Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from The Global Church of the Nazarene of Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Thursday, 11 June 2015 - "Matthew’s Point" Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from The Global Church of the Nazarene of Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Thursday, 11 June 2015 - "Matthew’s Point" Scripture: Matthew 14:22 Immediately he had the talmidim get in the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the crowds away. 23 After he had sent the crowds away, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night came on, and he was there alone. 24 But by this time, the boat was several miles from shore, battling a rough sea and a headwind. 25 Around four o’clock in the morning, he came toward them, walking on the lake! 26 When the talmidim saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said and screamed with fear. 27 But at once Yeshua spoke to them. “Courage,” he said, “it is I. Stop being afraid.” 28 Then Kefa called to him, “Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come!” he said. So Kefa got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Yeshua. 30 But when he saw the wind, he became afraid; and as he began to sink, he yelled, “Lord! Save me!” 31 Yeshua immediately stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “Such little trust! Why did you doubt?” 32 As they went up into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 The men in the boat fell down before him and exclaimed, “You really are God’s son!”RG AUDIO 061115

"Matthew’s Point" by Author: Josh Broward
Matthew, Mark, and John all tell the story of when Jesus walked on water, but only Matthew tells us about Peter’s adventures atop the waves. Matthew’s story is not so much about people having faith in God’s power to do amazing things. Instead, Matthew is calling us to a different sort of faith.
Peter is acting on a basic principle of first century discipleship. The rabbi would teach the disciples to become who the rabbi is and to do what the rabbi does. A rabbi would expect his disciple to do what the rabbi does.
We have lost this in the Church. We have joined Christianity, but we are not following Jesus. Our being and our doing are not very much like Jesus, and yet we don’t seem overly concerned.
The central question of our era is simple: Will Christians follow Jesus? Will we actually care for the poor, listen to the lonely, live without concern for wealth, and be publicly crucified because of our love for outcasts? Do we have this kind of faith in Jesus?
Hymn for Today: "I'll Follow Jesus" by William J. Henry

1. ’ll follow Jesus here, I’ll never, never fear,
Though Satan’s tempting pow’rs assail;
And though I’m tempted sore, I’ll trust Him evermore,
For through His grace I shall prevail.
Refrain:
I’ll follow, I’ll follow,
I’ll follow Jesus all the way;
I’ll follow, I’ll follow,
To the home of everlasting day.
2. I’ll follow by His side, whatever may betide,
Though perils thickly throng the way;
Though billows deep may roll, there’s naught can harm my soul,
For He is with me night and day.Refrain:
I’ll follow, I’ll follow,
I’ll follow Jesus all the way;
I’ll follow, I’ll follow,
To the home of everlasting day.

3. I’ll follow all the way, I’ll never, never stray,
This world no more can win my love;
I’ve left it all behind, more lasting joys to find,
My treasures all are stored above.Refrain:
I’ll follow, I’ll follow,
I’ll follow Jesus all the way;
I’ll follow, I’ll follow,
To the home of everlasting day.

4. I’ll follow, follow on until the crown is won,
And heaven’s gates unfold to me;
Then with my harp in hand, I’ll join that happy band,
And praise Him through eternity.

Refrain:
I’ll follow, I’ll follow,
I’ll follow Jesus all the way;
I’ll follow, I’ll follow,
To the home of everlasting day.

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