Sermon by Senior Pastor Daniel Khong of the Faith Community Baptist Church, 28-29 Mar 2026.
Background:
Every time God calls us to do soemthing, it could be soemthign new that may feel uncertain, something scary, something unfamiliar. Only when we embrace soemthign that makes us uncomfortable, that we can receive the blessing that God has in store for us.
Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33
The passage talked about Jesus walking on water. When Peter saw Jesus, he cried out for Jesus and asked him to come to him. So Peter walked on water as well. But when the waves came (there was a strong wind), Peter became afraid and sank.
How should we respond when God calls us into the unknown?
1. We must first trust him - Fix our eyes on him
When the disciples saw someone walking on water, they initially did not know it was Jesus. They thought it was a ghost. Then Jesus told him that it was him. Peter then came toward Jesus, because he trusted that the power of Jesus. It is a combi of both trust and faith. While God alone has the power, it is Peter's faith that Jesus is in control that allow Peter to experience the miracle. However, Peter saw the waves, and got distracted. Instead of focusing on Jesus, Peter saw the waves and sank.
Instead of pretending that things do not exist (because they do), we need to look at Jesus and Jesus alone. He is the author and the perfecter of our faith.
2. We must obey him - Fix our hearts on Him
Having faith and belief is not enough...we must ACT of it. It is an act of obedience that allows the miracle to happen. Peter wanted to first confirm it is Jesus. If it is Jesus, Peter wanted Jesus to tell him to walk to him. Peter wanted an instruction from Jesus, that he can obey. So Peter walked on water.
When he turned his attention to water, Peter stopped trusting and became a slave to fear. He stopped trusting. God may be calling you into an unknown situation which makes you afraid. But the willingness (rather than waiting to figure things out) to do God's will that brings certainty.
There are 12 disciples - but only 1 stepped into the unknown and walked on water.
