The Grace to Follow Jesus’ Example

(Read Mat 14:10-28)

This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”.  We have been studying the life of the Apostle Peter.  Our study has brought us to Matthew 14.  In this chapter John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin, was beheaded.  When Jesus received the news He fought back against the enemy the only way that made sense in the earth – by destroying the works of the devil.  Jesus saw a large crowd, He approached them and healed everyone who was sick.  Afterwards Jesus fed the crowd, over 5,000 men (not counting the women and children), with a little boy’s lunch.

When the meal was over Jesus sent His disciples ahead of Him in a boat.  He told them to go to the other side of the lake.  He said he would come later.  Jesus went up into the hills by himself to pray.  Jesus was God in the flesh, but He was still a man.  This was His time to reflect on the life of His cousin.  By this time the boat was already a long way from shore.  The disciples were were battling strong winds and waves.  The wind and waves were so strong that time-tested fishermen were afraid the boat would capsize and they would die.  They were simply doing what Jesus told them to do and they wound up in the middle of a raging storm.

After hours of struggling with the wind and waves, during the fourth watch of the night (between 3am-6am), Jesus caught up with the team.  He came to them walking on water.  When the disciples saw Him walking on water, they thought they had seen a ghost.  They yelled out in fear.  But Jesus quickly spoke to them.  He said, “Don’t worry!  It’s me!  Don’t be afraid.”  Peter said, “Lord, if that is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.”

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things.

1.  Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 Jn 3:8).  He did so by grace.  It was not a struggle.  That same grace is on you.

2.  Facing storms in life is not always an indication that you are doing something wrong.  Sometimes you are in the center of God’s will and storms come.  The disciples simply did what Jesus told them to do (get in the boat and go to the other side), and they faced one of the worst storms of their lives.  But rest assured, if you are in the storm, God has already given you the grace to face it.

3.  God can make a way (supernaturally), when there seems to be no way (naturally).  Jesus did not walk on water as some sort of magic trick.  This was not to impress the disciples.  The simple truth is Jesus did not have a boat and He wanted to catch up to the disciples who did, so He walked on water.  The Father did not allow the limitations of this world to stop Jesus.  Guess what?  What the Father did for Jesus He will do for you.  He will make a way when there seems to be no way.

4.  Faith has the audacity to ask for the grace.  Peter was the only disciple to ask Jesus for the grace to meet Him on top of the water.  All 12 disciples had the opportunity to walk on water, but only one asked.  Will you be like the 11 or like the one?

5.  Peter understood God’s grace was available for him to be just like Jesus.  The Father expects us to live with that same understanding.  John said, “As Jesus is, so are we in this world” (1 Jn 4:17).

I have more to say about this, but we will stop here for today.

Closing Confession:   Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith.  When satan attacked Jesus’ family, Jesus did not retaliate in the flesh.  Jesus knew this is not a flesh-and-blood fight.  Jesus fought back by destroying the works of the devil, and He did not struggle to do it.  Jesus did all He did by grace.  I live the same way.  I am just like Jesus.  As Jesus is, so am I in this world.  Your grace is on me to destroy the works of the devil.  Your grace is on me to walk in the supernatural.  Your grace is on me to supercede the limitations of this world.  Storms may come, the winds may blow, the waves may rise, but I shall not be moved, because I walk and live by faith!  My faith accesses Your grace, and I get to live ‘Just like Jesus’ in this world.  So thank You Father for making ways for me when there seems to be no way, for opening doors no man can close, and for closing doors no man can open.  You do this because You love me.  You do this by grace.  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.
This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.