Focusing on Jesus

I. Text: Matthew 14:22-33

II. Review the story

A. Peter’s desire to walk with Jesus

B. Peter’s desire

C. Peter knew from his many years as a fisherman that it was physically impossible for him to walk on the water by his own power. However, Peter knew that if Jesus commanded him, he could walk on the water with the power of God.

D. Jesus’ command

E. By Peter’s request, Jesus commanded him to walk on the water to him. By God’s power, Peter was able to walk on the water towards Jesus.

F. Peter’s failure

G. Peter’s attention shifted from Jesus to the waves and the wind When Peter took his eyes off Jesus, and became fearful, he began to sink.

H. Jesus saves Peter

I. Peter cried out to Jesus, “Lord, save me!” Jesus caught Peter and saved him but rebuked him for doubting.

J. This is a marvelous story

K. It illustrates Jesus’ power over the natural realm. It illustrates the great things that men can do by the command and power of God. This story also illustrates the importance of focusing on God.

III. When we take our eyes away from Jesus, we will sink ( Chart 1).

A. When we become Christians, we must focus on Jesus and seek to go to Him, Hebrews 12:1-2.

B. Though we face many storms, we must keep focusing on Jesus, lest we sink.

C. When I feel weak and depressed, I often find that I am not praying and studying as I should. Some may find they are not involved with their brethren or not attending services as they should. If you do not feel close to God, how is your prayer life? Are you studying? Do you care about your brethren? Does it seem that you have quit focusing on Jesus and are looking at the storms around you? When we take our eyes of Jesus, we become weaker because we are not walking in His power.2 Corinthians 4:7-9- God’s power upholds us.

D. We could still be going through the motions: attending worship services, teaching classes, having Christians into our home, studying, but not focusing on Jesus.

E. Our studying may be more on things about the Bible than the Bible itself. (Nothing wrong with the books but focus on the Bible)

F. Our worship and hospitality might be motivated by social reasons more than wanting to be with Jesus.

G. Attend for family or friends; only casually interested in learning. Come, but pay no attention to the teacher.

IV. When we keep our eyes on Him, we can do powerful things ( Chart 2).

A. God commands us to live godly lives in an ungodly, immoral world but God has given us the strength to do it.

B. He gives us an escape from every temptation, 1 Corinthians 10:12-13. He gives us a godly family to support us and strengthen us. He promises us an eternal home away from this wickedness. But, we must keep our eyes on Jesus, and not be drawn away with the appealing things of this world, the passing pleasures of sin.

C. We are able to overcome terrible obstacles, great suffering, and strong opposition through the power of God, Philippians 4:11-13.

D. Though we have to suffer through trials, Jesus gives us strength.

E. Jesus did not calm the sea for Peter. However, Jesus gave Peter the strength to walk on the rough sea. Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Our enemy is strong, but God is stronger. Jesus will give us strength to walk on the rough seas of life, but we must keep our eyes on Him and take each step in faith towards Him.

F. Jesus exhorts us to keep our eyes on the important things.

G. The kingdom of heaven

H. We have a tendency to become worried about the economy, our bills, and meeting the basic needs of life.

I. Jesus said to seek the kingdom first and He would take care of these things, Matthew 6:32-33.

J. We become weak and faithless when we focus so much on the basic things of the world (The Gentiles seek these).We are to maintain our focus on heavenly things.

K. Colossians 3:2 “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” If we keep our eyes on the important things, the things of Jesus and the kingdom, we will keep the things of this world in proper perspective.

L. We leave a comfort zone when we step out to be with Jesus.

M. Peter was in the comfort and safety of the boat, but he stepped out to walk with Jesus. We, too, leave our comfort zone when we step out to be with Jesus and live like Him.“I don’t feel comfortable calling someone who is sick” –Step out of the boat.“I don’t feel like I could read scripture, lead prayer, or do a talk.” –Step out of the boat.“If I talk to my neighbor/friend/co-worker about Jesus, they may not like me or think I am a freak.” -Step out of the boat.“I don’t think I can be a Christian, there are just too many temptations, and I may fail.” -Step out of the boat. Will you step out of the boat and do things that you never thought you could do in service to God? Just as Jesus gave Peter the command to come and the power to do it, He gives us the power to do His will if we will ask for it.

V. If we call to Jesus, He hears us and will catch us

A. He hears our prayers, Hebrews 4:14-16.

B. When they cry out for help, He gives strength to His saints to endure their trials.

C. Psalm 66:8-12

D. Many Psalms express confidence in God’s saving power.

E. Often God does not remove the enemy but gives victory over him. We often want God to erase our problems, when He knows that we need to endure and conquer them.

F. We may not have strength because we have not asked God for it; or only come to Him when we need help.

G. James 4:2-4 “Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” Some do not pray, study, or otherwise seek God until they are down on their luck, then they wonder why God does not help them.

H. If we are not Christians, we are sinking and we need Christ to save us.

I. He can give us power and save us because, as his apostles confessed, He is truly, the Son of God.