A Short Burst of Faith

(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 few 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.”  Jesus said, “Come”.  Peter had confidence in the Word released to him through Jesus.  He had the faith to get out of the boat and he literally walked on water.  Peter performed the supernatural.  But then, after just a few steps, Peter shifted his focus to the wind and the waves.  Once his mind on was on humanity he began to sink.  As Peter was sinking he called out to Jesus, “Save me!”  Jesus saved him, but He then said something to Peter that is very interesting.  Jesus said, “You of little faith.  Why did you doubt?”  Jesus called Peter’s faith “little”.  That’s what we will focus in on today.

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

1.  God is looking for consistent faith.  Peter did what only he and Jesus have ever done – walk on water.  You would think Jesus would commend Peter for it.  You would think Jesus would give Peter a pat on the back, an attaboy, or at least an acknowledgement.  But no, Jesus was not impressed with Peter’s faith.  Why?  A few reasons:

a)  God expects faith from all of us.  So when Peter operated in faith it was not special, it was what he was supposed to be doing everyday.

b)  Although Peter operated in faith, Jesus’ comment brings out the fact that He would have liked Peter to have operated in it for a longer period of time.

c)  Peter had faith, but it was a ‘short burst of faith’, and anyone can operate in faith for a few seconds.

2.  Peter’s faith was short-lived.  Peter literally walked on water.  This was a supernatural act of faith, but Jesus called it “little faith”.  The “little” in Jesus’ statement is not a reference to the amount or type of faith Peter had.  It was simply a reference to the duration of Peter’s faith.  This tells us something about God’s expectations of us.

a)  Peter’s faith was strong enough to walk on water, but his faith lasted but a few seconds.

b)  Not only does God expect us to operate and live by faith, but He expects us to do it consistently.

c)  Anyone can have a short-burst of faith, but God is looking for believers who will literally live by faith; every second of every day.

d)  Countless believers get excited when they hear a Word from God on Sunday, but by Tuesday many have already forgotten what God said.  God is not looking for you to dibble and dabble in faith, He has called you to LIVE BY FAITH!

3.  Learn from Peter.  Don’t make the same mistake he made.

a)  When you launch out in-faith, you must keep your focus on God and His Word.  God knows your limits and He factored them out when He called you to operate beyond them.  But if you factor in what God factored out, it will lead to doubt.

b)  Doubt leads to fear and fear cancels out faith.

c)  Speak the language of faith, like Peter did when he asked for the authorization to walk on water.  Hear every Word from God through ears of faith, like Peter did when Jesus said, “Come”.  Look at what God is calling you to do through the lens of faith, like Peter did when he got out of the boat.  And then remain in faith until you complete the assignment!  

Closing Confession:   Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith.  You have called and commanded me to walk, live, pray, fight and overcome by faith.  I declare that I do.  I am the just and I live by faith.  I speak the language of faith, asking You for things that exceed human limits.  I open my ears and my heart in faith, to receive all You have called me to do.  I look at what You say to me through the lens of faith, seeing myself become the person You called me to be.  And I then launch out in faith, without a doubt, not wavering, remaining steadfast, with my focus stayed on You, believing that You will bring to pass Your best in my life.  You have provided the grace.  Your part is done.  You have entered into rest.  I now provide the faith, and my faith is so strong that I also enter into divine rest.  I rest from my own works.  I don’t count on me, I count on You.  Since my confidence is IN You and not in me, my confidence is strong, it does not waver, and I do not fail.  I live by faith every second of every day.  Living this way I get to experience grace-based success.  I declare this by faith.   In Jesus’ name.  Amen.
This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.