Looking at the Waves
A Sermon on Matthew 14:22-23
Scripture
22¶ And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening …
Sermon Description
“I’m a Christian, why am I depressed?” Too often, Christians believe that becoming a Christian eliminates all temptation toward despair and depression. While regeneration transforms the inner person, it doesn’t necessarily change personality or temperament. The Christian should not continue in depression, yet the Christian often does battle depression. Sanctification is not automatic––one must strive toward living a life of faith. In this sermon on Matthew 14:22–23 titled “Looking at the Waves,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines the personality of Peter, a disciple of Jesus, and his unstable faith which leads to despair. Peter’s initial faith in Jesus led him onto the stormy waters. Yet something changed. Circumstances didn’t change; the waves were not new. What changed was Peter’s faith. Instead of focusing on Jesus, Peter focused on his circumstances. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that this focus on circumstances leads to doubt, which leads to despair. While the circumstances of one’s life are enough to drive them to depression, the Christian has a savior in the midst of the storm. The Christian must not rely on past experiences of faith––they must practice faith now, as the waves crash around them.
Sermon Breakdown
- Jesus is the focus of the Christian faith. We must understand his deity and glory.
- Peter had an energetic and impulsive temperament which often led to unevenness in his faith. This is a common cause of spiritual depression.
- Peter acted without thinking things through thoroughly. His faith was not grounded in deep understanding.
- We often lead ourselves into doubts by not thinking things through or exposing ourselves to things that undermine our faith.
- Doubts are not incompatible with faith. Even strong Christians struggle with doubts at times. However, we must not let doubts gain control over us.
- The antidote to doubts is strong, grounded faith in Christ and biblical truth.
- Strong faith means knowing Christ, his power and trusting in him. Peter exhibited this at first.
- We must refuse "afterthoughts" - going back over things we have already settled in our faith. This only leads to more doubts.
- We must persist in looking to Christ. We cannot live on past experiences of faith. We need faith in Christ every day.
- Christ will never let us sink completely. When we call out to him, he will save us. However, we can avoid desperation by keeping our eyes on him.
- Through faith in Christ, we can overcome impossibilities and obstacles. Looking to him, all things are possible.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon on Spiritual Depression: Questions and Answers
What is the main biblical passage Dr. Lloyd-Jones examines in this sermon on spiritual depression?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones examines Matthew 14:22-33, which recounts the incident of Peter walking on water toward Jesus and then beginning to sink when he sees the wind and waves. This is a key passage that Dr. Lloyd-Jones uses to analyze causes of spiritual depression related to faith and doubt.
According to Lloyd-Jones, what is the difference between this incident and the previous one he discussed?
Lloyd-Jones points out that in the previous incident (from Luke 8), a new element—the storm—came in to upset the disciples while Jesus was asleep. In this Matthew 14 incident, however, the storm was already raging when Peter stepped out of the boat. No new factor appeared; the waves were already there. The important distinction is that Peter's trouble came entirely from within himself, not from new external circumstances.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones mean by "the Peter mentality" or "Peter temperament"?
Lloyd-Jones describes the "Peter mentality" as an unsteady Christian life characterized by energetic, impulsive decision-making without thorough thinking. It's a temperament that leads to dramatic swings between spiritual highs and lows—being "either right on top of the mountain or down in the deepest depths." This type of person acts without thinking things through completely, leading to inconsistency in their spiritual life.
Does becoming a Christian change one's temperament, according to Lloyd-Jones?
No, Lloyd-Jones clearly states that when we are converted and become Christians, our temperaments do not change. He says, "you're still yourself, and though you become a Christian, you're still yourself. You've got your own peculiar temperament and your own peculiar characteristics." This means Christians need to be aware of their particular temperamental weaknesses and watch out for them.
What important teaching does Lloyd-Jones offer about doubts and faith?
Lloyd-Jones teaches that doubts are not incompatible with faith. He says, "Some people seem to think that once you become a Christian, you should never again be assailed by doubts. But that isn't so." He notes that Peter still had faith even while doubting, as Jesus called him "O thou of little faith," not "no faith." He even suggests that a Christian who has never experienced doubts might want to examine the foundations of their faith.
How do Christians sometimes produce their own doubts, according to the sermon?
Lloyd-Jones explains that Christians sometimes produce their own doubts by: 1. Looking at the wrong things (as Peter looked at the waves) 2. Entering into arguments beyond their depth 3. Engaging with certain types of literature that might shake their faith 4. Leading themselves into temptation 5. Going back to reconsider questions they have already settled
What does Lloyd-Jones identify as the antidote to spiritual depression?
The antidote to spiritual depression is biblical doctrine and knowledge of Christ. Lloyd-Jones states: "The great antidote to spiritual depression is biblical doctrines, Christian doctrine, not being worked up in meetings, not singing, knowing the principles of the faith, knowing the doctrines, understanding them." He emphasizes that this requires study, prayer, and hard work, not just emotional experiences.
What principle does Lloyd-Jones teach about "after thoughts" in relation to faith?
Lloyd-Jones teaches that we should "refuse after thoughts" once we have settled matters of faith. He points out how Peter had already solved the problem of walking on turbulent water when he first stepped out, so there was no reason to reconsider it. Lloyd-Jones calls it "madness," "folly," and "ridiculous" to go back and reconsider problems of faith we've already settled, emphasizing that this weakens faith.
What comfort does Lloyd-Jones offer to those struggling with spiritual depression?
Lloyd-Jones offers the comfort that Christ "will never let you sink." He reminds listeners that even when Peter began to sink and cried out, Jesus immediately stretched out His hand and caught him. No matter how much we may fail Him or feel we're going down, Christ will not allow His own to be lost. As Lloyd-Jones quotes, "No man shall pluck them out of my hand."
What is the ultimate lesson of the Peter walking on water incident, according to Lloyd-Jones?
The ultimate lesson is that Christ "can keep us from falling." We need never become desperate if we keep looking at Him and believing in Him. Lloyd-Jones concludes that had Peter only kept looking at Jesus, "he'd have gone on walking until he'd come to him." The sermon emphasizes that faith looks to Christ alone, "laughs at impossibilities," and trusts that what seems impossible will be done through God's power.
Spiritual Depression
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.