History In The Making: More Than Enough

May 24th, 2020/Nevei Kodesh Broadcast

Passage: John 6:1-15 CSB

After this, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). 2 A huge crowd was following him because they saw the signs that he was performing by healing the sick. 3 Jesus went up a mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, a Jewish festival, was near. 5 So when Jesus looked up and noticed a huge crowd coming toward him, he asked Philip,

“Where will we buy bread so that these people can eat?” 6 He asked this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread wouldn’t be enough for each of them to have a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There’s a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish—but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place; so they sat down. The men numbered about five thousand.

11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and after giving thanks he distributed them to those who were seated—so also with the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 When they were full, he told his disciples, “Collect the leftovers so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they collected them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces from the five barley loaves that were left over by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This truly is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 Therefore, when Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Pray:

Background:

This is a profound story in Scripture. It recounts the miracle where Jesus fed 5000 men and that’s not including women and children. It’s thought that there could have been 10-15 thousand people in attendance. Apart from the Resurrection, this is the only miracle that is recorded in all four Gospels. We’ll unpack more of the backdrop and context as we move through the text together.

Title: More Than Enough

Big Idea:

What seems insignificant in my hands is MORE THAN ENOUGH in the hands of Jesus.

Main Points: The Process To More

1. Look Around (Compassion)
   1. So when Jesus looked up and noticed a huge crowd coming toward him, he asked Philip, “Where will we buy bread so that these people can eat?” - John 6:5
   2. “When he went ashore, he saw a large crowd, had compassion on them, and healed their sick.” - Matthew 14:14
   3. Ex: Jesus had gone away to be with the disciples and to find rest. This moment also occurred right after Jesus found out that His relative John The Baptist had been beheaded. He was likely tired and grieving, yet He still never overlooked the needs of the people.
   4. The most significant moments of your life happen at the most inopportune times.

   5. Quote: Compassion without action is indifference.

      1. It’s not that you don’t care, you just don’t have time. It’s not that you don’t care, you just don’t want to be inconvenienced.
      2. The disciples claimed “Just send them into the city so they can eat.” And Jesus says, “You feed them.”
         6. Question: Just because you’re fine, you’re provided for, you’re healthy, you’re comfortable, then everything must be ok

      3. Listen Up (Confusion vs. Expectation)

         1. “Where will we buy bread so that these people can eat?” 6 He asked this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread wouldn’t be enough for each of them to have a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There’s a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish—but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.”
         2. There were four solutions proposed to the need…
         3. First, the disciples recommend sending the people away. (Mark 6:35-36).

      4. This is the one that makes the most sense right? People are hungry, we don’t have food, send them home!

      5. It’s not that we don’t want to help, we just think they can help themselves.

      6. Jesus had been teaching them late in the day about the Kingdom of God and He knew it would be a journey for them to find food. But as we look more into the story, we’ll see that it is more than food, more than a miracle.

         4. Second, Phillip responds to Jesus asking him the question.

      7. Jesus wasn’t asking Philip because He needed the information. He wasn’t curious about the cost. He didn’t need to consult His accountant. “Can you run these numbers for me Philip.” NO! The purpose of Jesus' question was didactic. He wanted to teach Philip a lesson.

      8. Philip was from Bethsaida, the closest town about 9 miles away. Jesus was testing Philip to strengthen his faith by asking for a rational solution (even though there was none).
      9. 200 denarii was a substantial sum. And as we see from the text it was doubtful that even that amount would cover the need. We’re talking about feeding 10 thousand people. A single denarius was about the sum of a day’s wage.
      10. Question: Isn’t this our typical response as well? We examine our current resources and consider the situation hopeless. We can limit what God desires to do in us by assuming what is and is not possible. They are witnessing Jesus performing miracles, but they neglect what could be possible through His provision for food!

      11. Practical: We believe that God can bring about an awakening in Boulder, we have faith that He can heal our friends and family members, but then we doubt that He can provide for our financial needs in times of crisis. God can do the miraculous in your life; trust Him to provide the resources.

          5. Third was Andrews response

      12. “I think He is asking because He’s already got a plan. He may be calling us to do this thing because He’s already working out the resources to provide the miracle. Maybe if I give Him what’s in my hand…”

      13. You see, Andrew didn’t know how the problem would be solved, but he still offered what the boy had.
      14. Barley was the cheapest bread you could find. And on top of that it is being delivered by a boy. And the fish mentioned is the word opsarion, which is only mentioned by John, and it means small fish, the kind eaten as a relish with bread. This was barely enough food to feed 1 or 2 people, let alone 10k+ people! What are you even talking about Andrew?!
      15. Practical Application: Here’s how I’d apply that. We pray, “God, I’m believing that you’re going to provide me with my dream job,” but are we trusting Him with the gifts and resources we already have? We pray, “God, I’m believing that you’re going to work a miracle and allow me to buy a home,” but are we living a generous life with what little resources we do have? We don’t give to get the miracle. We give because we trust Him.
      16. I love how God takes resources that seem insignificant and produces something that is all sufficient and satisfying. Every story mentions that the people ate and were filled and satisfied.
          6. The fourth solution came from the Lord…

      17. Let Go (Provision)

          1. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and after giving thanks he distributed them to those who were seated—so also with the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 When they were full, he told his disciples, “Collect the leftovers so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they collected them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces from the five barley loaves that were left over by those who had eaten.
          2. The miracles first took place in the hands of Jesus, not the hands of the disciples.

      18. Begin by giving all that you have to Jesus, His plan is the best plan for provision. We don’t give to God, we simply give back to God what is already His.

          3. The provision was in the inconvenience

      19. The very people they wanted to turn away because of the need were the solution to the problem of their provision.

      20. Question: What if we shifted our perspective from seeing obstacles to seeing opportunities.

          1. In this season we’ve been able to see growth like never before! More salvations, broader reach, greater opportunity to serve our city, and innovation in our broadcast, social, and kids team!
          2. Question: what if the provision was in the inconvenience?
             4. The lesson in the leftovers

      21. There is more than enough. Nothing is wasted in the hands of Jesus.

      22. God is in the business of multiplication.
      23. “20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” - Ephesians 3:20-21

Closing:

As convicting and compelling as this story is about being a people of compassion and faith, what if this passage is pointing us to something so much more than physical bread. What if this is just an illustration of a deeper hunger for something more that Jesus wants to provide for us in abundance.

“25When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 26 Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled. 27 Don’t work for the food that perishes but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set his seal of approval on him.” 28 “What can we do to perform the works of God?” they asked. 29 Jesus replied, “This is the work of God—that you believe in the one he has sent.” 30 “What sign, then, are you going to do so that we may see and believe you?” they asked. “What are you going to perform? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, just as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”

32 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, Moses didn’t give you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. (Check the source!) 33 For the bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 Then they said, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35 “I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again.” - John 6:25-35

“A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” - John 10:10

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9

“For this is the will of my Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him will have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” - John 6:40

God provides more than enough Grace! His unconditional love extends to all people, His forgiveness is for all people, His power is perfected in our weakness.

Invitation:

• Jesus, I acknowledge that I need you
• I confess that I have sinned against you
• I believe that God raised you from the dead
• And right now, by faith, I say “Jesus is Lord”
• Thank you for forgiving me
• By your grace I am saved
• And by your power I am set free

Communion:

Communion is recognizing the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a time to remember the sacrifice that was made for the atonement of our sins. Communion is for followers of Christ. If you have made a profession of faith then please join us for this time of remembrance.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

On the night when He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said, “This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”

In the same way, after supper He also took the cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant established by My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.