Where shall we buy bread?
Introduction
Various ways to fail God
Transgression of God’s Law
Sins of omission
The easiest way to fail – to worry … and not trust God
We worry – examples
It is right to be concerned but not to worry that erodes trust in God
Matt 6 – Jesus speaks often about worry in this chapter v25, 27, 28, 31, 34
It is a command not to worry, "be anxious about nothing"
It is also an encouragement – the Christian is not to be weighed down and troubled
We have Jesus’ peace
We have the peace of God
We often fail and worry – like the disciples
John 6 – the apostles must have been very worried when Jesus told them to feed the multitude 5,000
In their minds it was an impossibility – the must have been troubled
Their idea – to send the people away to get food (very pragmatic)
Perhaps they thought it was the people’s responsiblity
Jesus was very calm, trusting on His Father
He was the opposite of the disciples
Focusing on v5 – "Where shall we buy bread, that these might eat?"
How would you respond to this?
A Test
A test – focusing on Philip, Andrew and Simon Peter – who all lived in Bethseda, near to where they were
Jesus knew what He was going to do
Philip – did not say ‘you know’, ‘you can do all things’, instead he said it is ‘impossible’
Is this not typical of you and me?
Instead of trusting God we say ‘impossible’
How do we react to these tests?
Jesus calls us to faith – examples
Faith as small as a mustard seed is enough
Let us hold onto Him
We must be practical and wise, but always to trust in God
God uses means
Where shall we buy bread – Jesus wanted to involve the disciples
This miracle is recorded in all 4 gospels (the only other miracle recorded in all 4 gospels is the resurrection of Jesus Christ)
It is important
There is another miracle with the feeding of the 4,000
God calls us to exercise faith and wants to use us
In 2 of the gospels – Jesus says ‘you give them something to eat’
Jesus did not need to use the disciples
God often uses His people to meet the needs of others
He often wants to use us
Jesus first uses Philip, then Andrew, then a little boy
They are waiters and stewards
Give what you have – if everyone gives a little, this yields a lot
Example in Church
Example of the lady with two mites
Example of Moses, David, the disciples – there is no impediment
There are all sorts of ways in which we can serve God
Use the little we have – because God uses means
A demonstration of who Jesus is and what He has come to do
There is a certainty and purpose in His words
We see His compassion and His concern for people
Despite being so busy they didn’t have time to eat, they went to a quiet place, and John the Baptist had recently been beheaded
If anyone had reason to worry and rest – it was Jesus Christ
However, He did not turn the multitudes away – they were sheep without a shepherd
He taught them all day long
He had compassion on them
He was concerned for them – for their souls and their body
This was a contrast to the disciples
He was a Shepherd to the people
Psalm 23
The Passover
Chapter 6 – Jesus says He is the bread of life
The time to remember Moses bringing out the people from the bondage of Egypt
Explanation
A prophet like unto Moses – Deut
The Passover Lamb is amongst the people
Offering Himself as the bread of life
Reading 6:26-35
The miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 points to something far greater and deeper
Come to God for who He is – not for a miracle
All that believe in Him will have everlasting life
He is the bread of life that comes down from heaven
Challenge:
Have you believed in Him?
Have you fed upon Him?
Have you received Him?
We offer Jesus Christ the word of God
If you believe in Him you can have eternal life
Closing Remarks
There were 12 baskets left over
We are not to waste
More importantly – God blesses abundantly
John 10:10
Jesus will give you life in all it’s fullness
Come to Him today
Do not live a life of worry but trust
Trust in God
Do not be burnt out but be blessed
Quote from Robert Morriston