SERMON | Matthew 14:22-33 | "Looking Past the Storm" by Rev. Joseph Sanford at Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin, Indiana

SERMON | Matthew 14:22-33 | "Looking Past the Storm" by Rev. Joseph Sanford at Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin, IndianaWhat we see in this passage are a few important points to consider about the foundation of faith and how Jesus lived it:Jesus lovingly got the disciples out of the chaos of the crowdThe crowd could see Jesus was a powerful kingThey vastly misunderstood both his power and his kingshipNot everyone is committed to learning and unlearning from JesusJesus took time to prayEven as the Son of God, he was constantly finding time alone to recenterEven he needed to remember who was and what he was called to be and doJesus came to the disciples on the water—something only God can doHe showed a dominance over the chaos of the sea; a divine signHe identified himself as “I Am”He revealed himself in a new way to the disciplesJesus welcomed Peter’s desire to be a good disciple/studentPeter knows he is called to do and be what his rabbi does and isHe continues to respond to the original calling, “come follow me.”Jesus was there when Peter falteredHe encourages Peter when he inquired about his doubtsHe brought a peace to the situation as a sign for them in the future amid other storms—that they might learn to look past the stormsWhat keeps you going in your faith?What drives your life and actions?What steers your thoughts and wills?What helps you look past the storms of life so that they don’t distract us from our path?We don’t have to understand every detail of who Jesus is to follow him.Instead, we can try to follow his example and allow a lifetime of doing so to teach us what we need to know:Loving and providing for othersTaking time to pray and recenter ourselvesRespond to the call to do seemingly impossible things—even if we might falterInviting each other to keep growing in our faith and not be dismayed when we struggleAccept the peace of his presence with us no matter who we are or how much we might doubtPeter had a little faith, but it was enough to get him out of that boat.His little faith led him to try—and, for a moment, succeed!!Jesus’ response to him wasn’t one of ridicule—that wouldn’t fit with who we know Jesus to be.Jesus addressed his little faith knowing full-well that Peter was committed and would keep getting out of bed, keep following, and keep climbing out of different kinds of boats in order to do things he never thought possible.Jesus isn’t so short-sighted that he condemns us for our doubts and falters today.In a sign of God’s grace Jesus looks beyond our doubts to where they might take us.Jesus meets us where we are and invites us to keep following so we can put our faith in him……and learn to look past the storms of life we will face.That’s what we all committed to with our newest members—to faithfully participate in the ongoing work of the church acknowledging the grace of God already given in our past while committing to trust in the grace of God moving us forward in our future.If we are committed to keep going in our faith…Keep trying…Keep learning…Keep unlearning…Keep trusting him…Keep following…Then we can have faith Christ leads us to where he intends us to be.No amount of wind or waves can keep us from getting where God wants us to be—yes?The question is…will we trust that truth when we feel them all around us?Will we commit ourselves…prepare ourselves…stay centered, so we’re ready when the winds and waves come?And when times ARE tough and scary…let us remember who it is we serve and the absolute fact that he has authority over all of it?Friends, let us pursue a faith so deep and secure that we can look past the storms we face as we learn and unlearn.Let us press on, even with our doubts, trusting that today’s struggles and sinking may just be the only way for us to get where Jesus intends for us to go.