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Christian Life Church
June 16, 2021 7pm
WALKING ON WATER
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Saturday 7:00 PM
MIRACLES & MEANING: June 16, 2021
WALKING ON WATER
SCRIPTURE
When evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but that His disciples had gone away alone. John 6:16-22, ESV
INTRO
There are only two miracles found in all the Gospel accounts. This is one of them.
Notice: This is not the same event as Jesus calming the storm.
WHAT THIS MIRACLE REVEALS ABOUT GOD
1/ This miracle reveals that Jesus is all powerful, even over natural laws.
“Everything in the universe, every plant and animal, every rock, every particle of matter or light wave, is bound by laws which it has no choice but to obey.” Jason Lisle
The Son saying, “It is I,” is the equivalent of the Father saying, “I am.”
He alone spreads out the heavens, He walks on the waves of the sea. Job 9:8, ISV
“Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep?” Job 38:16, ESV
2/ This miracle reveals that Jesus wants us to experience His power.
The real danger is not the storm or the sea but being in them without Jesus.
You do not have, because you do not ask. James 4:2b, ESV
Jesus passed near hopeful they would reach out to Him.
3/ This miracle reveals that Jesus wants us to live with faith.
God doesn’t call us to irresponsible faith, but may call us to irrational faith!
“Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death.” Mark Batterson
4/ This miracle reveals that Jesus wants to reveal Himself in many ways.
5/ This miracle reveals that Jesus’ glory should strike reverent fear in hearts.
It’s the type of fear that doesn’t push away but draws in!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge… Proverbs 1:7, NIV
One of Western Civilization’s major downfalls is her lack of reverence for God.
CAUTIONS WITH MIRACLES
We are Continuationists! We are open, but cautious & wise!
1/ We must not dismiss miracles.
Too Skeptical
“Have a critical mind, not a critical spirit.” Dr. Cotton
The closing of the healing rooms at Bethel was not fear, but wisdom.
Too Logical
Even if God used natural means to destroy Sodom (or in other events), it was still an act of God! He pours out wrath this way in Revelation.
2/ We must not accept all “miracles”.
Moses’ opponents performed “miracles,” but they were not of God.
Even so called “Christians” may declare miracles that are not real.
…evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:13, ESV
It is not a faithless act to ask for evidence of a miracle.
3/ We must not misapply the glory of miracles.
We are to elevate Christ, not the conduit or the carrier!
Humans do have the capacity to endure the weight of sin or glory.
Miracles should always lead to Jesus & to love.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. … Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:, NIV
5/ We must not misunderstand the meaning of miracles.
Physical miracles are ultimately irrelevant! Everyone ends up in the grave. “What does this miracle say to me about God?”
6/ We must not chase miracles.
…eagerly desire the greater gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:31, NIV
“Aim at Heaven and you will get Earth ‘thrown in’. Aim at Earth and you will get neither.” C.S. Lewis
May God increase our capacity to receive more miracles!
WALKING ON WATER
SCRIPTURE
When evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but that His disciples had gone away alone. John 6:16-22, ESV
INTRO
There are only two miracles found in all the Gospel accounts. This is one of them.
Notice: This is not the same event as Jesus calming the storm.
WHAT THIS MIRACLE REVEALS ABOUT GOD
1/ This miracle reveals that Jesus is all powerful, even over natural laws.
“Everything in the universe, every plant and animal, every rock, every particle of matter or light wave, is bound by laws which it has no choice but to obey.” Jason Lisle
The Son saying, “It is I,” is the equivalent of the Father saying, “I am.”
He alone spreads out the heavens, He walks on the waves of the sea. Job 9:8, ISV
“Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep?” Job 38:16, ESV
2/ This miracle reveals that Jesus wants us to experience His power.
The real danger is not the storm or the sea but being in them without Jesus.
You do not have, because you do not ask. James 4:2b, ESV
Jesus passed near hopeful they would reach out to Him.
3/ This miracle reveals that Jesus wants us to live with faith.
God doesn’t call us to irresponsible faith, but may call us to irrational faith!
“Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death.” Mark Batterson
4/ This miracle reveals that Jesus wants to reveal Himself in many ways.
5/ This miracle reveals that Jesus’ glory should strike reverent fear in hearts.
It’s the type of fear that doesn’t push away but draws in!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge… Proverbs 1:7, NIV
One of Western Civilization’s major downfalls is her lack of reverence for God.
CAUTIONS WITH MIRACLES
We are Continuationists! We are open, but cautious & wise!
1/ We must not dismiss miracles.
Too Skeptical
“Have a critical mind, not a critical spirit.” Dr. Cotton
The closing of the healing rooms at Bethel was not fear, but wisdom.
Too Logical
Even if God used natural means to destroy Sodom (or in other events), it was still an act of God! He pours out wrath this way in Revelation.
2/ We must not accept all “miracles”.
Moses’ opponents performed “miracles,” but they were not of God.
Even so called “Christians” may declare miracles that are not real.
…evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:13, ESV
It is not a faithless act to ask for evidence of a miracle.
3/ We must not misapply the glory of miracles.
We are to elevate Christ, not the conduit or the carrier!
Humans do have the capacity to endure the weight of sin or glory.
Miracles should always lead to Jesus & to love.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. … Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:, NIV
5/ We must not misunderstand the meaning of miracles.
Physical miracles are ultimately irrelevant! Everyone ends up in the grave. “What does this miracle say to me about God?”
6/ We must not chase miracles.
…eagerly desire the greater gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:31, NIV
“Aim at Heaven and you will get Earth ‘thrown in’. Aim at Earth and you will get neither.” C.S. Lewis
May God increase our capacity to receive more miracles!