Sunday - Jan 20 - Message by Robert Dean Steel

Walking on the Wild Side – John 6:16-21 – Jan 20, 2013

Intro:  Jesus sent His disciples ahead of Him in the boat and then He went to a lonely place to pray.  Later on that night in the middle of the lake Jesus comes to them walking on the water.  It is an amazing feat of defying natural law and showing His command over the elements. 

1. When the disciples saw Jesus at first they thought he was a ghost.  Jesus then called out to them and they recognized after hearing His voice it was Him.
2. When Peter saw it was Jesus he asked if he could come and walk to Jesus.  Jesus told him to come and he walked on the water but when he took his eyes off Jesus and put them on the wind and the waves he began to panic and sink.
3. Jesus saved him and they both walked back into the boat.  Before we criticize Peter for his lack of faith remember all the rest stayed in the boat.  No risk no adventure.
4. Lessons we can learn from these passages.

1. Jesus was a man who needed to get away from the crowds and His method of re-establishing His focus was to pray.  A good lesson for us.
2. Jesus was a man of prayer.  He prayed before every major decision.  Jesus’ lifestyle was such that he went from one place of prayer to another place of prayer and in between He did miracles. 
3. In the storms of life in the dark times Jesus is saying keep your eyes on me.  Forget the winds and the waves focus on Jesus.  Be still and not afraid.  Be not afraid is a phrase used 366 times in the Bible. 
4. It takes real faith to walk on the water in the storms of life but Jesus taking our hand we can do all things.  It is important to not look at the winds and the waves but keep our eyes focused on Jesus.
5. We are to have faith and do not doubt.  We are also to worship the Lord.
6. People recognized that Jesus has the power and when they come to Him even the smallest touch can bring healing.