Inadequate Qualifications | John 6:1–15

Inadequately Qualified | John 6:1–15

Opening Remarks: We’ll be in John 6 this morning. I won’t be preaching on Father’s Day specifically, although I’ll attempt to make some applications to dads today. John 6 takes place some months after John 5 ends.

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One of the most famous miracles in Scripture. Title: Inadequately Qualified.

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Introduction: Reflecting on my own dad this morning

One of the things he did that drove me the craziest as a young person was he would ask me questions he already knew the answer to.

Watching TV, “Did you do your homework?”

Going outside to play, “Did you already clean your room?”

It’s almost a rhetorical question because he wasn’t looking for an answer. He was testing me to see if I would be honest or not. He was making a point more than looking for an answer.

And it used to drive me crazy to the point that I would say, “I’ll never do that to my kids.” And now I do it all the time.

If you’re a dad that asks rhetorical questions, you’re in good company. Because Jesus was known to ask questions of this nature. He uses one on Philip here in John 6.

He asks him a question to prove him, or to test him. Vs. 6 says, “For he himself knew what he would do.”

Jesus already had a plan. He already knew how to handle this situation. But He didn’t want to do it without including His disciples in the process.

This account is actually included in all four Gospels, which shows just how significant it is.

The feeding of the 5,000 men comes right before Jesus speaks about Himself being the Bread of Life, which refers to salvation. So this is a miracle that clearly points to salvation.

This is one of the signs John mentions in John 20:31 when he wrote, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

Of all the things this miracle does, it points us to Christ’s ability to meet people’s needs. This account is all about Christ’s mindset toward needs.

Some important lessons for us to learn:

I. Everyone Has Needs

6:1 - “After these things” refers to the account of Christ healing the paralyzed man in chapter 5, which may have been the Feast of Tabernacles.

6:4 says this takes place at the Feast of Passover, which is about 5 months later. So clearly, Jesus has been very busy healing people of their sicknesses.

6:2 - Lest we think Jesus has been sitting around for 5 months, when you compare John and the other Gospels, Jesus has sent the disciples to preach the Gospel. So they’ve been extremely busy. Not only that, but Jesus has been teaching continuously. The Sermon on the Mount has already taken place. The Parables have been given. Jesus has raised people from the dead. He’s walked on water. He’s healed the blind and the mute and countless others. Not to mention the fact that John the Baptist had been thrown into prison and just before this had been beheaded by Herod. Two things:

First, if you wonder why John didn’t include all these details, the purpose of his Gospel was to present the signs of Christ so people would believe. He chooses seven because His focus is the deity of Christ. His point is not to give every detail like the other writers.

Second, at this point Jesus and the disciples are absolutely worn out. They’re weary from the ministry. They’re tired from the demands. They’re broken hearted by the death of John, who was the mentor of many of them before they followed Jesus.

They need a break. But guess what, they’re not getting one. Because 5,000 men follow them across the Sea of Galilee, not to mention the women and children, which probably means there are 10,000 to 20,000 following them.

So they’re just trying to have a staff retreat. A time to get away. And they can’t even do that.

Why? Because everyone has needs. All the time.

So while they take a boat, the crowds run around the northern end of the Sea of Galilee and meet them there.

Vs. 3 says they were sitting there just hanging out, then vs. 5 says Jesus looks up and sees the crowd coming. I’m sure the disciples were thinking, “We need a break!” But Jesus has compassion and says, “We’re going to need some food.”

They must have been Baptists because they came expecting food and fellowship.

Just think, they’re on a mountain in a desolate place. There are no restaurants or food trucks or anything. And these people have just walked hours to get to them. So Jesus says, “Philip, where we can we buy bread for these folks?”

If you read the other Gospel accounts you see that the disciples ask Jesus to send the multitudes away so they can go get their own food. But Jesus says, “We need to help meet this need. Where can we get bread?”

But before we move on, just consider how massive this need is. This multitude of people needed help.

Not only were they hungry, but many of them needed to be healed. That’s why it says they followed Him. And as pressing as these needs are, they can’t touch the spiritual needs that the multitude has. Later in chapter 6, Jesus tells them they were so concerned about eating bread and being healed, but they have a bigger need for eternal food.

Everyone has needs. Physical needs, emotional needs, medical needs, relationship needs. But the most pressing needs in any of our lives are the spiritual needs. As a church, that has to be our focus. And while we may meet some other needs along the way, every act of ministry should end in meeting a spiritual need.

The multitude was short sighted. They were so focused on the physical benefits that Jesus brought that many of them failed to take spiritual steps. That’s happening all around us. People are so focused on material things that will soon perish and they should be focusing on eternal things.

It’s our job to help them see their true need. That’s the responsibility of a disciple.

But here’s the next truth:

II. We Are Inadequate To Meet Those Needs

The disciples wanted to send them away. That was the easy thing. They knew they didn’t have enough food.

But don’t forget, they’ve just seen Jesus do miracle after miracles for months. Healing the lame. Helping the blind to see. Raising people from the dead. Don’t you wish Philip would have said, “Jesus, this is no big deal for you! I’ve seen what you can do.”

But instead, Philip starts doing math. And after some swift calculations, he recognizes that 15,000 is a little more than they could handle.

He says, “Two hundred pennyworth is not sufficient.” That’s eight months of wages. The idea is Philip is saying, “Even if we had 200 denarii, 8 months worth of a working man’s salary, we still couldn’t feed all these people.” He’s not even saying they have that. He’s saying, “If we had that, it wouldn’t touch the need.”

Don’t we that too? We assume it’s impossible because it’s impossible for us. But they weren’t considering what was possible for Jesus.

So Andrew pipes up and says in vs. 9, “There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes.” That sounds like faith to me, until he says,”But what are they among so many?”

You get the idea that Andrew wasn’t honestly considering that these 5 little flat barley cakes like pancakes and two little dried fish like sardines could even make a dent. I doubt he even brought the boy to Jesus.

Why? Because we are inadequate to meet the needs that people have.

But here’s the next truth:

III. Jesus Is Sufficient To Meet Every Need

First, He already had a plan.

John 6:6 “And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.”

Jesus wasn’t testing Philip to tempt him to do wrong. He never does that. He was putting Philip in a position to grow His faith in Jesus.

Jesus knew what He was going to do.

In fact, Jesus always knows what to do. He’s way ahead of us.

Second, Jesus is more concerned with the needs of people than we are.

He wants to meet needs. He’s the One who had compassion on the multitudes time after time.

He came to minister and serve and meet the needs of the needy.

That’s why He went to the cross. To meet our greatest need.

Your biggest need is spiritual. And Jesus did the work to meet that need on the cross. All you have to do is let Him meet it by admitting your sin and placing your faith in Him.

If He can meet our greatest need, which is forgiveness of sin, there is nothing, no other need, that He can’t meet in our lives.

Third, Jesus Christ does not have limitations like we do.

He didn’t wring His hands when Philip talked about money.

He didn’t start taking more donations when Andrew talked about the food.

He isn’t dependent on our resources. He has his own unlimited resources.

He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He has all power and knowledge.

He’s an unlimited God.

Fourth, when Jesus meets a need, He MEETS a need.

Vs. 10 - To prove His control, He calmly implements a plan. 10-20k people sitting down on a mountainside. That’s an incredible sight.

Yet this multitude was no big to Jesus.

Vs. 11-13 - Jesus didn’t just meet the need, He MET the need.

Earlier, Philip said, “Even if we had 8 months of wages, everyone would only get a little bit of food.”

I wonder if Jesus thought, “A little bit? I can do better than that.”

Vs. 11 says everyone got “as much as they would.” He multiplied the food so much that there were 12 baskets full. The disciples thought “A little bit” and Jesus was thinking “All you can eat.” Some say this was His way of teaching the disciples to trust Him more.

That’s how the Lord works. He doesn’t do anything just barely.

Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

That’s how the Lord works. He doesn’t just give life. He gives abundant life.

He doesn’t just give grace. He gives grace that abounds even more than our sin.

He doesn’t just meet needs, He MEETS needs.

And He doesn’t need our resources to do it. But that’s what makes this final truth so incredible.

IV. Jesus Involves The Inadequate In The Process Of Meeting Needs

Two people got to be involved in the meeting of needs - The Little Boy and The Disciples

What made the little boy and the disciples qualified to be a part of this?

The Boy Was Willing - vs. 9

He wasn’t special. He didn’t even have much. But he was willing. And his willingness made him useful.

If you know Jesus Christ, He wants to use you.

Stop assuming that what you have is too little to be a blessing.

Sometimes, all it takes is a word. Sometimes it only takes smile.

It’s enough at times to simply be there. Don’t have to say anything.

I love how in a church setting that being used just means being in your place. That’s the job.

Jesus didn’t ask for the richest or most influential. He used a willing boy.

Every person has something to offer. And before you say, “I’m inadequate,” that’s the only kind God uses.

Hudson Taylor, the great missionary, said, “All God’s giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on God being with them.” God only uses inadequate people. The moment we feel adequate is the moment we can’t be used.

Your inadequacy is actually your qualification.

So the boy was willing, and…

The Disciples Were Obedient - vs. 11

The disciples got to be a part of this miracle simply because they obeyed.

Notice, they didn’t give anyone of their own resources. They simply handed off what Jesus handed to them.

They weren’t special. They were just obedient. They passed on what was given to them.

Here’s the point: If you want to be part of the God’s need meeting process, you have to first receive in order to pass something along.

The disciples simply took what was given and passed it on.

You have to get something before you can give something:

Gospel - You have to study and know the Romans Road before you can lead someone to Christ.

Teaching/Preaching - You have to hear a message from the Lord before you can pass one along.

Pastoring - My walk with the Lord has to consistent or I’m giving out of scarcity instead of abundance.

Spiritually Impacting Others - You have to have your own walk with God before you can impact someone else.

Dads - Leading your wife and children can be overwhelming. That’s why your own walk with the Lord has to be consistent and real because, without it, you’ll have nothing to pass along to a household depending on you. You say, “That’s too much pressure.” Sorry, that’s the job. God never puts us in an impossible position. Whom God calls, He equips. Get help. Find resources. Attach yourself to a dad and husband that has thrived and learn all you can. It’s possible, but God has to work in you before you can lead them.

The disciples took what Jesus gave them and passed it along.

If you want to be used in other people’s lives, God has to first work in yours.

Think about what God requires for usefulness: Willingness and Obedience.

Not talent. Not experience. Not leadership. Not speaking ability. Not charisma.

Willingness and Obedience.

Too many people say, “I’m inadequate. I can’t be used.”

God’s not concerned with that. In fact, being inadequate is what He’s looking for, because the inadequate person recognizes they have nothing to offer and they need something from the Lord if they’re going to meet a need. It makes us dependent on Him.

Hudson Taylor, the great missionary, said, “All God’s giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on God being with them.” God only uses inadequate people. The moment we feel adequate is the moment we can’t be used.

CIT: Being adequate is our qualification for usefulness.

I imagine this boy wasn’t real happy about giving up his lunch.

Have you ever gotten between a hungry boy and his food?

But yielding ourselves and what we have to God results in us getting more than we give up.

The boy started with five loaves and 2 fish and he ended up eating as much as he wanted, according to vs. 11.

You may feel inadequate, but if you will surrender yourself to God, He can use you to meet the needs of others.

APPLICATION

This is true for all of us

You say, “I can’t speak to the lost.” That may be true, but rather than use that as an excuse, use it as motivation to depend on God for the words you don’t have. That makes you inadequately qualified.

You say, “I can’t teach or serve. I have no skills.” God made you to play a special part in a church family. Your inadequacy is your qualification because only God can get the glory for your contributions. You are inadequately qualified.

You say, “I can’t be faithful.” You’re right. In yourself, you probably won’t be. But God can turn your inadequacy into your qualification. Just show up. Be faithful and see how God uses and grows you.

You think, “I can’t overcome this sin.” That’s true. But that inadequacy is what God is looking for. It makes you completely dependent on His grace.

This principle is true for Dads

Being a dad will make you feel inadequate very quickly.

But being inadequate is your qualification.

Because it means you don’t have dependence on yourself.

You have to depend on the Lord to lead your family.

You have to depend on Him if you’re going to show them Christ every day in your spirit, in your responses, in your faith, in your decision making, in having victory over your own sins.

We’re all inadequate. But that’s exactly who God wants to use to meet needs. All He asks is that we yield ourselves through willing obedience.

In the end, this isn’t about our inadequacy, it’s about Christ’s sufficiency.

He is able. He knows what to do. He has a plan. But He wants to include us in the process.

Illustration: Carrying tables when the kids were little. They think they’re helping but I’m doing all the work. But in their minds, they’re thrilled to contribute. It connects them. Makes them feel a part. And they get the pleasure of helping meet a need.

Christ is sufficient, the burden lies with Him, but if you will be willing and obedient, He’ll let you have a part in meeting someone’s need.

But don’t miss this: This also means Christ is sufficient to meet your needs.

Salvation - He has a plan. We’re inadequate, but Christ is sufficient.

Sin - He has a plan for forgiveness and restoration. Christ’s death is sufficient.

Finances - He has all the resources we need. He can do miracles. If we will simply come to the end of ourselves and trust His sufficiency, He knows what to do.

Life Problem - Have you gone to the One with unlimited resources? Or just worried? And talked with everyone else? He knows what to do. He’s looking for a humble spirit of dependence. Own it. You’re inadequate. That’s why you need Him so desperately.

Believer - You can live life in your strength, or trust God for His. Your strength will run out. But His is always enough. He is sufficient.

But we doubt. We try to do it ourselves. We try to do the math and figure it all out. Philip had his doubts. Andrew said, “Not enough.” But a little boy believed and saw a miracle we’re still talking about.

His life played out a truth that Paul wrote about in 2 Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Paul said, “I embrace my inadequacy, because it makes me dependent on the power of Christ, which He provides when I humble myself.”

You are Inadequately Qualified to be used by God. What might God do with your inadequacy if you would simply yield it all to Him?

Inadequately Qualified. That’s us. Own it. And watch God do in your life what only He can.