Feast or Famine?
John 6.1-15In that late afternoon, amidst the nervousness of the twelve, Jesus was about to do a wonderful miracle that would go way beyond calming their fears and concern.
There in that remote area of Israel, among the farmland and pastureland Jesus, the Almighty God, was showing a group of fishermen and a former tax collector and a zealot, Who He was. This morning we read the Word of God and we see Who He is.
He is the yesterday, today and forever
I used to focus in on the first proclamation, that Jesus is the same today as He was in the past. I have found myself looking at the future aspect of that promise as well.
The miracles recorded in God’s Word were chosen by the LORD to appear there. The gospels are not a daily journal of Jesus’s life and work. Such books would be too great to produce. Notice that verse one opens with a similar phrase that verse one of chapter five opens with, “Some time after this...” There were large gaps in between the events of Jesus’ life recorded for us in the Gospels. Johns’ own testimony is very thought provoking, John 21.24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. 25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
Each miracle has meaning. Jesus did not just go around indiscriminately healing people. He had personal contact with all He touched. He had purpose in His miracles. All of them save one were to meet human need. He never used His power for His own gain or benefit. As a friend of mine has often said, “He was others-centered.”
Jesus’ miracles taught things about life. This one is contained in all four gospels, besides the resurrection, it is the only one to be in all four.
People live in either feast or famine in their lives. Some give abundantly while others are skin flints and stingy, always thinking about the price tag. Some people are grabbers others are givers. Grabbers are always looking for blessings. Givers are looking for ways to pass the blessings of God on. Would you like to guess who is the more content and who enjoys life more? In the words of Jesus (and in His life and in His work), “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”
So as we look at this miracle this morning, let’s hear what the Spirit is saying to the church today. Let the LORD speak gently to your heart about how much He cares for what you have need of.
The Jewish Passover was near. Pilgrims from all over the world were heading to Jerusalem for the Feast. They were going to celebrate the feast of unleavened bread. The Bread of Life was standing their in their midst. The Passover Lamb.
1. When we go through tests He already has in mind what He is going to do v.5-6
I believe sometimes we think that our challenges are surprises to God At least we pray that way too often. So much time telling the LORD details of what He already knows. Jesus’ prayers were short for the most part and to the point. There were times He prayed all night but there were times when it was just a few sentences. We do not need to fill the LORD in on what is going on. He is ahead of us- He tests us (like He did here to Philip) and He already knows what the solution is Circumstances do not sneak up on God. God is NEVER surprised by life's twists and turns; and He is never out of control.
Philip failed the test. He should have said, “LORD, you know.” This was in the region fo the sea of Galilee. Philip was from Bethsaida, a small fishing village on the west shore of the Sea of Galilee, home of Andrew, Peter, and John. It is not far from where the Jordan River empties into the Sea of Galilee. The name of the town means “House of Fish”.
This was Philip’s home area. He would have known all the places where bread could be obtained. There were mills (built over brooks) and bakeries (sometimes in the same spot). He approached this from the earthly, practical, business like manner of doing things. Many times the LORD does not operate this way Mission Organizations and churches were not founded because someone came and said, “Here is a million dollars. Let’s send some missionaries out.” No most of the time it is faith missions. It is a step of faith. If you see everything laid out you are walking by sight. You are not walking by faith.
Philip approached it on the basis of a budget. Jesus approached it on a boy and some bread and his willingness to give it all to Jesus. God doesn’t need budgets we do. Have you ever noticed how elaborate and extravagant the LORD is in His creation. In a single cucumber there is the raw material to plant a whole garden of them and then some
2. Jesus does what He has in mind to do. vs.8-11
God’s will will be done. Jesus does what He has in mind to do. He may have to use another group of people from time to time, but He accomplishes what He wants.
It was the LORD’s desire to feed that multitude of 5,000 men closer to 20,000 when you count the women and children. These were families on their way to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Celebrating the Passover in Jerusalem is a dream of every devout Jew. Jerusalem means the final resting place of the ark and the tabernacle. It mean no more wandering and reminds them of the victory over the Egyptian Army. Jerusalem is the fulfillment of the promises of God to the Jew.
This is one of the reasons it was proclaimed the eternal capital of Israel back in the 1980's.
Jesus had in mind to feed these Galilean Pilgrims along with others going to the Holy City for the Passover Feast. He met the human need of hunger.
He did it with a boy’s lunch. I love the way Jesus involved the disciples. They were learning as they worked with Jesus. And we are too Think of the wonder of this miracle. Here are twelve people following Jesus. They have no resources. They are challenged by Jesus with some pretty powerful words. Matthew 14.15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food. 16Jesus replied, They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat. YFC Bob Pierce and World Vision/ Frankiln Graham and Samaritan’s Purse.
The LORD wants us involved He wants us to get our hands into His work. It is not that He needs us. It is that we need Him and He wants us to experience the joy of co laboring with Him. I brought Emma, my granddaughter, a garden tool bag, complete with all the tools a child could want. They are all safe for her to use. One is a clipper. I love to have her help me but when she has that in her hand I need to watch her. But I love to work with her. The work may take a little longer when she is by my side but she loves to help Poppa and so I let her join me in my work. I love the way the LORD put this in the hands of his disciples and the stuff they came up with A budget, a boy’s lunch with a doubt cast in then Jesus stepped in and performed a miracle
This was near the time of the Passover. The winter rains would have produces a lot of grass and there was a place for the people to sit.
The people ate to their heart’s content. They were all full.
3. Abundance does not constitute a valid reason for waste. vs.12-13
It did not in Jesus’ time and it does not today. Waste is a sin.
There should be no wastage of talent being used, or of things the LORD has blessed us with. We need to fight against a throw away society.
If we do pick up the leftovers like Jesus had the disciples do then we could fall into a trap of taking His blessings for granted. It is interesting that He had something for everyone to do. That is that way it is in His Kingdom and among the various members of His body, the church. We all have areas to fill be it encouraging, leading, helping and on it goes.
Judas would have had a legitimate gripe if this was left and not picked up, “Why this waste?” How do we treat the gifts of God in our lives? Some mistreat it completely. Look at the next few verses...
4. Those who are not true followers of the Master will try and fashion Him to their own design and desire and He will not allow it. vs. 14-15
From the feeding of the 5,000 until now men have tried to make Jesus to be something other than He is
These men tried to make Him king by force. He did not come to set up an earthly kingdom nor did He come the first time to restore the kingdom to Israel.
He came to die on a cross for the sins of the whole world.
Others try to make Him someone who provides financial gain. This is a false representation of the One who said He had no place to lay His head. This has seeped into some once strong Christians thinking. They believe it is God’s will for everyone to be affluent. Satan provides all kinds of possibilities for them to pursue that course. These men were dreaming of a king who could take care of them.
Some try and make Him the way for all humanity to go to heaven. Gaining more popularity all the time is the notion that we are all going to heaven, regardless of what we believe or who we believe in. Jesus told us not everyone even who calls Him, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven. He told us the way to heaven is straight and narrow and only a few will find it.
Many call on Him when they need Him but do not walk with Him. These people who left Him that day after He had fed them were like that. Oh how the thousands came when the bread was multiplied
Many twist God’s Word to say what they want it to say. They do not correctly divide the Word of Truth.
Here in the United States we need to have a greater understanding of God’s Sovereignty and what it means to pray to the Father, “May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” So often we are like Jacob, wrestling with the LORD on Mount Penial. We can live in a feast of spiritual feast of good things if we submit to the LORD. Too many times we are in famine when we could be at peace and rest. The secret is submitting our will to the will of the Father.
When we do what God wants wonderful things happen Submit your will to God’s. Just like this miracle here He has in mind what He is going to do.
Let Him do it in your life today!
The LORD’s Day
July 8, 2007
We Worship In Singing
We Worship In Prayer
We Worship In Hearing the Word of God
Feast or Famine John 6.1-15
*Tithes and Offerings can be placed in the box at the rear of the sanctuary*
Please join us for coffee and bagels downstairs if you are visiting today.
V
This Week
Bible Reading Psalm 119.57-112
Monday Men’s Prayer Meeting 6:30am in the church basement
Wednesday Bible Study -7:30pm at the parsonage
Thursday Bible Study 10:30am in the church basement
Next Lord’s Day
Morning Prayer- 10am in the church basement
Morning Worship- 10:30am(Sunday School for Children)
Spanish Service- 4pm
In Your Prayers For All of God’s People
Remember the men serving in the armed forces: Bradley, Julia Bujold’s grandson with Special Forces in Afghanistan, home on leave right now, Ken Brown, Pastor’s friend’s son on his third tour of Iraq- He will be there until October. Please pray for the whole family. Billy Knapp, Jr. in Iraq with the Marines (neighbor of the church and Pastor- Billy’s sister graduated from Good Shepherd). Matthew Klaus, brother of Good Shepherd parent in Iraq as a firefighter for Haliburton. Pastor’s nephew’s and niece’s cousin in Iraq. Pray for them and the others away from their families. Praise God for keeping David Louis, Jake Morgan and Tom Hindelang safe during their times in Iraq. Christine Frankland, Katharina’s daughter in need of healing. Kathy, Ziggy and Margot’s daughter-in-law, under the doctor’s care for fibromyalgia. Pray for Eloise Brooks in Sunrise Manor undergoing rehab. She is coming along well. She is in room 214. Remember Jean Louis as both he and Eloise are on dialysis. Pastor’s neighbor, John Mehler, beginning dialysis as well. Grace Martin, Edie Raevis’ daughter, seeing a surgeon. Edie’s daughter’s mother-in-law, Millie Espisito undergoing chemotherapy. Reginald Mooney, friend of Terri and John Garry, with a tumor in his kidney. Please remember Pastor’s friend Kim Richardson’s (who is recovering from a heart attack) daughter, Kelly, undergoing chemotherapy. Please remember this whole family in prayer. Olga Heinrich, Helen Pawson’s sister, in Flushing Nursing Home. Iola is waiting for results of blood work. Let’s pray for a good report. She also passed her NY State Relator license exam. Praise the LORD
If you would like to help with the Sunday Morning Bagel ministry see John or Terri Garry.
Notes on Our Time in the Word of God This Morning:
Feast or Famine
John 6. 1-15
Pastor’s messages are now available online:
http://thesundaymorningmessage.blogspot.com/
Church e-mail: bayshorenaz@rock.com
Church Phone: 631-969-1730
1314 Pine Acres Boulevard, Bay Shore, Long Island, NY 11706-5436
Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all for the glory of God
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