Eyes on Jesus in the Storm

 Eyes on Jesus in the Storm

Matthew 14:22-33

Big Idea / Thesis: Storms are not always punishment or accidents—sometimes Jesus sends us straight into them. The difference between sinking and standing is where we fix our eyes.

Three Points of Application 

1. Jesus Sometimes Sends Us Into the Storm (Obedience Precedes Peace)

• Text: “Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side” (v. 22).

• Application: Obeying Jesus does not guarantee calm seas. Sometimes the next step of obedience is directly into difficulty (a tough calling, a season of waiting, conflict, loss, etc.).

• Series Tie-in: This is the “storm” we’re sent into, not the one we choose.

• Challenge: Where is Jesus telling you to “get in the boat” right now even though the wind is already rising?

• Illustration: The disciples left a miraculous high (5,000 fed) only to row into exhaustion.

2. Faith Starts Strong but Must Stay Fixed on Jesus (The Danger of Looking at the Waves)

• Text: Peter walked on water… “but when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink…” (v. 30).

• Application: Initial faith is easy when the miracle feels fresh. Sustained faith requires continually refocusing on Christ amid distracting, terrifying circumstances.

• Practical Help:

o What “wind” are you staring at right now (finances, health, relationships, politics, church conflict)?

o Daily practices: Scripture before news, worship before worry, prayer before panic.

• Series Tie-in: Storms expose whether our faith is in the miracle or in the Miracle Worker.

3. Jesus Is Both the Rescuer and the Storm-Calmer (Grace When We Sink + Power When He Arrives)

• Text: “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him… When they climbed into the boat, the wind died down” (vv. 31-32).

• Application:

o When you sink, Jesus does not wait for you to swim back—He grabs you instantly (“You of little faith… why did you doubt?” is diagnostic, not damning).

o When Jesus fully enters the situation, the storm loses its power.

• Worship Response: The disciples went from fear to full worship (“Truly you are the Son of God”).

• Series Tie-in: In every storm, the goal is deeper knowledge of who Jesus is (not just relief from the storm).

• Closing Assurance: He will catch you. The question is not “Can He hold me?” but “Where are my eyes?”

Questions

1. Where is Jesus telling you right now, “Get in the boat and cross over”?

2. What step of obedience have you been resisting because you can already see the wind and waves?

3. Are you currently in a storm that started with obedience? If so, don’t assume you’re off course — you may be exactly where Jesus sent you.  Where are your eyes right now?

4. What “wind” are you staring at right now that is causing you to sink?

5. In what area did you step out in faith, but now you’re distracted by the storm?

6. What would it look like this week to “fix your eyes on Jesus” instead of the waves?