IMPACT Recap

The Walk Back

April 3, 2023 · 0:46:58

FaithMiraclesHope

Recap

Guest Speaker Manny Arango opened with a powerful call to worship, encouraging the congregation to praise God not only for future miracles but for the miracle of survival and life in the present moment. He illustrated this through the story of the woman with the issue of blood, reframing her not as one who suffered for 12 years but as a survivor for 12 years. Pastor Manny then transitioned into his main message from Matthew 14:22-32, focusing on Peter's experience of walking on water. He taught that true discipleship is marked by a willingness to obey God's call to step out of our comfort zones, even when it's frightening. The heart of the sermon addressed the challenge of having faith again after experiencing failure, using the poignant example of his and his wife's journey through infertility and miscarriage. He emphasized that failure does not define us and that Jesus, who pulls us out of the water, calls us to 'walk back to the boat'—to trust, hope, and take risks in faith once more. The message concluded with an altar call for salvation and a declaration that God is not finished with anyone, encouraging believers to restore their faith and move forward with God.

Main Points

  • Worship God as a survivor for the miracle of your present life, not just as a petitioner for a future miracle.
  • True discipleship is proven when we obey God's call to step out of our comfort zone and participate in the miraculous, even when it sparks fear.
  • After failure, Jesus calls us not to stay in our pain but to have 'round-trip faith'—to trust Him again and walk back into the purpose He has for us.

Verses Mentioned

  • Matthew 14:22 - "Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd." (NIV)
  • Matthew 14:25 - "Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake." (NIV)
  • Matthew 14:26 - "When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. 'It’s a ghost,' they said, and cried out in fear." (NIV)
  • Matthew 14:27 - "But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.'" (NIV)
  • Matthew 14:28-29 - "'Lord, if it’s you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water.' 'Come,' he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus." (NIV)
  • Matthew 14:30-31 - "But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'" (NIV)
  • Matthew 14:32 - "And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down." (NIV)

Daily Action Plan

Monday

Scripture Reflection: Matthew 14:27 - 'Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.'

Focus Point: God's presence in your fear.

Action Plan: Identify one area where you feel afraid of what God might be doing. Write down a prayer asking for courage.

Deep Prayer: Lord, help me to recognize You in the midst of my fear and to take courage today.

Tuesday

Scripture Reflection: Matthew 14:29 - 'Come,' he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat...

Focus Point: Stepping out in obedience.

Action Plan: Take one practical, faithful step today that aligns with a promise or nudge from God you've been ignoring.

Deep Prayer: Jesus, if it's You calling me, give me the faith to say 'yes' and get out of my comfortable boat today.

Wednesday

Scripture Reflection: Matthew 14:30 - 'Lord, save me!'

Focus Point: Crying out to God in failure.

Action Plan: Be honest with God about a past failure or disappointment. Verbally or in writing, cry out to Him for help and salvation from its lingering effects.

Deep Prayer: God, I feel like I'm sinking in [name the area]. I cry out to You today: save me and pull me up.

Thursday

Scripture Reflection: Matthew 14:31 - Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.

Focus Point: God's immediate grace.

Action Plan: Reflect on and thank God for a time He 'caught you' after a failure. Share this testimony with one person to encourage them.

Deep Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for Your immediate, saving grace. Help me to trust Your grip more than my own footing.

Friday

Scripture Reflection: Matthew 14:32 - 'And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.'

Focus Point: The journey back with Jesus.

Action Plan: What is the 'boat'—a calling, relationship, or ministry—you need to walk back to in faith? Commit to one small action that moves you in that direction.

Deep Prayer: Holy Spirit, restore my faith to try again. Give me strength to walk with Jesus back to the purpose You have for me.

Saturday

Scripture Reflection: Psalm 150:6 - 'Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.'

Focus Point: Survivor's praise.

Action Plan: Spend 10 minutes in worship, praising God not for what you want, but for the miracle of your survival, breath, and life right now.

Deep Prayer: God, I praise You as a survivor. Thank You for the breath in my lungs and the blood of Jesus that runs through my veins. My life is a miracle.

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