Dharius Daniels - Don't Trip

Matthew 14, beginning at verse twenty-nine, is going to be on the screens. I told you to turn there, but most people don’t turn; we press or we click or whatever you do. Meet me in Matthew chapter 14, verse 29. It says this, everybody: «Then Peter got down out of the boat.» I want you to pay attention there: then Peter got down—everybody say «down.» Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind—everybody say «saw"—he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, «Lord, save me.» I stopped reading right there. For a few minutes, for those of you who are here for the first time, you might be wondering how long this will be. I came to church because somebody invited me, and I’ve got a clock: it’s 29 minutes and 28 minutes and 58 seconds. Alright, I want to talk from this subject in our time together. Everybody say, «Don’t trip.» Come on, say it again, 12 o’clock: say «don’t trip.» Don’t trip, family. I mentioned previously that last week we started a series of sermons titled «Water Walkers,» and in this series, we are exploring a principle we believe embodies our world: the world is a world of principles, God is a God of principles, and the Bible is a book of principles. So we are exploring a principle called the principle of exceptions. Somebody say «exception.» Because we don’t remember sermons—no one remembers the sermon I preached last week; I don’t remember everything I said. We don’t remember sermons; we remember statements from sermons. So I want to give you a statement that we’ve been using throughout this series to help capture the essence of this principle of exception, and here it is on the screen for my note-takers: «What happens with them does not dictate what happens to me.» I felt more loved on this side; someone work this side of the room! I said, «What happens with them does not dictate or determine what happens with me.» This is the principle of exception. This isn’t a principle of superiority; we’re not saying we’re better than others. It’s a principle of differentiation; we’re saying we’re different from—not better than, but different from. We’re saying that although we may have some of the same experiences as everyone else, we don’t have to have the same outcomes as everyone else. What happens with me is not dictated or determined by what happens with them. We do not have to be limited by limitations; we don’t have to be imprisoned by certain categories and statistics. We believe our God is the God of exceptions, and we should be people who embody those exceptions. There will always be an exception in every area, so our question is, why can’t it be me? The word we’ve used to describe an exception is the term «water walker"—those who walk on what others drown in. A water walker is normally on top of what is usually on top of everyone else. Someone say, «I’m on top of it!» Going back to school? But I’m on top of it! Trying to figure this out? But I’m on top of it! Raising it by myself? But I’m on top of it! Feel like I’m about to fall apart at the seams? But I pulled myself back together; I am on top of it because I am a water walker. Stressed? But I’m on top of it! A little busy? But I’m on top of it! A little disappointed? But I’m on top of it! Because I walk on what others drown in, I am a water walker and I can be the exception. It’s not a principle of superiority; it’s a principle of differentiation. It’s not me making a judgment about other people; it’s me making a judgment about myself. I’m not saying what you are; I’m saying what I’m not. I’m not built for the boat; I’m not stuck in a place called safe. I am a water walker. I believe in breaking rules, testing norms, and doing what other people believe cannot and should not be done. Because when I read my Bible, my faith is rooted in the revelation of someone who was an exception. You don’t die, get back up—but God made an exception with a man named Jesus. My faith is based on an exception; I believe I can be the exception. In our text—the account of an actual water walker in Matthew chapter number 14—today offers us some insight on something we need to overcome to be a water walker. Whenever you’re setting a goal, don’t just identify the goal; anticipate the obstacles. Right? Because a person’s ability to accomplish a goal is going to be tied to their ability to overcome obstacles. You got me? So the text identifies something that will help us become a water walker if we are able to overcome it. It’s interesting, and I’m going to capture it in this statement. This is what I believe the Holy Spirit wants to use this text to teach us today: remember we don’t remember sermons; we remember statements. So here’s a statement: «You cannot get to steppin' if you keep tripping.» You can’t get to steppin' if you keep tripping. Here it is: because if you want to walk on water, you can’t trip getting out of the boat. In order to step on water, there are some things you have to step over, and if a person is unwilling and unable to step over some things, they will…