Understanding The Bible
STUDY REFERENCE
"Routine Faithfulness"

J. Deering, AncientPath.net

"Routine Faithfulness"
or
"Step after Step"
or
"Lessons From The Side Of The Boat"
or
"The Stepping Stones On The Road To Faith"
or
"
Get out of the Boat"

(Matthew 14:22-32)

One of the modern expressions that has become very popular is one that denotes a certain period of time when everyone becomes very uncomfortable with their current circumstances. Especially when a crime against person is about to occur. We now refer to these times as "A SITUATION." We say, "A SITUATION HAS DEVELOPED."

There is a regular course of development for "A SITUATION."

        1.        THE SITUATION IS CREATED
        2.        THE SITUATION DETERIORATES
        3.        THE SITUATION FURTHER DETERIORATES
        4.        DOUBT IS EXPRESSED AND THE SITUATION DETERIORATES
        5.        A VIABLE OPTION FOR THE SITUATION IS FOUND
        6.        THE SITUATION IS OVER
        7.        THE SITUATION HAS NO VALUE OF ITS OWN, ONLY THE LESSON LEARNED, ONLY THE FAITH OBTAINED AND EXERCISED.


AN EXAMPLE: (any problems with the personality involved?)

1. THE SITUATION IS CREATED
There are three persons in a small aircraft, The Pilot, The Smartest man in the World, and a Boy Scout. Suddenly the engine fails, sets the plane on fire, and their 10,000 feet over the Rockies.

2. THE SITUATION DETERIORIATES
It is discovered that there is only one parashute for the three persons.

3. THE SITUATION FURTHER DETERIORATES
The Smartest man in the world then says, "WELL, SINCE I'M THE SMARTEST MAN IN THE WORLD, I need to be saved the most, so I am taking the parashute. And so he opens the plane door takes the parashute and jumps.

4. DOUBT IS EXPRESSED AND THE SITUATION DETERIORATES
The pilot begins to cry and throws himself on the floor screaming, What ever will we do, What ever will we do?"

5. A VIABLE OPTION IS FOUND
"Don't worry says the Boy Scout, You can use THIS PARASHUTE and take me down with you ... since THE SMARTEST MAN IN THE WORLD, has just jumped out of the plane with my knapsack.

6. THE SITUATION IS OVER
The pilot and the Boy Scout jump together to safety and live happily ever after.

7. THE SITUATION HAS NO VALUE OF ITS OWN, ONLY THE LESSON LEARNED, ONLY THE FAITH OBTAINED AND EXERCISED.


Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran philosopher, theologian, and pastor in Germany and England during the Hitler years. He wrote many books on theology and church life. He wrote one splendid book called "The Cost of Discipleship."

Dietrich was taken prisoner by the Nazi's because he was a threat to them. What the Nazi's found so threatening was his wonderful spirit, his constant evangelism, and his forthright stand for truth and justice because of his faith in Jesus Christ.  Bonhoeffer found out the "Cost of Dicipleship."

G.K.A. Bell, the late Bishop of Chichester wrote: "We know from the testimony of a British officer, a fellow-prisoner, of the last service which Dietrich Bonhoffer held on the day before his death and which "moved all deeply, by his simple sincerety." When trying afterwards to keep the imprisoned wives of men executed for their leadership in the plot against Hitler from depression and anxiety, he was taken away."

We now know that Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was never tried, went steadfastly on his last way to be hanged, and died with admirable calmness and dignity. God heard his prayer and granted him the "costly grace" -- that is, the priviledge of taking the cross for others and of affirming his faith by martyrdom. He was executed by special order of Himmler, in April 1945, just shortly before American liberation troops broke down the gates to the concentration camp. He was 39 years old.

It was many years ago when I first read "The Cost of Discipleship." He used Matthew 14:22-32 to teach a very important lesson about STIUATIONS and How Jesus uses them to create everyday FAITH. Faith that is the product of everyday life.  Bonhoeffer said, "The call to discipleship is a gift of Grace." For, you do not offer Discipleship to Christ. Discipleship is the result of the Call of Jesus Christ to some opportunity that He wills, THE SITUATION.

God is in control. The Christian is never the victim of circumstance. When God wishes to develope faith in your life He brings THE SITUATION. A time of testing that is intended to prove you. The metal worker boiling off the dross from the silver and gold. The contractor who places the loaded trucks on the bridge, not to make it fail, but to prove its worthiness, for, "The Road to Faith passes through OBEDIENCE."

What then is routine faith, but the DEMONSTRATION of our relationship with Christ in every day decisions and crisis.

THAT RELATIONSHIP CAN ONLY BE EXPRESSED AS FAITH WHEN WE FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE COMMANDS OF JESUS CHRIST IN OBEDIENCE.

OBEDIENCE is not a popular topic these days. The world has taught us to "Question Authority." The Bible says that HE has all authority. No matter how you question or how often you question, the answer is the same. "I AM."

It is always good to question where our directions come from to make sure they come from Him. If they do not, flee, run, seek His presence and preservation. If they do come from Him, exercise your FAITH and BE OBEDIENT to His calling.  Bonhoeffer says, "The situations in which we find ourselves in life are the gift of the One who commands obedience."  Entering into those situations displays our faith.


Mark 6:45-52 - no Peter
John 6:6-21 - no Peter
Matthew 14:22-32 (it is Matthew that loves and remembers Peter)

For it is here, remembering the example of OBEDIENCE, John the Baptist, true to God even unto his death, that Jesus sets the course for a SITUATION. An OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE AND DISPLAY FAITH.

Jesus goes to a place of solitude by the Sea of Galilee, there he receives word that John the Baptist has been beheaded, but there is no time for greif for the crowds come for His teaching. The day lingers and eventime comes, to avoid the breaking of the law by those who have come Jesus feeds the 5000...and then directly after...

THE SITUATION IS CREATED
"(:22) And immediately He made the disciples get into the boat, and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. (:23) And after He had sent the multitudes away, He went up to the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone (to greive) (from evening to 3am). (HE MADE THEM GET INTO THE BOAT)

THE SITUATION DETERIORIATES
(:24) But the boat was already many stadia away from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary, (:25) and in the fourth watch of the night (3-6am) He came to them, walking upon the sea. (:26) And when the disciples saw Him walking on the water they were frightened, saying "It is a ghost!" and they cried out for fear. (CERTAIN DEATH)

THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE SITUATION IS REALIZED
(:27) But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." (:28) and Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."

(PETER KNEW HE HAD BETTER NOT STEP OUT OF THE BOAT IN HIS OWN STRENGTH - IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS UTTER UNDOING.)


THE POSIBILITY OF FAITH IS PRESENTED
(:29) and He said, "Come!"
(COME, JESUS CALLS (GRACE CALLS US OUT OF DEATH AND INTO LIFE.)


FAITH IS EXPRESSED - THE ACT OF OBEDIENCE THAT BECOMES AN ACT OF FAITH
And Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
(THE FIRST STEP OF OBEDIENCE PROVES TO BE AN ACT OF FAITH IN THE WORDS OF CHRIST).


The Great Paradox:
"Unless he obeys, a man cannot believe
Unless he believes, a man cannot obey"


THE TRIAL OF FAITH IS PRESENTED
(:30) But seeing the wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink,
(TAKING HIS EYES OFF JESUS)


THE SECONDARY PURPOSE OF THE SITUATION IS REALIZED
he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" (NEW LIFE) (:31) And immediately, Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"


THE SITUATION IS OVER
(:32) And when they got into the boat the wind stopped."
THE SITUATION HAS NO VALUE OF ITS OWN, ONLY THE LESSON LEARNED, ONLY THE FAITH OBTAINED AND EXERCISED. THE SITUATION'S ONLY VALUE IS IN THAT THE CALL OF JESUS CHRIST WAS REALIZED THROUGH IT (NO BOASTING).

How can you hope to enter into communion with Christ if you are running away from HIm? Seek His ways in every SITUATION.  As Jesus Calls: "Leave the ship and come to Me!"