Sermon Cloud

The Walk of Faith

May 3^rd Dave Gustavsen

Walking in Faith. (Matt 14:28-29)

Sinking in Doubt. (Matt 14:30-31)

What kind of doubts distract us?

Fear of Circumstances. (Peter- Matt 14:22-33)

Incomplete Evidence. (Thomas- John 20:24-29)

Disappointment w/Christians. (father- Mark 9:14-27)

Unexplained Suffering.  (John the Baptist- Luke 7:18-23)

Bowing in Worship. (Matt 14:32-33)

Sermon Questions for Matthew 14:22-33

If you have feedback, please let David Fuquay know at dfuquay@jacksonvillechapel.org. 

SPECIFIC PRAYER  (suggestions)

Please pray for the Chapel Wide ministry project, Mothers Day Service:  This year we are celebrating Motherhood in a new way. The Chapel partners with two crisis pregnancy centers: First Choice and Turning Point. We want to encourage new mothers who have chosen life by presenting them with a very practical Mother’s Day gift.  Join with us as we collect the following items: Diapers (size new born to one), wipes, newborn clothes (0-6 months), sleepers/nightgowns, and new onesies. Toiletries (baby shampoo, lotion, powder) baby bottles and receiving blankets.  Look for the cribs in the Lobby starting April 19th through Mothers Day.

SCRIPTURE AND SHARING

Crawl:

How can doubt have a good purpose in building your faith?

If you knew you would not fail, what would you do?

Walk:

Read Matthew 14:22-29 as a group

Are there times when you feel like life is so hard that you must be out of God’s will? What is wrong with this view of how God interacts with us? (it becomes living by works rather than by grace)

If you were in the boat with Peter, and heard him suggest that he walk on the lake towards Jesus, what would be your reaction?  Would you want to join him?  Stop him?  Mock him?  Cheer him on? What is your natural tendency when someone near to you wants to take a risky step of faith?

What in your life points to the size of your view of God?  What shows others you have a big God?  What shows others you have a small God?

You grow by taking steps of faith.  When was the last time you put your foot over the boat and into the water?  How can this group be an encourager and supporter into taking steps of faith that get us closer to Jesus?

Read Matthew 14:30-33

What are some life circumstances you have been through, that made you doubt the Lord’s provision and protection?  How are you now?

What have you done lately that shows your faith? What have you done lately that shows your little faith?

What are some of the storms in your life?  Have any of them brought you to place where you doubt Jesus was stronger than the storm?

When are the times or what are the circumstances surrounding the times when you feel most overwhelmed. What can you do to avoid being overwhelmed?  What is the proper response when you get caught being overwhelmed?

Why do we doubt? Why do you doubt? If Peter’s doubt distracted him from focusing in the right place, what are the things that distract us?

Is it a struggle for you (does it bother your conscience) to think about all the evil in the world preformed by Christians (Crusades, Inquisitions, slavery, Salem Witch trials, etc…) Were those terrible acts truly the outcome of Jesus’ teachings? Or were they violations of Jesus’ teachings?

Have you bowed before Jesus? Or are you letting your doubts paralyze you?

Run:

If you have the time, assign each passage below to a different person and discuss how that doubt is true in your own life.

Fear of Circumstances. (Peter- Matt 14:22-33)

Incomplete Evidence. (Thomas- John 20:24-29)

Disappointment w/Christians. (father- Mark 9:14-27)

Unexplained Suffering.  (John the Baptist- Luke 7:18-23)

Although we do not and cannot have perfect knowledge on earth, if you could about one thing, what one thing would you want perfect knowledge about on earth?  Why is that important to you?

Key Words and Further Study:

Faith and Doubt, by John Ortberg. The Reason for God, by Tim Keller. Doubting, by Alister McGrath.

Two weeks ago, Dave Gustavsen gave you four reasons why I believe. And I said that I’ll try to put a longer list up on my blog. I put the longer list up this last week. So if you go to the Chapel web site, www.jacksonvillechapel.org, and you click on “Blogs,” and then you select my blog, you’ll see it. And I think I put twelve reasons why I believe. To me, the evidence is overwhelming.

SERVICE (fodder for ideas)

Helping Hands Ministry project: Join Helping Hands as we team up with Transformation Life Center (TLC) and provide a BBQ lunch for the TLC Fishing Derby held at Shepherd Lake. This is an awesome opportunity to come along side TLC and share the Good News of Jesus Christ!  When: May 9th, 2009, Where: Shepherd Lake, Ringwood NJ, Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.  We need volunteers to help load, set up, BBQ, serve food and drinks, clean up and take down.  Please contact Chip Nelson at 973-784-4842 to volunteer or Kathy Petonak at the Chapel office 973-334-6657

Passaic Hospital Project: A Nurse on a committee that is of a small hospital in Passaic NJ has been asked to plan a picnic/fundraiser for the hospital around the middle of May to celebrate hospital week.  As you can imagine the staff needs a major pick me up and a break from the stress of uncertain employment and future.  The committee has been asked to reach out to anyone who may help.  We are open to pretty much anything, games? rides? food or $$$ We don't have a spacious campus and so even that is limited.  Your prayers for our hospital to continue to provide services to an under privileged community, is of course very much appreciated.  Please contact me, Yolando Caro @ my e-mail or cell 973 902 3490.