Wet Feet Faith

Wet feet faith is being obedient before you have confirmation from God.  We look at: 1) dry feet faith, 2) cold feet faith, and 3) wet feet faith.

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Scriptures:

Exodus 14:13-16,26-30

Joshua 3:1-17

Mark 6:48

Matthew 14:26-33

2 Samuel 22:17-18

Isaiah 43:2

Wet feet faith is when you face a challenge with confidence knowing that God will show up.  

• You get your feet wet.

We’ll look at:

• Dry Feet Faith
• Wet Feet Faith
• Cold Feet Faith

Dry Feet Faith

Moses parting the Red Sea

Background

• The Israelites were just freed from Egypt
• Pharaoh changed his mind and was going to bring them back
• The Israelites hadn’t had much experience with God

Exodus 14:13-16,26-30

13But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. 14“The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.”       15Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. 16“As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land.

….

26 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots and their horsemen."
27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal state at daybreak, while the Egyptians were fleeing right into it; then the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen, even Pharaoh's entire army that had gone into the sea after them; not even one of them remained.
29 But the sons of Israel walked on dry land through the midst of the sea, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.

• Moses told the people God was going to fight for them
• Moses parted the Red Sea
• The Israelites walked across on dry land
• God killed Pharaoh’s army

Dry feet faith is when God fights your battle for you.

• They walked on dry land
• They didn’t have to get their feet wet

Example: starting my company

• I didn’t have the option to stay where I was
• I didn't have the option to go back
• The doors that I needed to go through opened as I went
• I didn't have any reason not to go through the doors that God opened

Dry feet faith is when God let’s you know He’s doing it before it happens.  You don’t really have another option except the one God gave you.

• You don’t really have a choice but to be obedient
• The Israelites could either die or move forward
• You only choose whether to stress about it or not
• It builds your faith because you see God work
• But it doesn't take much faith to be obedient

Example:  Courageous miners

The Lord fights for you

14“The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.”

• What did the Israelites have to do to defeat Pharaoh?
• Nothing
• God did everything while they watched
• The waters were parted before the Israelites stepped into the sea
• They walked on dry land
• They already saw the miracle before stepping into the sea
• When the sea parted, they knew God was involved
• When we have assurance  
• Does take much faith

• Moses told them to stand back and watch
• The Lord fought while they kept silent
• Not one of the Egyptians remained

They still had to go forward

Moses as a Leader

• Moses told the people “do not fear”
• He was leading by Faith

• Notice that Moses encouraged them to go forward before he knew the plan.

• Moses confidently told them what to do while at the same time he was crying to God.
• Moses gave God the glory before the miracle

Why Are You Crying to Me

15Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.

• Moses was scared
• But he spoke to the people with confidence
• The leader had to trust first and move forward
• The leader had to have faith before seeing the miracle

New Believers (Application)

• This was the beginning of their Journey

• They didn't have faith yet
• Dry feet faith is the faith of a new believer
• They need God to perform a miracle before we trust Him

Wet Feet Faith

God parting the Jordan River

Background

• Moses had just died
• They wandered 40 years in the desert and were about to enter the Promised Land
• God had appointed Joshua as the leader
• The spies had spied out the land and Rahab helped them
• They had to cross over from the desert to the promised land
• They needed to cross the Jordan river

Joshua 3:1-17    
1 Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and he and all the sons of Israel set out from Shittim and came to the Jordan, and they lodged there before they crossed.
2 At the end of three days the officers went through the midst of the camp;
3 and they commanded the people, saying, "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it.
4 "However, there shall be between you and it a distance of about 2,000 cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before."
5 Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you."
6 And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, "Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over ahead of the people." So they took up the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people.
7 Now the LORD said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you.
8 "You shall, moreover, command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, 'When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'"
9 Then Joshua said to the sons of Israel, "Come here, and hear the words of the LORD your God."
10 Joshua said, "By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite.
11 "Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over ahead of you into the Jordan.
12 "Now then, take for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man for each tribe.
13 "It shall come about when the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan will be cut off, and the waters which are flowing down from above will stand in one heap."
14 So when the people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant before the people,
15 and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest),
16 the waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap, a great distance away at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those which were flowing down toward the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. So the people crossed opposite Jericho.
17 And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan.

• When Moses parted the Red Sea the waters parted before anyone got in them
• The priests here had to get their feet wet

Wet feet faith is when you have to step into the water before seeing the miracle

• You have to get your feet wet
  
  

Example: starting the bible study

• If it’s of God there will be two
• Norma said she needed it
  
  

Wet feet faith is when you're obedient before you know the plan

• You haven't seen God show up yet

God Was Doing Something New

• “You have not passed this way before”
• They were in an unfamiliar territory
• The confirmation followed the obedience

God’s Plan

• God needed to set a new leader in place
• This was to exalt Joshua

Faith of the Leaders

Joshua

• Joshua started leading before he got the confirmation
• He didn't know the plan yet
• We gonna whip: Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites
• Joshua extrapolated that God promised to remove the giants
• God didn’t say that
• God’s presence assured Him
• Joshua told the priests to take the ark and go ahead of the people
• So God didn't have Joshua part the sea he used the priests
• God used the plan Joshua had already started

The Officers

• The leaders had to step out on faith
• The officers told the people what to do though God hadn't spoken to them
• They hadn't heard the command of God

The Priests

• They were the ones who had to actually go into the river
• They had God’s presence with them - the Ark

• The miracle confirmed that God was among them
• As soon as the souls of their feet hit the water
• “Immediately”
• They had to exhibit trust first

What Is Your Jordan? (Application)

• What river do you have to cross?
• God Calling You to Deeper Places

Maybe God is waiting on you

• Dip your feet into the water
• God will show Himself after you get your feet wet
• Are you waiting for God to remove all the obstacles?
• God’s waiting on you
• He’ll remove the obstacles after you obey
• You have to step out on faith
• You have to get your feet wet

Preparation

• Joshua told them to consecrate themselves because the Lord was going to do wonders
• They needed to purify and sanctify themselves in preparation for the miracle
• So get right with God now in preparation for your miracle

God’s Presence

• They knew God was with them because they had the Ark of the covenant
• God came to dwell above the ark
• It was God’s throne on the earth
• We have to recognize that we are the Ark now
• We have God’s presence in us
• That should give us confidence

Get your feet wet!

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Cold Feet Faith

Peter walking in water

Background

• The disciples were crossing the sea and a storm came
• Jesus was walking on the water
• Jesus was going to walk by them

Mark 6:48

Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them.

• He didn’t consider the storm worthy of His attention
• Jesus never addressed the storm
• Sometimes we consider something a storm but Jesus doesn't even think it should trouble us
• Sometimes we give the storms too much attention
• Keep rowing and get where you're going

Matthew 14:26-33

26When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

     28Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!”

Cold feet faith is when you have faith until things get too tough

• You get cold feet
• Once you get your feet wet you lose faith.

Example: shaking while reading announcements

Cold Feet Faith is having faith, but losing it once you start to put the faith in action

• Peter lost faith when his feet got wet
• It’s losing your faith when the trouble starts
• When the wind starts blowing
• When the turbulence comes

Peter’s Faith

• Peter stepped out without a promise
• Peter said “If it’s you”
• He wasn’t even sure it was Jesus
• He was ready to step out with the hope that it was Jesus
• When Jesus said “come” He knew
• Jesus never implied that He could make someone else walk on water
• His confidence was in the fact that Jesus was there
• After Jesus got on the boat the others said: “You are certainly God’s Son”
• After the storm stopped
• Peter must have already believed it
• Peter stepped out while the storm was going on
• What would you do if you saw Jesus walking on the water?
• The other said “wow He can walk on water”
• Peter said: “wow maybe I can do that”
• Peter thought he had more faith than he actually had
• We should be more amazed that Peter walked on water than Jesus
• Jesus is God
• Jesus created water
• Peter is a man like us
• All things are possible through Christ

Don’t Be Afraid (Application)

• This is the most given command in the bible - “fear not”
• They thought Jesus was a ghost

• Sometimes the things we fear are designed to help us
• We can't always recognize Jesus when He shows up

Before Beginning

• Peter asked for confirmation
• He said “tell me to come to you”
• Ask for confirmation if your faith isn’t strong enough to step out
• Ask for confirmation if you're not sure it's Jesus

When In The Trial

• Some people aren’t sinking because they aren’t taking any risks
• We don't know how much faith we have until there's a trial
• Don't focus on the wind
• The “what ifs”
• The past failures
• The worst case scenario
• Remember that if God put you in the situation He’s responsible to get you out
• Keep Your Eyes on Jesus
• Don't focus on the wind

God Will Be With You

• Jesus changed His path because the disciples were afraid
• He was going to walk by
• Their fear diverted His plan
• Jesus came to save Peter “immediately”

Recognize That He Is God

• The other disciples recognized Jesus as the Son of God after He made the wind stop
• Peter recognized Him as the Son of God in the midst of the storm
• Can you recognize God in your storm?
• It takes faith
• You have to recognize His voice

2 Samuel 22:17-18

17“He reached down from on high and took hold of me;

he drew me out of deep waters.

18He rescued me from my powerful enemy,

from my foes, who were too strong for me.

Conclusion

Dry feet faith is when God fights your battle for you.

• You don’t have to get your feet wet
• You know God is with you before you start
• Example: Red Sea

Cold feet faith is when you have faith until things get too tough

• You get cold feet because you focus on the problems instead of God
• Once you get your feet wet you lose faith.
• Example: Peter walking on Water

Wet feet faith is when you can step into the water before seeing God show up

• You're not afraid to get your feet wet
• The confirmation comes after your obedience
• You have to have the confidence that God is always with you
• Example: Israelites crossing the Jordan

As you mature in Christ, God doesn’t have to show you the miracle in order to encourage you before you go into the struggle.  You take God at His word and you can walk into the struggle with full assurance because you have “Wet Feet Faith”.

Trust that:

• The waters will stop after you get your feet wet
• Trust that God will provide
• Embrace the unexpected
• Set out for a land that you haven’t seen

Confirmation will follow our obedience

You’ll experience God  in the midst of our journey

Go ahead and get your feet wet!

Remember God told you:

Isaiah 43:2

2When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

Review

• Dry feet faith is when God fights your battle for you.

• You don’t have to get your feet wet
• You know God is with you before you start
• Example: Moses parting the Red Sea

• Cold feet faith is when you have faith until things get too tough

• You get cold feet because you focus on the problems instead of God
• Once you get your feet wet you lose faith.
• Example: Peter walking on Water

• Wet feet faith is when you can step into the water confidently  before seeing God show up

• You're not afraid to get your feet wet
• The confirmation comes after your obedience
• You have the confidence that God is always with you
• Example: Israelites crossing the Jordan river
• You may be waiting on God to remove all of your obstacles?
• But God may be waiting on you to move
• He’ll remove the obstacles after you obey
• God will show Himself after you get your feet wet
• You have to step out on faith and get your feet wet

 References

Having the Faith to Get Your Feet Wet

https://youtu.be/FPoLTtLhFT4

Get Your Feet Wet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE8gBLbBMIc

Todd Hall - Walking on the water with Jesus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIqfyI7TVIw