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Following Jesus – Jesus In Your BOAT! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the April 27, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: A Time For LIFE!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 14

 

“And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”
Matthew 14:32-33 (NIV)

As one called by Jesus to “Come, follow me”, Matthew gives us great teaching on what it looks like to live a life which follows Jesus.  While we often focus on Peter getting out of the boat to walk to Jesus, we also see the disciples making room for Jesus in a greater way.  In the midst of life, we must be deliberate about living with Jesus in our . . .

  • Beliefs:  Matthew 14:13-16, 25-26

    • When faced with situations which seemed impossible, such as feeding large crowd or seeing someone walk across a lake toward you, the disciples were often challenged by a common belief that they couldn’t accomplish what needed done.  When our boat of life is tossed about in the storms which come, we would do well to invite Jesus into our beliefs so that we consider what He can do rather than what we can do. 

  • Observations:  Matthew 14:17-19, 27-28

    • What the disciples believed was often influenced by what they were able to physically observe.  In Matthew 14, the disciples observed a lot of hungry people and very little food.  Then they observed the figure of a man walking across the water and in both cases their observations led a an incorrect conclusion.  When our boat of life is tossed about in the storms which come, we would do well to invite Jesus into our observations so we would see what He can do rather than what we cannot.

  • Actions:  Matthew 14:20, 29-30

    • By the time it comes to action in the stories from today’s text, we find the disciples finally listening more fully to Jesus in obedience to what He asks.  After inviting Jesus into their beliefs and observations, they were willing to distribute food to all and Peter was even willing to step out of the boat onto the storm-tossed waves.  When our boat of life is tossed about in the storms which come, we would do well to invite Jesus into our actions so that He would do more in us and through us than would ever be possible on our own.

  • Touch:  Matthew 14:21, 31-36

    • One of the defining characteristics in the life of Jesus on earth was His willingness, and even desire, to touch those He encountered.  It was the touch of Jesus on the bread and loaves which multiplied them to feed a multitude.  It was the touch of Jesus to lift Peter from his doubts which carried them both back to the boat where the storm was to be calmed.  When our boat of life is tossed about in the storms which come, we would do well to not only live as those touched by Jesus but to extend His touch to all we encounter.

Today, how will you live with Jesus in your BOAT?

3 thoughts on “Following Jesus – Jesus In Your BOAT! (Sermon Audio)”

  1. Tom a recent sermon spoke about touch too. Not only Jesus touching us but our desire to touch Jesus – from the woman with the hemorrhage touching the hem of Jesus’ garment to Thomas who wanted to put his finger into the wounds on Jesus’ hands and side….

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