Get out of the Boat
Get out of the Boat
Aaron Rios | Garden City Church | June 15th, 2025
Matthew 14:22-31 (NASB)
"Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, 'It is a ghost!' And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.' 28 Peter responded and said to Him, 'Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.' 29 And He said, 'Come!' And Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and when he began to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!' 31 Immediately Jesus reached out with His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, 'You of little faith, why did you doubt?'"
This past Sunday carried a word you don’t want to miss. It wasn’t just a message—it was a moment. One of those divine setups where God speaks to the storm inside you by showing you the storm in Scripture.
We dug into the story of Peter walking on water. Yeah—that story. But maybe you’ve heard it so much you’ve stopped hearing it. We slowed it down, broke it open, and asked the hard questions: Why did Peter doubt? Why does God sometimes send us into storms? And how do we keep walking when everything around us says sink?
Let me walk you through what God unpacked.
1. Jesus Made Them Get in the Boat
Jesus didn’t suggest it. He didn’t offer it up as an option. He made them get in the boat—and He knew exactly what was coming.
How many times have we looked at a situation in life and said, “I didn’t ask for this”? Truth is, you didn’t have to. Sometimes, obedience looks like being pushed into a place you didn’t plan—because that’s where transformation happens.
He made them go. The question is: how do you respond when Jesus sends you into something hard? When what He asks of you feels nothing like the peaceful path you were praying for?
Do you obey because He’s Lord? Or do you follow only when the path feels smooth?
Obedience isn’t about comfort. It’s about surrender.
2. When It Feels Like Jesus Missed the Boat
The disciples are out at sea—far from land, waves pounding, wind screaming—and Jesus is nowhere to be found. Sound familiar?
Ever felt like you followed God, honored Him in your choices, and still ended up in chaos? Ever said, “Lord, I did what You asked—and now this?”
Here’s what’s wild: Jesus was praying. He wasn’t absent. He wasn’t unaware. He was up on a mountain, interceding. Not panicked. Not pacing. Praying.
That silence you’ve been feeling? That delay? Don’t confuse it for abandonment. You’re not alone. You’re being prayed for.
3. Fourth Watch Faith
It’s around 3 to 6 a.m.—the “fourth watch.” They’re exhausted. No sleep. No rescue in sight. And suddenly they see someone walking on the water.
They think it’s a ghost. Fear will twist your vision. Fatigue will mess with your faith.
Sometimes the difference between panic and peace is just rest. The disciples couldn’t recognize Jesus because they were running on empty. You can’t always trust your instincts when your spirit’s depleted.
Peter does something bold—he speaks out into the wind: “If it’s You, tell me to come.”
And Jesus says, “Come.”
Not a speech. Not a sermon. One word. That’s all Peter needed. That’s all you need.
4. Stepping Out—and Sinking
Peter steps out. And for a moment—he’s doing it. He’s walking on the impossible. But then the wind reminds him it’s dangerous. The waves tell him he shouldn’t be here. His senses scream that this isn’t safe. He looks away from Jesus, and just like that—he sinks.
But before he can go under, he cries out: “Lord, save me!” And Jesus does. Immediately. No delay. No hesitation. Just a hand. A grip. A rescue.
Then comes the question: “Why did you doubt?”
It’s not a slam. It’s an invitation. Jesus is showing Peter—and us—that even when faith fails, He doesn’t.
5. The Storm Had a Purpose
The end of the story isn’t Peter’s doubt—it’s everyone’s worship.
The storm set the stage for a revelation. The winds, the waves, the fear—it all led to a deeper understanding of who Jesus is. That’s the kind of storm you’re in right now. One designed not to break you, but to reveal Him.
6. What’s on the Other Side?
Remember Matthew 8? Another storm, another boat. But that one ended with deliverance—the Gadarene demoniac set free. There’s always something powerful waiting on the other side of obedience.
So, what’s waiting for you?
You might feel restless. Hopeless. Like you’re in the fourth watch of your life. But Jesus rescues His own. You’re not called to drown. You’re called to walk on water—and if you start to sink, He’ll still catch you.
Get in the boat. Step out of the boat. But above all—keep your eyes on Jesus.
"Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, 'It is a ghost!' And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.' 28 Peter responded and said to Him, 'Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.' 29 And He said, 'Come!' And Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and when he began to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!' 31 Immediately Jesus reached out with His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, 'You of little faith, why did you doubt?'"
This past Sunday carried a word you don’t want to miss. It wasn’t just a message—it was a moment. One of those divine setups where God speaks to the storm inside you by showing you the storm in Scripture.
We dug into the story of Peter walking on water. Yeah—that story. But maybe you’ve heard it so much you’ve stopped hearing it. We slowed it down, broke it open, and asked the hard questions: Why did Peter doubt? Why does God sometimes send us into storms? And how do we keep walking when everything around us says sink?
Let me walk you through what God unpacked.
1. Jesus Made Them Get in the Boat
“Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat…” (v. 22)
Jesus didn’t suggest it. He didn’t offer it up as an option. He made them get in the boat—and He knew exactly what was coming.
How many times have we looked at a situation in life and said, “I didn’t ask for this”? Truth is, you didn’t have to. Sometimes, obedience looks like being pushed into a place you didn’t plan—because that’s where transformation happens.
He made them go. The question is: how do you respond when Jesus sends you into something hard? When what He asks of you feels nothing like the peaceful path you were praying for?
Do you obey because He’s Lord? Or do you follow only when the path feels smooth?
Obedience isn’t about comfort. It’s about surrender.
2. When It Feels Like Jesus Missed the Boat
The disciples are out at sea—far from land, waves pounding, wind screaming—and Jesus is nowhere to be found. Sound familiar?
Ever felt like you followed God, honored Him in your choices, and still ended up in chaos? Ever said, “Lord, I did what You asked—and now this?”
Here’s what’s wild: Jesus was praying. He wasn’t absent. He wasn’t unaware. He was up on a mountain, interceding. Not panicked. Not pacing. Praying.
That silence you’ve been feeling? That delay? Don’t confuse it for abandonment. You’re not alone. You’re being prayed for.
“He always lives to make intercession…” (Hebrews 7:25)
3. Fourth Watch Faith
It’s around 3 to 6 a.m.—the “fourth watch.” They’re exhausted. No sleep. No rescue in sight. And suddenly they see someone walking on the water.
They think it’s a ghost. Fear will twist your vision. Fatigue will mess with your faith.
Sometimes the difference between panic and peace is just rest. The disciples couldn’t recognize Jesus because they were running on empty. You can’t always trust your instincts when your spirit’s depleted.
Peter does something bold—he speaks out into the wind: “If it’s You, tell me to come.”
And Jesus says, “Come.”
Not a speech. Not a sermon. One word. That’s all Peter needed. That’s all you need.
4. Stepping Out—and Sinking
Peter steps out. And for a moment—he’s doing it. He’s walking on the impossible. But then the wind reminds him it’s dangerous. The waves tell him he shouldn’t be here. His senses scream that this isn’t safe. He looks away from Jesus, and just like that—he sinks.
But before he can go under, he cries out: “Lord, save me!” And Jesus does. Immediately. No delay. No hesitation. Just a hand. A grip. A rescue.
Then comes the question: “Why did you doubt?”
It’s not a slam. It’s an invitation. Jesus is showing Peter—and us—that even when faith fails, He doesn’t.
5. The Storm Had a Purpose
The end of the story isn’t Peter’s doubt—it’s everyone’s worship.
“And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, ‘You are truly God’s Son!’” (v. 33)
The storm set the stage for a revelation. The winds, the waves, the fear—it all led to a deeper understanding of who Jesus is. That’s the kind of storm you’re in right now. One designed not to break you, but to reveal Him.
6. What’s on the Other Side?
Remember Matthew 8? Another storm, another boat. But that one ended with deliverance—the Gadarene demoniac set free. There’s always something powerful waiting on the other side of obedience.
So, what’s waiting for you?
You might feel restless. Hopeless. Like you’re in the fourth watch of your life. But Jesus rescues His own. You’re not called to drown. You’re called to walk on water—and if you start to sink, He’ll still catch you.
Get in the boat. Step out of the boat. But above all—keep your eyes on Jesus.
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