Focus on Christ to Get Through Trials – Life Is a Journey, part 14
Are you distracted, alone, or afraid? This message empowers us to focus on Jesus and trust him to get us through any storm.
You can refuse to be afraid or consumed with impossible situations. Remain focused on Jesus, and you will be able to walk in faith and victory no matter the circumstance.
Through this series, you’ll learn how to live well & enjoy God's promises. You are loved by God; He knows your name. He has a plan for your life. Get helpful advice, encouragement, and hope for a life well lived in 2021 and beyond.
Are you walking in faith and victory? Set your eyes on the promises of God. You only have one life journey; say yes to Jesus. Like the parables of the buried treasure and the valuable pearl, stop at nothing to gain your entry into the kingdom of heaven.
How to conquer fear by focusing on what’s truly important: Christ.
Walk in faith and victory with the truth of God.
Today is Father’s Day so let me start off with saying Happy Father’s Day! Last week Paul challenged us to focus on the good and to steer clear of negative thinking and the lies that seem to bombard us every day. The truth that Paul told us to focus on last week is the truth of God that never changes: a truth that is pure, right, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Paul wanted us to focus on the truth found in God’s word and put it into practice. We are not called to simply know the truth but to practice and live it for all the world to see.
Today, we are going to take the next step and focus on the Son of God: Jesus Christ the Lord.
Last week, we learned that what we focus on—our thought life—has an influence on how we feel and act. Today, I want you to realize that if you remain focused on Jesus, you will be able to walk in faith and victory no matter the circumstance.
Where is your focus?
Today, we’re looking at the story of the disciples heading to the other side of the lake in a boat while Jesus remained on land.
They were attempting to cross the lake for hours, fighting wind and waves, but only made it half way. Suddenly, Jesus came walking on the water towards them.
This event is recorded in three of the Gospels: Matthew 14, Mark 6, and John 6. One point that is noteworthy in Mark’s Gospel is that Jesus saw the disciples straining at rowing, and that they were still in the middle of the lake because of the wind blowing against them. But Jesus knew what the disciples were experiencing. Jesus may not have been with the disciples physically and yet he knew their troubles. The same is true for us today.
With that intro let’s read Matthew’s account:
‘Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:22-33, NIV).
Peter stepped out of the boat on the water, but then he took his eyes off of Jesus and focused on the wind, waves, and water. Peter only started to sink when he took his eyes off of Jesus. In the midst of a miracle, Peter got distracted instead of remaining focused on the Lord Jesus.
Maybe you’ve seen a TV show where someone is looking down, not focused on where they are going, and they walk into a pole or fall into a pit. Maybe you have taken your eyes off the road for a second and suddenly find the car in front of you is stopped and now you need to slam on your brakes to avoid rear-ending someone.
When we focus on one thing, we need to make sure we do not lose focus on what truly matters: Jesus. Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and focused on his surroundings and he began to sink.
Take courage, Jesus knows what he’s doing.
Earlier in this chapter, Peter and the other disciples witnessed Jesus feeding over 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two small fish with 12 baskets full of leftovers. What a miracle!
By this time in Jesus’ ministry, the disciples have already witnessed amazing things:
Jesus healed people of impossible illnesses.
Jesus raised a girl from the dead.
Jesus cast out demons from a man.
They followed Jesus and listened to him teach for quite some time now regarding the kingdom of God. However, I don’t think the disciples fully grasped who Jesus truly was yet.
In Matthew 14, Jesus sends the disciples ahead to the other side of the lake. I find it interesting that in these twelve verses we see the word immediately three times: Jesus sent them ahead immediately (v 22); Jesus says “take courage” immediately (v 27); and Jesus reached out and caught Peter immediately (v 31).
The disciples did not appear to question why Jesus made them go immediately to the other side of the lake. Instead, they simply got into the boat and start out for the other side. Let me say here, Jesus knew what he was doing. Jesus knew exactly when and where he was to meet up with his disciples.
The wind and waves began to rock the boat and the disciples were still a long way from shore; this is when Jesus showed up and the disciples cried out in fear. It was somewhere between 3 and 6 AM. The disciples have been at it all night. They must have been tired, afraid, alone and Jesus was nowhere around.
The disciples had done what Jesus told them to do. But while Jesus was away praying, a strong headwind tested the disciples’ resolve. However, when Jesus finally came on the scene, walking on the water, the disciples’ fear increased all the more, because they thought they saw a ghost walking on the water. The first words Jesus speaks to the disciples are: Take courage; don’t be afraid (v 27).
Simple words. No fanfare. No lesson or lecture on why they shouldn’t worry or fear. It’s as if Jesus is saying “I am here now, no need to fear”.
Now this is when Peter calls out to Jesus and jumps up like a little kid. Peter has a tendency to act or speak out spontaneously and asks Jesus to say “come to me”. I want you to take note of how and what Peter asks Jesus: Lord…. tell me to come to you (v 28). It is almost as if Peter recognized Jesus’ power and authority of his words alone.
Peter doesn’t ask “can I come to you?” rather, Peter asks that Jesus command it. Jesus then simply tells Peter: Come.
3 Consequences of losing Focus on Christ
I want us to see three points:
Fear occurs when we take our eyes off of Jesus.
Focusing on distractions invites trouble, doubts, and temptation.
Doubts arise when we lose focus of Christ.
Jesus was about to give the disciples a lesson on faith. The disciples needed to learn to trust Jesus and in his ability. They needed to realize the authority, power and presence of Jesus as the son of God. They needed to learn to remain focused on Jesus no matter the circumstance.
1. Fear occurs when we take our eyes off of Jesus.
The disciples were alone on the windy lake and a storm was tossing the boat around. The disciples had no idea that it was possible for Jesus to even walk on the water and became even more afraid when they thought they saw a ghost.
How many of you have ever faced headwinds in life and feel you are going nowhere? Do you feel all alone?
Maybe you feel Jesus told you to do something, much like he told his disciples, to cross over to the other side of the lake while he stayed back on shore to pray and care for others.
Are you facing spiritual headwinds and feel alone? Let me encourage you: look to Jesus. He knows exactly where you are and he will meet you where you are, simply call out to him and he will answer.
Don’t fall for the lie of the enemy and think Jesus is not concerned about you or that he is unable to help you. Jesus knows exactly what you are experiencing and he will respond when you call out. Do not allow fear to take root in your heart. Do not take your focus off of Jesus.
It is in faith that Peter asks Jesus to command him to come to Jesus on the water. Peter did not allow fear to stop him from asking. Peter did not allow fear to keep him from stepping out of the boat and walking to Jesus. Peter refused to allow fear to stop him from asking Jesus for the impossible to be possible.
Peter’s focus was on Jesus, not on the water, wind, or the waves.
What do you believe? What and who are you focused on?
The storm? The sickness? The impossible? When fear arises do you call out to Jesus? As believers we should expect Jesus to respond immediately and in a manner much like he did with his disciples: Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.
Jesus will answer. He will come to your aid. It may not be in the manner you think Jesus should. But Jesus will respond, and it will be for your good.
When Peter stepped out of the boat, he was focused on Jesus, but when Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and looked around, he realized he was walking on water, cried out and Jesus immediately helped him. Then Jesus said “you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Friends, we will doubt and sink. We will experience fear, worry, and lose hope when we take our focus off of Jesus and focus on what is happening around us.
Before you find yourself in a storm or situation that you feel is hopeless and you are beginning to sink, make a decision on how you will respond. Decide to focus on Jesus whatever the situation, no matter the circumstance, and avoid the anxiety and fear.
That brings us to our second point.
2. Focusing on Distractions invites trouble and temptation.
When we get our eyes off of Jesus and focus solely on the circumstances, we are focusing on the distractions rather than on the one who can change the circumstances.
In Matthew 4 we find Satan attempts to temp Jesus to sin. Satan tries to distract or trick Jesus into sinning three times.
Each time Jesus refused to be distracted and chose to focus on God Almighty. Jesus knew it was not right to test God. Jesus knew that the word and truth of God is true and real.
Jesus was fully aware of Satan’s tricks and that only by submitting to God’s will, and enduring the pain and suffering of the cross, that Satan would be defeated for all eternity.
Do not fall for the distractions that the enemy of your soul attempts to cause you to take your eyes off of Jesus. Refuse to believe the lie. Refuse to be distracted.
Refuse to be afraid or to be consumed with any situation that appears impossible and to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. Always remain focused on Jesus. Know that Jesus has all authority (Matthew 28:18).
Jesus has authority over the wind, water, and waves and any situation that may come against you at any time.
You may feel that you are going nowhere, but keep the faith. Look to Jesus. Listen for his voice: Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid. And, like Peter, reach and take hold of the savior’s hand.
You may be doing all Jesus has put on your heart to do and yet face opposition. Do not get distracted, do not get discouraged, focus on Jesus. Call out to him and he will answer.
Both Peter and the disciples had witnessed Jesus’ authority many times, but they forgot and took their focus off of Jesus and allowed the circumstances to dictate fear rather than allowing faith to arise and overcome their fears.
Like Peter we will sink and fall victim to distractions and the fear of failure when we take our focus off of the Lord.
The last point is this.
3. Doubts arise when we lose focus of Christ.
Peter stepped out of the boat and onto the water in great faith. But when he took his eyes off of Jesus, Peter’s fears, and doubts became very real because he allowed the distractions to overpower his faith.
Peter allowed the impossibility of the situation of walking on water to be greater in his mind than the reality of who Jesus is and of Jesus’ power and authority over nature.
The disciples forgot about Jesus when they focused on the water, wind and waves. They allowed the darkness of their situation to increase their fears to a degree that they could not see past their fearful imagination and they had no courage to move forward.
When you feel your courage is gone, stop and remember the power and authority of God Almighty and trust the Lord Jesus with all your heart. Reach out in faith and take the savior’s hand.
Do not allow doubt to choke out your faith. Do not allow the darkness of your situation to strike fear in your heart.
Focus on Christ
Look to Jesus. Look up and focus on the Lord.
He will reach out and take your hand, and when he steps into the boat the wind will die down at that moment. Worship him for he is worthy of all praise.
Remember, life is a journey. There are ups and downs, forks in the road. Focus on Jesus.
When you focus on what is truly important, when you focus on the good, when you focus on Christ and call out to him, he will take you by the hand and keep you from sinking.
The headwinds and waves may come against you but Jesus knows where you are. He will stop the winds and the waves and you will arrive safely on the other side.
Know for sure, he will never leave or forsake you.
Suggested Praise and Worship
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Matthew 13:44-46: What does your forever—your eternity—look like? As hard as it is to imagine, God has already promised us a priceless, personal treasure. All we have to do is say yes to Jesus and He will help us get there.