Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

A reminder - Please: Turn off your cell phone or set to vibrate only Turn off sound to all electronic devices Use the nursery or cry room if your child is fussy Get up during the preaching only if absolutely necessary (please sit in back if you must leave early)

Ministering to the Multitudes Mt 14:13-21; Mk 6:30-44; Lk 9:10-17; Jn 6:1-13 Most of the people written about in the Bible, including the apostles, are ordinary - they act like we would Jesus deals with people with graciousness

The Setting Matthew 14:13; Mark 6:30-32; Luke 9:10; John 6:1 Jesus and the disciples withdraw to a lonely place near Bethsaida

The Setting Matthew 14:13; Mark 6:30-32; Luke 9:10; John 6:1 Jesus is God - He never did anything based on fear Christians need not fear for we are in the sovereign hands of our loving God

The Setting Matthew 14:13; Mark 6:30-32; Luke 9:10; John 6:1 Jesus withdraws because they were so busy they did not have time to eat and they needed rest (Mark 6:31) The twelve had just returned from their mission and Jesus wanted time alone with them - Luke 9:10

Mercy to the Many Matt.14:14; Mark 6:33-34; Luke 9:11; John 6:2-3 John 6:2 - The crowd walks around the lake to find Jesus because they saw Him healing the sick Jesus withdrew to a lonely place get away from the multitudes, but when He arrives, they are already there

Mercy to the Many Matt.14:14; Mark 6:33-34; Luke 9:11; John 6:2-3 Mark 6:34 - Jesus felt compassion for them for they were like sheep without a shepherd Compassion (splagcnivzomai / splagchnidzomai) - an emotion of pity or mercy you feel in your bowels

Mercy to the Many Matt.14:14; Mark 6:33-34; Luke 9:11; John 6:2-3 Jesus is as merciful now as He was then - you can bring your troubles to Him and find peace (1 Peter 5:7) Jesus had compassion on them even though many were shallow, self-centered thrill seekers

Testing the Disciples Mt.14:15-18; Mk. 6:35-38; Lk, 9:12-13; Jn 6:5-9 John 6:5-6 - Jesus prompted them to think about how to feed the people by asking Philip Philip calculated cost: 200 denarii (2/3 of year’s pay) was not enough. He did not answer where to get food

Testing the Disciples Mt.14:15-18; Mk. 6:35-38; Lk, 9:12-13; Jn 6:5-9 The disciples had seen Jesus do many miracles including turning water into wine, would they seek His help? Mark 6:35-36 - it became late and the disciples’ solution was to send the people away to fend for themselves

Testing the Disciples Mt.14:15-18; Mk. 6:35-38; Lk, 9:12-13; Jn 6:5-9 Jesus set up the next lesson by commanding them to feed the people - an impossible task for them Follow Jesus’ example: Be aware and sensitive to use the circumstances to teach important lessons

Testing the Disciples Mt.14:15-18; Mk. 6:35-38; Lk, 9:12-13; Jn 6:5-9 Mark 6:38 - Jesus directs them to find out what they have. John 6:9 - a boy’s lunch: five small loaves of barley bread and two “St. Peter’s fish” - lake Tilapia

The Miraculous Provision Mt14:19-23; Mk 6:39-46; Lk 9:14-17; Jn 6:10-15 The disciples did not have means to feed the people, but Jesus did - and He prepares the people to receive it Jesus gives thanks, then breaks the bread & fish and gives it to the disciples who distribute it to the people

The Miraculous Provision Mt14:19-23; Mk 6:39-46; Lk 9:14-17; Jn 6:10-15 Without public display, the food multiplies and everyone ate “as much as they wanted” - John 6:11 1 Kings 17 and 2:Kings 4 are examples of examples of two previous miracles of food multiplying

The Miraculous Provision Mt14:19-23; Mk 6:39-46; Lk 9:14-17; Jn 6:10-15 Matthew 14:21 - there were about 5,000 plus women and children - perhaps 10,000 - 15,000 people Mark 6:43 - the left over fragments fill 12 baskets - more than enough to feed Jesus and the apostles

The Miraculous Provision Mt14:19-23; Mk 6:39-46; Lk 9:14-17; Jn 6:10-15 An infinite resource is not an excuse for waste - we are stewards of what God entrusts to us John 6:14 - the people understood the miracle’s significance, but did not understand the Prophet (Dt. 18) John 6:15 - Jesus would not allow them to make Him king

Practicing the Principles Humans are limited and there are times we need to seek a quiet place where we can be refreshed Jesus’ compassion extended even to those who were irritating is a model for us to follow Be flexible, adapt to the circumstances and take advantage of them to teach lessons about God

Practicing the Principles What is impossible for us is possible for God and He will enable us to do whatever He asks of us Do not try to shift responsibilities to avoid them - learn to trust God in doing them

Practicing the Principles Examples of impossible tasks: Raise godly children Live for Christ Overcome temptations Live a righteous life

Practicing the Principles We are to be faithful in following God’s commands - He will take care of the results Little is much when God is in it

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ