Mission Impossible III

Good morning & Welcome to New Hope

Been in this series titled Mission Impossible - Exploring areas where it looked like circumstances were impossible, but God has a greater plan and makes the impossible, possible.

Week #1: Paul & Silas

Week #2: Simon, James & John go on this amazing fishing expedition with Jesus

If you say so; We focus a lot on ourselves; Unordinary obedience brings miraculous results

This week we’ll be in

(NLT)

13As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns.

The news Matthew is referring to here seems to be that of the death of John the Baptist. John had been preaching a message of repentance “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” People were coming to him to confess their sins and he would baptize them in the Jordan River. He challenged the religious leaders to do more than simply talk a good game. You can’t simply go through the religious motions. He said that every tree that does not produce fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire. This bold teaching got him into trouble, thrown in prison, and ultimately beheaded.

Jesus had to get away. Even Jesus needs his alone time. Could have been several different reasons for this, but most certainly it wasn’t because he feared for his life.

14Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Jesus sees and knows the needs of those around him. Interesting that in the midst of “huge” crowds, Jesus sees people. A.W. Tozer said, “Jesus sees not populations, but people. He sees not masses, but men.” Just amazes me that Jesus wasn’t overwhelmed or star-struck with the amount of people following him. Instead, he notices the sick, hurting, broken, needy. Brings me assurance today that Jesus sees me in my needy condition and wants to help.

Last week in we find Jesus teaching to the crowds; Now, for some reason, Matthew notices and shares that Jesus chooses to heal sick people. My guess is that he’s probably doing some of both.

15That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.”

“That evening”. It seems that this ministry of compassion and healing must have gone on all day. We don’t have the details, but I’m guessing you can imagine in a huge group of people how many had need and the vast variety of needs that must have been present.

So it’s getting late, and the disciples come to Jesus. We’re out in the middle of nowhere and it’s getting late. It’s dinner time and there ain’t much around. We’re not swinging through Taco Bell and picking up a burrito box!

Seems to be an honest consideration by the disciples. These people gotta eat. Don’t want them getting “Hangry”.

16But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”

This is one of those Jesus moments that you just wish you could have been there watching. Can you imagine the look on the faces of the disciples? Wait a minute, Jesus. What did you just say?

17“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered.

We don’t get all the detail of this encounter in the book of Matthew, but in the book of John we find that there is a young boy in the crowd with 5 barley loaves and 2 fish, and the disciples say, “But what good is that with this huge crowd?”

18“Bring them here,” he said.

So one of the disciples goes over to this young kid and says, “Hey sony-boy, do you mind giving up your dinner? Jesus needs it for some reason.

19Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people.

Interesting that these 4 words - took, bless, break, & gave all verbs that show up in normal Jewish mealtime patterns. We see them in communion narratives as well.

His look towards heaven inclines us to believe that Jesus fully understood where his authority & power comes from. We’d be inclined to fully grasp this as well.

20They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers.

This is just showing off, right! We serve an amazing Savior who is able to supply all of our needs…AND SO MUCH MORE!

21About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!

Anyone ever been to a Komets game in Fort Wayne? The War Memorial Coliseum seats 13,000. We’re told that 5,000 men were present and fed on this day. Unfortunately, back in this time, women and children weren’t always counted, so estimates are somewhere around 15 to 20 thousand people were fed from 5 loaves and 2 fish. Let that sink in for a moment.

What an incredible story… But want can we learn & what can we apply to our lives? Very quickly, I’d like to look at the two different perspectives...

15That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”

Disciples perspective: We are inadequate

Disciples perspective: We are inadequate

Disciples perspective: We are inadequate

Jesus perspective: What can you do?

What’s your perspective?

17“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered.

Disciples perspective: We have limited resources

Disciples perspective: We have limited resources

Jesus perspective: What do you have?

What’s your perspective?

19he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people.

Jesus: Gives food to the disciples

Jesus: Gives food to the disciples

Disciples: Give food to the crowd

Jesus: Empowers you for ministry

We’ve been given everything we need...

Disciples: Are you ready to feed 5,000?

Are you a follower or are you a fan?

What can you do? Jesus has gifted you with something (Do it)

What do you have? Jesus has blessed us in incredible ways (Give it)

Offertory

Strategy - Discipleship - Read Word every day - Come back next week & share what you read and how God spoke to you - Comm Card or Website

Ushers come forward…

June 2 - Kid’s Super Splash Sunday - fun day both services - marks advancing to next grade

June 2 - Volunteer Orientation - after 10:30 service - lunch provided - sign up info table

Membership class - June 9 - 6:00-8:00PM @NewHope