Fish and Loaves (2)

Bottomline:Everything we have God will use if you give it to Him.

Intro- Talk forecasting show and bad investments

There is never a bad time to invest in the Kingdom because their is never a bad time to invest your eternity and the eternity of others.

James

The New International Version (Chapter 1)

17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Hebrews

English Standard Version (Chapter 13)

16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Here at South Creek we want to live a life of generosity and sacrifice because it is the way we saw Jesus live. He lived in a way that put others first and was open handed.

The New International Version (Chapter 6)

Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Festival was near.5 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?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

In the Gospel of Luke account it states that Jesus had compassion on the people...

God sees needs and wants to meet them.

8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

A scarcity mentality sometimes keeps people from being sacrificial like Jesus.

10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 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.

Our big God can take small things and make a big impact.

12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

When we surrender everything we have, God will provide everything we need.

The New International Version (Chapter 12)

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.

God is more impressed by sacrifice than he is a show.

42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

God is inviting us to put give back all we have so that we might receive all He has for us.

Our faith is should not be dependent on our circumstances, our faith should be dependent on our Savior.

Challenge people to consider giving to the church....