Lord, Command Me to Come

Text: Matthew 14:22–33

Introduction
Life often brings us into storms. We face uncertainty, fear, financial pressure, sickness, family problems, and ministry challenges. The disciples found themselves in such a storm. Their boat was battered by the waves, and they struggled through the night. Then Jesus came walking on the water.
Peter made an unusual request: "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." This passage teaches us what genuine faith looks like.
1. Faith Begins by Recognizing Jesus
The disciples were terrified because they thought they were seeing a ghost. But Jesus said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
Faith starts when we recognize the voice and presence of Christ in the middle of our storms. Fear grows when we focus on circumstances; faith grows when we focus on Jesus.

 Before making important decisions, ask, "Is Jesus leading me?"
2. Faith Responds to Christ's Command
Peter did not jump into the water on his own. He first said, "Lord...command me to come."
Peter understood that Christ's command carries Christ's power. We should never act merely on impulse or emotion. We move when Christ calls.

Whether in ministry, family, or work, seek God's direction before taking action.
3. Faith Requires Stepping Out of the Boat
After Jesus said, "Come," Peter climbed out of the boat.
The boat represented safety and comfort. Walking on the water required trust.
Many believers never experience God's power because they refuse to leave their comfort zone. Obedience often requires taking a step of faith.

What "boat" is God asking you to leave behind? Fear? Comfort? Sin? Unbelief?
4. Faith Fails When It Looks Away from Jesus
Peter walked on water while looking at Jesus. But when he noticed the wind and waves, he became afraid and began to sink.
Circumstances did not change—the storm was already there. What changed was Peter's focus.
Many Christians begin well but become discouraged because they focus more on problems than on Christ.

 Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, not on your difficulties.
5. Jesus Is Ready to Save Those Who Call on Him
As Peter sank, he cried, "Lord, save me!"
Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.
What a picture of God's grace! Jesus did not abandon Peter because of his weak faith. He rescued him and taught him.
No matter how far we have fallen, Christ is ready to lift us when we cry out to Him.

Conclusion

Every believer must answer one question:
Am I willing to obey when Jesus says, "Come"?
The greatest miracle in this story was not that Peter walked on water. The greatest miracle was that he trusted Jesus enough to leave the boat.
Today Jesus is still calling people to trust Him, obey Him, and follow Him through every storm.

Invitation

If you have been living in fear, hear Jesus' words today: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
If Jesus is calling you, do not remain in the boat. Step out in faith, keep your eyes on Him, and trust Him to carry you through every storm.
Amen.

Do not leave the upper room too early

 Listen to the video. It's just part of the message. We'll load the complete message in text.

Blowing the Trumpet

 

What do you say about the song?

I Have Seen The Light John 8:12-18

Jesus said: “I am the light of the world…” and automatically, the Pharisees jump down His throat.

What is the deal? Why are these men so upset?

Well… they’re upset because Jesus has been consistently poking holes in their fairly obvious hypocrisy. They wanted to look righteous but not be righteous – and Jesus called them on it. He has challenged their hypocrisy in their fasting and praying and tithing. He has pointed out the emptiness of their fancy rules and regulations. He has exposed all their pretense and haughtiness.

Jesus exposed them as light should expose darkness…

Why would Jesus do that? Because He was light and they were darkness - and they couldn’t stand it.

John 3:19-20 says "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed”

Today when it’s dark out we simply flip a switch and instantly the darkness is gone. But in the 1st Century it wasn’t so simple. In Jesus’ day when it got dark, it was DARK. So when Jesus calls himself the light it’s a big deal. 

What makes this statement even more significant is that Jesus said it at the Feast Of Tabernacles. During this feast the Israelites would light a huge candelabra as a reminder of God guiding their ancestors through the wildness. Jesus is showing them that he is their light, their guiding force through this world. 

Jesus here is declaring that the light has come into the world. God is here. Don’t miss the claim that Jesus is making. He’s pulling from their history to show that just as God was the light to their ancestors, he’s their light today. He’s here to light the way, to lead us from the darkness we are stuck in.

II. Look at the Context in  John 8:2-6

Here the Pharisess brought to Jesus a woman caught in adultery. And it’s clear that this is a trap. They didn’t like how Jesus was exposing their hypocrisy. So they wanted to tarnish so that they can get to their business without Jesus calling them to repent.

Their theology was: If you don’t like the intensity of the light - change it… remove it…destroy it… do whatever’s necessary - BUT GET THAT LIGHT CHANGED!

III. But you don’t mess with someone like Jesus.

  When they tried to dim His light… He just turned up the wattage. Look at what He did from John 8:6-8 "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, ’Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’

They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ’If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there."

Some think what Jesus was writing in the dirt was the sins of each man present. I suspect Jesus was writing down not only their sins... but the things of which they were ashamed. Matters they thought they’d hidden well out of the sight of interfering eyes.

* I can visualize Bopda  watching from the edge of the crowd, and seeing his name written in the dirt… and then beside his name Jesus was writing the names of the women he sexually harassed at gun point.

* Then I can see a man, in the front of the mob watching as his name was written down… and then saw as Jesus wrote down beside his name, the name of the people in the bushes whom he has been working with to kidnap others for ransom. Others their names were written in front of women they have been lusting with but they were standing in the temple of God to stone others.

Then Jesus stood & said: let him who is without sin cast the 1st stone. The mob that day should have known what Daniel knew when he declared:

"(God) reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him." Daniel 2:22

IV. Jesus now declares to them who He is after exposing them ;John 8:12

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

There’s a lot of people who won’t come to church - who won’t come to God - because they’re afraid of what God will expose in their lives. What they don’t realize is that God will expose all of their sins–sooner or later. And if it happens later… it will be a time of judgment. But, if it happens sooner - then there is hope, because then it will be just between you and Him.

ILLUS: It’s like a person that goes to Doctor. and discovers he has cancer. The Doctor says if we act now, we can remove all of the cancer and you will live a full life… but if you wait, there’s a chance that it will destroy you.

It is not God’s intention to expose our darkness to everyone around us and thus force us to hide from His presence in our shame & disgrace. Rather, it’s His intention to convince us that darkness isn’t the best place to live.

ILLUS: Children know this. I’ve learned (as every parent does) that kids hate being alone in the dark. They know that darkness is a scary place to be. There’s only 2 things that will help them overcome their fear of the dark. One is light… the other is to have someone bigger than they are in the room with them… to protect them.

Jesus said: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Jesus said: I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Scripture tells us: Cast all your cares on Him… for He cares for you”

Light does expose the imperfections of life… but it also creates trust, confidence and a hope for tomorrow. When the accusing crowd left Jesus and the adulterous woman Jesus didn’t condemn her.

He was the light but He didn’t expose all the ugly corners of her soul. NO, instead He offered her hope and said: “Go and sin no more.” Leave that old lifestyle, change who you’ve been & let the light in.

The greatest tragedy of your life would be to live in darkness when you could live in the light.  Don’t be like someone who is living blind because he didn’t know that science has evolved enough to solve his eye problem. Many people just think their own is too much that the light of god cannot make a change in them or they are ashame of the light. I invite you to stand on your feet if you don’t remember when you received Jesus Christ the light of the world into your life.

 

 

Good Or Evil, Light or Darkness-The Choice Is Yours Psalms 37:1-2, Psalms 73:18-19

 

Do not troubled because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Psalm 37:1-2, NIV

“God will repay each person according to what they have done. 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism” (Romans 2:6-11).

We all have a choice to make every single day of our lives:

“To do Good or to do Evil” To walk in the Light or to walk in darkness

Looking at our present-day world, it appears as if evil is more prevalent than ever. We hear of conspiracies against innocent persons to frame them for crimes they have not committed, while the real criminals engage in robberies, murders, stealing, etc. Justice is perverted and bought by the highest bidder. People are silenced for their faith and belief in God. Malice, hatred, envy, wrath, strife, and anger abound everywhere. Those that do good are oppressed and suppressed while evil walks with a swagger on our streets. Genuine children of God are alarmed and live in fear. It appears that a lot of Christians are asking this important question, found in Malachi 2:17:

“Where is the God of justice?”

So, why do people do evil?

Well, for one thing, most people find it easier to do evil than to do good! Also, the wrong notion or perception that they will get away with evil is enough motivation for people to persist in doing wrong. Again, the ability to pay for crimes to be swept under the carpet by criminals, through giving and taking of bribes and all forms of corruption in high places, allows evil to flourish unhindered. The ability of the stronger man to oppress the weaker ones, and the inability of the person being oppressed to cry out for justice, allows evil to thrive and abound everywhere.

Yet, God warns in Deuteronomy 16:19:

“Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent.”

Finally, this is the most important reason why people prefer darkness:

People no longer fear God.

In Biblical times, the judgment of God was swift and instant. We read the accounts of Haman being hanged on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai, David’s stone lodging in Goliath’s forehead, and Pharaoh and his armies drowning in the Red Sea.

So, we may ask:

“Is God now more lenient?” “Does God still punish evil?” Can one get justice from God, especially when he says in Hebrews 10:30 (NKJV):

“‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘The LORD will judge His people’.”

God is definitely still a just, righteous, and holy God! He has not lost his power or ability to punish evil. But he is also calling the evil man to turn from his ways.

In Ezekiel 33:11 (NIV):

“Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’”

In Galatians 6:9:

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Also, in Isaiah 30:18:

“For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”

So, what punishment can the evil man expect from God?

There are many, but let’s look at a few.

In Psalm 37:20:

“But the wicked will perish: Though the LORD’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.”

Psalm 37:38:

“But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked.”

Psalm 73:18-19 (Good News Bible):

“You will put them in slippery places and make them fall to destruction! They are instantly destroyed; they go down to a horrible end.”

In Psalm 28:3-4 (NIV):

“Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts. Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back on them what they deserve.”

So, what is the way out for those who have done evil, but want to return to God?

In Isaiah 55:7:

“Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”

Ephesians 4:28:

“Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”

Do you even know the Lord Jesus Christ?

Jesus is the Son of God, who was sent from Heaven to declare the gospel—the good news of how we can be forgiven of all our sins and brought into God's family. He shared the words of God and then laid down His life as a sacrifice. He died the death we deserve, and suffered at the hands of God for your sins and mine. He then rose from the dead and ascended back to Heaven.

Jesus is calling you today from evil to good, from darkness to light. He says in Matthew 11:28-30:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

If you have never given your life to Christ, please say a simple prayer like this:

“Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I confess my sins before you today. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I want to know you personally. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in and be my Lord and personal Savior. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. In Jesus name I have prayed. Amen.”

It is time to Shine; Isaiah 60:1-3

 

Arise and shine! This is the promise that the long night of darkness has finally ended and the joyous rays of morning have arrived.

 

They are the words Israel needed to hear. Exiles are returning to Jerusalem, and the passage reminds them that the wonderful presence of God is about to change their darkness into light.

 

They are words everyone needs to hear. Everyone finds themselves in dark situations and dark moments. The Bible says Jesus is the Light, and in Him is no darkness at all. My friends, the Light of Jesus will always dispel the darkness that engulfs this world.

 

The Light of God is glorious and we as Christians have to reflect His light into the world. Some weeks ago we looked at the text in matthew on letting our light shine before men so that they may glorify God. In that message I told you how God revealed to me that we are not the light but that we are just reflecting His light. The word was to the Israelites just as to us today. Why should they shine the light? Because there is deep darkness.

 

I. THE SOURCE OF DARKNESS - VS. 2

 

Have you ever been in a place where there’s no light whatsoever? I shared with you how I used to get terrified with my younger brother in the dark and no one is able to go close the windows.

 

Today the prophet Isaiah tell us about the darkness of this sinful world. Without the light of God there is nothing you can do good in your own understanding. If Jesus did not come there’s nothing we could do in our own knowledge. Jesus is the light of the world and only in Him can darkness disappear.

 

Illustration of walking in the dark

Making decisions in the dark can lead to some regrettable consequences. Say moving without seeing where you are putting your feet in the bush with harmful objects around and even snakes and scorpions. It will be better to stay where you are until light comes than to make a step. How does it look like to be dating in the dark? You see a man in the dark he is always Mr handsome, a woman in the dark is always miss beautiful. You can be terribly shocked during the day with whom you were dating in the dark.

 

That is how it looks when you make decisions based on the worldly standards. Because everybody is doing something does not mean it is right? You may just be making decisions in the dark just because you have not sifted those actions through the word of Light.

 

II. THE SOURCE OF THE LIGHT - VS. 1&2

 

 

But in his words, we have the words of God giving us encouragement. As we live and work in this dark sinful world, we are not to be overwhelmed by the darkness, because God sends his light into the world; a light that shines out of the darkness and a light that shines out for all. The kingdoms of Judah and Israel at the time of Isaiah were living in darkness. A darkness that surrounded them spiritually and was darker than the deepest cave you would ever tour on this earth.

 

There are many today who are living in darkness, spiritually speaking. Friends, if you are living in darkness, understand what the light does:

 

Ÿ  The light removes darkness

Ÿ  The Light reveals danger

Ÿ  The Light shows the path before us

 

In John. 8:12 Jesus says, " When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”” (NIV)

 

III. THE FORCE OF THE LIGHT - VS. 1&3

 

We are reflected light. Just as the sun is the source of light and the moon reflects light from the sun to the earth, Jesus is our source of light and we are to reflect that light to others.

 

1 PETER 2:9 tell us, “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” (NLT)

 

EPHESIANS 5:8-9 emphatically states, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth” (NKJV)

 

The New Living Translation says it this way: “For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it.”

 

This is why Jesus tells us to follow Him, and why we are told to be holy, and why we are told to do His will and obey His commandments. We are the Jesus that people will see. They will base their thoughts about Jesus by how we conduct ourselves, or what kind of light we reflect. We should reflect the glory and light of Jesus we love. Listen friends, the further that we get away from the source of light, the dimmer our reflection will be. Understanding that we are reflected light should help us understand why we need to diligently work to stay near to Jesus.

 

Conclusion

 

Are you walking in darkness this morning or have you come to the light of the Lord? Are you close to Jesus this morning or have you slipped so far away that your reflection of Christ has grown dim? Notice in verse 3 Isaiah is referring to the powerful influence the Israelites would have on those around them. What level of influence do you currently have for Jesus?

 

Let me challenge you to Rise and Shine! By coming to Christ, the darkness of sin and despair will be dispelled by His glorious light.

When God’s fire falls; Lev 10:1-5

 

In our end of month prayer evening last month we saw that where God’s fire falls, there is a mighty anointing and power in that place. We saw that God told Moses to remove his shoes for the place where the fire was burning became Holy ground. We also saw that the shepherds rod which Moses had in his hand became the rod of God when it got in contact to the ground where the fire of God fell. Moses used his hands to pickup the rod when God asked him to pick the serpent by the tail and so Moses’ hand touched the ground and got into contact. So Moses’ hands became anointed as well. You can understand why God asked Moses to raise his hand and the rod to part the red sea into two. You also see that Moses’ hands played a great deal when the people were at war; while he raised his hands they won and when he brings them down they loose. Aaron could have raised his own hands but it did not carry the anointing, so he assisted in supporting the hand of Moses up instead. We established that night that when you come to church be prepared to get into His presence and that His mighty power is here. We said it doesn’t matter whether there is a pastor in the church or not, if you come expectantly, you will receive a powerful manifestation of God’s power when you come into His presence.

In the days of Moses, Nadab and Abihu; sons of Aaron were consumed by the fire that fell from God. We may see with our eyes as if the sin was a small one but it was a great sin when we look at the consequences of that sin. Lev 10:1, Numb 3:4 makes clear that these children of Aaron offered strange fire before God. That was their sin.

You can understand why I insist for ministers to rally in the morning, prepare themselves and the atmosphere before service. I remember the praise team was behind me for that instruction which I said we can’t change it nor compromise God’s principles. It was a debate in their forum which I am not present. If some of the praise team members had the opportunity they would have rain down fire on me. I thank God that some of them have understood after getting some experiences in their ministry. If you are to minister, you must come early for prayers and there are instructions and changes that can be made after that prayer session.

Listen, Nadab and Abihu had their consecration completed the day before, and it was part of their work as priests to serve at the altar of incense, but it seems this service of inauguration was to be performed by their father Aaron himself, for he slew the sacrifices for sin-offering(Lev 9:8,15,18), and his sons were only to attend him (Lev 10:9,12,18).

So Nadab and Abihu were so proud of the honor they were newly advanced to, ambitious to do the highest and most honorable part of their work immediately, that though the service was extraordinary, and done by the direction of Moses, they went on to prepare their censers, entered into the tabernacle, and burned incense. That was the strange fire which is forbidden in Exodus 30:9. In 2 Chronicles 26:16-19 King Uzziah presented incents in the temple when he was not priest and became leprose till his death.

You come to God’s presence to offer a sacrifice of praise, and you don’t prepare yourself? You say “man of God, the team is not happy with your decision for them to come and pray before service.” Others say, man of God, you are breaking protocols. Whose protocols? Man’s protocols or God’s protocol? Do you want to be like Nadab and Abihu? They were priests, children of Aaron the high priest. God is not a respecter of man.

There is reason to suspect that Nadab and Abihu were drunk when they did it, because of the law which was given upon this occasion in Lev 10:8. They have been feasting upon the peace-offerings, and the drink-offerings that attended them; so their hearts were merry with wine they drank and forgot the law (Prov 31:5) and so they were guilty of this fatal miscarriage. They died childless. In fact the sin was so terrible that God did not want anything from their descendants.

You can ask a lot of questions concerning this punishment. They fell and died before the mercy seat but the veil was not open for them, there was no mercy for them at all. They were young and inexperienced; would God not have considered this to spare their lives? Would the punishment not have been reduced because they were trying to serve God? They were the sons of the chosen priest Aaron, the nephew to Moses whom heaven has shown favor, could they not be saved? Aaron had only 4 sons and God has called him and his descendants to the Levitical priesthood; killing 2 means the number of hands have reduced. How is service going to continue effectively? At times you think you are special and so God will spare you because there’s no one to replace you. You lie! There is no reason for God to spare a life that rebels against His presence. These two had no time to cry for mercy, they died instantly.

When the fire of God falls, two things can happen;

1.      Some people die: Those who don’t belong to Him are consumed

2.      Some others rejoice: When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the fire, their yokes were destroyed by the fire because God descended into the fire.

And because their yokes were destroyed, they walked out of the fire into promotion. But for those who were not on God’s side, as they got closed to that fire, they were consumed.

You can understand why some people cry fire in service while others are receiving healings at the same time. Because the fire of God has fallen down at that moment. So, before you join those who are asking for fire to fall, if you are not already on God’s side, please cross over.

There are times the fire falls without us asking it from God and even the preacher is unaware that God is about to rain down fire. When it falls only those on God’s side are safe. There are people who are ministers in God’s house but who still are living in sin. Surrender your life completely to Jesus Christ because if you stand by when the fire begins to fall, and you are not on God’s side, the result might not be very pleasant. God usually gives room for repentance,  but note that the day the fire falls is the day of consequences. Many people are nursing diseases and other terrible issues because the fire of God fell, and they were not on His side. My cry to you today is to repent before it is too late; it doesn’t matter whether you are preacher, singer, teacher, prayer warrior or whatsoever, be sure you are right before His presence.

Shalom