When a Little Becomes a Lot

Jesus, God in the Flesh | A Study through the Gospel of John  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
0 ratings
· 8 views

When we think there’s not enough, if we’ll stand on faith, God will show up!

Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction |
Impossible is always possible with God. This truth is shared within all four gospels. However, there is only one miracle that occurs within our four gospels and this miracle reveals that truth that we are to walk in, talk in, and live in faith. For with God all things are possible. This miracle, the only miracle recorded in all four gospels is the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand.
Focus Passage | John 6:1-13
Opening Passage | John 6:1-5
John 6:1–5 NASB 2020
1 After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). 2 A large crowd was following Him, because they were watching the signs which He was performing on those who were sick. 3 But Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near. 5 So Jesus, after raising His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread so that these people may eat?”
Outline |
The Sermon Notebook: New Testament (When a Little Becomes a Lot (John 6:1–13)) - Alan Carr, Calvary Baptist Church, November 5, 2003
The Situation was Overwhelming (vv. 1-5a)
A recognition of the situation - ‘…a large crowd…’
We know from v. 10 that there were some five thousand men present, So the men reclined (about five thousand in number). Some scholars estimate based off five thousand men being present, there were some seven to ten thousand people in total. It was a large hungry crowd, no where in site to get food for this crown, and it was feast time. It was, what we would call, an impossible situation. However, what we will find, is that what may be impossible for man, is always possible for God.
Through this story, we are to realize that God knows our situation. God views and watches both the good and the bad.
Proverbs 15:3 NASB 2020
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.
He knows our situation. He knows that at times we may become over whelmed. Let us recognize the situation, but also know God knows.
How many of us have ever found ourselves in an impossible situation?
How did God show up in that situation?
A request of faith
Jesus seeing the crowd, asked a question of his disciples. We find that Jesus specifically asked Philip, Where are we to buy bread so that these people may eat (v. 5) Now understand, this was a test. Jesus knew how Philip was going to respond. Jesus also knew how He would respond. As v. 6 states, But He was saying this only to test him, for He Himself knew what He intended to do.
We must realize that our impossible situations are in many ways, if not most of the time, a test. It is about a test in faith. Our faith does not grow on the mountain top. Our faith grows in the valley. Our faith grows within our impossible situations. We are to live by faith. We should never be so afraid or worried that we cannot say, God, You Have Got This! and not mean it. As the prophet Habakkuk writes…
Habakkuk 2:4 NASB 2020
4 “Behold, as for the impudent one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous one will live by his faith.
The author of Hebrews reveals that without faith, we will not be able to please the Lord.
Hebrews 11:6 NASB 2020
6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him.
How often do we respond, not in faith, but rather we respond in the flesh?
As we look at our text, that is what the gut reaction of the disciples was broadly and Philip in the narrow.
A response of the flesh - ‘…Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not enough for them, for each to receive just a little…’
As we go further within our text, we will address the response of flesh in a deeper way, but the disciples did as we all do in the midst of trials, react in the flesh. It’s no good react in the flesh to any situation. Our flesh is weak. We are to respond in the spirit. We should all grasp and apply the truth we find within the gospel of Matthew.
Matthew 26:41 NASB 2020
41 Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Have you ever asked the question, “How are we going to handle this?”
This is exactly what Jesus asked
How are We Going to Handle This (vv. 5b-6)
John 6:5–6 NASB 2020
5 So Jesus, after raising His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread so that these people may eat?” 6 But He was saying this only to test him, for He Himself knew what He intended to do.
4 responses were given to Jesus’ question…
Let’s get rid of the problem (Mk 6:35-36; Mt 15:23) - The idea of avoidance (status quo answer)
Let’s raise more money (v. 7) - Buy our way out…money is the answer… (big church answer)
We have little, but it will never be enough (v. 5) - impossible and just forget about it (small church answer)
Let Jesus have it (v. 11) - The RIGHT answer…The ONLY answer
Our God is bigger than our problems. Mary had a bumper stick on the back of her van for time that had a sever pictures on it and it stood for, “God is greater than our highest mountains and our lowest valleys.” This is so true. As Jesus told His disciples about salvation in particular and life in general, with man, it is impossible, but with God, all things are possible. As one reads Paul’s epistle to believers at Rome, we find that God can take our darkest hour and make it our brightest day.
Romans 8:28 NASB 2020
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Later, he writes to the church at Philippi…
Philippians 4:6–7 NASB 2020
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
However we wish to look at it, God is sufficient and we are live in and throughout faith. No matter the little we have, God is sufficient to make surplus out of it.
The Supplies were Insufficient (vv. 8-9)
John 6:8–9 NASB 2020
8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are these for so many people?
The size of the gift did not matter - ‘…five barley loaves and two fish…’
How would you have reacted to the little boy?
Have you ever been there?
Mary and I at Ozark Acres…
The sacrifice of the giver did
The little boy did not have much, but he gave it any way. He gave ALL he had. As I was prepare for this message, I was reminded of the widow’s might…
Mark 12:44 NASB 2020
44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”
The stain of doubt
Andrew may have brought the boy to Jesus, but still did not think it would be enough. He was just shooting in the dark and trying to put on a show. He was trying to act as if he had faith and putting on good front, but in the end, his doubt bled through, but what are these for so many people.
The Surplus was Abundant (vv. 10-13)
John 6:10–13 NASB 2020
10 Jesus said, “Have the people recline to eat.” Now there was plenty of grass in the place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.11 Jesus then took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them to those who were reclining; likewise also of the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover pieces so that nothing will be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with pieces from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.
The faltering were sanctified (v. 10d)
These five thousand men, about seven to ten thousand in total are a picture of the multitudes today. The Holman New Testament Commentary on John gives a great picture of truly what is happening within our text. If you remember, these people did not come to Jesus out of faith, but because of His miracles. The HNTC on John states the following:
John A. Faith Is Expectant Obedience (6:1–15)

As we shall see, this chapter is about faith, but these people wanted food. Jesus talked about spiritual relationship, but the crowds were interested in physical showmanship. They focused on the lunch, not the love; on their bellies, not their beliefs

Does this describe you?
Or are you found in the picture of the disciples? You believe that Jesus can do something with the little, but you still have the stain of doubt?
Or are you found in the picture of the boy? You’re willing to give all that you have to just see God move.
The famished were satisfied
Jesus gave thanks for what the Father had provided and began breaking bread and sharing fish. You would not think that would go past the little boy, but every last person that was there was provided for. Everyone had enough. God showed up and showed out. He provided and satisfied. How many of us truly trust that the Lord can still provide and satisfy?
He not only provided. He not satisfied. He did more than they ever thought possible. As Paul writes to the church as Ephesus…
Ephesians 3:20 NASB 2020
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
The faithless were stupefied - ‘…Gather up the leftover pieces sos that nothing will be lost…’
Our rent being paid by the mortgage company…
God can and does more for us than we will ever know or can imagine.
1 Corinthians 2:9 NASB 2020
9 but just as it is written: “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the human heart, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”
Conclusion |
May we hold on to the comforting truth that God is a miracle worker, way maker, and chain breaker. May we hold on to the hope that His grace is sufficient. May we hold on to the hope that no matter how impossible our situation may seem, with God all things are possible. He will always provide and provide in big way, if we have faith and believe.
Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more
Earn an accredited degree from Redemption Seminary with Logos.