Today’s Scripture

Psalm 34         Acts 1:12-26    John 17:20-26             Matthew 14:22-32

 

Children’s Message:

            Read “Jesus Walks on the Water” from The Beginner’s Bible. 

 

            This year in Sunday School our theme has been “Walking With Jesus.”  The disciples wanted to walk with Jesus as each of them left whatever their way of life was to be with him.  They walked with him for about three years.  Thursday we celebrated Jesus’ ascension to heaven.  Even after that, the disciples continued to walk with Jesus as they went throughout the area and world bringing the news of sins forgiven and eternal life to others.

            How do you walk with Jesus?  ______________________________________ 

            What are ways you do not walk with Jesus?  ___________________________

Do you sometimes sink like Peter did?  We do that when we sin, don’t we?  Who keeps lifting us up, forgiving, loving, and bringing us back into the boat with him?  Jesus does, doesn’t he.

            The lessons we have in Sunday School teach us how to walk with Jesus.  The songs and hymns we sing in church and Sunday school teach us how to walk with Jesus.  Our Bible readings, sermons, and prayers lead us in walking with Jesus.  And that is our goal, each and every one of us, to walk with Jesus into heaven with him for ever and ever.  Amen.

 

 

Congregation Message:

            Read Matthew 14:22-32 from The Message by Eugene Peterson.  (pp. 1792-3)

 

            Walking with Jesus, isn’t that our desire?  How wonderful it would be if Jesus were just here as he was two thousand years ago!  How wonderful it would be if Jesus were here, right now, in this very place, and we could spend the rest of our lives side by side with him, eating meals with him, discussing the glories of heaven with him, seeing the miracles and tons of people thronging to be with him, to be with us as we are with him!   But that is not the situation, is it.

 

            We know from Thursday evening’s service that Jesus has ascended into heaven.  We know that Jesus today is reigning over all in heaven and throughout all of creation.  We know that Jesus has sent each one of us out into this world to teach others his word and to baptize, baptize, baptize.

 

            This account from Matthew tells us a lot about our lives today.  Jesus sends the disciples out in the boat to go ahead of him across a lake.  Storms come up on this lake that test that boat and the disciples’ ability to handle that boat.  You are sent out into this lake, this world, and there are tests, there are storms that test your abilities to navigate life.

 

            Even before the storm begins, note what Jesus goes and does.  He sets himself apart from other things and prays.  The first Gospel reading from John tells us how Jesus prays for you and all people.  He wants you to know him, to be one in faith with him, and to be saved.

 

            Note that when the storm came up the disciples were not looking around for Jesus.  They did not turn that boat around quickly and come back to the shore where they had left each other.  Instead, Jesus comes to them, walking calmly on these stormy waters.  In hindsight, how many times has Jesus come walking across the threatening waves in your life?  He doesn’t wait for you to turn that boat around.  He is always there, always reaching out to take your hand to walk with him.

 

            Peter is thrilled.  If Jesus can walk on this water, so can I!  And he does.  How easy it is to take those first few steps.  Then Peter starts to concentrate on the perilous situation he is in instead of the fact that for a few moments he was walking with Jesus.  Even as we listen to the readings, as we sing the hymns, as we listen to the sermon, as the prayers are being offered, how many times does the mind wander, distracted by the issues in each one’s world around him/her?  Let alone, when you walk out of the door, even before you put the key in the ignition to head out from the lot, do you get distracted by the waves of earthly life?

 

            Peter doubts that he can keep on walking on the water.  You and I keep doubting that we can walk with Jesus in this tough world.  Think about it.

 

            Peter begins to sink.  How fast do you think he was sinking.  There were no life jackets then.  He was fully clothed and sandals still on his feet.  We sink pretty fast too.  Isn’t sinking like this like hearing that rooster crow before dawn on a Friday morning?

 

            Jesus reaches out and pulls Peter back up and brings him back into the boat.  In that boat, Peter is safe again.  In that boat, Peter and the disciples are brought safe to the other shore. 

 

            Look around where you are seated this morning.  You are in the “nave” of the church.  Nave means that you are in the boat section.  That is to remind you that you are in the “boat of salvation.”  As Christians walk through life together with Jesus, he carries us in this boat, the church where we learn, share, and grow in faith together, to the other shore which is heaven. 

 

            Think about other boats that God used to save people.  Noah.  Jonah.  Jesus with the Disciples both fishing and delivering them from stormy waters.  Paul’s journey across the Mediterranean Sea.  Each time God delivered his people.  As you walk with Jesus in your stormy life, you have Jesus to walk with you.  As you walk in faith his power guides you.  When you turn away from him and begin to sink, he is there pulling your outstretched hands to safety again.  The wood of this boat is made of the wood of the cross.  It is the wood that carries the faithful to salvation.  And Jesus gives you this ship, his holy church, to carry you safely with all other believers to walk with him to life everlasting.

 

            In Jesus’ undying love.  Amen.