Sermon in Seattle 29.01.2006

May the love of God the Father, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us now and forever. Let us quieten in opening prayer and thanksgiving.

Dear Heavenly Father, eternal, almighty God, we Thy children come before Thee this morning in prayer and thanksgiving. We thank Thee, dear Father, for this most precious gift, living faith, that Thou hast called us personally as dwellers in Thy kingdom here on this earth. We, from our very hearts, Father, wish to thank Thee for this greatest of spiritual blessings, for that offering of Thy dear Son, Jesus, to die on our behalf for our many sins and faults.

We also this morning, dear Father, wish to thank Thee for Thy temporal blessings, the daily bread Thou hast so abundantly provided, for this land in which we live, our country, where we are blessed, dear Father, that we can freely gather about the hearing of Thy precious and holy word, that there is that freedom still. This even is a blessing, dear Father. We wish to offer our thanks.

We also this morning, Father, would yet ask for Thy protection. Continue to carry and to guide each one of us on this pathway which leads toward heaven. We know and acknowledge, dear Father, that we cannot journey of our own power or strength, but we need Thy guiding hand each footstep of the journey, dear Father.

We also wish to remember all those who are not able to be at the hearing of Thy word this morning, whether they be in sickbeds or there at the battle stations defending and serving our country. We remember them this morning, dear Father. Uplift them in faith. Strengthen them and protect them.

And we also pray for those prodigal sons and daughters, those loved ones, dear Father, that have departed from Thy kingdom. Give unto them consciousness of their condition, that they would have that grace chance to yet repent of their matters, their sin, their unbelief, and once again be citizens in Thy kingdom. We would pray on behalf of all on the outside, dear Father, give unto those seeking ones that gift to find this most precious treasure.

And this morning, Father, we would also ask that Thou would bless us, open unto us the door of Thy holy word according to Thy will, dear Father, as Thou seest fit. And we pray even, we ask all these in the name of Thy dear Son, Jesus, and would yet pray this morning as He has taught, that our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

For our study of God's word this morning, we shall hear from the Gospel of Matthew, the 14th chapter, verses 22 through 33. And these words are in Jesus' name as follows:

And straightway Jesus constrained His disciples to get into a ship, and to go before Him unto the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain apart to pray. And when the evening was come, He was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves, for the wind was contrary.

And in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit. And they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer. It is I. Be not afraid.

And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid me to come unto Thee on the water. And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, He walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when He saw the wind boisterous, He was afraid. And beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

And immediately, Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught Him, and said unto Him, O Thou of little faith, wherefore didst Thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped Him, saying, Of a truth, Thou art the Son of God. Amen.

First of all, in the beginning, I would wish to welcome you, brothers and sisters from other localities, those guests here in our midst. I would wish to extend a warm welcome and would also wish to bring greetings of love and God's peace from both Longview and Spokane.

Yesterday, several of us brothers had the opportunity to go down for that workshop yesterday there in Longview and visit about the work of the kingdom and partake in that workshop. Many there wish to extend those greetings to you here back in Seattle.

Now, for our text this morning, we have this portion before us. It is one of those texts which is set aside for this Sunday. There in our newsletter, in the calendar, in the newsletter, we see those texts mentioned. This particular one happens to be one of those for that theme of today, which is that Jesus helps in distress.

Here we see how these disciples in the beginning, how Jesus told them to get into a ship. This event, or this miracle, we could even say, this event that took place is recorded in three of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and John. This event took place right after a very familiar miracle to all of us—that miracle where Jesus fed over about 5,000 people with those loaves of bread and fishes.

They had been gathered on the northwestern part of the Sea of Galilee, or the Sea of Genesaret. If we visualize this country of Israel on a map, this long, skinny country of Israel, that Sea of Galilee is in the northern portion. The Jordan River flows in from the north, and then out from the south. These disciples had been there with Jesus.

Many of the multitudes were on their way to the Passover. In the Gospel of John, in the sixth chapter, it records this same event and speaks how they had been many on the way to the Passover. After this miracle, where Jesus had fed the multitudes, it says in the sixth chapter, the fifteenth verse, "When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself, alone."

Then it continues in the sixteenth verse, "And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea." Many of these that had witnessed that prior miracle didn't see the true Lord and Savior Jesus, but they saw Him in a temporal or an earthly way, and they wanted to make Him a king. So He sent His disciples by boat to head south and would have been west, as it is believed, towards Capernaum.

In the Gospel of Mark, in this same account, it speaks of this. These disciples were obedient, and they got into the boat and began to row and to head away. Then Jesus went up to this mountain to pray.

We see here then how they were out in this boat, and also in the Gospel of John, it tells how they were many furlongs out into the sea. This Sea of Galilee isn't a small lake, but it's a large body of water, probably about seven miles across, 13 or 14 miles long. The disciples were a ways out on the water there.

It tells us how the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves, for the wind was contrary. Many of you brothers and sisters, and myself included, have been out locally here in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Out on the water, those that have been salmon fishing there in those open boats from Olson's Marina, you can certainly see this picture. They're out a couple miles out in this boat, and the wind begins to kick up, tossed with waves.

It speaks how it was in the fourth watch of the night that Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. So He was on this mountain, and He could see these disciples toiling out there and becoming fearful as this wind kicked up. The fourth watch of the night was very late in the evening. We know, or in this time, I believe how in their time clock, the first watch would be from six in the evening till nine. Then the second watch, nine to midnight, and midnight to three, the third watch. So in the fourth watch, it was late, three in the morning or later.

Jesus saw these brothers, these disciples out there in the waves, and they were fearful. One who has been in a situation like this can relate. There are many things in our temporal life that can cause fear. It is one of our emotions that we as people have. We know many different emotions: anger, happiness, and here it speaks of fear.

When Jesus went to these brothers, these disciples, they were troubled and they thought He was a spirit, and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, "Be of good cheer. It is I. Be not afraid." He spoke these words of comfort to let them know that He wasn't indeed a spirit, but was their Lord and Savior, Jesus.

Then Peter answered Jesus. He probably wasn't sure if this was a spirit, or was it truly Jesus. Because we can see how he responded, "Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water." So Jesus asked him to come. Peter then hopped out of the boat and began to walk on this water to go to Jesus.

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid and beginning to sink. Here those doubts came. He was truly fearful then, and with those doubts, he began to sink.

Isn't it no different for you and I, dear brothers and sisters, as we think of our journey of faith? Is it always with strength and with great strength that we feel we journey? I'm sure you, along with me, would have to lament that no, it is much more so often like these candles here flickering, wavering, and sometimes even near the point of going out.

We are often full of doubts and fears and often we don't even know why. These come from the flesh, from that side, not of the spirit but of the flesh. But here we see, did Jesus let Peter sink in these doubts? We see that no, He did not. He immediately stretched forth His hand.

We see here Peter's cry, "Lord, save me." Here we see that he had these doubts but yet he recognized that it was Jesus. When that point came where he was beginning to sink in the water, he cried out from his very heart, "Lord, save me."

We see that Jesus didn't let him sink, and this is uplifting for you and I this morning, your brothers and sisters. Even this example, when we think of our own life of faith, that even though we, with our flesh, have these doubts and these fears, when there is that desire, that small piece of faith, that we won't be forsaken.

Jesus in another portion even speaks of faith that if one had the faith the size of a mustard seed, very very small, they could move mountains. So we see, brothers and sisters, when matters, when we are believing as a child of God, we have no need to fear but rather can be uplifted.

How is it that we are uplifted and strengthened on this journey of faith? Isn't it by and through the power of the gospel, the forgiveness of sins, which gives strength to the most weary traveler on the journey? But even now, your brother, your sister, you can be uplifted to believe all latest sins and faults of the journey forgiven in Jesus' name and precious blood.

But when we also consider this matter of fear, there is a time or a condition which one needs to be fearful, and this is when one is traveling in unbelief, not as a child of God. Then there is need for fear, for we know in God's word through the instruction of God's word it teaches that when one is in unbelief, if one should die in this condition, there is then no hope for salvation but rather eternal perdition.

We even here recently, a week or so ago, had that meeting with the congregation where we gathered to visit about matters of faith, the condition of heart, matters of the journey. We there heard the voice of the Holy Spirit speak on matters how that when one is disobedient to this voice, this is not a good place to be but rather a dangerous place.

The specific matter we were visiting about was the watching of television in those places of unbelief, whether it be there in the theater or there in the restaurant. We heard so clearly how this was not the way for the child of God.

Yet even this weekend there have been, or was a report of several or many of you young brothers and sisters that yet after this meeting had gone again to such a place. Dear brothers and sisters, listen to the voice of the Spirit. Hear what the congregation has to say. This is not according to God's word.

We would pray that you would hear this instruction, dear brothers and sisters. There is even grace for such a matter. Even the gospel can cover this sin. You can hear, even believe such a matter forgiven in Jesus' name and precious blood.

But if this matter continues to bother, go and visit with a brother or sister. Don't carry this on the conscience. We heard that evening how when one willfully sins when they have heard this instruction, that this is a dangerous place.

So dear brothers and sisters, if you have been in this place, we would pray on your behalf. Examine your heart and how are my matters? And we do not repent of such matters because we have been caught but rather because we comprehend our condition, our matter of heart.

So yet hear that instruction which the voice of the spirit, God's word speaks in the Revelations: "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches."

It is with love, dear brothers and sisters, that these matters are visited about, and if I have been in error even in bringing this up, I would like to be corrected. But it is out of concern for the undying soul.

We see here what kind of Savior we have. The Lord Jesus definitely helps in distress. He will not leave the smallest one. He gently and lovingly rebuked Peter, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" He will not leave the smallest one, dear brothers and sisters.

We also have those words in the 11th chapter of Matthew where He says in the 28th verse, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

This is the good shepherd we have, dear brothers and sisters. The blood of Jesus cleanses all matters, and even this morning again, all you brothers and sisters be uplifted to believe all sins and doubts of the journey forgiven in Jesus' name and precious blood.

We see here how these disciples then, when the wind stopped and Jesus called, the storm rescued them. They that were in the ship came and worshipped Him, saying, "Of a truth, Thou art the Son of God."

They beheld the Lord and Savior Jesus, and just as you and I this morning can behold Him, your brothers and sisters, through eyes of faith, not of our own power or strength but by and through the Holy Spirit.

In this way, we can be uplifted and be encouraged even in these evil times in which we live. You young face these grave or these difficult temptations, but for all of us as God's children, we live in this ever darkening time when our legislature and our government even passes laws and visits over legislation contrary to the teachings of God's word.

But in spite of all this, dear brothers and sisters, when we have faith, when we travel as God's children, we need not worry even on these matters or when there's rumors of wars and troubling times with our nation. When there are wars, we are fighting war now with these terrorists and the many fears and doubts which we can have, we can place our trust in the heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus and even join in that prayer of the disciples that, "Lord, increase our faith."

Even in coming here before you this morning, dear brothers and sisters, I find myself like Peter so often doubting in need of the gospel. Can you brothers and sisters bless me also? I desire to believe along with you.

One day, brothers and sisters, this journey will end on heaven's shore. No more need for faith, but it will be changed to seeing in Jesus' name. Amen.

Let us quiet closing prayer and benediction.

The Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord make His face shine upon us and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift up His countenance upon us and give us peace in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.