JESUS' CONTINUED GOSPEL TEACHING - WHO AM I?

                               

                                        3. JESUS WALKS ON WATER
                                              Read Matthew 14:22-36

"Jesus loved to get away on His own TO PRAY, and we too can do this. Then after speaking from the depths of his heart, taking some time with HIS FATHER. Jesus came out from the HILLS, and went down to the WATER. He went down to the waves and the wind was blowing. When the disciples saw Him, they thought it was a ghost and were afraid. Jesus demonstrated His power over the laws of nature by WALKING ON WATER"    Nicky Gumbel/Max Lucado

"Then Jesus quickly spoke to them: "Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid."

"Peter said: "If it is really you, then command me, and I will come on the water."

"Jesus said: "Come".

"Peter left the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. When Peter saw the winds and the waves he became afraid and began to sink. He shouted out, "LORD, SAVE ME".

"Immediately, Jesus reached out his hands and caught Peter"                                                                                                             Matthew 14:27-31 (NCV)

Peter didn't have to be asked twice: "Come to me". The fist steps went okay. He was able to walk on water, even though the waves were "taller" than him. Then he forgets to LOOK AT JESUS. When he starts to LOOK AT THE WAVES, he begins to sink. He yells out to Jesus, "HELP ME". Swallowing his pride, and water, Peter  reaches out, and Jesus lifts him up.

As long as Jesus is at your side and you have FAITH IN HIM, HE WILL LIFT YOU UP!  Even though he began to panic, "he cried out from his heart", and when PRAY THESE PRAYERS, JESUS WILL ALWAYS LISTEN TO US! You may not always have the courage and comfort and be reminded that JESUS IS IN CINTROL!

"As Jesus and Peter climbed back into  the boat, the wind died down and those in the boat worshipped Jesus saying: "TRULY YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD."                                                                                                               Matthew 14:33 (MSG

                                          4.  JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD
                                                  Read Matthew 16:13-20

"Simon Peter answered: "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God."                                                                                                            Matthew 16:16  (NIV)

These words from Peter encouraged Jesus, and this is where Jesus gave Him the name "THE ROCK", and the "KEYS TO THE KINGDOM", so he could build his Church.

"Jesus said: "Peter, you are blessed Simon, son of John, because my Father in Heaven revealed this to you.  Now I say that you are PETER (which means ROCK) and upon this ROCK, I WILL BUILD THIS CHURCH, and the power of hell will not conquer it." Matthew 16:17&18 (NIV)

Later, in the book of ACTS, on the day of PENTECOST, Peter starts the new Church, and also opens it up to the Gentiles in the home of Cornelius. Later Jesus gives all these "keys of the His Kingdom" to all the disciples, who became Apostles and Teachers in the new Churches with the new Christians. 

"Those who accepted the his message were baptized and about 3000 were added to that nunber that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Acts 2:41&42 (NIV)

"The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gifts of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said: "Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." Acts 10:35-47 (NIV)

Because Jesus is the SON OF GOD, he has given the promise of SALVATION to everyone. And we are able to freely to share this GOOD NEWS with others, with confidence, openly. 

"We have the immerse priviledge and power of haing been given the keys of the Kingdom, and have the spirtual authority of sharing these with others."                                                                                                                          Nicky Gumbel

"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW CENTURY VERSION", 2005, Thomas Nelson

"THE MESSAGE: THE BIBLE COMMENTARY", 2018, Eugene.H.Peterson, Tyndale House Publishers

"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION", 2011, Biblica

"JESUS SON OF GOD", 2012, Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels (Composers/Performers), Passion/White Flag

LUCADO, Max, "The Applause of Heaven", 1990, Word Inc. Dallas, Texas.

GUMBEL, Nicky & Pippp, "Keep Speaking to God in the Storm - Matthew 13:22-36", "Receive Keys By Faith - Matthew 16:13-20", The Bible in One Year, 2009/2026, Alpha International/New Version