Sermon Nuggets Tues April 15, 2008
Theme- Walk on Water
Verses John 6:16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake,
17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them.
Mark 6:45-48 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.
46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.
47 When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land.
48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them,
THE LORD SEES
We remember that other Gospels help us see the whole picture. Jesus and the disciples had a very busy day, they were looking to relax and then a multitude descended upon them. As we mentioned last week, Jesus feeds the 5,000, more probably, 20,000 people. Jesus is trying to reveal to His disciples who He is and His care for them. Jesus is now ready to give them a mid-term examination. See what they learned. He compels them to get into the boat while He goes to the hills to pray.
As the disciples obeyed Christ they found themselves in the midst of a rip snorting storm. They knew they were in danger; there they were in the middle of the night and fighting for their lives. Sometimes we are in trouble because we obey the Lord. In the distress of their lives they were in a panic situation. There was a time, which John does not record but is in two other gospels, when Jesus was asleep in the boat and called the winds and the waves to be still. It is good to have Jesus in the boat, but now He wasn’t in the boat. I think lesson one is; Jesus can do miracles, He is from God. Lesson two; Jesus will protect and keep you. Lesson three; as they saw in the boat, He was able to do it. Another lesson of faith is feeding the multitude, He can provide. Now he is stretching them further to understand he does not have to be in the boat for them to trust. He can even be out of their sight but realize that they are not out of His sight.
The Lord sees our distress. The Lord sees what is happening. The disciples were unaware of the fact. When Jesus was in the hills praying I am sure He was praying for them. I am sure because of the prayers that we have recorded in the 17th and 18th chapters of John when Jesus prays often for his disciples, interceding on their behalf. Scripture teaches us that Jesus is now interceding on our behalf also. Isn’t that good to know? He sees us in our distress. He knows what we are going through. He does see our insecurities, fears and problems that face us. We have gone thru deep waters, most of us, and we can testify that he is there, but what about the ones that are going to face us or the ones that some of you may feel like you are in right now? Can you take comfort in the test of faith that if you have accepted Jesus and seeking to make him Lord of your life, He sees and knows all that is going on even when others may misunderstand?
When Martin Luther was in the throes of the reformation and the Pope was trying to bring him back to the Catholic Church, he sent a cardinal to deal with Luther and buy him with gold. The cardinal wrote to the Pope, “The fool does not love gold.”
The cardinal, when he could not convince Luther, said to him, “What do you think? The Pope cares for the opinion of a German boor? The Pope’s little finger is stronger than all of Germany. Do you expect your princes to take up arms to defend you – you, a wretched worm like you? I tell you No! And where will you be then?”
Luther’s response was simply, “Where I am now, in the hands of Almighty God.” Luther knew the Lord saw his situation and the threats of man did not move him.
Pastor Dale
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Walk on Water John 6:16-24
Sermon nuggets Mon April 14
Theme- Walk on Water
Verses (John 6:16-24 )
Walk on Water
This week we will think about Jesus walking on the water.
Following the exhausting day, Jesus sends the disciples into a boat at night while he goes to a solitude place to be with his Father. Jesus surprisingly comes to his disciples after the winds kicked up by walking on the water.
Ed Bratcher wrote a book, “The Walk on Water Syndrome”. He talks to people in the ministry of the mistake many pastors, missionaries and full time workers have which can also be a problem for all Christians. Either people place us in a category that is only reserved for Jesus, or we have the temptation that we ourselves have a spiritual edge over the rest of the believers and think we can do what only God can do, or what He does not call us to do.
I have been blessed pastoring at Stanchfield with mature Christians who also understand the humanness of its leaders. You are a patient and forgiving lot. However, my worse enemy is myself. My ideals and expectations are far greater than my capabilities. Unfortunately, in many churches people look to their spiritual leaders with abilities to walk on water and do the impossible. Many Christians carry that same expectation upon themselves.
Dr. Roger White, a psychiatrist who has counseled many Christians, states that a minister is under constant pressure to accomplish far more than he is capable of doing. Some of the expectations that the average congregation has of its pastors are: 1) They must be a perfect moral example, without sin 2) He must provide moral and emotional support at all times regardless of his own condition 3) He must be an able administrator both in the church and in the community 4) He must be an able public speaker on any and every topic 5) He must perform as an actor – keeping people on the edge of their seats at all times, be able to act in all settings such as funerals, weddings, picnics, baptisms, etc. 6) He must serve as a philosopher, a teacher of values, even though the people agree before hand that they will not listen 7) He must perform as a counselor, a role which is particularly emotionally exhausting Dr. Roger White added, “If anyone could accomplish all of these tasks, he would also be able to walk on water.”
It is admirable to want to be more like Jesus and are devastated when we can’t be. We need Him for we are all weak and haven’t arrived yet. We are impatient with our own humanness, and feeling guilty that we fall far short of our own expectations of righteousness, either feel like quitting or covering up. That’s the walk on water syndrome. We all need to be ministered unto. We need to see and admit the winds and waves often overtake us much like Peter. We need those hands that reach out in love and help us up. Then we see those hands are really the hands of Jesus.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Walk on Water
Verses (John 6:16-24 )
Walk on Water
This week we will think about Jesus walking on the water.
Following the exhausting day, Jesus sends the disciples into a boat at night while he goes to a solitude place to be with his Father. Jesus surprisingly comes to his disciples after the winds kicked up by walking on the water.
Ed Bratcher wrote a book, “The Walk on Water Syndrome”. He talks to people in the ministry of the mistake many pastors, missionaries and full time workers have which can also be a problem for all Christians. Either people place us in a category that is only reserved for Jesus, or we have the temptation that we ourselves have a spiritual edge over the rest of the believers and think we can do what only God can do, or what He does not call us to do.
I have been blessed pastoring at Stanchfield with mature Christians who also understand the humanness of its leaders. You are a patient and forgiving lot. However, my worse enemy is myself. My ideals and expectations are far greater than my capabilities. Unfortunately, in many churches people look to their spiritual leaders with abilities to walk on water and do the impossible. Many Christians carry that same expectation upon themselves.
Dr. Roger White, a psychiatrist who has counseled many Christians, states that a minister is under constant pressure to accomplish far more than he is capable of doing. Some of the expectations that the average congregation has of its pastors are: 1) They must be a perfect moral example, without sin 2) He must provide moral and emotional support at all times regardless of his own condition 3) He must be an able administrator both in the church and in the community 4) He must be an able public speaker on any and every topic 5) He must perform as an actor – keeping people on the edge of their seats at all times, be able to act in all settings such as funerals, weddings, picnics, baptisms, etc. 6) He must serve as a philosopher, a teacher of values, even though the people agree before hand that they will not listen 7) He must perform as a counselor, a role which is particularly emotionally exhausting Dr. Roger White added, “If anyone could accomplish all of these tasks, he would also be able to walk on water.”
It is admirable to want to be more like Jesus and are devastated when we can’t be. We need Him for we are all weak and haven’t arrived yet. We are impatient with our own humanness, and feeling guilty that we fall far short of our own expectations of righteousness, either feel like quitting or covering up. That’s the walk on water syndrome. We all need to be ministered unto. We need to see and admit the winds and waves often overtake us much like Peter. We need those hands that reach out in love and help us up. Then we see those hands are really the hands of Jesus.
Pastor Dale
Friday, April 11, 2008
Feeding 5000 John 6:1-15
Sermon nuggets Fri April 11, 2008
Theme Feeding of the 5000
Verses John 6:12-15 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted."
13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
14 After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world."
15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.(NIV)
No Waste
I read a joke of a lady who fell out of a second story window and landed in the garbage truck that was slowly moving past the house. Half buried in the middle, she tried without success to get the drivers attention. A foreign diplomat standing on the sidewalk saw her and commented indignantly “Another example of how wasteful Americans are. That woman looks like she’s good for at least another 10 years.”
Following this miraculous meal the disciples were instructed to collect that which is left over, no waste. We have a problem with being a wasteful people and the food that’s going into garbage cans can feed millions of hungry people in the world. Over consumption is a sin. Be satisfied to be full. Eat what you will, but don’t throw out the excess and dispose of it.
12 basketfuls remained I think for two reasons. To show that there was abundantly more than what was needed. Jesus started with a meager amount and ended up with much. And also, each disciple was able to have a basket for their ongoing provisions for the following day.
The message is true. We grow by sharing and increase by giving. God is the one who is able.
After receiving bread and fish the people were ecstatic. They thought He was the prophet to come. They wanted a King to free them from Roman domination. By force sought to make Jesus King. That was not the mission of Jesus for this time. He was to come as Savior, next time he comes as King.
People always try to lay aside the plan of God and adopt another plan which they think is better. He was to glorify His Father and redeem the people from their sins by going to the cross, paying with His blood, being buried and rise again three days later. Through that plan was the redemption of the world and overtaking of the powers of Satan. That was His mission. No one was going to stop him no matter how well meaning they might be. The crowds followed for the wrong reasons. They wanted entertainment and food, miracles and signs.
Jesus does not receive our full worship and allegiance because there are far too many other things that are important to us. Where do we thwart the plan of God in our lives today?
Pastor Dale
Theme Feeding of the 5000
Verses John 6:12-15 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted."
13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
14 After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world."
15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.(NIV)
No Waste
I read a joke of a lady who fell out of a second story window and landed in the garbage truck that was slowly moving past the house. Half buried in the middle, she tried without success to get the drivers attention. A foreign diplomat standing on the sidewalk saw her and commented indignantly “Another example of how wasteful Americans are. That woman looks like she’s good for at least another 10 years.”
Following this miraculous meal the disciples were instructed to collect that which is left over, no waste. We have a problem with being a wasteful people and the food that’s going into garbage cans can feed millions of hungry people in the world. Over consumption is a sin. Be satisfied to be full. Eat what you will, but don’t throw out the excess and dispose of it.
12 basketfuls remained I think for two reasons. To show that there was abundantly more than what was needed. Jesus started with a meager amount and ended up with much. And also, each disciple was able to have a basket for their ongoing provisions for the following day.
The message is true. We grow by sharing and increase by giving. God is the one who is able.
After receiving bread and fish the people were ecstatic. They thought He was the prophet to come. They wanted a King to free them from Roman domination. By force sought to make Jesus King. That was not the mission of Jesus for this time. He was to come as Savior, next time he comes as King.
People always try to lay aside the plan of God and adopt another plan which they think is better. He was to glorify His Father and redeem the people from their sins by going to the cross, paying with His blood, being buried and rise again three days later. Through that plan was the redemption of the world and overtaking of the powers of Satan. That was His mission. No one was going to stop him no matter how well meaning they might be. The crowds followed for the wrong reasons. They wanted entertainment and food, miracles and signs.
Jesus does not receive our full worship and allegiance because there are far too many other things that are important to us. Where do we thwart the plan of God in our lives today?
Pastor Dale
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Provision John 6:10-11
Sermon Nuggets Thur April 10, 2008
Theme – Feeding of the 5,000
Verses- John 6:10-11 Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them.
Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. (NIV)
Provision
Jesus continued to reveal His power and His identity as well as His heart that day. There were 5,000 men and Matthew’s gospel adds, “besides the women and children.” Some estimate it to be 20,000 people in all.
Jesus had his disciples sit the people down. That phrase caught my attention and I wondered why. Certainly we see organization and administration that is needed with an event like this. Groups of various sizes are manageable if you divide them up, but Tim Richard had another interesting observation as he worked with world relief.
He explained that while in China the crowds receiving food were unmanaged and they were shoving each other. People pushed ahead and there was bedlam and people could be hurt. Then he thought about this account on what Jesus did when feeding so many. He made them sit down. That was the solution to his perplexity. Sitting people do not shove or push, and it can be managed. Jesus is an administrator and organizer who accomplished much too.
Those who were seated quieted down as Jesus offered thanks. I am reminded that Jesus is the bread of life. I thought of the people of Israel during the wilderness wanderings. They did not have any place to buy bread or get the ingredients to do so. God provided Manna. He was the bread. And now Jesus is providing that bread from what they had as another miracle to show the truth that he is from God.
The Manna in the wilderness was harvested by each family. The bread and fish here was passed out by His disciples given to them by Christ. We are not the ones who can produce food. Jesus is. We have nothing that can meet others needs, but Jesus has it and chooses to use human instruments to spread it out to hungry and dying people. We are not the source of blessing, only the vehicles God chooses to us. We can’t give until we receive and can only receive from the Lord. Even the good news, the gospel story, is passed on by others who have received it and if we stop passing it there will be hungry and dying people. It multiplies, it grows. God’s power is seen.
Some liberals will teach this was not a miracle, but what really happened was people started to share what they had and everyone had a big picnic. If that were the case, why were they so excited and want to make Him king? No, it was a miracle. They responded to His power and His love.
Pastor Dale
Theme – Feeding of the 5,000
Verses- John 6:10-11 Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them.
Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. (NIV)
Provision
Jesus continued to reveal His power and His identity as well as His heart that day. There were 5,000 men and Matthew’s gospel adds, “besides the women and children.” Some estimate it to be 20,000 people in all.
Jesus had his disciples sit the people down. That phrase caught my attention and I wondered why. Certainly we see organization and administration that is needed with an event like this. Groups of various sizes are manageable if you divide them up, but Tim Richard had another interesting observation as he worked with world relief.
He explained that while in China the crowds receiving food were unmanaged and they were shoving each other. People pushed ahead and there was bedlam and people could be hurt. Then he thought about this account on what Jesus did when feeding so many. He made them sit down. That was the solution to his perplexity. Sitting people do not shove or push, and it can be managed. Jesus is an administrator and organizer who accomplished much too.
Those who were seated quieted down as Jesus offered thanks. I am reminded that Jesus is the bread of life. I thought of the people of Israel during the wilderness wanderings. They did not have any place to buy bread or get the ingredients to do so. God provided Manna. He was the bread. And now Jesus is providing that bread from what they had as another miracle to show the truth that he is from God.
The Manna in the wilderness was harvested by each family. The bread and fish here was passed out by His disciples given to them by Christ. We are not the ones who can produce food. Jesus is. We have nothing that can meet others needs, but Jesus has it and chooses to use human instruments to spread it out to hungry and dying people. We are not the source of blessing, only the vehicles God chooses to us. We can’t give until we receive and can only receive from the Lord. Even the good news, the gospel story, is passed on by others who have received it and if we stop passing it there will be hungry and dying people. It multiplies, it grows. God’s power is seen.
Some liberals will teach this was not a miracle, but what really happened was people started to share what they had and everyone had a big picnic. If that were the case, why were they so excited and want to make Him king? No, it was a miracle. They responded to His power and His love.
Pastor Dale
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Availablity John 6:5-14
Sermon nugget Weds April 9
Theme- Feeding of the 5,000
Verses- John 6:5-14 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?"
6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"
8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up,
9 "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"
10 Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them.
11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted."
13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
AVAILABILITY
There is a Chinese proverb: “Tell me and I hear, Show me and I see, Involve me and I understand.” Can you imagine the difference of the impact of sitting at the feet of Jesus and then taking bread and fish and passing it out to people, when you know you started with only 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread? The work of God was being made manifested among them. The impact on the disciples would have been greater than those who just received the food.
I read the story of Teofilo (means friend of god) and he is talking to Christobel (Christ bearer) the new convert in the little mission chapel in Cuba; “Christobel, if you had 100 sheep, would you give 50 of them for the Lord’s work?” “Yes, I would.” “Would you do the same if you had 100 cows?” “Yes, Teofilo, I would.” “Would you do the same if you had 100 horses?” “Yes, of course.” “If you had two pigs, would you give one of them to Him?” “No, I wouldn’t and you have no right to ask me, Teofilo, for you know I have two pigs.”
Learning to obey Jesus and put your faith in Jesus is more than reading a book. It takes steps to apply that faith in practical ways. They may be times when we feel as if we fail. That is part of growth.
Jesus sees that which man does not see, and availability is what is important. Jesus used a lad, a small boy, one who from society’s point of view is insignificant. Jesus is often using kids for illustrations of the power of God. He has a heart for children, young David slew Goliath, little Samuel who heard the voice of God to instruct a priest, Moses sister watching in the bulrushes and convinces a princess to have his own mother care for him under the protection of the law of Pharaoh. Jesus loves children; this I know for the Bible tells me so.
It is not the size of the gift but the size of the surrender that determines what God can do. It is with that willing gift God can accomplish His power through us.
So often people are overwhelmed by the size of the task and think they can do so little they might as well not even try, instead of thinking we can’t do everything but we can do something. What good are two fish and five barley loaves of bread among so many? It is a start and in Jesus hands it is enough.
When the disciples starting handling the fish and bread and knew from which it came, they stepped into a new level of faith. They understood.
Pastor Dale.
Theme- Feeding of the 5,000
Verses- John 6:5-14 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?"
6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"
8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up,
9 "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"
10 Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them.
11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted."
13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
AVAILABILITY
There is a Chinese proverb: “Tell me and I hear, Show me and I see, Involve me and I understand.” Can you imagine the difference of the impact of sitting at the feet of Jesus and then taking bread and fish and passing it out to people, when you know you started with only 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread? The work of God was being made manifested among them. The impact on the disciples would have been greater than those who just received the food.
I read the story of Teofilo (means friend of god) and he is talking to Christobel (Christ bearer) the new convert in the little mission chapel in Cuba; “Christobel, if you had 100 sheep, would you give 50 of them for the Lord’s work?” “Yes, I would.” “Would you do the same if you had 100 cows?” “Yes, Teofilo, I would.” “Would you do the same if you had 100 horses?” “Yes, of course.” “If you had two pigs, would you give one of them to Him?” “No, I wouldn’t and you have no right to ask me, Teofilo, for you know I have two pigs.”
Learning to obey Jesus and put your faith in Jesus is more than reading a book. It takes steps to apply that faith in practical ways. They may be times when we feel as if we fail. That is part of growth.
Jesus sees that which man does not see, and availability is what is important. Jesus used a lad, a small boy, one who from society’s point of view is insignificant. Jesus is often using kids for illustrations of the power of God. He has a heart for children, young David slew Goliath, little Samuel who heard the voice of God to instruct a priest, Moses sister watching in the bulrushes and convinces a princess to have his own mother care for him under the protection of the law of Pharaoh. Jesus loves children; this I know for the Bible tells me so.
It is not the size of the gift but the size of the surrender that determines what God can do. It is with that willing gift God can accomplish His power through us.
So often people are overwhelmed by the size of the task and think they can do so little they might as well not even try, instead of thinking we can’t do everything but we can do something. What good are two fish and five barley loaves of bread among so many? It is a start and in Jesus hands it is enough.
When the disciples starting handling the fish and bread and knew from which it came, they stepped into a new level of faith. They understood.
Pastor Dale.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Involvement John 6:5-10
Sermon nugget Tues April 8, 2008
Theme- Feeding of the 5,000
Verses- John 6:5-10 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?"
He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"
Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. (NIV)
INVOLVEMENT
We find out more about the story of the feeding of the multitude by the other gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke that fill in the details. It’s the only miracle included by all four Gospels. Mark tells us after a full and active day they set aside to be by themselves. Jesus was teaching them and when the large group came. Jesus had compassion on them.
Because of the time limitations most of my teaching is from the pulpit, lectern or chair with a circle of people. I read, preach, lecture, discuss and tell stories. Jesus did that as well. I realize worship was done differently that discipling individuals or groups of people. But we are told the least effective way to teach something is to have people listen to what is said.
When Jesus was with the disciples they saw Him in life experiences throughout the week. It wasn’t just a class 35-40 minutes once a week. They lived with Him, followed Him, asked questions and watched what He did and how to talked with others as their days were spent with Christ. He would then get them aside and sit them down and talk, lecture, and explain the Scriptures. Small group Bible studies where people could ask questions was a common practice of Jesus. It works also today.
This day, however, was quiz day. Now they were “tested” to see how they would answer the essay problem. How would you feed a multitude? Phil came up with the first answer- "impossible." His solution was to dig into their pocket books and come up with the cash and go to the market and buy the food and bring it back. But they didn't have the money, time and resources to do all that, so it was impossible. Jesus wasn’t interested in finding where to buy food. He already what he was going to do.
Andrew came up with the second answer. Let’s see who and how many have food with them that might be shared. But what is this among so many people? Jesus is involved His disciples into action. They moved into getting involved. They looked for a solution to a problem, but even trying to find food was way too limited to the task.
God takes what we have and does the rest. We have two fish and 5 loaves of bread with compliments from a little boy. That is all God needs when it is given to Him.
Involvement in ministry is a far better way to learn faith than taking notes in class. Obedience followed. They instructed the people to sit and divided them up into groups, just as Jesus told them.
What is the test God presents to you today? Where does He want you to get involved? I doubt that you have enough for God’s task, but so did they. Then they watched God at work!
Pastor Dale
Theme- Feeding of the 5,000
Verses- John 6:5-10 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?"
He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"
Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. (NIV)
INVOLVEMENT
We find out more about the story of the feeding of the multitude by the other gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke that fill in the details. It’s the only miracle included by all four Gospels. Mark tells us after a full and active day they set aside to be by themselves. Jesus was teaching them and when the large group came. Jesus had compassion on them.
Because of the time limitations most of my teaching is from the pulpit, lectern or chair with a circle of people. I read, preach, lecture, discuss and tell stories. Jesus did that as well. I realize worship was done differently that discipling individuals or groups of people. But we are told the least effective way to teach something is to have people listen to what is said.
When Jesus was with the disciples they saw Him in life experiences throughout the week. It wasn’t just a class 35-40 minutes once a week. They lived with Him, followed Him, asked questions and watched what He did and how to talked with others as their days were spent with Christ. He would then get them aside and sit them down and talk, lecture, and explain the Scriptures. Small group Bible studies where people could ask questions was a common practice of Jesus. It works also today.
This day, however, was quiz day. Now they were “tested” to see how they would answer the essay problem. How would you feed a multitude? Phil came up with the first answer- "impossible." His solution was to dig into their pocket books and come up with the cash and go to the market and buy the food and bring it back. But they didn't have the money, time and resources to do all that, so it was impossible. Jesus wasn’t interested in finding where to buy food. He already what he was going to do.
Andrew came up with the second answer. Let’s see who and how many have food with them that might be shared. But what is this among so many people? Jesus is involved His disciples into action. They moved into getting involved. They looked for a solution to a problem, but even trying to find food was way too limited to the task.
God takes what we have and does the rest. We have two fish and 5 loaves of bread with compliments from a little boy. That is all God needs when it is given to Him.
Involvement in ministry is a far better way to learn faith than taking notes in class. Obedience followed. They instructed the people to sit and divided them up into groups, just as Jesus told them.
What is the test God presents to you today? Where does He want you to get involved? I doubt that you have enough for God’s task, but so did they. Then they watched God at work!
Pastor Dale
Monday, April 7, 2008
Preparation John 6:1-7
Sermon Nuggets Mon April 7
Theme-Feeding of the 5,000
Verses John 6:1-7 Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples.The Jewish Passover Feast was near. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?"He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"(NIV)
Preparation-
Growing up my parents enjoyed entertaining. We would have folks over to our house often. It was the job of everyone to help fix things up to make the place presentable. Dusting, cleaning, vacuuming, taking out the trash and putting the papers in the garage was all part of preparing for company.
If our neighbor, Francis, came over it didn’t make a difference how things looked. If our cousins and relatives came over we made things look more presentable, but if some church people or preacher came over lots of extra effort was given for things to look nice and for food to be just right, including our best dishes and silverware.
Can you imagine the situation when thousands of people came from the other side of town to hear and see Jesus and have him heal sick and perform miracles and then have Jesus look at you and say lets give them lunch? No wonder panic crept in with Philip, Andrew and the rest of the disciples. Give them something to eat? “Lord even if we had McDonalds, Hardees, and Burger King all next to each other we don’t have the money to feed them.”
According to Matthew's account the men numbered about 5,000. But Jesus was preparing more than a meal that day that fed 5,000 people. He was also preparing his disciples for the ministry to which they were called. Jesus knew one day He was to leave them. They would not be alone. They would not be called upon to feed 5,000 but they would be called upon to speak to thousands to give them bread from which they would not hunger again. They would have His Holy Spirit, but now was the time of their preparation.
The lesson they needed to learn was Jesus can do the impossible. He is not limited to the amount of people in the audience. The disciples had seen Jesus at a wedding turning water into wine. They had witnessed Jesus healing some sick people. It’s hard to keep something like that quiet.
Somehow to come up with food for a few would be a challenge, but absolutely impossible for 5,000 people. But these chosen 12 were now going to be part of that miracle. Preparing a heart to serve the Lord is preparing them to focus on the bigness of God rather than the size of the problem. This miracle was of large proportions. But that was only a small matter to the bigness of Jesus. We serve a big God.
Pastor Dale
Theme-Feeding of the 5,000
Verses John 6:1-7 Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples.The Jewish Passover Feast was near. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?"He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"(NIV)
Preparation-
Growing up my parents enjoyed entertaining. We would have folks over to our house often. It was the job of everyone to help fix things up to make the place presentable. Dusting, cleaning, vacuuming, taking out the trash and putting the papers in the garage was all part of preparing for company.
If our neighbor, Francis, came over it didn’t make a difference how things looked. If our cousins and relatives came over we made things look more presentable, but if some church people or preacher came over lots of extra effort was given for things to look nice and for food to be just right, including our best dishes and silverware.
Can you imagine the situation when thousands of people came from the other side of town to hear and see Jesus and have him heal sick and perform miracles and then have Jesus look at you and say lets give them lunch? No wonder panic crept in with Philip, Andrew and the rest of the disciples. Give them something to eat? “Lord even if we had McDonalds, Hardees, and Burger King all next to each other we don’t have the money to feed them.”
According to Matthew's account the men numbered about 5,000. But Jesus was preparing more than a meal that day that fed 5,000 people. He was also preparing his disciples for the ministry to which they were called. Jesus knew one day He was to leave them. They would not be alone. They would not be called upon to feed 5,000 but they would be called upon to speak to thousands to give them bread from which they would not hunger again. They would have His Holy Spirit, but now was the time of their preparation.
The lesson they needed to learn was Jesus can do the impossible. He is not limited to the amount of people in the audience. The disciples had seen Jesus at a wedding turning water into wine. They had witnessed Jesus healing some sick people. It’s hard to keep something like that quiet.
Somehow to come up with food for a few would be a challenge, but absolutely impossible for 5,000 people. But these chosen 12 were now going to be part of that miracle. Preparing a heart to serve the Lord is preparing them to focus on the bigness of God rather than the size of the problem. This miracle was of large proportions. But that was only a small matter to the bigness of Jesus. We serve a big God.
Pastor Dale
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