FA Admin: Welcome to the Faith Alive Sermon Podcast. This is a replay of a past sermon from Faith Alive Church. Whether you missed it, want to hear it again, or share it with someone you know, we're glad you're here. This sermon is by Jordan D. Waggy, lead pastor at Faith Alive Church. Man, it's so good to have everybody in the place here today. Anybody loving Jesus more today than they ever have before. Alright. We're gonna get you there today. Come on. It's gonna be exciting and we're very thankful. I just want to echo something that Rich shared, and that is Marilee and Joel are here. Thank you so much for being here. if you haven't heard Marilee preach before she was just here not too long ago on a Wednesday night, this woman has been, I I swear, to more countries than anybody that I've ever met before. And she is out there, most importantly, she is out there. Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, and she is doing it in an unbelievable way. she's an anointed woman of God, and we are very thankful to have you here today. So make sure you stop and see her right after. Yeah. I also wanted to welcome the new people in the place. If you are new with us, thank you for joining us. my name is Pastor Jordan. I have the privilege of leading this church alongside my wife Jotty, and God has been so good to Faith Alive Church. And we are so thankful that you have chosen to join us and both in person and online, our online audience, we don't forget about you. We love you, and we are thankful that you are joining us all over the globe. And it is so cool to have you be with us as well. If you were with us last week, we relaunched our theme for 2026, so which is which is elevate. elevate. I believe that God is calling us to go higher, to reach further, because God ain't done yet, and He wants to see this world, come to know Him in a greater way. And so we as the church, as the body of believers, need to rise up, watch this word, elevate, to go higher, to go further, and to see this world, come to know Jesus. We learned last week, and in order to elevate. in order to go all the way up, we need to go all the way where? Down. We talked about humility last week, and it was powerful. We we learn that if if we want God to elevate us, we don't begin by promoting ourselves. Remember, we talked about that a little bit. we begin by humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God. Who in this place knows that we cannot do anything on our own accord, but everything good comes from the Lord? Anybody? Praise God. Remember, when we are humble, we remain what? Usable. When we remain humble, we remain usable. And I don't know about you, but I want to remain usable. Somebody say amen. Today I want you to want to talk to you about what happens next. So we've seen the humility side. We've understood that. We've gotten low at the feet of Jesus. Now I want to talk about what happens next. And that is that God begins to stretch us. God begins to move us. He begins to grow us and most importantly, test our faith. Now, for some of us in this place, we are in a testing phase right now. We are feeling that God is testing us, and we can't really figure out why. But can I tell you? And in order for you to grow and elevate, you need to have your faith tested. I want you to hear these words here today. Humility without faith becomes timidity. Humility without faith becomes timidity. See, God ain't calling you to be timid, He is calling you to be Bold, and boldness comes only from faith in Jesus Christ. Humility without faith becomes timidity, and faith without humility becomes pride. See, we need both humility and we need faith. Somebody say humility, somebody say faith. Beautiful. As a church, I believe that God is asking us to step into a greater season of faith. I believe that God has great plans in store for Faith Alive Church. I do believe that he has called us to go higher. He has called us to elevate, not because we haven't seen great testimony. And can I tell you, we have seen great testimony. We have seen blessing. We have seen favor. It's not because of those things, but I do believe that he is calling us to elevate because there is still so much that God wants to do at this church. There's still so much more he wants to do. And I'm excited about that. Last week we celebrated what God had done in 2025. If you remember, 300 in 2025, 356 people gave their lives to Jesus Christ through this church. Come on. Seventy-one people publicly declared that faith in water baptism. 71 people. That's an amazing thing. Yeah, give it up. Hundreds of families were impacted by the love of Jesus Christ, and thousands heard the gospel message. I don't think I shared this last week, but we did share it at the beginning of the year. And that is that on our social media, so Facebook, Instagram, all of that, we reached over one million interactions. That means that people liking and watching and viewing over a million people. People watch what is going on here at Faith Alive Church. If that's not worth celebrating, I don't know what is. Come on. Praise God. But I want you to catch this next part. We never rest in the accomplishments of yesterday. But we look forward and believe that the best days are still to come. We thank God for all that He has done. We celebrate all the testimony and the blessing and the favor. But I don't know about you, but I don't want to rest in that. I want to look forward to what God is gonna do next. See, God's will for his church is to go higher, to go further, to elevate. Why? Because there is still empty seats within the church. There are still homes in our community that have never experienced the hope of Jesus Christ. So can we agree in this place, Faith Alive Church, to be that church? Can we be that church that brings Jesus? To the community that brings Jesus to the world. Now, before we jump into the meat of this message, would you pray with me? Father, we thank you for this wonderful day. Thank you for these wonderful people. Lord God, we thank you for what you are calling us to. We know that the greatest days are still to come. And it's in the precious and mighty name of Jesus. If you believe it, somebody say, Amen. Turn with me in scripture if you got your Bibles with you. Turn with me to Matthew chapter 14. And verse twenty two. Matthew chapter fourteen. The twenty second verse. Matthew chapter fourteen and verse twenty two. If you don't have your Bibles with you, shame on you. No, I'm just kidding. Bring your Bibles to church. Bring your Bibles to church. But if you don't have it, that's okay. We won't make you feel bad. It'll be on the screen in just a second here. They're like this guy. All right. Some of the most amazing accounts, amazing miracles take place in Matthew chapter 14, including the feeding of the 5,000. If you know the story, it's a beautiful story on where Jesus works a miracle based on five loaves and two fish. He feeds over five thousand people. Now, this was a pivotal point in Jesus' Public ministry, you have to realize that the feeding of the 5,000 is the only miracle that is recorded in each of the four gospels. We know that this is an important miracle. The Bible says that immediately after Jesus works this in incredible miracle, this amazing miracle, and by the way, it was just 5,000 men. there were so much more there. God fed so much more than 5,000. And God worked this incredible miracle, and the Bible talks about immediately after seeing this amazing miracle take place, Jesus makes his disciples jump into a boat and meet him on the other side of the lake. The disciples, being the good disciples that they are, get into the boat. They listen to Jesus, which is great. We should always listen to Jesus. He gets into the boat, they get into the boat and they begin their journey. Now I want you to note here, give some context to this journey. This journey was not very long, or at least it shouldn't have been. This should have taken only one to two hours to cross this lake. But what do we see? This took them over nine hours to cross this body of water. Why? Because there was a storm brewing. There was a storm. That was taking place. Now I want you to notice something, make it applicable to you. Sometimes the greatest test of your faith comes immediately after the greatest victory. I'm gonna say that again if you didn't catch it. The greatest test of your faith sometimes comes immediately after the greatest victory. We we just just saw this amazing miracle that Jesus had worked. The feeding of the five thousand, and now he asks his disciples to jump into a boat and cross a body of water. It shouldn't have been a big deal, but it was. There was trouble, there was tribulation, there was frustration. I want you to grab a hold of this. Success, again, when we talk about previous success and celebrating those things, success does not exempt us from dependence. Success does not exempt us from dependence. The Bible says this in Matthew chapter 14 and verse 22: immediately, somebody say immediately. Jesus made the disciples get into The boat. Notice Jesus knew that the storm was coming. Jesus knew you remember that Jesus knows all things. He is fully what? God. And he is fully man. He knows what's going on. He knows what he's about to send his disciples into. He knows that the storm was brewing and he sends them towards it. Would you agree with me in this place that difficult situations can sometimes feel That we've missed God's will. You know, I I I want to make this applicable to us as well. I mean, there are some times that we feel that we're walking in a valley, we're walking in a difficult situation, there is angst, there is frustration. So we do believe that God is distant from us. A lot of times we correlate those two. We're walking in a difficult spot, and Jesus must be far away because we can't comprehend that that bad things happen when God is there. We only think that When good things are happening, God is there. But that's not necessarily true. That's not Bible. Sometimes God tests our faith. Sometimes He puts us in trouble to grow us, to expand our dependence on Him. So often, difficult situations are evidence that God is closer than He's ever been. That's hard for us to understand sometimes, but. Maybe it's that you're exactly where he wants you to be. And he is teaching you something so that you can grow in that. I want you to hear me in this place. Comfort can be the enemy of growth. Comfort can be the enemy of growth. See, God is calling Faith Alive Church out of comfortable Christianity. I do believe that. God is stretching this church. He is building this church. And he's calling us up out of comfortable Christianity. Comfort says, let's coast on the success of yesterday. Let's maintain. And God, you have been good. So you must just continue to roll this way. We're going to sit back and enjoy the ride. We've done good. We've done great things. We've seen blessing and favor and testimony. We've done good. Good, let's ride this out, but can I tell you in this place that faith says what else is possible, God? Let's multiply, let's go higher, let's elevate, let's go to where we've never seen before, go beyond what we could ever think, ask, or imagine, because it is God's will for his church to continue to grow and to continue to prosper and see greater things in the kingdom of. Of God. Listen to me. Comfortability is dangerous in the kingdom of God. Comfortability is dangerous in the kingdom of God. I like this illustration here. Do we have any NFL fans in the place? Just a couple of us, yes. NFL fans, the season is right around the corner, which we are excited about. That's some of the loudest amens that I've heard in this church. No. But the season is right around the corner, and then we can go back to the disunity between myself and you guys because we know for the new people in the place or online, we're good. We're just I'm a Packer fan and they're all Lions fan. And then some of us for some reason are Raiders fans, Rich. Pray for him this season. You know. But he's diehard. I love it. I think it's great. Here's the analogy. Let's get back on on track here. You know, when an NFL team is doing well in the first half, we've seen it before, whether it's the Lions, the Packers, the Raiders, whatever it is, we've seen them go up by 21 or up by 24 in the first half. And then what happens when they come back out for the second half? They start to Coast a little bit. They say we got this in the bag. We got this. They start to kind of rest on the success. They start to protect the lead instead of burying the opponent. Faith Alive Church, I want you to hear me in this place. Can we bury the opponent of comfortability? Can we bury the opponent of comfortability? God is not called us to maintain. God has called us to elevate. He has called us to get rid of that comfortability and to grow in the uncomfortable. God wants his greatest for this church. Can we believe for what this church could be? Because with man, it's impossible. But with God, all things are possible. Come on, somebody say amen. This is exactly why we've launched new ministries. It's not because we just are bored and we want to launch new things. It is hard to launch a new ministry. But this is why we've done it, because it requires greater faith. We believe that God is calling us to build these things out, to make more availability for people to come in and learn about Jesus Christ. It takes faith to launch a ministry. For some of you in this place that have built businesses, it takes faith to build a business. For those of you in this place that are bold enough to share your testimony and your walk with Jesus, it takes faith to share your experience with Jesus, maybe with your family member or maybe with the community. But watch this, you will never walk on the water if you refuse to leave the boat. It takes faith to step out. It takes faith to jump into these things. It takes faith. Look at Matthew chapter 14 and verse 25. It says, Shortly before dawn, Jesus went out to them. Remember, the disciples are on the boat at this time, experiencing the wind and the waves. Jesus went out to them, watch this, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. It was it's a ghost. They said and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them, Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid. Man, I could preach all day on just the words of Jesus. Some of you in this place are experiencing a storm. Some of you in this place are experiencing a hardship. Maybe some of you are experiencing grief. Can I tell you that Jesus is looking at you even right now, saying, Take. Courage, it is I do not be afraid. Not be afraid, I got you. I got you. Lord, if it's you, Peter replied, tell me to come out to you on the water. Jesus says, Come. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But watch what verse 30 says But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, cried out, Lord, save me. You know, Peter in this moment did the impossible. I don't know if you've ever tried to walk on water, but it's impossible. You can't do it unless Jesus is there with you. But Peter does the impossible. Jesus calls to him and says, Walk to me, come toward me. And I want you to realize that Peter did not sink because this storm magnified. No, he sank because his eyes came off of Jesus. Church, whatever has your attention will eventually shape your faith. I'm going say that again. Whatever has your attention will eventually shape your faith. If all you see is culture, fear will grow. If all you see is politics, anxiety will grow. If all you see is problems, discouragement will grow. But when your eyes remain steadfast on Jesus Christ, your faith will grow. I promise you. No matter what you're walking through, no matter what you're going through, keep your eyes on Jesus and He will walk you through it. He will prosper you in it. He will help you grow in that moment. Listen, there will always be times of doubt. There's always going to be times of doubt. We see it here with Peter. There's always gonna be financial trouble, the weight of culture, the pressure of culture, the criticism of unbelievers. I know that there are some people in this place. That have family members or close friends that criticize them for loving Jesus. And there will always be doubt that enters your mind. But I want to encourage you not to put your confidence in the doubt or in your circumstance. Put it in Jesus Christ. Put it in Jesus Christ. As a church, our focus isn't buildings. I want you to hear this. It's not buildings, it's people. This church would not exist. If it wasn't for people, it'd just be an empty building. The church is people. That's our focus. Our focus isn't attendance, it's discipleship. You know, when I get up here and I preach to you, it's not a show. I'm teaching you to walk what this says out. This is important. Discipleship is important for you to understand how to determine what God is saying, how to interpret what God is saying. When I teach you these verses, it's not just so you can hear me speak. I'm teaching you so that you can apply it in your own life. This is important for you to understand. Don't never neglect the time that we meet together and never look at me like I'm a superstar. Don't ever do that. I'm nothing. I am nothing but a called vessel from the Lord. Thank you, Geez. Our focus is never popularity, but always the presence of God. After Peter sinks into the water, Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him. He says, What? You of little faith, why did you doubt? And when they climbed into the boat, the Bible says the winds died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, Truly, you are the Son of God. I want you to see that the miracle was never about Peter. This story was never about Peter walking on the water. It's never about that. It was always about Jesus. It was always about Jesus. The disciples didn't celebrate G Peter's faith or lack thereof. They celebrated and worshipped. Christ's authority over the storm, the wind, and the wave. See, we need to get our eyes and our focus back on Jesus Christ. Get it off your circumstance and get it on Jesus Christ. That is what genuine faith produces. More worship. More dependence, more time spent on your knees in communion to the Lord, more times with hands lifted, saying, Lord, you got this. It's too big for me, but there is nothing too big for you. That is what faith is, knowing that God is who he says he is, and knowing that authority comes only from him. There is nothing good that I've ever done. There's nothing good that you've ever done aside from Christ in you. More dependence, more worship. See when our church grows to God be the glory. When people are saved, what do we say? To God be the glory. Say it with me. When we gain greater influence, to God be the glory. When we see miracles take place in our church, to God be the glory. When his word goes forward, to God be the glory. When we worship on this stage and in these seats, to God be the glory. To God be the glory. In everything that we do at this church, to God be the glory. In everything that you do in your life, to God be the glory. When you wake up at 3, 4, 5 a.m. and you are going into work and you don't want to be there, to God be the glory, because he has given you that position. He has given you breath in your lungs. So to God be the glory. Everything we do exists for one purpose. Hear me in this. To magnify the redeemer of our souls, the Savior of the world, the anointed one, his name is Jesus. That's the purpose. Why do we dream? Why do we build leaders? Why do we launch new ministries? Because hear me in this, heaven is real, and so is hell. It's no exaggeration, hear me, to say that our witness means life or death for the people around us. You know, we as a staff, when we gather as a staff, how often do I say, this is life and death? This is life or death. We we mean that. When we're up here preaching again, it's not just words. We're teaching, we're we're trying to. Get you to learn and to understand how good God is. And when you're on His side, you have eternity to look forward to. Our vision is and will always be at this church to be introducing more people to Jesus Christ. That's what we've been called to do. Lord, let it never be about us, let it always be about you. Trent, you can come at this time. Church, I want you to know this. I don't want this church. And I know the staff members would agree with me in this. I never want to be the church. I think you all would agree with me in this as well. I never want to be the church that plays it safe. I don't want to be the church that plays it safe. I want to be the church that goes with boldness, willing to pray big prayers unto a big God. I want to be a church willing to give sacrificially. I want to be a church that's generous. in a greater way. I want a chur this church to be a serving church that serves faithfully. I want to be a church willing to dream. Check this out. Dangerously. Big plans in store for this church. I believe that. As we continue this journey, this elevate journey, may we never settle for safety of the boat when Jesus is calling us onto the water. I like that. This is what I want us to do this week. I want you to ask yourself these questions. Where is Jesus asking me to trust him more? Second, what boat am I refusing to leave? And third, what step of faith have I delayed because it feels uncomfortable? Faith alive Church, keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep your eyes on Jesus. If you're in the storm, keep your eyes on Jesus. If you're distracted, turn back to Jesus. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Would you stand with me in the place today? Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. If you're in this place with every head bowed, every eye closed. If you're in this place and you don't know Jesus, I just want you to lift your hand. Say, I don't know Jesus. I don't know him as my personal Lord and Savior. Maybe you've fallen away from him and you need to get back with him again. Just lift your hand in this place. Nobody's looking around. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Jesus. I want each and every person in this place to pray this prayer after me. This prayer will align you once again with God. This gives you the hope of heaven. If you pray this prayer and you mean it from your heart. The Bible says you will be saved. If you confess with your mouth that Christ is Lord and you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. So let's pray this prayer together. Say, Dear Jesus, I love you. I ask that you would forgive me of my sin. Make me whole again. I believe that you came to this earth. And you died for me. And I believe that you rose again. And you are here with me. I give you my life. And I ask that you would move in my life, direct me, guide me, grant me more faith in you. It's in the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Come on. Come on. Say, thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Praise God. If you lifted your hand or if you're new to the faith, we have our what's next roadmap. We want you to scan that QR code. It'll help you in this discipleship journey. I promise you, you will. Enjoy it, and it will give you most importantly a direction to move. Can I pray a blessing over you as we leave today? Father, we thank you again for the most wonderful congregation on planet earth. Thank you, Jesus, that you have called us to go higher. You have called us to elevate in all things, in humility and in faith. Lord God, you are worthy of our prayers. Go with us today. Keep us safe. Keep us healthy. And it's in the mighty name of Jesus I pray these things. Amen. Have an amazing Sunday. We love you. Thanks for listening to the Faith Alive Sermon Podcast. We hope this message encouraged you. If it did, be sure to subscribe or share it with someone else who may need it. If you want to get connected or reach out to one of our pastors, go to our website at faithalive.church. We'll see you next time.