Life of Christ # 36 The Feeding of the Four Thousand

Matthew 15:29–39 KJV 1900

29 And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. 30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: 31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel. 32 Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. 33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? 34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. 35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. 36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. 38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. 39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.

I. Jesus left Tyre by the way of Sidon.

A. Went through Decapolis.

B. To the Sea of Galilee.

II. Step 1: Making oneself available to the needy.

Acts 20:35 KJV 1900

35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Romans 12:13 KJV 1900

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Galatians 6:10 KJV 1900

10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

1 Timothy 6:17–19 KJV 1900

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

A. Being among them.

B. Allowing them to bring their needs.

C. Meeting their needs: Healing them.

D. Result: They glorified “the God of Israel”.

III. Step 2: Having compassion for their every need.

Matthew 5:6 KJV 1900

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Psalm 42:2 KJV 1900

2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: When shall I come and appear before God?

Psalm 73:25 KJV 1900

25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

Psalm 119:20 KJV 1900

20 My soul breaketh for the longing That it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

Psalm 143:6 KJV 1900

6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: My soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

Isaiah 26:9 KJV 1900

9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; Yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: For when thy judgments are in the earth, The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Amos 8:11 KJV 1900

11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, That I will send a famine in the land, Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the Lord:

A. By observing what they do and have.

B. By being concerned over their fainting.

C. By being determined to help.

IV. Step 3: Being willing to use what one has to meet the need at hand.

A. By not offering objections.

B. By taking inventory.

V. Step 4: Ministering to the need at hand.

Matthew 6:20 KJV 1900

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Luke 12:33 KJV 1900

33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

Luke 14:33 KJV 1900

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Acts 11:29 KJV 1900

29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

A. Preparing them.

B. Giving thanks to God.

C. Ministering to them.

VI. Step 5: Witnessing the Lord’s power and provision.

Psalm 36:8 KJV 1900

8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; And thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

John 10:10 KJV 1900

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

2 Corinthians 9:8 KJV 1900

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Ephesians 3:20 KJV 1900

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Philippians 4:19 KJV 1900

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

2 Peter 1:11 KJV 1900

11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

A. His provision satisfies all.

B. His provision meets the need and more.