An Appetite for Life

Introduction

I thank you for allowing me this time away in celebration and spiritual R & R. Thanks to Brother Neal Hughes, Dean Finch, Terry Brooks, Ron Cantey, and Rick Lewis for sharing while I was away. My reports were stellar as these men led and I say “thank you”. When I travel to a new place, encounter a different culture, my aim is to come away with something positive, an enlightenment if you will that encourages and you will discover that in today’s message.

Are you aware that innate within each of us is an appetite for life? When we accepted Christ into our hearts, He fulfilled that longing for real life that is instilled into each one of us.

John 10:10 “10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Zoe-the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate. Life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever.

God instilled that hunger within us when He created us. In my recent travels I fulfilled those hungers for life:

I went to places I had never been

I met people I had never met

I saw sites I have never seen, I ate food I had never eaten and the list goes on. I went over that mountain or around that corner in curiosity if you will. You know what I am saying. Do you remember William Shattner and Leonard Nemoy in Star Track? “They boldly went where no man has gone before.”

We have an insatiable appetite for life. We want to see what is around the corner or over the hill. We want to be challenged. Our instint is to push further, be stronger, learn more, stride for life just a litter further, to excel, to be the best, to navigate the unchartered waters of life. That’s life for you. It’s real and Oh dear church, and life is good.

We read a very familiar story today when Jesus performed one of the great miracles of the Bible, the feeding of the 5,000. Later in our service, we will partake of the Lord’s Supper. I pray as the invitation will ultimately be given and you partake of the Lord’s Supper that as you partake that meal you will give due consideration for your appetite for life. Consider that someone came into your life and fed you the manna of the Lord that made you full and fulfilled. Someone shared Jesus with you and fulfilled that longing you had always been searching for but could never find. Turn in your Bibles this morning to Luke 9:12-17.

Luke 9:12-17

Luke 9:12–17

12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.” 13 But He said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people.” 14 For there were about five thousand men. Then He said to His disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of fifty.” 15 And they did so, and made them all sit down. 16 Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. 17 So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them.

Prayer

Message

This amazing miracle story of the Bible is recorded in all four gospels. When this happens I think it important that we mine out the deep truths of such an important event in the life of Jesus.

Yo will remember from three weeks ago that Jesus was preparing the disciples for the next phase of ministry. Going out on their own independently of Jesus’ bodily presence. Jesus prepared them for the mission with these words:

Luke 9:1-3 “1 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.”

You may remember as well that at this point He began to call them apostles because they were prepared at that particular point in the power of God to be sent out.

Jesus was calling these disciples to depend upon His supplication for the journey and the fact He would meet their needs. Dearly beloved, always remember:

God will not call you to task until He has cultivated your tools for the assignment.

The story of the feeding of the five thousand is recorded in all four gospel accounts:

Luke 9:12-17; Matt. 14:15-21; Mark 6:35-44; John 6:1-14

Our focus today will be on Luke’s account, but I will mention that we discover in John 6:6 that when Jesus asked them to “give the people something to eat” that He was testing the disciples. He was assessing their faith.

Jesus had been building their faith time and again for them to trust Him. He revealed His power over the wind and the waves and the question was asked, “where is your faith?” He healed Jairus’ daughter and the woman that had been hemorraging for twelve years because our dear Savior is a God of compassion. He loves you and He loves me. He hurts when you hurt and He celebrates when you celebrate.

But Jesus always gets mileage out of His divine acts in our lives. He does things to bring glory to Him and He does things to grow us in His image.

In fact, we know from Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

God can work all things for good.

When they traveled without a tunic, a staff, or money they were journeying in total trust upon the Lord. Jesus’ aim for them and for us today is that we will trust Him when the struggles of life come about, but in all things and in all times.

Man is Instilled with a Insatiable Appetite for Life V. 12

and Jesus knew this.

Luke 9:12 “12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.””

Isn’t God good? And....all the time, God is good.

Right up until this event, Jesus was preaching and healing people and the continuance of crowds building around Jesus was the daily occurrence. Jesus’ popularity was building by the hour because of the great compassion He showed for people by healing and curing of diseases and casting out demons and raising people from the dead.

The day was spent and they were in Bethsaida, and the Bible terms it a “deserted place”. Deserted does not mean that the place was desert like but that the place was uninhabited.

The very reason they were in a deserted place was to allow the disciples to rest and rejuvenate from the ministry they had been performing over the recent days.

Dearly beloved, within this story is the miracle, but beyond His miraculous acts, the Lord has implanted an answer to these insatiable appetites in life that we have. How can our appetites be satisfied?

When the twelve disciples came to Jesus collectively and stated these words:

“Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.”

The reason the message was collective and in unison from the disciples was because the words they shared were universal in truth:

2 Truths are found in this statement the disciples made to Jesus:

-we have an insatiable appetite

-we will strive to fill it

We all have insatiable appetites and we all strive to satisfy those hungers.

Let’s consider some of those appetites:

physical hunger

clothing/shelter/basic needs/health

curiosities/learning/adventure/thrill seekers

intimacy/love/procreation/family

protection/security/peace/tranquility/and that we will live forever

The Holy Spirit through Luke chose His words carefully.

Oh dear church, love your family, love like you have never loved, love your spouse, love your children, love your grandchildren. Love them as God intended they be loved because if you do not, the world will. Listen to what Luke states:

Love is in all the surrounding country and towns, sex is in all the surrounding country and towns, and if we do not fulfill that hunger for love, as you have heard the song:

Johnny Lee Lookin for Love …in all the wrong places.”

I was lookin' for love in all the wrong places Lookin' for love in too many faces Searchin' their eyes Lookin' for traces of what I'm dreaming of Hoping to find a friend and a lover I'll bless the day I discover another heart Lookin' for love

And I was alone then, no love in sight And I did everything I could to get me through the night Don't know where it started or where it might end I turned to a stranger just like a friend

Dear church, when people look to fill this insatiable appetite for life in all the surrounding regions, it’s not good, it’s a deserted, by yourself, lonely place that does not provide real satisfaction.

Our Mission is to Offer the Answer to that Appetite for Life V. 13

Luke 9:13 “13 But He said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people.””

Jesus wanted to see if they would feed the multitudes. Today, Jesus is asking us the same question:

Will you feed my sheep?

I have a granddaughter named Avery. Avery has certain food intolerance's that will affect her digestive tract. She can’t eat gluten, breads, etc. And, when she does, it will tell on her. One evening this week she gave into a desire for a particular food tht was available and it told on her that night and the next morning.

Oh dearly beloved, there are appetites we have that if we consume them, they will tell on us and bring us down. There are things in this world you can consume that you shouldn’t and they will bring you down.

You might say this morning: Feed others, you do not know how physically, emotionally and spiritually famished I am? My life is a mess and I am starved myself. Oh, how I need to be filled today.

And aren’t you glad that Jesus loves you so much, He never quits feeding, He never quit providing?

Peter made a bold brash statement and stated to Jesus, “oh no, I will never forsake you Jesus, I will never betray You.” As we look in John Chapter 21-22, Jesus after His death, would not stop there. He came back to Peter and fed Him one more time. After Jesus’ resurrection, He came back to Peter.

“Have you caught any fish?” while they went back to their former life. “No, try dropping on the other side” and… what happened?

Jesus took those fish and sat down those disciples and again, fed those men. But, He especially gave Peter a sumptuous meal.

John 21:15–17

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

Oh listen to me dear church, the world is hungry and must be fed. People have been going to all the surrounding regions and countries to be fed because they find themselves in deserted places trying to navigate this life all by themselves without Jesus.

I shared with you that I try to find something positive from every trip (especially international trip) to bring something back encouraging. I met a man by the name of Leon. His wife’s name was Hanna. They live in Windsor, England, 30 miles due west of London. He just stepped down as the CEO of the fourth largest billboard advertising firm in the UK and led a company of 1,200 employees. His job entailed flying out of Heathrow Airport, London, 2 out of 4 weeks per two month as they did business all over the world.

The United Kingdom (UK) is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Leon has a wonderful testimony. He was born into poverty in Cape Town, South Africa. He was born a Jew. Today, he is a Messianic Jew. He came to know Christ and was gloriously saved. This is one man’s thoughts or opinion, how could what he shared with you been so transforming?

As we lounged on the upper deck of the ship for what was probably two hours conversing about life, the things of God, the Bible, I was highly impressed with His depth of the Word. He began to share that if a Jew read Isaiah 53 or Isaiah 9 how could he not know Jesus as the Messiah. He mentioned another scripture that I did not retain, but He impressed me with his depth of knowledge of the word. His spiritual depth was the first indicator that I was speaking to a man worth listening to.

Luke 2:52 “52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

Secondly, this man was very learned of the things of this world. He knew his history as we had guides sharing on the tours, He would respond to the questions asked and he would answer correctly. Here in America our history is less than 300 years. We saw structures still standing from the 13th century. I am amazed at the history Europeans know comparative to our depth of history. That’s another story. Somehow, we began to show certain courtesies about each other’s countries and what we thought each country contributed. With recent news I acknowledged how well Princess Elizabeth represented England. The conversation carried over to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, President Biden and President Trump and just a few highlights of their personalities. And I made this comment: “I am impressed with how the people on this trip from all over the world have been so in tune with the United States and what is happening in America.” There were people from Europe, the UK, South Africa, Australia, Hong Kong, and the list goes on. And the words he followed with were transforming to me. He inspired and deepened my patriotism, and put a fire in me to be that shepherd God had called to feed His sheep. I truly believe that what he said is an even greater charge upon the church to put a fire in us to feed the world that has an insatiable appetite for life. He said these words:

He said, “absolutely, the world is in tune with America. America beats the drum and the world follows. What happens in America affects the rest of the world. The world looks up to America. He made this comment that blew me away. Rome had nothing on America. The empire of America has far exceeded anything the Roman empire ever accomplished. The USA has been the longest reigning leader in all of world history. And he went on to say this. America has been the dictate of moral and ethical behavior of the world. When America’s solidarity diminishes, the world follows. The changes of laws and the morality of America’s choices in recent years has had an adverse affects on the world. Oh yes, the world watches you. The world looks up to America and they follow what America does.

In one breath church, I always knew I lived in the greatest country in the world, but in another breath, to hear a man of God, a man of another nationality, a man that was successful and learned to state that was all the more impacting.

Yet, more importantly, it was sobering even more so as a country, but as the church, we need to be careful what we are feeding, and oh, church, we had better get about feeding God’s sheep.

The Method is Our Means and Jesus Miraculous Touch Brings Salvation VV. 14-17

You might say, Brother Luke, I am not gifted in that area. I would not know what to say to be used of the Lord. And you know all of the gospel accounts. Philip said, “200 denari would not feed all of these people.”, “we do not have enough money to feed these people. The hour is getting late and they need to fend for themselves. Jesus’ you have done enough. You have ministered all day and enough is enough. Let’s let them go find food for themselves.”

When we offer our skills 1 x 1=1. When we are the only part of the equation the task will not happen. You are correct if you believe you do not have sufficient training or sufficient resources or sufficient skills to make a difference for the kingdom of God. You would be exactly correct.

But, when you multiply:

Your means and talents and Jesus’ miraculous touch, the Scriptures state:

Ephesians 3:20 “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,”

Andrew found a young lad that was willing to give his two fish and five barley loaves and that was sufficient.

Oh dearly beloved, are you hungry to see your household transformed for Christ, what you have to sacrifice and offer Christ is enough. Do you want to see your workplace changed? Give what you have to Jesus in your time and talents and treasures and it will be enough.

As I think about Mt Zion and our mission and as we look at the text, we do not feed 5,000 all at once, we feed 50 at a time. We will grow God’s church here one bite at a time. Moreover, if Christ has been dealing with you and you are sensing the Lord working in your life you may ask the question, where do I begin? Will I see my life turn around all at once? What do I do?

I want to begin by saying that if the Lord chose to do the supernatural and bring a life transformation instantly, you could not handle all that God has in store for you. But this morning, if you will put one foot in front of the other and trust Jesus and step out and let Him hand you a piece of fish and a piece of bread symbolically today. If you in total surrender and acceptance say today I am trusting you to feed this appetite for life that I have never satisfied. If you will just take a bite, listen to what happened to those 5,000 that day, and by the way, there ws 20-25,000 with women and children:

Luke 9:17 “So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them.”

That word “filled” means gluttoned, they were stuffed.

Luke 24:28–35 NKJV

Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them. Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

You can carry Jesus home today-Dessert in Germany, hold your fork.

In another place we learn that the faith of a mustard seed can move mountains. Today dearly beloved, if you have ever considered accepting Christ as Lord and Savior, surrender today and see what the Lord will do in bringing real peace, real vitality, real satisfaction for life that you might be filled.

Let’s pray.