1. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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: it became late and the disciples’ solution was to send the people away to fend for themselves

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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 people
Mark 6:43 - the left over fragments fill 12 baskets - more than enough to feed Jesus and the apostles

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

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

21. 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

22. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ