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Introduction:
We often like to divide people into groups. As one person
once said, there are two kinds of people. Those who divide
everybody into two kinds of people, and those who don’t. We
might be tempted to divide people into two groups: those who
believe in God and those who don’t. But just making this
statement can be misleading. For instance, we could subdivide
these groups even more to become more accurate. There are those
who are confident no God exists. We call them atheists. There are
those who believe God may exist, but they are not convinced. We
call them agnostics or skeptics. Then on the side of those who
believe in God, we could subdivide further. For instance there are
those who believe in God but don’t believe God. And there are
those who both believe in God and believe God. “What is the
difference?” you may ask. A great deal. One accepts God’s
existence. The other also unquestionably accepts God’s way as
truth. Most of us sit between these two extremes, daily growing in
our commitment and faith. II
Peter 1:5, 8 demonstrate faith is a growing aspect of our
lives. The point of growing faith is our trust in God and in
following His way increases. As we surrender more and more of
lives and actions to His will. Our goal is to follow the advice of
the Proverbialist in Proverbs
3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And do
not lean on your own understanding.” We strive to reach the
point that we unquestionably follow God’s will in all areas of
life. Yet, as we grow, there are still times of doubt. Consider
Peter’s situation when he walked on water as an example of this
faith in flux (Matthew
14:22-33). Discussion: I.
Peter heard,
saw and believed Jesus. A.
We have no
doubt Peter believed in Jesus. It was Peter who, in John 6:68, said Jesus had the words of life. It was Peter who, in Matthew
16:16, said Jesus was the Christ, God’s Son. B.
Additionally,
Peter believed the person standing on the water was none other
than Jesus. It was none other than the Jesus who had calmed
storms, fed five thousand with five loaves and two fish, cast out
demons, and healed the sick. Peter responded, “Lord, if it is
You, command me to come to You on the water” (Matthew
14:28). The issue was not one of proof. Just saying
“Come,” did not prove it was Jesus. Peter already believed or
he would never have gotten out of the boat. C.
When Peter
sank, Jesus’ response was, “Why did you doubt?” (Matthew
14:31). Did Peter doubt it was really Jesus on the water? I
don’t believe so. After all, when he began to sink he cried out,
“Lord, save me!” (Matthew
14:30). Peter believed in Jesus. Peter believed it was Jesus.
But Peter still had a struggle with faith. He needed to grow in
faith, not growing belief in Jesus, but grow in believing Jesus. II.
Peter
committed to doing what Jesus commanded. A.
Peter went
beyond just mental assent. He committed himself. The boat was
being battered by waves, not the easiest water to swim in. He
would not be easily pulled out if he couldn’t walk. But he
committed himself to following the Lord’s command. B.
We learn
that mature faith is not just an initial decision to obey. Mature
faith is not attained because we take the first step onto the
water. Or can I say, that first step into the water, speaking of
baptism. That is the beginning, but making that step does not
equal mature faith. III.
Peter
started his walk with Christ, but looking around, he began to
sink. A.
Peter’s
doubt was not about who was on the water. Peter’s doubt was not
about wanting to obey. Peter’s doubt was about whether or not
Jesus’ way was best. Jesus said, “Come.” Peter got out on
the water, but then began to look around. Seeing the wind, Peter
became afraid. He suddenly doubted the wisdom of walking to Jesus.
This is where we get to the heart of the matter. I think this
happens to us at times. Look at several areas where we allow doubt
to get in the way of our walk with God. B.
Consider how
doubt reeks havoc over us personally in our emotional lives. We
have faith that God exists. We believe serving God will bring
numerous blessings of peace and contentment. However, doubt often
surfaces. Sometimes we may not even realize we are expressing
doubt, but when concerns arise, instead of letting our requests be
made known to God (Philippians
4:6), instead of casting our cares upon Him (I Peter 5:7), we try to handle problems on our own. Have you ever
noticed the context of Peter’s statement? He immediately talked
about the devil seeking to devour us. When we try to overcome our
anxieties on our own, Satan will devour us. Trust God. Turn your
anxieties over to Him; He’ll care for you. C.
Consider how
doubt reeks havoc in the family. We believe marriage is God’s
pattern for relational fulfillment. It was designed to provide
personal happiness because men and women alone and separate are
incomplete (Genesis 2:18).
So we get married. But then turbulence arises. Perhaps we think we
moved too quickly. Perhaps we discover the person we dated and the
person we married are two different people. Perhaps we discover we
want more time for independence. Perhaps we had kids too quickly.
Who knows? But we look around us at the wind of married life and
suddenly, we are not so sure God’s pattern for the family is
best. We never express it that way. Instead, we just don’t
follow God’s plan. Perhaps the husband moves into isolation
pursuing his own goals instead of being the sacrificial,
servant-leader. Perhaps the wife rebels and refuses to be in
submission. Perhaps parents will not train children. Perhaps one
or both spouses decide they would be happier with someone else and
they pursue affairs or divorce. Our society, with its broken homes
and ensuing problems, is a result of doubting God’s word. God
has a pattern. Grow your faith, don’t just believe in God,
believe God about your family. D.
Consider the
havoc doubt has caused regarding salvation. We know God will save
us by grace through faith based on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
We understand we must believe, confess our belief (Romans
10:9-10), repent of our sins, be baptized for the remission of
our sins (Acts 2:38)
and grow in Christ (II
Peter 1:5-8). However, doubt creeps in, rearing its ugly head
in two ways. First, some begin to doubt the aspect of God’s
grace, constantly plagued about whether or not some sin they
committed is going to condemn them to hell. They do not recognize
their fear and regret demonstrates their own repentance, which
leads to salvation. Far too often, these will convince themselves
they can never be saved, so why bother. The other aspect of the
doubt is facing the wind and waves of controversy that surrounds
the Bible doctrine of salvation. Some take this step and then,
when they come in contact with those who are adamantly opposed to
water baptism as part of salvation, they begin to back track. They
have doubt and start to equivocate, eventually abandoning the
truth all together. God’s plan for salvation is clear. It
consists of grace and faithful surrender. We have no need to fear
those who oppose. Nor do we need to fear that God will forget His
promise of grace. Grow your faith and follow God’s pattern
unashamedly. E.
Consider the
trouble caused by doubt with the church and its worship and work.
We recognize Jesus established His church for a purpose: to bring
glory to Him (Ephesians
3:20-21) and to uphold His truth (I
Timothy 3:15), which sets men free (John
8:32). Since our job is to glorify God His way and help people
be set free from sin by God’s truth, we refuse to get distracted
with other works. When we worship we do simply what we see God
authorize in the New Testament. For example, we refuse to sing
with instrumental accompaniment because we find no authority for
it. Also, we have refused to become involved in patterns of church
work for which we cannot find authority. Our work is not feeding
the homeless, helping cure cancer, educating the poor. Those are
all good things, they are just not the church’s job. However, as
we walk on this water, we sometimes see the wind of opposition. We
are attacked with slanderous statements, false accusations, and
names. Additionally, we see some churches getting involved in
these things and they seem to have some success. We begin to
wonder, “Is the way we find authorized in scripture the best
way?” Doubt sets in. Perhaps a little change here and a little
change there, but then the church has abandoned God’s mission.
Grow your faith. God’s pattern for the church is what is best.
Follow it without shame. F.
Given time,
we could think of other areas where doubts arise. But these four
demonstrate we can believe in God, but not believe Him. Whether it
be these or other issues, we must recognize God’s way is best.
There is no need to doubt based on any wind or waves we face while
walking on the water with Jesus. IV.
When doubt
overcame Peter, he turned back to Jesus. A.
Having
demonstrated that doubt causes problems, we need also consider how
to deal with doubt. First, recognize that having doubted is not
going to condemn us to hell in and of itself. B.
Peter did
not drown as a result of his doubt, even though he began to sink.
Why not? Because, when Peter recognized he was sinking, he turned
back to Jesus. He doubted, but knew where to turn (Matthew
14:30). Sadly, too often we turn to other sources: our own
intelligence, the wisdom of the world, personal experience.
Instead, we need to go headlong into Jesus, turning our efforts
toward getting to know Him. C.
If we turn
back to Jesus, we may sink for a while, but we will not drown. The
trouble is, with Peter; it was evident he was sinking. For us, it
is not always so clear. Thus, we must be on the alert (I
Peter 5:8). Only by diligence, rightly dividing the word (II Timothy 2:15), can we be aware of sinking from the Christ’s
standard. When we have parted from Christ’s path on the water,
cry out to Him. Lean on His hand and do what He says. Peter did
not grab hold of the boat when he began to sink. He cried out to
Jesus. Jesus lifted him and together they walked on the water back
to the boat. That is what we must do. Conclusion: There are those, of course, whose doubts keep them from even stepping out on the water. They don’t think serving God will bring happiness. They don’t think it is for them right now. God created us. He wrote the manual for our lives. He knows what we need to do right now. He knows what will provide us with peace. You believe in God, why not believe God, accepting what He says about all things, no matter who disagrees with Him?
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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