Faith in the Middle of the Storm | Robert Madu

We Out Here — Faith Is Spelled “R I S K”

Scripture References

• Matthew 14

Overview

Faith is not a comfort strategy; it is a risk strategy. Preaching from Matthew 14, Pastor Robert Madu showed that every move of God in our lives requires a step into the unknown—“we out here.” The disciples discovered Jesus’ power only after obeying His command to cross the lake, proving that revelation follows risk. What looks like drowning water to us is pavement under Jesus’ feet, so we can take courage, trust His voice, and refuse to retreat to safety.

Main Points

1. Faith demands action, not comfort

• Faith is the oxygen of the Christian life—“without faith it is impossible to please God.”
• Illustration: Childhood spelling bees: if God hosted one, the word would be “FAITH,” and most of us would misspell it “S-A-F-E.” The correct spelling is “R-I-S-K.”
• Faith is a verb: it pushes us out of complacency, makes families question our sanity, and forces decisions that cannot be made from a place of guaranteed outcomes.

2. Revelation follows the risk

• Jesus disclosed His identity to the disciples progressively; they learned who He was as they obeyed.
• Story/Imagined Journal of Matthew:
  • Water to wine — “can turn water into wine.”
  • Miraculous catch — “knows where the fish are.”
  • Coin in fish’s mouth — “knows which fish holds money.”
  • Storm stilled with three words — “can calm storms.”
• Principle: God rarely gives a PowerPoint of the future; the miracle usually appears after the movement.

3. Not every storm is a storm of disobedience

• Jesus “made” the disciples get in the boat; their trial arose from obedience, not rebellion.
• You can be in the center of God’s will and still face fierce headwinds.
• Away with the idea that God’s will is always comfortable or prosperous.

4. Jesus sees, walks, and rules over the very thing threatening you

• While the disciples struggled, Jesus watched from the hillside—He never lost sight of them.
• He approached walking, not running, because the episode was a revelation mission, not a rescue mission.
• Whatever is over our heads is already under His feet; He has authority over sickness, anxiety, lack, and every storm.

5. “Take courage, it is I; don’t be afraid.”

“Take courage; it is I. Don’t be afraid.”

• Jesus’ three-part announcement supplies everything we need:
  1. Command: Courage is within reach—“take” it.
  2. Identity: “It is I”—we know the voice.
  3. Comfort: Fear has no ground when we recognize Him.
• Past faith victories equip us to recognize His voice in present storms.

Key Truths

• Faith is spelled R-I-S-K; playing it safe is spiritual stagnation.
• God gives the miracle after we take the step, not before.
• Obedience can lead straight into a storm—and Jesus is still pleased.
• Jesus never takes His eyes off His people, even when He seems absent.
• The same Savior who sends us is the Savior who sustains us.

Response

• Step into the risk God is prompting—apply, ask, move, or obey today.
• Recall past moments of God’s faithfulness to silence present fear.
• When the wind is against you, keep rowing; refuse to retreat to safety.
• Speak Jesus’ words over your storm: “Take courage; it is I; don’t be afraid.”
• Record new revelations of who Jesus is as you follow Him.

Closing

Faith never leaves us standing on the dock; it pushes us into deep water where only Jesus can keep us afloat. The One who told the disciples to cross over is the same One walking on top of their waves, and He still says, “Take courage—don’t be afraid.” Because He watches, rules, and rescues, the risk is worth it. So let’s live this week declaring, “We out here,” trusting the Savior who turns risk into revelation.

Prayer

Father, thank You for Your word. Strengthen every person taking a step of faith today. Help us trust You when we can’t trace You, row when the wind is against us, and rest in the truth that the One who sends us will sustain us. In Jesus’ name, amen.