His Proof!
The Endless Journey - John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Reading:
6 who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Introduction:
Jesus’ claim at the end of chapter 5 was very provoking.
He claimed that He was equal with God, thus is God!
The Jews hated that statement, and began seeking to kill Him.
John 6 Jesus continues building the foundation for this claim.
The Jews upped their game to conspire to kill Jesus; and Jesus continued to reveal Himself to the world for any who would believe in Him!
The affects of sin are wide-spread and hard to deal with; but we have come up with small yet powerful phrases that offer comfort, encouragement, and sometimes hope.
Take an athlete who competes in an individual sport, and there is one person left to beat, what would be a good thing for the coach to say?
Let’s go home you’ve done well?
Do your best?
“You’ve Got This” is probably the one that will boost their confidence and boldness.
A long distance runner who is pushing themselves hard during the race and the coach sees the look on their face that their about out of gas.
Would the coach just stand there silent?
Would they run next to them?
They would probably be yelling: “Keep Going” to help them mentally push through what their bodies are telling them.
The point is that we have small statements that carry big implications.
Chapter 6 opens up with a similar small statement:
“After this”
1 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.
This phrase shifts the entire scene from the confrontation with the Jews to whatever is going to take place next.
Why did Jesus leave?
He offended the Jews who now sought to kill Him.
He also left allowing people to “ponder” His words and all that took place.
He left them with two options:
Ignore it all and focus on how they felt?
Evaluate and ponder the truth and how it will change them.
That is an show and extension of His love as He allows an opportunity for Grace.
The beginning of John 6 reveals:
Jesus Loves The People (1-4)
Jesus Loves The People (1-4)
3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat down with His disciples.
4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.
5 Lifting up His eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward Him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”
Jesus acknowledged all of those who were following Him.
They followed Him because they witnessed Him heal a lame person, challenge the Jews and claim to be God!
Wouldn’t you want to see what happens next?
Connection:
Many people like what Jesus offers; but He is the insignificant vessel for the miracles.
That’s thee epitome of a consumer mentality and motivation: Selfishness.
This might challenge how we treat our relationship with the Lord and all of our relationships.
Do we have relationships with people because of what they can do for us or -
Do we have relationships with people because we care about their lives?
A lot of people want a relationship with Jesus because of what He can do for them, instead of what He did for them because of His love.
Something Jesus does here meets an expectation the people had for “the prophet” when He came.
They expected the prophet to bring deliverance and provide ‘Manna’ from heaven just like Moses had done in the wilderness.
How ridiculous!
That the people expected things like this for “proof” that Jesus was who He claimed to be.
Especially considering all that He had already done and shown them.
The people were following Him because of the signs He already showed, obviously they thought He was the Messiah.
The expectation was met by all of them witnessing a miracle of feeding 5,000 from 5 loaves and 2 fish.
Connection:
We see even the small details that Jesus loved people.
The small detail to fulfill an expectation they had for the one who was supposed to come.
It wasn’t a prophecy specifically; but there were about 5,000 people who had an expectation which they believed the Messiah would fulfill.
Jesus showed that He knew of the expectation and by meeting that belief, He showed His love for them.
More than that...He met their physical need of food as they followed Him.
Point:
I believe that Jesus knows each and every expectation we have of Him, whether right or wrong.
I also believe that He meets those expectations and reveals to us our unrealistic expectations.
I also believe because He loves us that He will meet some of those ridiculous expectations.
The closer we are to Him, the easier it is to realize the things He does for us and the love that He shows to us - then praise Him for it!
Transition:
Jesus loves the world and showed that.
Jesus offers through His love a gift that will fulfill every need and expectation.
Loving Jesus:
Jesus Brings Satisfaction (5-15)
Jesus Brings Satisfaction (5-15)
His salvation offers satisfaction.
It satisfies our eternal hope.
It can satisfy our desire for meaning and purpose.
It can satisfy our worries and fears.
Look at the scene here:
5,000 people are following Jesus and He acknowledged their need before it was a need.
They were all going to need food.
5 Lifting up His eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward Him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”
6 He said this to test him, for He himself knew what He would do.
Out of all 12 disciples, why ask Philip?
A couple possibilities:
Philip being raised in that area of Cana, may have known where to get food.
Philip is being asked to be tested.
Some commentators believe that Philip was very analytical.
It is typical for analytical people to evaluate all the stats and possibilities for scenarios they find themselves in.
Imagine the problem that feeding 5,000 people in short time would cause.
A slight anxiety attack!
I don’t think Jesus was testing his heart, I believe He was testing something else.
(?) Who was the leader the crowds were following?
Jesus.
Who’s responsibility would it have been to feed the people?
Not Philip’s.
There are many moments in our lives I believe Jesus places us right here.
Offering 2 options with an astronomical obstacle in front of us:
Attempt to take it on ourselves.
-Or- Seek the Lord’s direction and wait for His interceding.
What did Philip choose?
7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.”
Philip responded, not with help; but with the tally of needed finances, seasoned with a little pessimism and unbelief.
The price of $200 denarii was approximately six months wages. Which is estimated to be about $20-30k.
That is only about $4-$6/ per person.
That’s why Philip said it’s not enough for each person to get a little.
Not to mention that who in the world will have enough bread for 5,000 people?
Andrew to the rescue!!
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 they for so many?”
I found food...But it’s only 2 little sardines and a 5 buns for his little sandwiches.
He doesn’t even have any condiments.
But He does something that Philip didn’t do:
He shifts it back to Jesus.
What are they for so many?
Lord, this is a problem with no solution!
Connection:
How many times should we accept this question as well?
How many problems in your life do you not see a solution to?
You try and try to all your logic, resources, and abilities with no avail.
Maybe God is testing your ability to let go and rely on Him.
How?
Do what we find here in these passages.
Evaluate what is happening.
9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”
There are 5 loaves and 2 fish.
For us maybe we evaluate that our resources are limited.
Converse with the Lord and tell Him all you see for help and ask for eyes to see all the things you are missing.
The things in our life are placed into our stewardship, they aren’t possession.
We don’t really own anything, we are given stewardship of it for a time.
But we do choose what to do with it.
Jesus shows us exactly what He can do with the things we give over to His use.
10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number.
11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.
12 And when they had eaten their fill, He told His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.”
Jesus shows order in what He does.
They all sat and the disciples distributed.
Jesus shows how to offer up things to the Lord.
He gave thanks to for what was offered to use for the Lord.
The disciples handed out the fish and loaves to each person there.
At what point do you think the disciples were amazed that the food didn’t run out?
Maybe it was when they began collecting leftovers.
12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.”
13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.
14 When the people saw the sign that He had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”
All were amazed at the miracle that Jesus performed; but more than that they were re-assured by the sign showing He was the prophet.
Jesus satisfied the expectation and anything else that they were unsure about Him being the Messiah.
Connection:
Salvation in Jesus offers satisfaction in every area of your life.
Some areas are an immediate change.
Others are similar to the what happened here with the disciples.
We need to realize that every believer is a disciple of Jesus and He is working on us every day!
When I first had a desire for learning more about God I knew the place to look: the Bible.
I began digging into the word and hearing about miracles like this and the charge to have faith and trust Him.
I had the knowledge; but I hadn’t really experienced it.
One jobsite the owner and three of the six workers attended an assembly of God church.
We had conversations about speaking in tongues and many others topics.
My desire to know more about the Lord pushed me to digg into these subjects in scripture.
What He was revealing to me wasn’t the memorization of facts or verses, it was more about how to have these type of conversations and why.
Having a conversation lovingly, not yelling or hurling facts at one another, and to be aware of the temperature of the conversation shifts how people hear what you have to say.
Sometimes when you realize it isn’t a profitable conversation it’s ok to end it and pick it up when pride cools down.
Jesus satisfied my desire to know the truth and how to get through the walls people put up.
Transition:
Jesus didn't just meet their hunger — He met their fear.
Because a God who satisfies your needs is also a God who calms your storms. That's what we find next.
Jesus Brings Peace (15-21)
Jesus Brings Peace (15-21)
Jesus withdrew because what they desired for Him wasn’t what He came to accomplish.
15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by Himself.
Jesus was here to be the redeemer, even though He is King!
He left the crowd and sent the disciples across the sea.
16 When evening came, His disciples went down to the sea,
17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
The disciples planned to arrive in Capernaum as Jesus directed them.
The disciples found that sometimes our plans are disrupted by “God’s Interventions”.
The disciples were probably a fishing boat like this.
While there we read:
18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.
19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened.
Here they are 4 miles away from shore and the seas are rough.
What kind of things were running through their minds while on the sea in this weather?
We aren’t going to make it!
Why did Jesus place us here in this moment?
What would Jesus do?...
They only know that Jesus sent them ahead and stayed behind.
Thankfully Jesus knows all and:
Jesus left His prayer time on the mountain and began walking on the water towards Capernaum.
According to Mark Jesus was going to just go past them on the way to Capernaum; but they saw Him and were afraid.
Wouldn’t you be afraid to see a person walking on the water?
Especially if they turned and looked at you, and began speaking?
20 But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
21 Then they were glad to take Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
In this moment Jesus calmed their fears; which shouldn’t be a surprise.
Connection:
Each and every one of us shouldn't be surprised that Jesus can and will calm the storms in our lives.
This isn’t to assume the storm will always go away; but we can find the peace He offers in Him while were going through it.
No matter how much rain is hitting your head, waves splashing on your ankles you can remain calm and at peace.
Jesus can help you over come those fears by holding you up.
Go back to the faith it took for Peter to step out of the boat.
Place yourself back to the faith that it took you to follow Him!
He is trustworthy and able to hold you up through it all, even when it doesn’t make sense to you or anyone else.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Point:
The salvation Jesus brought, offers any who believe peace!
Conclusion:
We've seen three things today that Jesus revealed about Himself in just 21 verses.
He loves you enough to follow you into the wilderness.
He satisfies needs you didn't even know you had.
And He walks through storms to get to you.
So what does this look like when you walk out of here today?
Maybe you've been like Philip — running the numbers on your problem, calculating why God can't possibly fix it.
Pause before you panic — and ask the Lord: “What do You see that I don't?'
Choose humility over pride when God confronts you with a truth that makes you uncomfortable.
Maybe you've been following Jesus for what He can do for you rather than what He has already done.
Jesus proved He is God — not just in the theology of chapter 5, but in the everyday moments of chapter 6.
He is present in the ordinary, impossible, frightening moments of your everyday life.
And He is enough for every single one of them.
That's not just good news for Sunday.
That's the truth that carries you through the whole week.
-Pray!
