Step Out on the Water Matthew 14:22-33 Impetuous Peter Told Jesus He would not suffer “Get behind me Satan” – Matthew 16:23 Said he would not deny Christ – Matthew 26:35 He denied Christ – Matthew 26:69-75 Cut off high priest’s ear – John 18:10 Introduction Christianity is a proactive choice. Some hesitate to do things for fear of failure or embarrassment. Christians must have courage to leave their comfort zones and work for the Lord! Peter exhibits faith by stepping out on the water to meet Jesus.

Step out on the water and… A. Preach the word! It’s a command – 2 Timothy 4:2; Matthew 28:18-20 Preach the word! It’s a command – 2 Timothy 4:2; Matthew 28:18-20 Don’t be ashamed (embarrassed) – 2 Timothy 1:8-12; Romans 1:16 Don’t be a part of the bystander effect – Romans 10:14; Acts 8:30-31 (song: you never mentioned him to me.)

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Step out on the water and… A. Preach the word! It’s a command – 2 Timothy 4:2; Matthew 28:18-20 Don’t be ashamed – 2 Timothy 1:8-12; Romans 1:16 Preach the word! It’s a command – 2 Timothy 4:2; Matthew 28:18-20 Don’t be ashamed (embarrassed) – 2 Timothy 1:8-12; Romans 1:16 Don’t be a part of the bystander effect – Romans 10:14; Acts 8:30-31 (song: you never mentioned him to me.)

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Step out on the water and… A. Preach the word! It’s a command – 2 Timothy 4:2; Matthew 28:18-20 Don’t be ashamed – 2 Timothy 1:8-12; Romans 1:16 Don’t be a part of the bystander effect – Romans 10:14; Acts 8:30-31 Preach the word! It’s a command – 2 Timothy 4:2; Matthew 28:18-20 Don’t be ashamed (embarrassed) – 2 Timothy 1:8-12; Romans 1:16 Don’t be a part of the bystander effect – Romans 10:14; Acts 8:30-31 (song: you never mentioned him to me.)

Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

Acts 8:30-31 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.

Step out on the water and… B. Reprove a brother! The scripture is for reproof – 2 Timothy 3:16 Reprove a brother! The scripture is for reproof – 2 Timothy 3:16 It’s a command – Matthew 18:15-17 It means you love them – Galatians 6:1-2

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

Step out on the water and… B. Reprove a brother! The scripture is for reproof – 2 Timothy 3:16 It’s a command – Matthew 18:15-17 It means you love them – Galatians 6:1-2 Reprove a brother! The scripture is for reproof – 2 Timothy 3:16 It’s a command – Matthew 18:15-17 It means you love them – Galatians 6:1-2

Galatians 6:1-2 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Step out on the water and… C. Obey the gospel! Doesn’t mean you won’t fall short – James 5:19-20 Obey the gospel! Doesn’t mean you won’t fall short – James 5:19-20 It’s a command – Acts 17:30-31; Mark 16:16 Jesus is there to catch you when you fall – Matthew 14:30-31; Luke 22:31-32

James 5:19-20 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

Step out on the water and… C. Obey the gospel! Doesn’t mean you won’t fall short – James 5:19-20 It’s a command – Acts 17:30-31; Mark 16:16 Obey the gospel! Doesn’t mean you won’t fall short – James 5:19-20 It’s a command – Acts 17:30-31; Mark 16:16 Jesus is there to catch you when you fall – Matthew 14:30-31; Luke 22:31-32

Acts 17:30-31 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.

Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Step out on the water and… C. Obey the gospel! Doesn’t mean you won’t fall short – James 5:19-20 It’s a command – Acts 17:30-31; Mark 16:16 Jesus is there to catch you when you fall – Matthew 14:30-31; Luke 22:31-32 Obey the gospel! Doesn’t mean you won’t fall short – James 5:19-20 It’s a command – Acts 17:30-31; Mark 16:16 Jesus is there to catch you when you fall – Matthew 14:30-31; Luke 22:31-32

Matthew 14:30-31 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!” 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

Staying in the boat is sinful! Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17 Step out on the water! Staying in the boat can be sinful! (James 4:17) James 4:17 “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” Revelation 3:16 – You know you need to but you don’t want to fail.