Don't Look at the Waves
Don't look at the waves, but instead look to Christ and trust in His presence to prevail in times of difficulty.
Charles E. Cowman preaches about Peter's experience of walking on water towards Jesus, emphasizing the importance of faith amidst doubts and the need to keep focused on Christ rather than the surrounding circumstances. He highlights that when God calls us to step out in faith, we should not be distracted by the challenges or dangers around us but instead fix our eyes on Him. Cowman encourages the congregation to trust in God's guidance and to move forward without hesitation, knowing that true fellowship with Him comes through unwavering faith.
Text
"When Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me" (Matt. 14:29-30).
Peter had a little faith in the midst of his doubts, says Bunyan; and so with crying and coming he was brought to Christ.
But here you see that sight was a hindrance; the waves were none of his business when once he had set out; all Peter had any concern with, was the pathway of light that came gleaming across the darkness from where Christ stood. If it was tenfold Egypt beyond that, Peter had no call to look and see.
When the Lord shall call to you over the waters, "Come," step gladly forth. Look not for a moment away from Him.
Not by measuring the waves can you prevail; not by gauging the wind will you grow strong; to scan the danger may be to fall before it; to pause at the difficulties, is to have them break above your head. Lift up your eyes unto the hills, and go forward--there is no other way.
"Dost thou fear to launch away?
Faith lets go to swim!
Never will He let thee go;
'Tis by trusting thou shalt know
Fellowship with Him."
Sermon Outline
- Don't Look at the Waves
- Faith in the Midst of Doubts
- Looking Away from the Waves
- Prevailing by Faith
- Peter's Experience on the Water
- The Hindrance of Sight
- Measuring the Waves
- Gauging the Wind
- Fellowship with Christ
Key Quotes
“Dost thou fear to launch away? Faith lets go to swim!” — Charles E. Cowman
“Never will He let thee go;” — Charles E. Cowman
“''Tis by trusting thou shalt know Fellowship with Him.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- When faced with danger, look away from the difficulties and trust in God's presence.
- Faith is the key to prevailing in times of difficulty, not by measuring the waves or gauging the wind.
- To have fellowship with Christ, we must trust in Him and let go to swim.