https://youtu.be/RWiQsPMHEOo




SERMON NOTES



RECAP FROM 21ST MAY 2023 SERMON - WE ALL NEED OUR OWN PERSONAL CALL AND ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS.



Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.



I highlighted some of the hindrances to that happening – Our Fears; Not listening to God; and the way we can come with ‘Confirmation Bias’, only wanting to hear what we have decided we want to hear.  



Last time I briefly spoke about NEAGATIVE THINKING - Most of us have used the phrase ‘what is the worst that can happen’ in relation to something we might be trying for the first time. Verity mentioned a few weeks ago at one of our Leadership Meetings, ‘what’s the best that can happen’.



I mentioned the game of bowls?  Where the Bowling Ball – is not a perfect sphere – and has an inbuilt bias, which always turns away – like our thoughts seem to turn to worry and negativity. THE BIBLE’S ANSWER IS TO HAVE A POSITIVITY



Philippians 4:8 shows us the antidote to Negative Thinking  – which FOCUSSES ON THE POSITIVE. -  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.



WE HAVE TO REALISE THAT OUR THINKING  - POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE - AFFECTS OUR ACTIONS AND THE WAY WE BEHAVE.



We looked at the account of Peter Walking on the Water because Jesus told him to come. - Matthew 14:22-33 - Jesus Walks on Water – After the feeding of the 5,000 –



PETER WALKED ON WATER – THE CALL OF JESUS ‘PERSUADED HIM TO HAVE THE FAITH (BE PERSUADED TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT) – WHEN HE WAS NEAR TO JESUS BUT SOMETHING HAPPENED THAT CAUSED HIM TO DOUBT.



(Matt 14:31) – SG1365 - distazo: (dis-tad'-zo) to waver, doubt; to hesitate (Verb) -  -



1365 distázō (from 1364 /dís, "two, double" and 4714 /stásis, "stance, standing") – properly, going two ways, shifting between positions; choosing "a double-stance" and so vacillate (waver) – fluctuate in opinion or resolution; (fig) uncertainty at a crossroads because refusing to choose one way over the other – to halt between two opinions (views, beliefs).  (There are times when we just over think it)



SO HERE, PETER’S THINKING COMING BACK INTO PLAY – Is he going to continue in the faith imparted to him to get out of the boat in the first place, which has brought him this far, OR is he going to take into account the storm and wind blowing against him.



WHAT DID PETER DO – THE ONLY SENSIBLE THING HE COULD DO – HE CRIES OUT, “Lord, save me!” 31Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter.



WHY DID YOU DOUBT JESUS ASKED – IT WAS THE DOUBT WHICH CAUSED HIM TO BEGIN TO SINK (even “beginning to sink was a miracle” OF Jesus Grace)



SO PETER WALKED ON THE WATER BECAUSE JESUS CALLED HIM TO DO IT - FAITH WAS IMPARTED TO HIM SO HE BELIEVED HE COULD – NOTICE NO OTHER DISCIPLE GOT OUT OF THE BOAT.



Watching a documentary on King Charles last Saturday  - Coronation Day - 7th May 2023 – Charles, was I believe in Westminster Abbey, listening to the Choristers Singing.  Music has very important place in his life and he said this:-



WE DO NOT THINK MUSIC; WE RESONATE WITH IT AND FEEL IT - IT SOMEHOW HARMONISES WITH OUR OWN HUMAN NATURE, SO WE FEEL SOMETHING IS MEANT BY IT.



I WAS MOVED BY THESE WORDS. THE THOUGHT CAME TO ME THAT THEY COULD BE DESCRIBING “FAITH”. – “WE DO NOT THINK FAITH; WE RESONATE WITH IT AND FEEL IT - IT SOMEHOW HARMONISES WITH OUR OWN SPIRIT”.



Do you know how a micro-wave oven works? Something called a magnetron inside it emits a very high frequency signal, which cause the water molecules in food to vibrate, resonate, which produces heat - that cooks the food. 



Isaiah 64:2 (NIV) - As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemi...

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