Walking With The Greats - The Life of Peter

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"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." 1 Corinthians 10:11

Today's Scripture Text: Matthew 14:24-29

Have you ever made a decision before thinking about it?  Have you ever spoken before you thought?  Well, you are not alone.  Peter was the same way but yet he was greatly used by the Lord.

Here are some facts about Peter:

• Peter is mentioned 146 times in the New Testament!
• Peter is mentioned 57 times in the Book of Acts alone!
• Peter seems to be a born leader.
• Peter was quick to ask questions and give advice.
• Peter was the first to reveal Jesus as 'The Christ'.
• Peter was the only one in the Garden of Gethsemane who tried to protect Christ.
• Paul said in Galatians that Peter was a pillar in the church.
• In the Book of Acts, Peter's shadow healed people.

Do you want your life to count?  Peter did.  Make this confession: "I will be a faith-filled, miracle-working, overcoming believer."

When the storms were raging and the disciples were in fear, they saw a shadow and they weren't sure what it was.  Peter recognized it as Jesus and asked Jesus to call him to join Jesus on the water.  Jesus did call Peter and Peter jumped out of the boat, walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when Peter's focus shifted from the Lord to the storm, fear gripped him and he started sinking.  Peter thought everything would be ok when Jesus called him.  He didn't think he would get his feet wet; he didn't think he would run into set-backs; he didn't think he would face trials.  The call is not a guarantee of fair weather.

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Life Lesson #1 - Jesus will show up in the middle of our storm, in the darkest hours of the night. Matthew 14:24

The disciples weren't sure if it was even the Lord.  Many times when God speaks to us, we say, "I'm not sure if this is even God or not."  Just because you are a believer, it doesn't mean you won't have a storm, but rather that Jesus will show up in the midst of that storm.  Some things the Lord asks you to do don't make sense.  Peter getting out of the boat didn't make sense.  If the Lord asked you to do something in the midst of a troubled time or that didn't make sense, would you do it?

Peter is accused of being someone who acted without thinking; but at least he acted.  Many of us are more guilty of thinking and not acting than acting and not thinking.  You need to understand that your faith grows when you act on it.

Life Lesson #2 - Faith grows in the middle of a storm. Matthew 14:28

When I have a storm, it actually causes my faith to grow!  The challenge is that in the midst of the storm we don't feel like acting, but that's when we need to trust Jesus!  While the other disciples were shaking in fear, Peter stepped out of his comfort zone, which increased his faith even more.  Step out of our comfort zone and watch your faith grow!  It's easy to be like the rest of the disciples and stay safe in the boat with your friends around you.  But that will do nothing for your faith.

When the storms are raging in your finances, you need to step out in faith and tithe... and watch your faith grow.  In any area where you are experiencing a storm, step out of your comfort zone and go to Jesus and watch your faith grow.  Can you trust him when it's easy as well as when it's difficult?

When you find yourself in a storm, you need to stay focussed on Jesus.  The miracle power was working and Peter still sunk... because his focus shifted.  We see God work, a storm comes and we tend to negate what God was doing.  Fear entered in and circumstances took over.  When you experience a miracle, a test will come.  Will you now sink?  You must be quick to call on the name of Jesus.

Life Lesson #3 - Focus on Jesus builds Faith, Focus on our problems brings fear. Matthew 14:30

Fear will destroy our faith and we will sink.  The moment Peter took his eyes off Christ, he began to sink.  When the storm comes, we start looking at our circumstances and confess in fear that we can't do it.  We must cry out to Jesus and say, "I'm not lettin' fear up in hear!"  Peter may have wavered for a moment but he remembered Jesus was with him and cried out to Jesus who quickly saved him.  When Peter realized he had messed up, he quickly confessed his sin and called on the Lord.  Don't wallow in it; don't wait in it; quickly call on the Lord.

Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane and the pressure was great.  Just prior to this, Judas had betrayed Jesus and Peter had denied Jesus.  The difference was that when Peter recognized his sin, he repented, while Judas went and took the cowardly way out and killed himself.

Life Lesson #4 - When you fall, QUICKLY call on Jesus. Matthew 14:30

When you make a mistake, that's the time to call on Jesus!  Don't run or hide from God - call on Him! It's interesting that Jesus brought Peter safely back to the boat in the midst of the storm.  Only when they got back in the boat did the storm stop.  A Life Lesson for Peter would be, "Even when Jesus has
His hand on us, the storm can still rage!"

My friend, understand that the storm has nothing to do with you. Your faith is not whether or not there is a storm. Your faith is your response or action in the midst of the storm.  Jesus will keep you through the storm.  Focus on the Lord and not the storm.  Don't let your circumstance defeat you, but let the Lord release you.

CHALLENGE: Are there storms raging in your life?  Do you find yourself in a comfort zone, with a false sense of safety - hanging with the crowd?  Do you wish you had greater faith to face the storms of life?  Then it is time for you to follow Peter's example and step out of your comfort zone; cry out to the Lord and ask him to bid you - 'Come!'  But you must be willing to forsake what has held you back thus far and step out... right out and trust Jesus to be there for you.  If He called you, surely He will keep you!  The storm will pass only when the miracles are done and Jesus has delivered you out of the storm!

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