Get In On What God's Doing!

Get In On What God's Doing!

Turn with me to Matthew chapter 14. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to the new year. Before we dive in, I want to thank you for trusting us with your teenagers. I got word this morning they’ve fired me as choir director going forward, but we’re so thankful to be part of their lives and they ours—never awkward, just family. Now, Matthew 14:22-33 says, "And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And 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. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God." Let’s pray: Father, thank You for this day, for letting us come into Your house and open Your Word. We’re grateful for the preaching and songs already. Bless Your servant now—clothe me in my calling, loose me, give me the unction to function. Bind Satan, hedge this place, remove every spirit but the Holy Spirit, clear distractions. On this last Sunday of 2024, help us see Your truth, leave excited and challenged, saying it’s good to be in Your house. Be with those absent due to sickness or travel, bring them back next time. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A Call for the New Year

This morning, I’m preaching "Get In On What God's Doing!" With the New Year approaching—Resolution Sunday—we make goals: lose weight, gain weight, whatever. But I challenge us to focus not on ourselves, but on what God has for us in 2025. Reading this, I imagine how cool it’d be to witness Jesus’ miracles. Picture Him feeding multitudes with a boy’s lunch—Mary Poppins’ bag-style, just pouring out! Or raising Jairus’ daughter, turning water to the "good stuff" wine at a party, healing lepers cast out by society. John says there’s not enough room for all His miracles—this Bible’s just a Sam’s Club free sample (love those—free lunch for the kids when my wife’s away!). Jesus is miracles—it’s who He is. But here, Peter joins Him, walking on water. I relate more to Peter than Jesus—human, flawed, faithful. Amid a stormy sea, dark between 3 and 6 a.m., Peter didn’t wait for calm—he moved when God moved. We can’t wait for perfect finances or circumstances to serve; we’ll miss the blessings, miracles, opportunities. The world’s rocking, dark, but like Peter, let’s move with God.

1. The Desire for More

First, the desire for more. The disciples thought Jesus was a ghost, troubled, crying out. But He said, “It’s I; don’t fear.” God always reveals Himself—He’s not hiding. Playing hide-and-seek with my kids is a bust: “I’m over here, Daddy!” God’s the same—“I’m right here!” He’s not the author of confusion; if it’s confusing, it’s not Him. Peter said, “Lord, if it’s You, let me come on the water.” If Jesus is here, let me do something—serve, witness, teach! I don’t want to mooch in heaven, sitting on my blessed assurance while others work in a lost world. Peter didn’t wait for Jesus to call—he asked. If we don’t serve more, give more, show up more, it’s because we don’t want to. Desire starts with us.

2. The Directive to Move

Second, the directive to move. Verse 29: “And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.” Can you distinguish God’s voice? If He spoke now, would you know it? Often, we’ve decided we won’t obey, so we assume it’s not Him. God won’t contradict His Word—if you won’t read it, don’t ask Him to speak; He already has. Jesus said, “Come”—to sing, serve, witness. At invitation time, I’ll call you to come—not because you have to, but because Jesus came out of the tomb for you. Move when He moves!

3. The Demonstration of a Miracle

Third, the demonstration of a miracle. Peter walked on water—something only God could do. Preaching and teaching? Only God brings results. I’ve preached at revivals, camps, VBS—every salvation, rededication, surrender is God’s work, not mine. You can join the miracle—share the Word, see souls saved. But it means leaving comfort. It was dark, stormy, yet Peter stepped out. Comfort stunts growth; discomfort stretches us. His motivation? To go to Jesus—not to show off, but to draw near. Everything we do—church activities, youth events—must bring us closer to Him. If God leaves, I’m gone too—I want to be with Him. “Draw me nearer, blessed Lord, to Thy precious bleeding side.”

4. The Distraction of the Mind

Fourth, the distraction of the mind. Verse 30: “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” The wind was contrary from verse 24—it didn’t stop him stepping out. It wasn’t the wind that sank him; it was shifted focus. “It’s hard to be a Christian in 2024!” It was hard in Genesis 6—only Noah’s family made it. If it were easy, everyone would do it. We sink when we take our eyes off Jesus—“I’d serve, but…” Too many “buts”—focus on Him. You don’t have to come to church; you get to. Tithing? It’s God’s money—don’t steal it! Refocus on Jesus.

5. The Deliverance of the Master

Fifth, the deliverance of the Master. Peter sank, crying, “Lord, save me!” You can be in church—dressed up, smiling—and still sink. Marriages failing, kids wayward, jobs lost, health fading—you’re afraid. How do we find deliverance? Five subpoints: First, personal realization—he cried out as he began to sink, not after drowning. Handle sin before it’s too late—admit what God knows: you’re struggling. Second, a prompt reach—Jesus immediately stretched out His hand. Third, a powerful rescue—He caught him. Fourth, a pointed reprimand—“O thou of little faith, why doubt?” Like a parent’s lecture, He saves but corrects. Fifth, a persuaded response—“Thou art the Son of God.” God can use you—He used a donkey, a whale, a boy’s lunch, a harlot, a tree, a raven—but not an unsurrendered Christian. Only you can surrender yourself to Him.

Goals for 2025

Jesus still does miracles—saving, healing. My grandfather said Grandma wouldn’t survive one Christmas; 15-20 years later, she’s alive, outlasting him—God healed her! My uncle’s grandma had a tumor vanish between diagnoses—Jesus still works! For 2025, let’s join Him. I’m goal-oriented—here are six to pray about (not from the preacher, just my heart): 1) Vacation Bible School—aim for 100 kids. Every number’s a soul—don’t doubt God! 2) 30 baptisms—why not? 3) Younger/new families—fill this place till we need chairs up front! 4) Outreach—greatest VBS or fellowship means nothing if no one knows. 5) Projects—like the floor project—give to God’s house; it should be the nicest around. 6) Personal calling—maybe God’s nudging you to preach, go, do. Get in on what’s eternal!

Join Him Today

I don’t want to be on a losing team—if God’s saving, helping, I’m in! Stand, heads bowed, eyes closed. Maybe you’re saying, “God, I don’t know what, but I want to do something.” Come forward—get in on what He’s doing!