Text: Mark 14:22-33
“It Is a Ghost!”
- Faith is necessary (2 Corinthians 5:7) — but faith is not baseless (Hebrews 11:1)
- They had reason to conclude that they saw Jesus — already had seen Him perform miracles (Matthew 14:13-21) — but this was not their conclusion
- They concluded they were seeing a ghost — Why? … No good reason
- God gives a reasonable basis for faith — yet many reject this and believe something unreasonable (ex: Creation vs. Evolution)
Peter’s Initial Faith
- He investigated — “Lord, if it is you…” (Romans 10:17; Acts 17:11)
- He waited for the command — did not act presumptuously (Psalm 19:13; Colossians 3:17)
- He obeyed — the test of faith (James 2:18)
Peter’s Lack of Faith
- Peter got out of the boat & walked on the water toward Jesus (v. 29) — the others did not
- But, Peter did doubt — despite his initial faith, Jesus rebuked him (v. 31)
- Why did he doubt? … He lost focus (v. 30; Hebrews 12:1-2)
Deity of Christ
- The disciples concluded that Jesus was the Son of God (v. 33)
- Paul said that in Christ was the fullness of deity in bodily form (Colossians 2:9)
- This passage backs up that claim — Jesus performed a miracle (v. 25) & accepted worship (v. 33)
