Fix Your Eyes on Jesus
What is faith? Faith is being confident of things we haven’t seen yet. Faith is how we first come to God and are saved. It is the foundation of our lives as Christians.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Let’s read about Peter in Matthew 14:22-33.
(22)Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
(23)After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,
(24)and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
(25)Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
(26)When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
(27)But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
(28)“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
(29)“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
(30)But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
(31)Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
(32)And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
(33)Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Hear God’s Word
In Matthew 14:29, Jesus told Peter to come to Him on the water. Faith is about knowing and believing God’s Word to us from the Bible.
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Where does faith come from?
Step Out in Faith
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
What did Peter do after Jesus told him to come?
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
Why is it not enough just to listen to God’s Word?
Keep Your Eyes on Jesus
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Why did Peter begin to sink?
For we live by faith, not by sight.
How does what we “see” discourage our faith?
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
How can we persevere in faith?
Don’t Doubt!
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
What are some reasons we doubt?
In Matthew 14:31, Jesus challenged Peter about his faith.
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
What are some reasons why we shouldn’t doubt?
Ask a Friend
Can you share a story about faith from your experience?
What are you believing for and expecting in this season?
How did you overcome doubt?
Application
How can I personally increase my faith?
Prayer Model
Lord Jesus, I thank You that Your Word is powerful and true. I take hold of Your Word and I fix my eyes on You. I believe in You and I thank You for what You will do in my life.
Key Verse
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
