SO, YOU WILL KNOW!
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Bible Reading Week 12 (4th Sunday)
This Week’s Theme: The Sign of His Provision
Word for the Week is Providence: The continuing and often unseen activity of God in sustaining his universe, providing for the needs of every creature, and preparing for the completion of his eternal purposes
Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV) Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Sermon Focus: Jesus meets the needs in our lives.
Sermon Passage: John 6:1-15
1 After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.
2 Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased.
3 And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples.
4 Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near.
5 Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?”
6 But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.
7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.”
8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him,
9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”
10 Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11 And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.
12 So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.”
13 Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.
14 Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
15 Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.
SO, YOU WILL KNOW!
SO, YOU WILL KNOW!
INTRODUCTION: THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MOSES after crossing After leaving Egypt, the Israelites faced several moments of need in the wilderness, and God miraculously provided for them each time. Below is a list of key places where they encountered difficulties and how God met their needs:
1. The Red Sea (Exodus 14:1-31) – Need for Deliverance
• Need: The Israelites were trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea.
• God’s Provision: God parted the Red Sea, allowing them to cross on dry ground, and then drowned the Egyptian army.
2. Marah (Exodus 15:22-26) – Need for Drinkable Water
• Need: The only available water was bitter and undrinkable.
• God’s Provision: God instructed Moses to throw a piece of wood into the water, making it sweet and drinkable.
3. Wilderness of Sin (Exodus 16:1-36) – Need for Food
• Need: The people complained about hunger.
• God’s Provision: God provided manna (bread from heaven) every morning and quail in the evening.
4. Rephidim (Exodus 17:1-7) – Need for Water Again
• Need: The people were thirsty with no water to drink.
• God’s Provision: God told Moses to strike a rock, and water miraculously flowed from it.
5. Rephidim (Exodus 17:8-16) – Need for Protection from Enemies
• Need: The Amalekites attacked Israel.
• God’s Provision: As long as Moses held up his staff, Israel prevailed in battle. Aaron and Hur supported his hands until victory was secured.
6. Mount Sinai (Exodus 19–Numbers 10) – Need for Spiritual Guidance and Leadership
• Need: The Israelites needed laws and direction for their new nation.
• God’s Provision: God gave the Ten Commandments, the Law, and instructions for worship and community living.
7. Taberah (Numbers 11:1-3) – Need for Contentment
• Need: The people complained about their hardships.
• God’s Provision: God sent fire as discipline but also continued guiding them.
8. Kibroth Hattaavah (Numbers 11:4-35) – Need for Meat
• Need: The Israelites craved meat and complained about manna.
• God’s Provision: God sent quail in abundance but also disciplined them for their greed.
9. Kadesh-Barnea (Numbers 13–14) – Need for Faith to Enter the Promised Land
• Need: The people were afraid after hearing the spies’ report about Canaan.
• God’s Provision: Though they refused to trust God, He preserved them in the wilderness for 40 years until the next generation was ready.
10. Desert of Zin (Numbers 20:1-13) – Need for Water Again
• Need: The people complained of thirst.
• God’s Provision: God told Moses to speak to the rock, but Moses struck it instead. Water still flowed, but Moses was disciplined for his disobedience.
11. Near Mount Hor (Numbers 21:4-9) – Need for Healing
• Need: The Israelites were bitten by venomous snakes as punishment for their complaining.
• God’s Provision: God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent on a pole; anyone who looked at it in faith was healed.
12. Plains of Moab (Deuteronomy 29) – Need for Preparation to Enter the Promised Land
• Need: The new generation needed renewal of God’s covenant.
• God’s Provision: Moses reviewed the Law and reminded them of God’s faithfulness before they entered Canaan under Joshua’s leadership.
Summary: In this account, Jesus demonstrates His divine authority by miraculously feeding five thousand people, starting with only five loaves of bread and two fish. This event not only shows His compassion for the physical needs of the people but also serves as a profound lesson in faith, as He acts on what appears to be a hopeless situation, thus inviting us to trust Him in the face of our own limitations.
Big Idea: Surrender what you have to Jesus; He has the power to turn your scarcity into abundance.
How this passage could point to Christ: This passage connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's miraculous provision, culminating in Jesus, the Bread of Life, who satisfies not just physical hunger but spiritual hunger as well. It points forward to the Last Supper and Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, showing Him as the eternal sustenance for humanity.
Application: This sermon can empower believers to bring their inadequate resources and circumstances before Jesus, trusting that He can transform their situations. It encourages the congregation to recognize that even in moments of scarcity, they can experience God's faithfulness if they step out in trust and obedience, reflecting on how God can use their small offerings for His purposes.
I. A DIFFICULT SITUATION
I. A DIFFICULT SITUATION
1 After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.
2 Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased.
After hearing about the death of John the Baptist, Jesus withdrew privately by boat to a solitary place near Bethsaida (Matthew 14:13; Luke 9:10).
He went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias (John 6:1).
However, large crowds from surrounding towns followed Him on foot, eager to hear His teachings and witness His healing powers (Matthew 14:13; John 6:2).
THEY WERE
Moved by His Miracles
3 And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples.
When Jesus landed and saw the vast multitude, He had compassion on them, seeing them as sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34).
He welcomed them, spoke to them about the kingdom of God, taught them many things, and healed those who were sick (Luke 9:11; Matthew 14:14).
4 Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near.
5 Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?”
6 But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.
THEY DID NOT KNOW BUT CHRIST KNEW WHAT HE WOULD DO
SPIRITUAL TEST
SPIRITUAL TEST
By Demanding Great Sacrifices
1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
By Leading in a Difficult Way
2 And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.
By Giving Opportunities for Choice
3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
By Proposing Hard Tasks
4 But the Lord said to Gideon, “The people are still too many; bring them down to the water, and I will test them for you there. Then it will be, that of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ the same shall go with you; and of whomever I say to you, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ the same shall not go.”
By Permitting Temptation
31 However, regarding the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land, God withdrew from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart.
5 The Lord tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.
2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.
II. A DEFICIT IN SUPPLIES
II. A DEFICIT IN SUPPLIES
7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.”
8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him,
9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, mentioned, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (John 6:9).
THE DISCIPLES WERE GIVEN AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK
THEIR ANSWERS
Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food” (Matthew 14:15; Mark 6:35-36).
Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat”
(Matthew 14:16).
Philip responded, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” (John 6:7).
THEY LOOKED FOR FOOD
THEY FOUND A BOY’S LUNCH
EVEN WITH
THE DISCIPLES COULD NOT MULTIPLY THE MEAL
THE DISCIPLES COULD NOT FEED THE FOLK
THE DISCIPLES COULD NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM
THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST WERE GIVEN AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK
THE MONEY WAS MISSING
THE MEAL WAS MINIMAL
THE LOCATION. WAS LACKING
IT APPEARED THAT THEY WERE IN AN DESPERATE SITUATION
WITHOUT CHRIST
THE PROBLEM IS TOO MUCH
THE SITUATION IS TOO MUCH
THE DIFFICULTY IS TOO MUCH
WITH CHIRST
DID THE DISCIPLES FORGET HOW WAS WITH THEM.
THE BURDEN BEARER
THE WAY OUT OF NO WAY
THE ONE WHO TURNS MIDNIGHTS INTO DAY
THE ONE WHO CAN DO ANYTHING BUT FAIL
AFTER SEEING THE SEEING THE MIRACLES
THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN
AFTER SEEING WATER TURNED TO WINE
THAT WITH MEN THIS 2 FISHES AND 5 LOAVES IS IMPOSSIBLE BUT WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE
THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN
AFTER HE HEALED THE NOBLEMAN’S SON WITH HIS WORD
THAT THIS SMALL MEAL COULD RESTRICT HIS MIGHT.
THAT THIS ADVERSITY COULD HINDER HIS AUTHORITY
THAT THIS SITUATION COULD CONSTRAIN HIS POWER
THAT THIS LITTLE MEAL COULD LIMIT HIS
Perhaps this point could discuss the disciple Andrew's response and the introduction of a small boy's meager offering. Andrew showcases a blend of faith and doubt, acknowledging the insufficiency of the resources yet bringing them to Jesus. This act of presenting the little we have underscores the necessity of bringing what we perceive as insignificant to Jesus, believing He can use it for His greater purpose. Encourage the congregation to present their own 'small loaves and fish' to God, trusting He will multiply what they offer in service.
Jesus instructed His disciples to have the people sit down in groups on the green grass, organizing them in groups of about fifty each (Mark 6:39-40; Luke 9:14). Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks, blessed the food, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people (Matthew 14:19; Mark 6:41). He did the same with the fish. Everyone ate and was satisfied (Luke 9:17). Afterward, the disciples collected twelve baskets full of broken pieces of bread and fish that were left over (John 6:13). The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children (Matthew 14:21).
III. A DYNAMIC SOLUTION
III. A DYNAMIC SOLUTION
10 Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11 And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.
12 So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.”
13 Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.
14 Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
15 Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.
CHRIST
GAVE INSTRUCTIONS AND THEY FOLLOWED
TRANSFORMED A LITTLE INTO A LOT
TRANSFORMED A BAG OF FOOD INTO 12 BASKETS OF LEFTOVERS
WILL YOU FOLLOW HIM?
BECAUSE THIS IS THE PURPOSE
SO THAT YOU WILL KNOW
THAT God's economy operates differently from ours;
where we see lack,
CHRIST sees opportunity.
Surrender Your limited resources to Him,
He can multiply them
