(Read Mat 14:28-31)
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. For the past couple of weeks we have been looking at Peter’s famous walking on water incident. Let’s go back to it today.
Peter said, “Lord, if that is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Notice that Jesus was NOT offended by the request. Jesus was not upset that Peter wanted to do what He was doing. I believe Jesus was actually relieved that at least one of the disciples was ready to step out of the natural. At least one of them was ready to venture out beyond the limits of this world. So Jesus said, “Come”. If there is anything Jesus was upset about, was the fact that Peter only took a few steps. When Peter sank and Jesus saved him, Jesus said, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
So what does this mean to you today? Two things.
1. Give yourself the license to dream.
a) Peter was the only disciple with enough faith to see himself doing what Jesus was doing. He was the only one who opened his heart to God-sized dreams. Peter saw Jesus ON the water and instead of thinking, “Wow, how is He doing that?”, like I am sure many of the other disciples thought, Peter thought, “Wow, I wonder if God would allow me to do that as well. I want to do what Jesus is doing.” For Peter to even have these thoughts he had to give himself the license to dream.
b) Far too many believers shut themselves off from what God is calling them to do, simply because they see themselves as incapable, insufficient, and unworthy.
c) If you can’t SEE IT you will never BE IT. When you renew your mind, and you take the limits off of God, you will start to see yourself doing things you have never done before; and the fact that the Lord allows you to SEE it, in your mind’s eye, is evidence that He will bring it to pass. It is the renewed mind that dreams God-sized dreams.
2. Put on the mind of Christ. Paul said, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation. He took on the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men… He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God has highly exalted him.” (see Phil 2:5-9).
a) Paul taught us to think like Jesus thought. How did Jesus think?
i) Jesus had no problem seeing Himself, although He was a human, as equal with God. He saw Himself as both human and divine.
ii) Jesus did not make His human life about Him. He was selfless in every way.
iii) Jesus humbled Himself to do whatever the Father led Him to do. Ultimately, this meant death; the death of the cross. But along the way this also meant healing the sick, raising the dead, performing signs, and wonders and miracles, and leaving a mark in this world that is still felt today.
iv) God exalted Jesus because He humbled Himself to His divine assignment.
b) God expects us to think and live the same way Jesus did.
i) Like Peter, you must see yourself doing what Jesus did.
ii) God won’t get offended when you open your heart to do things that far exceed human ability.
iii) How big does your dream need to be for God to say, “Whoa!”?
iv) Like Jesus, God expects you to humble yourself to do His will, even when that means doing BIG things.
v) If you humble yourself to the point where you are willing to do anything and everything the Father leads you to do, then like Jesus, you will live an amazing life.
vi) When Jesus died He became a seed. You are part of the harvest. He expects you to live like He did in the earth.
vii) John made it plain. He said, “As Jesus is, so are we in this world!” (1 Jn 4:17).
*** Give yourself the license to dream, put on the mind of Christ, and you will experience the life on God’s level… beyond human limits!
*** True humility is dying to self to point where you have even died to your limits. When it’s all God, there are no limits.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. My mind is being renewed to the point where I am open to whatever You want to do in my life. You are a limitless God and I declare by faith, that I remove every artificial limit I have ever placed on you. Big dreams, divine dreams, God-sized dreams, are birthed out of my relationship with You. I humble myself before You. I die to self and human limitations. I put on the mind of Christ. I see myself JUST LIKE JESUS! As Jesus is, so am I, in this world. You call me to do things that exceed my ability, I humble myself and open to my heart to Your will, I give myself the license to SEE myself doing it, and because I can SEE IT, I can BE IT, by Your power and grace. You don’t get offended when I think like You. Actually, You have been waiting on me to get to this level. I declare that I am there! As of this moment, and from this day forward, I refuse to see limits. If You lead me to do it, I see myself doing it by Your grace. It won’t be my doing it anyway. It is You Father, living IN me, You give me the words, You perform the work, and You leave a mark in this world, THROUGH ME, that will never be erased! I declare this by faith. NO LIMIT LIVING is my new normal! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
