concern for the ministry and the mission and the message that he had been trying to instill into these disciples, he says, “No, I got to do something.” And here the Bible tells us this word “immediately” shows up at least three times in the story.

And so it says immediately he sent them away into a ship into what he knew would be a storm because Jesus knew that they would be safer in the midst of the storm than in the midst of the misguided multitude. Hello! You may be in a storm right now, and it’s not necessarily something that you have done. It could be that God is allowing you to hang out in the storm so that he can do in you and for you, so that he can work his works through you.

And so he sent them away, then he turned to the multitude and sent them away, and then he took himself away into the mountain to pray. There is a qualitative difference between loneliness and solitude. Sometimes we need to retreat from the everyday mundane rituals of life into a place of prayer and communing with God so that we can have clarity as to what God is trying to say and where God is trying to lead.

And so the Bible tells us that God and the Father and Jesus are now in communion in the mountain, and he’s praying for his disciples that he knew were about to encounter a storm. Please understand that it was because of their obedience to Jesus that they went into a storm. You see, sometimes we think that the storms of life are the result of some misdeed on our parts.

Sometimes we think that hardships and trials and disappointments and difficulties are the result of something we have done, and so we spend our days and we spend our nights in perplexity trying to figure it out. And many times, it’s just God using the rubric of adversity to help to bring us into a closer walk with himself.

And so the Bible tells us, and you know the story. The disciples are in the boat, and they must have been talking about what happened and transpired that day. They’re talking because they’re fishermen, and they’re used to being underwater. I imagine that when the wind started to pick up, I guess they did the normal things that fishermen would normally do. They secured the cargo on the ship; they made sure that everything was set in its perfect place, and they were just chilling.

But this storm was not an ordinary storm. You see, because the devil saw the church in the boat. That was the church then, and he said, “I’m going to send this storm, and I’m going to take them all out in one fell swoop.” And so the devil began to work the elements. You know, Ellen White, Sister White, says that Satan works the elements to bring about great destruction and devastation with the goal of creating doubt and suspicion in the minds of those who are thus victimized by the elements, to cast blame on God and to turn their backs on God.

You’ve heard it said before, and I’ll just repeat it for those who may have forgotten or those who just like to hear me say it: Life, someone says, is like this: we are either in a storm, we’re coming out of a storm, or we’re heading for a storm. I don’t know where you are this morning. I don’t know where you are on this continuum of life. Are you in it? Are you coming out of it? Or are you heading for it?

But this life that we live, this journey that we’re on, this path that God is leading us to is fraught with trials and adversities. It is fraught with dangers and setbacks, and sometimes, if we’re not careful to understand that if we are following the Lord, hello, we are going to run into trouble.

I told you about that lady coming to church, running up front, “Pastor, I got to testify!” “Well, you’re not on the program, but I got to testify.” “Well, what’s so urgent?” She said, “Pastor, I got to tell the people all week long I’ve been going about my business, and I ain’t seen the devil yet.” The preacher said, “I know what’s going on because if you’re a child of God and you went all week and you ain’t met the devil, check your direction, ’cause you’re going the same direction he’s going.”

Hello! Because if you’re living for the Lord, if you’re praying and not playing, if you’re taking time with God, if you are spending time in his word, if you are prayed up and you are sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost, you are marked by the enemy. And every step of your way, every waking moment of every day, Satan is going to be on your back. We’re at war!

And so the Bible tells us that Jesus, now to protect the disciples from being caught up, from being overwhelmed and overrun and overcome with this false notion of what the kingdom is, I have to remind myself and I have to share with colleagues and friends in ministry and church family members that, you know, that have children who are struggling and children who are walking away and going contrary to the word of God and the will of God—don’t keep praying!

Yes, sir! Hello! We are at war, and we cannot surrender. Surrender is not an option! Hello! And you see, this conflict that we are caught up in is geared for one thing, and that is to take our minds off of Jesus. That’s it!

So the Bible tells us that they’re in the boat, the winds are picking up its pace, and the waves are getting more difficult to navigate. These were hardened fishermen; they had been through storms before. And so they were applying their skills and their collective wisdom, but somehow in that moment, it did not avail to keep the boat steady, and they began to panic.

And the beautiful thing is that all night long, while they were wrestling at sea, Jesus was on the mountain just watching. You know, Jesus is a really cool guy. That’s why I know he’s a brother. Hey, listen, they say God is in our image, so if you want to see him or something else, that’s all right; he’s a brother.

Hello! And the Bible said he is watching. Can I help two or three of y’all today? There is nothing that comes your way; there is nothing that you are going through; there is nothing that you will encounter that does not first come by Jesus.

Oh, y’all don’t believe me, so I’m going to give you some Bible. I’m going to give you some Bible now. 1 Corinthians 10:13, you know what it says: “There is no temptation taking you but such as is common to man.” Hello! But God is what? Faithful! And he would what? Not allow you and me to be what? Tempted beyond what we can bear.

Am y’all don’t believe that? So let me break it down so you understand what I just said. All temptations are common. You ain’t the first; you ain’t special. Hello! That somehow this is happening to you because you’re some—no, no, no! If we’re a child of God, temptation, adversity, and trials will come; it’s common.

And whatever you’re dealing with right now, someone else has already dealt with it and has been victorious. That’s why we got this word! Hello! But not only are all temptations common to man, but all temptations are calculated. You see, what the devil ultimately brings to us is a whole lot less than what he intended to bring to us.

Oh, Lord! I thought two or three of y’all would say amen! I’m saying no matter how bad it is right now in your situation, what you’re dealing with is a lot less than what the devil started out with. But somewhere between his factory, where he manufactures all of these strategies and disappointments and allurements and temptations, God tells him, “Now you got to take some of that off; she ain’t ready for that today.”

I say all temptations are what? Common. But all temptations are what? Calculated. Y’all don’t believe me, so I brought my buddy with me. Hey, Job, come over here! Satan said, “Let me do this to him: take his posterity, take his property, mess with his partner.” And finally, he said, “If that didn’t break him, here’s what will: I’m going to mess with his person.”

And what did the Lord do? He says, “You can test him, but you can’t kill him.” I say all temptations are what? Common. All temptations are what? Calculated. You see, God will not allow us to suffer more than we are able to bear.

Don’t you see? There was only one Abraham in the Bible that was asked to give up his son. Some of y’all would have left the church! Hello! There’s only one Job in the Bible. There’s no Job Jr. Hello! There’s only one Joseph in the Bible where his wife was pregnant, and he knew it wasn’t him.

Hello! God knows what all of us are able to bear, and so he limits what Satan can do. He limits what Satan can bring. He limits what we’re exposed to because he knows that we are only able to bear but so much.

Some of y’all could handle a lot of stuff; you handle it all week. But you come to church on Sabbath, and somebody looks at you and says, “Girl, you look like you put on something,” and you’re done for the rest of the Sabbath. You’re done for the rest of the day. You’re throwing your Bible all over the church; you’re mad as all get out. Hello! Amen!

He knows what we can bear. All temptations are what? Common, calculated, and conquerable. Oh, I know I wasn’t going to get no help from the expensive seats over here, so I’m going to talk to y’all. Hello! You know when people say we can’t live without sin, you know what my question is to my answer to them is? Which one?

And you know what Ellen White has a name for those sins? You know what she called them? Those darling sins. Those are the ones that you have settled into a peaceful coexistence with. Huh? Those are the ones that ultimately God’s going to have to pry your fingers open for you to let it go.

Hello! All temptations are what? Conquerable. Jesus didn’t die for most of our sins; the Bible says he died for what? All of our sins. And therefore, he has provided power for us to overcome.

Now hear me clearly: it doesn’t mean we’re not going to have to put forth effort; it doesn’t mean we’re not going to be tried. But it is such that if we stay with God and we rely on God and we put forth the effort by the grace and power of God—ah, y’all still don’t believe me!

So the Bible, Revelation 12, says two things. It says, “And they overcame two things by what? The blood of the Lamb.” And what’s the second one? “And the word of their testimony.” Hello! It’s no wonder why Satan keeps the majority of the church folks silent.

Oh, Lord! Huh? Oh, I believe it, but I don’t tell it; I just live it. The Bible says, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.” That sister that was suffering for 12 years with an issue of blood, and on the right day, in the right place, under the right circumstance, she was made to give her testimony because her testimony wasn’t about her, or rather it wasn’t for her; her testimony was for the man with the issue of blood.

See, we never preach about the man with the issue. You see, because Jairus believed about Jesus, but he didn’t believe on Jesus. Sir, Jairus was about to give up and go home and have a burial. But notice that when that word came, the other word began to speak, and Jesus said, “Only believe.”

Let’s keep going. Yes, you see, Jairus was ready to settle for what? A healing. But Jesus had more in mind. Jesus had a resurrection in mind. Hello! You see, the problem with us is that we settle for way less than what God intends for us to have.

And her testimony was the power, was the catalyst that enabled and empowered him, and he walked away saying, “It’s no secret what God can do, what he’s done for others.”

So they’re in the water; the boat is being tossed; the disciples are scared, and Jesus is out of sight. But unbeknownst to them, he had spent the night in prayer. Yes, sir! This was the second direct attempt from Satan to entice Jesus to bypass the cross and receive the crown.

I said the second. The first happened in the wilderness when Satan took him. Y’all ever thought about that? That Jesus allowed himself to be handled by Satan? But Satan knew who was in charge. Oh, y’all ain’t hearing me! I say he allowed himself to be handled by Satan, but Satan knew all along who was in charge.

And Satan finally came down, and he pulled out his trump card. After the first two didn’t work, he said, “Listen, Jesus, all of this I’m going to give it to you, but just, you know, bypass Calvary. You don’t have to die to get this. I’m going to give it to you.”

See, Satan knew that when the blood was shed, he was done. Are y’all hearing me today? Let me hasten. Here’s what the Bible says. The Bible says the winds and waves were contrary; they were at their wits’ end, and Jesus says, “It’s time.”

How many of you know that Jesus is on his own time schedule? Huh? How many of you know the song that says, “He may not come when you want him”? Hello! How many of us know that Jesus is an on-time God?

And the Bible tells us, the Bible tells us that Jesus came down off the mountain, looked around, and all the ships were gone. So he did the next best thing: he just started walking. Ain’t he all right?

He says, “Hey, no ships!” You see, Jesus could have just appeared in the boat and calmed the winds. He could have done that. He could have stayed up in the mountain and spoken to the wind and the waves and said, “Hush,” and they would have stopped.

So why did he come the way he came? Why did he walk to them in the night just as the dawn was breaking? Here’s why he did it: he wanted to demonstrate to them that the thing that was causing them pain, the thing that was causing them to be frightened, the thing that was causing them anguish was under his feet.

He came walking on top of what was troubling them. He could have come a dozen ways. Jesus wanted to demonstrate that the thing that causes us to fear, the thing that causes us to be awake at night, the thing that causes us anxiety and to be anxious, the things that cause us to lose our grip on him, it is already under his feet. Hallelujah!

I say amen for you! But notice what the Bible says. Now understand that it was commonly believed that the ghosts or the spirits of those who had drowned in the sea haunted the sea at night. That was what they believed.

And so when they saw what appeared to be a ghost, they cried out. And the Bible says that Jesus, knowing now that they were caught up in the throes of fear, is coming to them in the midst of their storm. Hello!

So the Adventist—I mean Peter—said, “Um, Lord, if it is you, bid me come to thee on the water.” “H Lord, if it is thee!” You see, faith demands risk, but risk has its reward. If we’re taking the risk for Jesus, and the Bible tells us Peter didn’t have no better sense than to put those number TW outside that boat and started walking on the water.

Y’all ain’t like that part of the story. The part of the story y’all like is when he started going down. That’s what y’all like. Hello! That’s the part that, yeah, you get really excited about: he going down.

See, see, he was no true believer. Look at him! If he really loved the Lord, he wouldn’t be crying out, “Lord, help me!” But Peter walked on the water. Matter of fact, as you read the story, here’s what you discover: he walked on the water twice.

Oh, it’s in the story! Some people say he walked on the water. One commentator said, “Nuh, he walked on the word.” And the word was “come.” [Applause]

Come! You got a problem at home? Come! You got an issue with that sister? That brother? Come! That’s Jesus! He said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden.” Whatever it is that’s weighing us down, whatever it is that’s causing us angst, whatever it is that brings about anxiety, fret, and fussing, Jesus says, “Come!”

The only reason why some of us are still carrying the burden that we’re carrying is because we have rejected his invitation when he says, “Come.” And the truth be told is that some of us don’t want resolution.

So they talked about the border for how many? For how many the last years? They beat Biden down with it; they beat up Biden with it; they beat up Obama with it. And now the Democrats say, “Put on paper whatever you want, and I’ll sign it.” And now they say, “Well, hold up, ho, ho, ho, hold up!” They don’t want resolution.

See, some people can only exist in chaos. If there ain’t something to complain about, hello! And so the sun is shining; it’s 72 degrees outside; everybody’s walking around smiling, and you say, “Good morning!” “What’s so good about it?”

I mean, there’s some people in this life that no matter how you and I try, they don’t want resolution. You know why? They ain’t praying; they playing. You see, because when you’re praying—if you listened to the message on Wednesday night as the panel, my two elders and I were talking about Daniel’s prayer—what you discover is this: the Bible says that Daniel began to pray, and he had set his heart and his mind to understand God.

It’s the primary requisite for praying: it’s to discover and to discern in order to do. I said it, and I’m going to say it again because some of y’all missed it. You can tell whether you’re praying or playing. If you’re praying, you are approaching God with the attitude, with the predisposition of understanding, of discerning, of discovering so you can be about doing.

So he’s walking on water, and somebody said, “The Bible says he took his eyes off Jesus.” That’s the King James version. Can I give you the Jack’s version? Satan snuck up behind Peter and said one word: “Gravity!”

Gravity! Peter took his eyes off of Jesus. Some of us are in difficulty right now because that’s the genesis of our trouble, of a confusion, of a distortion, of a misunderstanding. We have taken our eyes off of Jesus.

We are looking at him, and we are looking at her, and we are looking at them, and we are looking at it. And when our focus is off of God and off of Christ, we can only find faulty, failing human beings to fix our gaze on. And you know how that’ll work every time: we’ll come away with complaining and griping. Hello!

But it’s a part of the story. I love the Bible says, “Beginning to sink.” I thought I had two or three y’all to help me right there. If some of us had started to pray at the beginning of the temptation, at the beginning of the problem, when the first word was said, rather than give back in kind, you say, “I’m just going to pray,” things would not have escalated.

And the Bible says, here it comes again: “Immediately, Jesus reached out his hands.” And Jesus, he is sinking in what Christ is standing on. In the very presence of Christ, the Bible says Jesus reached out his hands and picked him up, and he said to him, “O ye of little faith, wherefore did you doubt?”

Some of us are so close to overcoming; some of us are so close to victory. If we would just persevere and persist and pursue God in the midst of our storm, we will discover that he’s just a prayer away.

Let me close with this: get three or four lessons that the text and this story teaches us today. Number one: peace is not found in the absence of the storm but in the presence of Jesus. Is that all right, sir?

You see, when Peter stepped out of the boat, Jesus had not yet calmed the winds or the waves. And so in the midst of our storm, we can still find peace if we stay in the presence of Jesus.

Going through a storm right now, it doesn’t mean that you’ve been abandoned; it doesn’t mean that Jesus has turned away, walked away; it doesn’t mean that he doesn’t want to hear from you. No, no, no! He’s watching to see if you will stay the course. Jesus said to him, “Wherefore did you doubt?”

The second lesson is this: Jesus never promised us smooth sailing, calm waters, and subdued winds. Matter of fact, when you read this Bible, here’s what it tells us: “In this life, you’re going to have what? Trouble.” And Paul reminds us that “all that live godly in Christ shall not maybe.”

When we sign up with Christ, trouble is already on its way. I’m closing now, Luth. So Jesus never promised us smooth sailing and calm waters and subdued winds. In this life, we’re going to have trouble.

I say you might as well make up your mind; you might as well settle it in your spirit that we’re going to have trouble in this life. And sometimes, and quite often for believers, the trouble is right here in the church.

You see, because in the church, you got two groups of folk: you have those who are praying, and you have those who are playing. And like the ten virgins, we will not be able to fully identify them until Jesus comes.

You see, because until Jesus comes, the ten virgins all look alike. They were dressed; they spoke the same language; they sang the same songs; they carried the same flask. But it was not until he showed up that it was discovered who had oil and who had no oil.

Have you checked your oil lately? I’m just saying. And so the Bible tells us here that God came to them; he called out Peter, and Peter did what no other human being has ever done because he was willing to take Jesus at his word and step out of the comfort zone.

What are we willing to risk for Christ in this Christian life? Here’s something that some of us are going to need to do if we’re going to get over and make it in: we have to give up the right to be right.

Now you G have to think about that the rest of the week. You see, because you may win the argument and lose the soul. What have you accomplished? If we’re going to make it into the kingdom of God, there are things that we just have to let go and relinquish and let God do for us what only God can do.

And so Jesus says, “In this life, yeah, we’re going to have some trouble.” And a lot of that trouble is going to happen right here in the household of faith. You see, because everybody in the church is not yet fully converted.

Oh yeah, there are people in the church who are convinced; there are people in the church who are convicted, but they haven’t moved to that next level. Hello! The Bible tells us that these two groups, they’re going to exist and coexist until Jesus comes.

Hello! Don’t expect perfection down here. Don’t expect everybody to like you. Don’t expect everybody to think well of you. Don’t expect everybody to open arms and greet you and hug you and love you with sincerity and honesty. No, no, no, no, no! In the church, there are challenges.

But here’s what the Bible says: Jesus reached out his hands, huh? And he and Peter together walked back to the boat. Y’all didn’t get it, so here’s a lesson right there: failure isn’t final, nor does it have to be fatal.

And so for the second time, Jesus and Peter are walking hand in hand. The waves are still tossing; the winds are still blowing. But now Peter, he’s got his hands in the hands of the Master. His eyes are fixed on Jesus, and he walks back to the boat on the water.

And it wasn’t until they got in the boat that the wind ceased. Some of us have been praying for God to deliver us, deliver us. Some of us are praying for God to deal with all the trouble and adversity, but God is saying, “No, the adversity are God’s university.”

Hello! I said your adversity and my adversity are God’s university to teach us, to develop, to help us, to make us people of faith. So the Bible tells us they’re back in the boat now, and watch what happens! Hallelujah!

They fell down and started to worship. What would that worship be like? Was the band there playing a nice melody? Was the praise team up here singing a song that just moves our soul? No, but they worshiped. I didn’t hear anybody complaining; they didn’t have a bulletin. Hello!

But the Bible said they worshiped.

1) “If you’re still talking about the same testimony you had last year and five years ago, the chances are you’re not praying, you’re playing.” [01:38:37] (Download) 2) “The one thing that this story highlights is that Peter was at a place of desperation… life is still relatively good… and so life is good. Don’t get too happy now because remember a few years ago God had to get our attention and he erased the four and he erased the one.” [01:40:24] (Download) 3) “Jesus has just fed the multitudes with Five Loaves and two veggie fish… not only did he feed them but they were able to take home with them leftovers.” [01:41:07] (Download) 4) “In the church, you got two groups of folk: you have those who are praying and you have those who are playing… until Jesus comes the 10 virgins all look alike.” [02:19:14] (Download) 5) “Failure isn’t final nor does it have to be fatal… for the second time Jesus and Peter are walking hand in hand, the waves are still tossing, the winds are still blowing, but now Peter, he’s got his hands in the hands of the master.” [02:22:18] (Download) 6) “Your adversity and my adversity are God’s University to teach us to develop, help us to make us people of Faith.” [02:23:05] (Download) 7) “All Temptations are what common, calculated and conquerable… they overcame by what the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony.” [01:59:17] (Download) 8) “Some of us are so close to overcoming, so close to Victory, if we would just persevere and persist and pursue God in the midst of our storm, we will discover that he’s just a prayer away.” [02:16:11] (Download) 9) “Jesus wanted to demonstrate that the thing that causes us to fear… the thing that causes us to lose our grip on him, it is already under his feet.” [02:06:34] (Download) 10) “Faith demands risk, but risk has its reward if we’re taking the risk for Jesus.” [02:08:17] (Download)