Messages in the Miracles (Learning to Take Opportunities)

GCC Memory Verse

Luke 6:38 (ESV)

38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

I read that, The Roman scholar Cato started to study Greek when he was over eighty years old. Someone asked why he tackled such a difficult task at his age.

Cato said, “It’s the earliest age I have left,” and continued to study.

Many of us tend to get stuck in life because we are to focused on the time spend, then the time we have left. We are living life focused on the rear view mirror.

Today We are starting a series looking at the messages that are 3 of the miracles of Jesus.

Jesus feeding the 5,000 (more like 15 after adding women and children)

Jesus walking on the Water

Jesus healing.

We read these stories and think how amazing Jesus was, and he was for sure, but there are some great points that are just below the service of the story that I feel can help us in life today.

Mark 6:30–44 (ESV)

30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.

There is Work to be done, but don't forget you need rest

Jesus has just sent his disciples out to spread the gospel, they are all returning now, and Jesus responce to a great job done...... Let us go and rest.

Rest is on of the most importance and often overlooked part of life

whole cultures around the world have prioritized rest.

In Spain, between 2 and 5 pm they have what is Siesta which we know as a nap.

Italy has the Riposo meaning retreat

The Bedouins in the middles east take the hottested part of the day, around lunch, after eating will rest and nap before going back to their work for today.

In america, we have................ will we dont have

Our culture is not one of resting, its going till it gets done or we lose light, then get sleep to do it again.

God put in his word, in both old and new testamenst the importance of rest.

Exodus 23:10–12 (ESV)

10 “For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield, 11 but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the beasts of the field may eat. You shall do likewise with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard. 12 “Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed.

It doesn't just end in the old testament.

Hebrews 4:8–10 (ESV)

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

WE take time to rest and remember God here, till the ultamite rest comes where we are in the presence of God.

Jesus understood that we needed rest in this world, so he gave us this promise

Matthew 11:28 (ESV)

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

As we learn more about Jesus, apply his teachings, He will teach us about both Physical and Spiritual rest.

33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

When you are given an opportunity Take It

1002 Humorous Illustrations for Public Speaking: Fresh, Timely, Compelling Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers, and Speakers 646 TOPIC: Opportunity No Better Time

646 TOPIC: Opportunity

No Better Time

A truck driver who was hauling clay for a landfill backed his dump truck too far over the grade. As a result, the weight in the back lifted up the front of the truck. His helper, alarmed, asked, “Now what do we do?” Glancing at the truck, the driver took some things out of the cab, slid under the truck, and said, “I guess I’ll grease her. I’ll never have a better chance.”

Somtimes opportunities come out of no where

we can ether ignore them ( which many do) or we can take advantage of them.

we hear pastors teach about sharing the gospel, about being a blessings, and its easy to say, will i havent had the chance,

the truth is you have had many chances, you just were not looking for them......

Ephesians 5:15–21 (ESV)

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Don’t waste your time in things that take you out of the moment.

Every momment can be used to point to, preach about, or praise God.

Galatians 6:10 (ESV)

10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Let us not only see opportunity, but let us USE IT.

Jesus saw this as an opportunity to preach to thousands, to give them hope and direction, something he noticed they were missing.

If we were in the same situation, would we have taught them, or sent them away?

35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”

God has given you everything you need, You just need to look for it.

How quick we are to dismiss what we are able to do in the moment. The disciples only saw the cost of food for everyone and how they couldn't get it, Jesus saw the need of the people and knew that they had everything they need, they just have to look for it,

we fail to grab and opportunities often times because we look at what we don’t have, instead of trusting in God in what He has given us.

Philippians 4:19 (ESV)

19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

God gives you everything you, He covered the bill

Psalm 37:25 (ESV)

25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.

He has and will always provide you with provisions, ( the food, clothing, and so much more)

Psalm 34:8 (ESV)

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

God even tells us to try it and see.

and promises that for those who try God will be Blessed.

God Does doest stop there.

many people hear this story and you hear about 5,000 men being fed and we are like WOW, But we can miss my favort part of the WHOLE MIRACLE

39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

After feeding thousands of people with a 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, and ended the day with 12 baskets full of broken pieces

God gives you more then what you think you need.

Luke 6:38 (ESV)

38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

God promises that as we give, he will give in abundance.

we have the same ability to start with what we have now, and end with more then we started with.

This promise doesn’t just mean in the physical but God does it in the spiritual

Psalm 23:5–6 (ESV)

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

We have only this life,

Our life is stained in sin and sin punishment is death

God calles us to turn our lives over the him, and he give you back

Forgivness of your sings

Grace and Mercy

Peace

and Eturnity with him.

You start in life with your one life and as we surender to God He give us SO MUCH MORE.