Gregg Matte - 5 Steps to Take During a StormSample

Grow In Grace 

So, Peter stepped out of the boat. He got his focus off Jesus and did not realize who had the real strength. The Creator of the wind is much stronger than the wind. Peter began to sink. Did Jesus get mad at Peter? No, He did not. Sometimes we believe He did because He asked Peter, “Why did you doubt?” But that’s compassion. As Peter sank, Jesus immediately grabbed and lifted him out. Step three that we can learn from this passage is to grow in grace. Followers of Christ step out of the boat, stay focused, and grow in grace. 

God is a graceful God. Do you find that you are harder on yourself than God is on you? You live with guilt, but God forgives you in a moment. He has already forgiven you on the cross of Jesus Christ. “It is finished.” Forgiveness has already been offered; we have to take hold of it. The grace of God is real. Grace is an acronym for God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. It’s the fact that you don’t deserve it; you didn’t earn it, but you asked for it, and God gave it. So, if you feel like you have been sinking, let Jesus pull you out.

Receive God’s grace. No one gets it right all the time. Peter is one who later in the Gospels denies Christ, but he also becomes the leader of the early church in the book of Acts. Leaders who stand with great strength sometimes have to sink to let Jesus lift them. I’ve preached a lot of imperfect sermons, but do you know what? I’m glad about that. That gives room for God to move. If I get it all right, then where is Jesus in the deal? You’re not going to do it all right. You’re not going to say the right words every time to your spouse. You’re not going to think the right thoughts every time. But we can rely on His grace, knowing there is forgiveness. 

Often, we have too high a standard for ourselves, and too low of a threshold for the grace of God. It is ok to do well, but God’s grace is there for you on days you don’t do great.