공동체와 양육

Growing from Worry to Worship (Matt 14:22~33)

2017.07.24P. Wesley McClure

Jesus is the calm in the storm: he prays for us in our trials, uses storms and delays to grow us, and asks us to make him our first priority, because when we know him as the I AM, worship follows.

Jesus prays for us even in our storms (vv. 22-23)

Jesus sent the disciples into the boat and then went up the mountain alone to pray. The text says the boat was battered by the wind and the waves, and the word "buffeted" suggests there may have been demonic activity behind the obstacles. The preacher links this to John 17, where Jesus prays for his disciples and for those who would believe through them, which includes us. So when the enemy says we are alone and that Jesus is not hearing us, we can know for certain that Jesus is praying for us. Believers are not exempt from trouble, since the rain falls on believers and unbelievers alike. John the Baptist, Stephen, and Peter all faced suffering. Trouble comes to the righteous as well, and the question is how we deal with it.

Storms are a means of growth

The disciples were left alone on the lake, and in that alone time God was growing them. When we feel alone, we turn to God, read the Word, sing, and pray with new intensity because we long to sense his presence. Jesus also waited about nine hours before coming to them. The preacher explains that God operates on purpose, not on time, and points to John 11, where Jesus delayed in order to show the glory of God through Lazarus. Jesus does not always come when we want him, but he is always right on time, and God is more concerned with fulfilling his purpose in our lives than with our schedule.

Jesus reveals himself as the I AM (vv. 25-27)

When Jesus came walking on the sea, the disciples thought he was a ghost, because they knew him only as a good man or a prophet and not as the God-man, fully man and fully God. Jesus said, "It is I," and this phrase can be better translated as "I AM," the same words found in John 8:58 and in Exodus 3:14. By walking on the water and speaking these words, Jesus was identifying himself with the I AM, Jehovah God. He reveals himself to us in ever greater ways, and he wants to know us in a deep and abiding relationship today.

Make Jesus your first priority in the storm (vv. 28-31)

When the storm came, the sailors on Jonah's ship first tried to lighten the load, then tried to row back to land, and finally prayed to their gods as a last resort. Many of us do the same by reducing our schedules or striving on our own. Peter got it right because he focused on Jesus and never asked him to calm the storm. Jesus is the eye of the storm, the place of ultimate calm. Even when Peter faltered and began to sink, he called out, "Lord, save me," and Jesus reached out and pulled him up. We do not need to fixate on the obstacles, only on the one who is our peace.

Worship follows when we know Jesus as the Son of God (vv. 32-33)

When Jesus got into the boat, the wind ceased, and those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God." Earlier they had asked "what manner of man is this," but now, through the struggle, they confessed him as the Son of God. Jesus is not merely a good man, prophet, or teacher, but the Word who was God and who became flesh. Whatever we need, whether joy, peace, calm, forgiveness, or love, Jesus says, "Come, because I am." Philippians 2:6-11 shows that he is Lord to the glory of God the Father, and when we come to know him as our peace, worship will break out.

Apply to Life

  • Let us trust that Jesus is praying for us in our storms and not believe the voice that says we are alone.
  • Let us see the trials of our lives as an opportunity to tune into God, to read the Word, and to pray more deeply.
  • Let us trust God's timing and purpose even when Jesus seems slow to come.
  • Let us make Jesus our first priority in every storm, rather than relying first on our own efforts.
  • Let us come to Jesus, the I AM, and bring our needs to him, and let worship rise from our lives.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

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