The sermon, based on Matthew 14:24-31, explores the theme of going “all in” for God, drawing parallels between Peter, Jeremiah, and David—three men who committed fully to their faith yet found themselves sinking, physically, emotionally, or spiritually. The message highlights the challenges of wholehearted faith and the necessity of keeping our focus on Christ.

Peter: Stepping Out in Faith, Then Sinking

Peter’s story begins with an extraordinary step of faith—physically walking on water toward Jesus (Matthew 14:29). His act was a bold demonstration of trust, but he soon became distracted by the boisterous wind and waves. His fear and doubt overtook his faith, and he began to sink. However, the moment he cried out, “Lord, save me!”, Jesus immediately reached out and rescued him. The lesson is clear: stepping out in faith is necessary, but losing focus on Christ leads to sinking. Jesus’ question, “Why did you doubt?”, serves as a reminder that fear and logic often challenge our faith, but Christ is always ready to save.

Jeremiah: Sinking in Faithfulness

Unlike Peter, Jeremiah was not distracted by doubt; he was sinking for doing exactly what God called him to do. As a faithful prophet, he warned Judah of impending judgment, but his obedience led to persecution. He was thrown into a dungeon filled with mire (Jeremiah 38:6), left to sink in filth. Yet, his rescue came through an intercessor, Ebed-melech, who petitioned the king on his behalf. This story foreshadows Jesus Christ as our ultimate intercessor, who pleads for us before God and works behind the scenes even when we feel abandoned.

David: Sinking in Overwhelming Emotion

In Psalm 69, David describes himself sinking into deep mire, overwhelmed by troubles, shame, and loneliness. Unlike Peter, who was distracted, and Jeremiah, who was persecuted, David’s sinking was internal—an emotional and spiritual struggle. His distress led him to question and cry out, yet his resolve came through worship. He made the decision to praise God in the middle of his distress, shifting his focus from his suffering to God’s faithfulness.

The Core Message: Faith Faces Sinking Moments

The message underscores that being all in for God does not mean we won’t struggle or sink. Even Peter, Jeremiah, and David—men of great faith—found themselves sinking. However, their rescue always came from God:

• Peter was saved when he refocused on Christ.

• Jeremiah was rescued through an intercessor, just as Christ intercedes for us.

• David found strength through worship, choosing to praise God despite his struggles.

The sermon concludes by challenging believers: Why do we doubt God? If He has called us, if He is faithful, and if He loves us, then we must trust Him—even when we feel like we are sinking. Our faith is not about avoiding difficulties but about learning to trust that God will always reach out to save us, intercede on our behalf, and strengthen us through worship.

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