Phillip the Calculator

Introduction

Good morning and welcome!

This morning we are going to be looking at one of, if not the most familiar miracle in the New Testament, outside the Resurrection of Christ.

This is also the only miracle performed by Jesus, outside the resurrection, that is recorded in all four of the gospels.

And what I am talking about here is the "feeding of the 5000" by Jesus that is recorded in John 6.

However, this morning we are not going to be looking so much at the miracle itself, but one of the disciples that was involved in this miracle.

That disciple is Phillip, and borrowing from A.W. Tozer, I want to call him "Phillip the Calculator."

However, before we get to Phillip, lets set the stage and talk a little about what is going on at the time.

So, let’s look at the Scripture itself and then we can break it down just a bit more.

John starts out in chapter six, verse 1 . . .

Scripture Focus

John 6:1–14 NIV84

Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Feast was near. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

The Question Asked

So, we see the miracle performed here and Jesus feeding all these people, but going back to the beginning of the chapter, Jesus starts out with . . .

John 6:1 NIV84

Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias),

So, sometime after the events of John 5, Jesus sets out and crosses over the Sea of Galilee.

Nobody knows for sure how much time after the events of John 5 had passed when this actually took place, but think it was probably about six months.

But, what we do know is that prior to this taking place Herod had already had John the Baptist killed.

The disciples had already preached throughout Galilee.

The multitudes were becoming very curious about Jesus, and Herod himself was seeking Jesus.

So, a great number of events had already taken place when this miracle of the 5000 transpires.

Here we find Jesus and his disciples crossing the sea and the Bible says . . .

John 6:2–3 NIV84

and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples.

So, this great multitude of people began to follow Jesus and the disciples, not because they knew He was the Son of God.

But rather because they had seen the miracles Jesus had performed and some:

Wanted to be part of it.

Were looking for a miracle of their own

At any rate though, this great crowd began to follow Jesus around and you have to think about it in modern terms of today's stars.

He couldn't get any peace or solitude.

They were always right there, like the poporatizi!

So He ended up taking His disciples and they went up into the mountains for a time.

However, some time passed and . . . .

John 6:4 NIV84

The Jewish Passover Feast was near.

It was drawing close to the time of the Passover, and Jesus uses this as an opportunity to both . ..

Teach a Disciple

Fulfill OT prophecy showing He was the Messiah.

So, knowing the end of the Passover was coming, they left and . . .

John 6:5–6 NIV84

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

So, Jesus looks out at this great crowd that had gathered, he knows that they had journeyed a long way and followed Him and His disciples.

Jesus also knows that the crowd had not come prepared for the journey and not brought any food with him.

Being the "shepherd" to the people, Jesus assumes the responsibility of feeding the sheep.

So at this point, He turns to Phillip and asks him a question, "Where are we going to buy bread to feed all these people Phillip?"

And, it wasn't that Jesus really needed to know where to get some bread, but rather Jesus wanted to test Phillip's faith.

Jesus wanted to see whether Phillip had faith enough to believe that Jesus could care for these people or whether Phillip was going to rely on physical ability.

He wanted to know whether or not Phillip was going to see with "Spiritual Eyes" or "Physical Eyes."

Jesus already knew what He was going to do for these people, but the purpose was to teach Phillip to trust in Christ for all things.

And that’s all fine and good for Phillip, but what about us?

What would we have done in that situation?

Be careful how you answer that because we are not talking about feeding a bunch of people, we are talking about all of the situations and circumstances in our lives that happen.

How are we going to view those things?

Where are we going to turn when the task seems impossible?

The Disciple’s Response

Because, Phillip answered like many of us would . . .

John 6:7–9 NIV84

Philip answered him, “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

“Eight months of wages would not be enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

“What are you talking about Jesus? This is nuts! We don’t have enough money or food for these people!”

And honestly, Phillip was like many in the church world today.

We all have this grand vision of a miracle of God.

We have ideas and plans to reach the community for Christ.

In our own lives, Jesus may be calling us to enter into a ministry field.

To do something . . .I don't know what it would be for each of us, but something . . .

However whatever it is, instead of trusting in the Lord to provide, what do we do?

We consult the checkbook.

We go and ask Rhonda how much money we got!

On a personal level, we think of all the reasons why we can’t.

Now, don't get me wrong, God calls us to be good stewards with what He gives us and not waste on frivolous things.

However, when God shows us something and it is usually confirmed by Him showing it to multiple people in the church.

When we have the vision and know it is from God, we have to learn to step out on faith.

Phillip responded that 8 months wages, wouldn't be enough to feed these people!

And his problem was, Phillip was looking through these physical eyes, seeing an impossible task before them.

Phillip couldn't see how in the world they were going to accomplish what God had set before them.

Do you ever feel like Phillip sometimes?

See the task so big or so insurmountable, that you will never accomplish it?

I have at times.

I'll admit it.

Sometimes it is even a little scary.

That’s not the end of it though.

Most of the time there are other disciples around that can help lift us up or pull us down . . .

John 6:8–9 NIV84

Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

Andrew wasn't much better off than Phillip, but he did offer a little glimmer of hope.

Andrew said, "we've got this kid with (5) barley loaves and (2) little fish.

The boy had about enough for himself for one meal, so Andrew asked the question, what good is this little about of food going to do though?

Apparently, Phillip and Andrew had forgotten what Jesus had been teaching them about faith . . .

Matthew 17:20 NIV84

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

The Lesson Learned

And Jesus is setting them up here to show them exactly what just a little bit of faith can actually do.

John 6:10–13 NIV84

Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

So, Jesus instructs them to have the people sit down in the great grassy area that was there.

The Bible records that there were about 5000 men.

Now this is only the men that were there, and doesn't take into account the women and children that were present.

In reality there were an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people there total following Jesus.

And He was about to feed them with (5) Biscuits (that's what a barley loaf was) and (2) pickled fish.

So, think about that.

If Jesus was about to do this, what miracle from God do you need?

Is it too hard for God to do?

Jeremiah 32:17 NIV84

“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

And . . .

Jeremiah 32:26–27 NIV84

Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?

And . . .

Matthew 19:25–26 NIV84

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

And we know the rest of the story.

The people sit down and the disciples begin to distribute the bread and the fish.

Everyone gets their fill and Jesus instructs the disciples to gather the crumbs so nothing is wasted (Being a good steward of what God has provided!)

They gather it all and it filled up (12) baskets of leftovers!

The lesson being that if we trust God, He will provide for all our needs and there will be an abundance of blessing left over.

Matthew 6:31–34 NIV84

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

And . . .

Philippians 4:19 NIV84

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

And finally . . .

Malachi 3:10 NIV84

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Altar/Challenge

But the question remains, Do we have faith enough to believe?

Can we see the Big Picture?

Can we look through Spiritual Eyes?

Do we have a vision?

Where do we fall in, Are we like Phillip the Calculator, looking at the odds of success, not willing to try for fear of failure . . .

Or are we going to trust God to do the impossible?

God never told us we had to be successful, He just wants us to trust and obey.

How about it church, are you willing to Trust and Obey?

Let’s pray . . .