September 11, 2016
Hymn 293 - A little ship was on the sea
Prayer
Again, we’ll look at something that Jesus did when He was here; and this week it’s very remarkable.
Matthew 14:22-32
This is a different story than the one we had in our hymn. Here, the Lord had just fed the five thousand, and He put His disciples into a ship while He sent the multitudes home. Usually, there was a crowd around Jesus, but now everyone had gone, so He took the opportunity to pray. If Jesus felt the need to pray, then we need to get alone and pray, too. Jesus was in constant touch with His heavenly Father, and we can be as well.
Meanwhile, the disciples were in the middle of the sea, and the wind was against them. That makes rowing very difficult; like trying to bike into a strong headwind. It’s even worse on a boat, though, because the water is also against you, and the waves here were no doubt coming over the side. The disciples were far from land, and probably very aware that they could sink.
Now it was night when this was happening, and something spooky happened; something that didn’t usually happen when they were out fishing. There they were, working against the sea and wind, and something or someone came walking on the water. The disciples were afraid, and no wonder! There are times we are afraid, and we should turn to the Lord in those times.
There was a mother who put her little girl to bed, and the girl was afraid once her Mom turned out the light. However, her bed was close to the window, and she could see the moon outside. “Mommy, is that God’s light?” she asked. “Yes, you could say that,” her Mom replied. “And will God soon turn out His light and go to sleep?” “No,” Mom said, “God doesn’t sleep.” “OK,” said the little girl, “If God’s awake, I’ll go to sleep.” Even in the dark, God is taking care of everything. That’s good to know.
For the disciples, it was the Lord Himself that was walking on the water. “Be of good cheer!” He called to them. That’s a funny thing to say to people in such difficult circumstances. The water was rough, and the wind was up, and their boat was tossing and turning. Peter, however, really thought it was the Lord out there, and so he said, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Now, some of the other disciples might have discouraged this idea: “Don’t do that, Peter, it’s not sensible. Maybe the Lord can walk on water, but you can’t.” But Jesus didn’t say that; He told Peter, “Come!” So Peter jumped over the side of the boat, and walked on the water to Jesus. Many people today have troubles and discouragements that keeps them from coming to Jesus; but Peter didn’t let them stop him.
We can’t walk on water, but sometimes our path down here is difficult. God may allow troubles and trials into our lives, and things get rough. Peter was able to walk on water because he looked to Jesus. It was there that he found the strength and ability that he needed.
But then Peter saw a big wave coming. He saw a difficulty, he took his eyes off the Lord, and he began to sink. However, he still had some resources: the Lord and prayer, and he used them. He didn’t pray a long prayer like we do sometimes. No, he just addressed it: “Lord”, had an object: “me”, and connected the two with “save”. Only three words; he didn’t even have time for an “Amen”! By that point he probably would have been under the waves.
How far away was the Lord? Only an arm’s length. He reached out His arm and saved Peter. Jesus is always near, both for Peter and for us.
Once Jesus and Peter got to the boat, the wind stopped. The Bible doesn’t say, but they must have had to walk on water all the way back. That’s like our lives: from the time that we respond when Jesus says, “Come,” until the time that there is no more wind, we are walking on water. It’s hard, but with the Lord, it’s possible. When we get to the end of our life, the boat won’t be tossing, instead, all will be calm. It’ll be good to be home.
Colossians 1:23-29
The “if” links with the previous verse. If we are reconciled, we are brought into a position of being holy and unreproveable. Some put on a display of being saved, but it is found later they weren’t really saved. They made a profession without faith. This might have been a condition in Colosse. You can’t lose your salvation, but you can backslide and lose the blessing of it.
It is “the faith”, and not just “faith.” It is the doctrine of Christianity which is the hope of the Lord saving us for glory above. Paul is probably in prison at this time. He’s not on an easy path, but he’s rejoicing in it. He could accomplish something there that he couldn’t when he was free.
We have two ministries in this chapter in v. 23 and v. 25. The first is bringing the gospel to the lost, and the second is teaching the truth to believers. After one is saved, they need to be brought into the path of truth. There have been those who think that it doesn’t matter, and once they are saved they can make there own choices. But there is a place where the Lord has set His name, and that can be traced through the scriptures. It is one thing to tell others of the plan of salvation, but it is another to tell of the way of truth. Paul’s work still goes on today, and is now ours.
There are also two mysteries found in vv. 26 & 27. They are that we are in Christ, and that Christ is in us. The mysteries that were hidden are made manifest to us. Christ in us is part of the hope of glory.
Verse 28 mentions warning and teaching. This is again evangelism and then bringing along in truth. Perfect here means maturity or full growth.
This is a wonderful chapter. In v. 18 we have Jesus as the head, the beginning, and the firstborn. We also have the Son of His love, and the part of reconciliation along with the ministries and mysteries. It’s a beautiful picture.
Hymn 82 - Ere God had built the mountains
Prayer