Impulsive Discipleship
Series Overview and Context
Pastor Ken back after four-week sabbatical; thanks to Pastor Mike, team, and guest preachers (Paul, Emily, Taylor Foster)
Today’s message: “The Radical Impulsive Discipleship of Jesus Christ”
Upcoming series schedule:
Next week: Esther, mutual submission
Week 1: Hard passages on women in leadership
Week 2: Headship and gender identity
Week 3: Women in the Bible
Week 4: Conclusions
Context for the series: by the time of Jesus, women’s status had fallen sharply during the 400 years of silence after the Old Testament exile
Sermon: Peter Walking on Water (Matthew 14:22-34)
Preached through the chiastic (ring composition) structure of the passage
Passage builds from shore to a central point, then mirrors back to shore
Center verse (v. 28): Peter says “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water”
Three groups in the text: the crowd (indifferent), the multitudes (curious), the disciples (committed)
Question posed to congregation: which group are you in?
Jesus sends disciples ahead alone, a deliberate teaching method
Absence of the master forces growth; Jesus tests to promote, not to fail
Peter’s response as the model of impulsive faith
Didn’t ask if he was adequate; only asked “Is that you?”
Two men walked on water in the Bible: Jesus and Peter
When Peter sank, Jesus caught him; the worst outcome of failure is Jesus embracing you
Key contrast: faith fixed on Jesus keeps you on the water; eyes on the wind (circumstances) causes sinking
Application and Takeaways
Core call: be more impulsive in following Christ
Don’t overthink prayer, sharing faith, or stepping into leadership
The question is never “Am I adequate?” but “Is that Jesus, and is he calling me?”
Practical applications:
Embrace inadequacy fully; place yourself where you can’t save yourself
Develop absolute focus on Jesus through prayer, Bible reading, and silence
Do not sacrifice time with God for any reason
Cultural values reinforced:
Bring a physical Bible; mark it up for future generations
Freedom over control: “Christ set you free” not to be controlled by church culture
Study like a scholar, listen like a prophet, act like an apostle
Homework: read the book of Esther before next week
