sf340 - Fulling Man's Desires - 4 of 7 The Miracles of the Master (John 6 1-15)
Fulfilling Man’s Desires
The Miracles of the Master – Part 4 of 7
John 6:1-15
INTRODUCTION
Series Background
We have seen through these miracles that Jesus is the answer for man's greatest need. In turning the water to wine, we see that Jesus is the answer to man's disappointments. In the healing the Nobleman's son, we learned the cure for man's doubt. In the healing the invalid, we learned that Jesus could defeat man's disability. Tonight through the feeding of the 5000, we are going to see how Jesus fulfills man’s desires.
Scriptural Background
In this chapter, Jesus returns to Galilee. We also see Christ's Claims Revealed (6:1‑40) and Christ's Claims Resented (6:41‑71). He reveals that He alone can satisfy the most basic need of man. Food here is symbolic of our spiritual needs.
We are a generation that is never satisfied. Tonight we will want to learn about; the hungry people, the helpless disciples, and the heavenly solution.
1A. THE HUNGRY PEOPLE
1B. They Sought Him (John 6:2)
They had preceded Him ‑ they had come from the other side of the lake. These people sought His hand not His face. They followed Jesus because of what He could do for them not for what they could do for Him. They did not realize that He had to means to fill their deepest need.
2B. They Stirred Him (John 6:5)
We see in this verse our Lord's compassion. He was and is compassionate toward people.
Matthew 9:36 (NASB) 36Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.
We see our Lord's concern. He is concerned about the lost. In fact, Luke tells us in
Luke 19:10 (NKJV) “10for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Their dilemma stirred Jesus to action
2A. THE HELPLESS DISCIPLES
1B. The Scope Of The Problem (John 6:7)
This was an enormous crowd; we are told that there were 5,000 men. All told, there could have been as many as 10,000 counting the women and children. Feeding this crowd was well beyond the Disciple's reach. They had no way to feed so many.
The task was also beyond the Disciple's reason. They could not even begin to imagine how to feed these people. Their answer was to send them away. They had forgotten the command in the Old Testament.
Jeremiah 33:3 (NASB) 3‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
We must remember that God works in our lives when we cannot!
2B. The Smallness Of The Provision (John 6:9)
The little boy had only "five small barley loaves and two small fish " Barley was the food of the poor and the fish were probably about the size of sardines. This lunch was barely enough for a boy. The work demanded more than the disciples could ever supply. They needed a Heavenly Solution
3A. THE HEAVENLY SOLUTION
1B. The Simplicity Of The Solution (John 6:10)
Jesus commanded that the people "sit down" sitting down implies sitting down to eat! Sitting down at the Lord’s command required faith. It required the faith of the boy to give all he had to Jesus. It required the faith of the disciples, to follow the Lord’s instruction. It required the faith of the people to sit down and wait for Jesus to feed them. The entire miracle is based on faith.
The same is true today. We cannot know or please the Lord without faith.
Hebrews 11:6 (NASB) 6And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
2B. The Source Of The Supply (John 6:11)
Jesus "gave thanks" to God. God is the source!
Psalm 103:1-5 (NKJV) 1Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The psalmist tells us that God ...Forgives (v.3); Heals (v.3); Redeems (v.4); Rewards (v.4); Satisfies (v.5); Renews (v.5).
God through Jesus supplies all we ever need in life.
3B. The Sufficiency Of The Supply (John 6:11‑13)
Notice they had all they wanted. Jesus never leaves us wanting for those things we need in life. Nothing was wasted. Nothing was lost. The Lord is gathering up the fragments of our broken lives and making something useful out of them.
4B. The Significance Of The Sign (John 6:14)
The people proclaimed, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world." Jesus is revealed to a needy people! Only those who see their need for a savior will know His supply. We must understand our poverty; we are lost without God and must repent of our sin and place our faith in Christ alone. He is the provision for our deepest need
APPLICATION
I am satisfied with Jesus, He has done so much for me: He has suffered to redeem me; He has died to set me free. When my work on earth is ended, and I cross the mystic sea, Oh, that I could hear Him saying, "I am satisfied with thee." I am satisfied, I am satisfied, I am satisfied with Jesus, But the question comes to me, as I think of Calvary, Is my Master satisfied with me?
John 6:1-15
INTRODUCTION
Series Background
We have seen through these miracles that Jesus is the answer for man's greatest needs.
In turning the water to wine, we see that Jesus is the answer to man's disappointments.
In the healing the Nobleman's son, we learned the cure for man's doubt.
In the healing the invalid, we learned that Jesus could defeat man's disability.
Today through the feeding of the 5000, we are going to see how Jesus fulfills man’s desires.
Scriptural Background
In this chapter, Jesus returns to Galilee.
Ø We see Christ's Claims Revealed (6:1‑40) and Christ's Claims Resented (6:41‑71).
Ø He reveals that He alone can satisfy the most basic need of man.
Ø Food here is symbolic of our spiritual needs.
We are a generation that is never satisfied.
Today we will learn about;
Ø The hungry people
Ø The helpless disciples
Ø The heavenly solution.
1A. THE HUNGRY PEOPLE
1B. They sought Him (John 6:2)
They had preceded Him ‑ they had come from the other side of the lake.
These people sought His hand not His face.
They followed Jesus because of what He could do for them not for what they could do for Him.
They did not realize that He had the means to fill their deepest need.
2B. They stirred Him (John 6:5)
We see in this verse our Lord's compassion.
Matthew 9:36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
We see our Lord's concern.
Luke 19:10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Their dilemma stirred Jesus to action
2A. THE HELPLESS DISCIPLES
1B. The scope of the problem (John 6:7)
This was an enormous crowd
Ø 5,000 men
Ø 10,000 or more counting the women and children.
Feeding this crowd was well beyond the disciple's reach.
The task was also beyond the disciple's reason.
Jeremiah 33:3 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'
Ø We must remember that God works in our lives when we cannot!
2B. The smallness of the provision (John 6:9)
Barley was the food of the poor and the fish were probably about the size of sardines.
This lunch was barely enough for a boy.
It is not the amount but the attitude that is important.
It is not the quantity of our faith; but the quality of our faith!
3A. THE HEAVENLY SOLUTION
1B. The simplicity of the solution (John 6:10)
Jesus commanded that the people "sit down"
Ø Sitting down implies sitting down to eat!
Ø Sitting down at the Lord’s command required faith.
The entire miracle is based on faith.
Ø We cannot know or please the Lord without faith.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
2B. The source of the supply (John 6:11)
Jesus "gave thanks" to God. God is the source!
Psalm 103:1-5 Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
God through Jesus supplies all we ever need in life.
3B. The sufficiency of the supply (John 6:11‑13)
4B. The significance of the sign (John 6:14)
Only those who see their need for a savior will know His supply.
APPLICATION
I am satisfied with Jesus, He has done so much for me:
He has suffered to redeem me; He has died to set me free.
When my work on earth is ended, and I cross the mystic sea, Oh, that I could hear Him saying, "I am satisfied with thee."
I am satisfied, I am satisfied, I am satisfied with Jesus, But the question comes to me, as I think of Calvary, Is my Master satisfied with me?