Sermon Title: “Faith, Focus, and Foresight in the Storms of Life”

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Text: Matthew 14:22–33

Delivered at Forward for Christ Baptist Church in Luray, VA 22835 (January 25, 2026)

Local Message Highlight
If you are searching for a Bible-preaching church near Luray, VA, this message was recorded during a snowstorm weekend when regular services were cancelled, but the Word of God was still preached. From Matthew 14, you will see the disciples battling a real storm, and you will be reminded that the storms we face today are not wasted. The Lord uses them for our good and for His glory, and He meets His people right in the middle of the waves.

What This Sermon Covers
From Matthew 14:22–33, this sermon lays out three helps God gives His people in hard seasons: faith, focus, and foresight. It highlights the disciples being “constrained” to get into the ship, Jesus praying alone on the mountain, and Christ coming in the fourth watch of the night. Peter steps out by faith, begins to sink when his focus shifts to the wind, then cries, “Lord, save me,” and Christ immediately reaches out and catches him. The message calls believers to stay anchored in prayer, stay locked on the Savior, and cry out early instead of waiting until the waters are over your head.

Why Visit Forward for Christ Baptist Church in Luray, VA?
Forward for Christ Baptist Church is a King James Bible-believing church serving Page County and the Shenandoah Valley with clear preaching, traditional worship, and a heart for reaching people with the Gospel. If you want a church family that will point you to Christ in every season, encourage you to pray through the storm, and stand on the authority of Scripture, you are welcome here.

Questions and Answers

Quick sermon takeaways from Matthew 14:22–33, built for clarity and easy reading.

What is the main point of this sermon from Matthew 14?

The message shows how the Lord helps His people in life’s storms through three practical needs: faith, focus, and foresight. The disciples face a literal storm, and the same lessons apply when we face real trials today.

Why were the disciples hesitant to get into the ship in Matthew 14:22?

The sermon points out that Jesus “constrained” them, meaning they needed urging because they were afraid. They knew the sea could turn dangerous, and they were heading out without seeing how the Lord would meet them. The lesson is that obedience often requires faith before you feel ready.

What does Jesus praying on the mountain teach in this passage?

Jesus withdrew to pray, and the sermon uses that to stress the importance of prayer in every season. If the Lord Himself made time for prayer, then believers should not treat prayer as optional, especially when storms are pressing in.

What does it mean that the wind was “contrary” in Matthew 14:24?

“Contrary” means it was against them. The sermon highlights that the disciples were being pushed back and battered, showing how storms can resist progress and wear you down. Even then, the Lord knew exactly where they were.

Why did the disciples think Jesus was a spirit when He came walking on the sea?

In the darkness and fear of the storm, they saw a shadowy figure and assumed the worst. The sermon uses this to show how fear distorts perception, and how the Lord brings clarity when He speaks: “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”

What does Peter stepping out of the boat teach about faith?

Peter’s faith was active, not just emotional. He trusted the Lord enough to obey “Come,” and he stepped out when it made no natural sense. The sermon applies this to the believer: faith obeys Christ even when the situation feels risky.

When did Peter begin to sink, and what does that teach about focus?

Peter began to sink when he shifted his attention from Jesus to the wind and waves. The sermon’s point is simple: when we stop looking to Christ and start living by what we see around us, fear grows and stability fades.

What is “foresight” in the storms of life?

Foresight is recognizing your need early and calling on the Lord quickly. Peter cried, “Lord, save me,” as soon as he began to sink, and Jesus immediately reached out and caught him. The sermon urges believers not to wait until things get worse before they pray and run to Christ.

Why did Jesus say, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”

The sermon explains this as correction, not cruelty. Peter had seen the Lord’s power again and again, so Jesus challenged him about hesitating between trust and doubt. The warning is that trying to stand on two paths at once always leads to falling toward the one you lean into.

What happened when Jesus and Peter got back into the ship?

The wind ceased. The sermon points out that sometimes the Lord calms the storm after He has done a work in His people. The end result is worship, as the disciples confess, “Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”

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