Did any heads turn when you used faith? 
Did anyone gasp when you used faith?
Did anyone criticise you when you stepped out in faith?
Does this video make you squeamish?
The Story…
Walking on the Water
22-23 As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.
24-26 Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror.
27 But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”
28 Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”
29-30 He said, “Come ahead.”
Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”
In this story Peter chooses to obey Jesus even though all the natural knowledge and instincts were telling him, “No don’t do it!”
Have you heard the voice of God? It’s that nagging feeling that you can’t get rid of. It’s like you conscience gnawing away at you on the inside except when it’s God’s voice there’s an urgency attached to it. You can ignore it for 30 years but it still feels more urgent every year.
Peter turned heads with his big day out. When was he last time people noticed your faith?
It’s vital to hear the voice of God
We get caught up in the hum drum of daily lives. God waits patiently by. He has already spoken the command to us and we are preoccupied with the petty unimportant trivialities of life.
Are you ready to step out of the boat and activate your faith?
What has He called you to do?
MY STORY
When I was at Uni – I wanted to serve God. That was passion, commitment and dedication talking. But what was God saying? “Get a job!”
Can you hear God say what you don’t want to hear?
Then later when I’m settled into to a high paying job, God calls – “Now come and work for me” So now I ask God directly, What do you want me to do? He responds with these words etched into my heart; “What good is an arrow that never flies, what good is a wind that never blows, what good is a fire that never burns?”
God usually speaks in a way that you least expect and couldn’t make it up.
I was expecting a “Yes” or “Wait on me” or “Your time has not yet come”
Isn’t it time to activate your faith?
So many times we have heard it and we discount that word.
Obedience has a cost.
The disciples
Luk 5:10 And so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon (Peter). And Jesus said to Simon, Have no fear; from now on you will be catching men!
Luk 5:11 And after they had run their boats on shore, they left everything and joined Him as His disciples and sided with His party and accompanied Him.
MY STORY
Five years at Uni. I had a new job an Electrical Engineer paying well. My whole career was ahead of me. I came to work for a church in an unskilled position for a quarter of the pay. Then after about 6 months the church went through a financial crisis and my pay was halved. We learned faith. Is God our provider or not?
WHEN WILL YOU GET OUT OF THE BOAT AND OBEY GOD?
Fear will stop you obeying God.
Peter
Mat 14:26 They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror.
Mat 14:27 But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”
Mat 14:28 Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”
The mind is often an adversary in your walk with God. It will think of a huge number of reasons why obeying God is a bad idea. Think of Peter’s dilemma. How experts would be happy to give you advice that walking on water is just impossible?
Fear will target your insecurity.
If I obey God how will I provide for myself?
Wrong – God is your provision.
Fear will target what others think.
If I obey God every one will think that I am a fanatic, unbalanced, crazy even!
Wrong – Psa_118:6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? [AMP]
Ultimately, eternity will tell the story of your obedience.
In a million years from now – what will really be important to you?
What decisions will really impact eternity?
2Co 5:10 For we must all appear and be revealed as we are before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive [his pay] according to what he has done in the body, whether good or evil [considering what his purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with, and given himself and his attention to accomplishing]. (AMP)
I want to draw your attention to what God has called you to do. Not the day to day little acts of obedience, though they are important, but to what the big picture call is saying to you.
That has God asked of you – what has He called you to do?
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE TO ACTIVATE YOUR FAITH?
Maybe for you, activating your faith looks like this….
- You decide to go to Schoolies with Red Frogs this month.
- You decide to give that amount God put on your heart for Kingdom Advance Offering.
- You stand up in class and share your faith.
- You quit your job because you actually believe there’s something better for you.
- You decide to follow Jesus in spite of what your family and friends say or think.
Put aside fears, forget what others will say about you, look past the inconvenience of today and get out of the boat!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- When was the last time you were scared to act in faith?
- So you failed once, why wouldn’t you have another go?
- When was the time you stepped out in faith and you’re proud of it -tell your story.
- What is the faith challenge you face right now?
- When will you step out in faith?
craigmanderson 
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