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Text Sermons : R.A. Torrey : Our Lord Walking on the Water Matthew 14:22–36

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(Compare Mark 6:45–56; John 6:14–21)
DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS

1. Sending His Disciples into the Storm, vv. 22–24
What was the effect upon the multitude of the miracle we studied in the last lesson? (John 6:14, 15.) What was the first thing our Lord did upon this outburst of popular feeling? Why did He send the disciples away? Would they have sympathized with the purpose of the multitude? Were they willing to go? How did He test their real loyalty to Him as King? How can we best show our acceptance of Jesus as King, by putting a crown upon His head or by what? (Luke 6:46.) In sending the disciples away where was He sending them? Was that loving and kind? Does He ever send His disciples out into the storm nowadays? When they had gone, what did He do? Did He need prayer? Why didn’t He pray with His disciples? Why go up into a mountain? Who was with Him? Was He absolutely alone? (John 16:32.) How long did He pray? (v. 25.) Did He not need rest? Why then did He not spend the night in rest rather than prayer? Are there times when we need prayer more than rest? From which did He get the greatest refreshment—rest or prayer? (Is. 40:31.)
While He was praying where were the disciples? In what circumstances? Had they ever been in somewhat similar circumstances before? (8:24.) Where was the great difficulty? (John 6:17.) Did our Lord know their trouble? (Mark 6:48.) How could He see them if it was dark? Were these men naturally competent to contend with wind and storm? What did He desire them to learn? From what way was the wind blowing? Would not that seem to be a providential indication that they were going the wrong way?
2. “It is I; Be Not Afraid!” vv. 25–27
When did help come? Who came to their help? How? How could He walk on the waves? Of whom is it said in the Old Testament: “He treadeth upon the waves of the sea”? (Job 9:8.) When the disciples saw Him how did they feel? Why? Of what did they probably think the seeming apparition was a proof? How much frightened were they? Does He ever draw near to us in a way that frightens us? Did He leave them long in suspense? How did He reassure them? What is the most comforting and inspiring thing that He can say to a disciple as He approaches? How did He encourage John when he fell at His feet when he saw Him in glory? (Rev. 1:17, 18.) Would it have done any good to have said: “Be of good cheer,” if He had not also said: “It is I”?
3. “Lord, Save Me!” vv. 28–31
Who was seemingly most affected by the discovery that it was our Lord? Is what is related of Peter here in keeping with what is related elsewhere? What request did he make? What blending of good and bad feeling was there in the request and the sequel? What did our Lord say in response? Did this prove that He altogether approved of it? Why did He bid Peter come?
Did Peter succeed in walking on the water? What held him up? What was necessary on his part that this power of Christ might act? (1 Peter 1:5; Acts 3:16.) If we had faith enough could we walk on the water? (Matt. 17:20; Mark 9:23.) Ought we to have faith for this? How was Peter’s triumphant march over the waves interrupted? Why did he begin to sink? Why did he lose faith? Why did he take his eyes off from our Lord? Are we at all like poor, weak Peter? On what side are some of us less like him? What did he do in his peril? Was that a very long prayer? Was there perfect faith back of it? Did it get answered? If any sinking soul sincerely cries out: “Lord, save me,” will He do it? (Ro. 10:13.) How soon did our Lord help? Does He usually help so soon? (Is. 65:24.) How did He save him (v. 31, R. V.)? What else do we learn in the Bible about the outstretched hand of Jesus? (Ps. 138:7; Is. 63:12; Mark 1:31, 41; 5:41; Acts 4:30.) How much power is there in His outstretched hand today? (Is. 59:1.)
What question did our Lord put to Peter? What does that indicate as to the cause of his failure? Did He ever tell the disciples that any other failure of theirs was due to unbelief? (Matt. 17:19, 20.) What is the common cause of failure among Christians in all ages? Did Peter have any good ground to doubt? How might he have known that he would get to our Lord over the waves? Was Christ’s question intended as a rebuke? Was it very harsh? Was He obliged to rebuke the unbelief of the disciples on any other occasion? (ch. 8:26; 16:8; 17:20.) Has He ever occasion to rebuke our unbelief?
4. Our Lord on Board—The Storm Over, and the Desired Haven Reached, vv. 32–36
When He went into the boat what was the result? What is all that many a tempest-tossed soul needs in order to find calm and safety? How did the disciples feel about these wonderful things that they had seen? (Mark 6:51.) Ought they to have been amazed? (Mark 6:52.) What did they do? Did they do right? (Heb. 1:6.) What did His acceptance of this worship show as to His own feeling about Himself? (4:9, 10; Acts 10:25, 26; Rev. 19:10.) Who did they say He was? Was that true?
How much longer were they in the boat? (John 6:21.) How did they get to land so quickly? If one is “all at sea,” storm-driven, toiling fruitlessly against wind and wave, whom must he take on board if he wishes to get speedily and safely to land? How was our Lord received in Gennesaret? How did the people show their wisdom? Their faith? What was the result of touching our Lord? How can any one be made whole today?
CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS

1. Our Lord
Son of man, 23; Son of God, 26, 31, 33; His humility, love of solitude, dependence upon the Father, 22, 23; teaches His disciples their weakness and dependence by trial, 22, 29; sends His disciples out into the storm, to pull against the wind, 22, 24; sees them while in the storm, 25; upholds them by His prayers while storm-tossed and toiling, 23–26; comes to them in the storm, 25; speaks comfort and cheer, 27; enters the boat with them, brings calm, 32; brings them safely and speedily to land, 34; answers prayer, promptly, stretches both His hands to, takes hold of, saves the sinking man, 30, 31.
2. The Disciples
Sent from the place of refreshment to place of conflict, obeyed and went, 22; sore distressed, pulled bravely against the wind, 24; did not recognize our Lord as He drew near, feared, 26; reassured by Him, 27; received Him into the boat, 32; found calm and a harbor, 34; worshipped Him, 33.
3. Peter
His desire to get to our Lord, to display himself, 28, 29; believed, walked on the waves, 29; got his eyes off from Jesus upon the wind, his faith faltered, was afraid, began to sink, cried unto the Lord, upheld, his unbelief rebuked, 30, 31.
4. Prayer
(1). When to pray:
In the stillness of the night, after exhaustive labors, in times of emergency, 23; when sinking, 30.
(2). Where to pray:
In the mountain alone with God, 23; in the tumult, 30.
(3). How to pray:
Sometimes protractedly, 23–25; sometimes briefly, definitely, personally, to the point, in faith, 30, 31.
(4). The need of prayer:
The Son of God prayed, 23.
(5). Results of prayer:
Walking on the waves, 25; deliverance from destruction, 30, 31; brings rest better than sleep, 23.





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