What if faith isn’t about pretending everything’s fine—but about seeing what’s truly real?

In this message, we dive into the powerful truth of the story of Peter walking on water from Matthew 14. We learn that faith is the lens through which we glimpse God’s presence, His promises, and our purpose. When life feels chaotic and uncertain, faith doesn’t eliminate the storm—it helps us walk through it.

In this message from Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., we uncover some powerful truths for our lives today. Jesus is calling—not for perfection, but for a step of trust. And if you start to sink? He’ll catch you. Every time.

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WALK OF FAITH

Matthew 14.22–32

Dr. Gordon Dabbs

Faith doesn’t mean pretending. It means perceiving. It’s seeing through the chaos and fog of life into the deeper, eternal truth.

Hebrews 11.1 (NLT) Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

Faith is how we see what’s really real—God’s presence, his promises, our salvation, our calling, our future. Without it, we’re squinting in the dark.

Four take-homes:

1. Faith steps out against fear. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”– v. 27 (ESV) - Most repeated command in Scripture? "Do not be afraid."

2. Faith doesn’t prevent storms—it overcomes them. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5.4 (ESV)

3. Faith reminds us: It’s not about our performance. Ephesians 2.8 (ESV) For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. . .

4. Faith leads to worship. Faith always leads us back to Him.

What’s your boat? The comfort zone you’re clinging to? The fear holding you back?

Jesus isn’t asking you to walk on water alone. He’s saying, "I’m right here. Step out."

And if you start sinking? He’ll grab you. Every time.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

WALK OF FAITH

Matthew 14.22–32

Dr. Gordon Dabbs

Faith doesn’t mean pretending. It means perceiving. It’s seeing through the chaos and fog of life into the deeper, eternal truth.

Hebrews 11.1 (NLT) Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

Faith is how we see what’s really real—God’s presence, his promises, our salvation, our calling, our future. Without it, we’re squinting in the dark.

Four take-homes:

1. Faith steps out against fear. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”– v. 27 (ESV) - Most repeated command in Scripture? "Do not be afraid."

2. Faith doesn’t prevent storms—it overcomes them. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5.4 (ESV)

3. Faith reminds us: It’s not about our performance. Ephesians 2.8 (ESV) For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. . .

4. Faith leads to worship. Faith always leads us back to Him.

What’s your boat? The comfort zone you’re clinging to? The fear holding you back?

Jesus isn’t asking you to walk on water alone. He’s saying, "I’m right here. Step out."

And if you start sinking? He’ll grab you. Every time.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

POWERFUL PARTNERSHIP

John 6.1-15

Dr. Gordon Dabbs

John 6.2 (ESV) A large crowd was following Him, because they saw the signs that He was doing on the sick.

Jesus had gone viral. But the people aren’t coming to repent. They’re coming to see what He’ll do next.

Then comes the problem: the crowd gets hungry.

John 6.5 (ESV) “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”

John 6.6 (ESV) He [Jesus] said this to test him [Philip], for He Himself knew what he would do.

Jesus is going to test me… stretch me… If I’m too comfortable or too inflexible, I short-circuit the transformation Jesus brings.

John 6.9 (ESV) There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?

Jesus invites us to bring what little we have and watch Him multiply it beyond imagination.

John 6.15 (ESV) Perceiving then that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by Himself.

They tried to hijack his mission — so He left. Want Jesus to step back? Start treating Him like a sidekick to your kingdom. He doesn’t stick around for that.

Four hungers:

• I hunger to see as Jesus sees.

• I hunger to feel as Jesus feels.

• I hunger to give like Jesus gives.

• I hunger to join the work that only Jesus can do.

When you partner with Jesus, the results are always bigger than your effort.

Trust Him to do what only He can do.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

POWERFUL PARTNERSHIP

John 6.1-15

Dr. Gordon Dabbs

John 6.2 (ESV) A large crowd was following Him, because they saw the signs that He was doing on the sick.

Jesus had gone viral. But the people aren’t coming to repent. They’re coming to see what He’ll do next.

Then comes the problem: the crowd gets hungry.

John 6.5 (ESV) “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”

John 6.6 (ESV) He [Jesus] said this to test him [Philip], for He Himself knew what he would do.

Jesus is going to test me… stretch me… If I’m too comfortable or too inflexible, I short-circuit the transformation Jesus brings.

John 6.9 (ESV) There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?

Jesus invites us to bring what little we have and watch Him multiply it beyond imagination.

John 6.15 (ESV) Perceiving then that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by Himself.

They tried to hijack his mission — so He left. Want Jesus to step back? Start treating Him like a sidekick to your kingdom. He doesn’t stick around for that.

Four hungers:

• I hunger to see as Jesus sees.

• I hunger to feel as Jesus feels.

• I hunger to give like Jesus gives.

• I hunger to join the work that only Jesus can do.

When you partner with Jesus, the results are always bigger than your effort.

Trust Him to do what only He can do.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

The Savior’s Standard

Dr. Jacob Hawk

Human nature seeks the least required.

We want the bottom line.

It’s easy to adopt that same mindset toward faith.

Matthew 18 unveils “The Savior’s Standard” of forgiveness.

It stretches our understanding and challenges our commitment, but it builds relationships that soar.

Key Verses:

- Matthew 18:21-35

- Galatians 6:10

Matthew 18:21-35 NIV

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him.Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.“At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Galatians 6:10 NIV

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

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