There’s a difference between playing along with Jeopardy at home and taking the semester test in history class with 50% of your grade riding on how you perform. When you sit at home and watch Jeopardy you can throw out wrong answers and criticize the contestants when they incorrectly answer. It is just inconsequential diversion. But when you are taking a semester test that counts for 50% of your final grade, now you’ve got “some skin in the game.” Now your answers matter a great deal!

The story before us this morning is well-known. When I read the text a few moments ago, that very likely was not the first time you had ever heard this story. This event is recorded by three of the Gospel writers. Matthew, Mark, and John all record it. But when we read all three of these stories, we will notice something quite interesting. Matthew is the only one who includes the information about Peter getting out of the boat and walking on the water.

“How could he do that? He’s supposed to be a Christian!” Have you ever felt that way about someone? Someone you know, someone you respect as a brother or sister in Christ does something sinful, shockingly sinful. We are left wondering, “How can this be?”

We must begin today with a warning. Some of what you hear in this sermon may be jolting. Kids, you are going to be told to do something today that you may have been told you should never do. You are going to be told to fight! Now, we should be clear on the fighting we should do. You are not going to be told to fight with your brother or sister. You are NOT going to be told to be a bully! That’s not okay. But there is a fight we can fight; a fight we Christians MUST fight. It’s a fight we must Fight to the Finish!