Get Out of the Boat
Watch or listen to
the full sermon here.
Preached by Pastor Mike Woodard
Follow The Valley Church
Have you ever felt God calling you to take a step of faith—one that feels risky, uncertain, maybe even uncomfortable? That’s exactly what the disciples experienced in Matthew 14 when Jesus came walking on the water. It’s a story about trust, obedience, and the courage to move forward even when you don’t have all the answers.
At our church, we’re stepping into a new season. God has brought more than 70 new people through our doors in just a few months—families, individuals, people searching for community and hope. And as our church grows, we believe it’s time to take another step of faith. Starting January 18, we’re moving to two Sunday services—one at 9:00am and one at 10:30am.
But this change isn’t just about making room for more people. It’s about creating more opportunities for people to encounter Jesus, to serve, and to grow in their faith.
Faith Is About Movement
From the very beginning, our story as a church has been one of movement. We left everything behind to come to Lawrence, trusting that God would do something new. We’ve launched ministries before there were people to fill them, and every time, God showed up.
Faith is like that—it requires movement before the miracle.
When Jesus told Peter to step out of the boat and walk on water, Peter didn’t have all the answers. He didn’t know if it would work. But he chose obedience over comfort.
That’s the essence of a step of faith—moving forward when the outcome isn’t guaranteed, but trusting the One who called you.
When Fear Feels Like a Storm
In Matthew 14, the disciples were battling a literal storm. And when Jesus appeared, they were terrified. The Greek word for “terrified” used in that passage literally means “stirred up,” like the stirring of the sea. The storm around them mirrored the storm within them.
And isn’t that true for us? So often, our greatest battles are both external and internal. There’s the challenge we face, and then there’s the fear we feel inside.
But Jesus speaks the same words to us that He spoke to them:
“Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27)
Faith doesn’t mean there won’t be fear—it means we trust God more than we trust our fear.
Choosing Your Pain
When Peter stepped out of the boat, it wasn’t easy. But saying no would’ve been painful too. When God calls you to take a step of faith, you have to choose your pain:
The discomfort of stepping out, or
The regret of staying where you are.
Peter chose to step out. And while he eventually began to sink, he also experienced something no one else did—walking on water with Jesus.
Don’t let the “what if” of saying yes cause you to live with the “what if” of saying no.
When the Wind Blows
After Peter took that step, he noticed the wind and waves—and that’s when he began to sink. The same happens to us. We start strong, but then life hits, doubt creeps in, and we lose sight of Jesus.
But even then, Jesus reached out His hand and lifted Peter up. The lesson?
Faith isn’t about never sinking—it’s about knowing who to reach for when you do.
So whatever step God is calling you to take—whether it’s in your family, your faith, your finances, or your calling—take it. Keep your eyes on Jesus. The storm might not stop right away, but He’s with you in it.
Because every great move of God begins with a single, simple step of faith.