The Makings of a Miracle

Scripture: John 6:1-14 Parallel: Matthew 14: 13-21, Mark 6:30-42

John 6:1–14 (KJV 1900)

THE PEOPLE’S NEED - Hunger

1 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.

2 And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

3 And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. 4 And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.

THE CIRCUMSTANCE - Exhaustion

5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

Mark: 6:30-34 “And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.”

Matthew: 14:13-16 “When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.”

JESUS - Willing and able to meet the needs

6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.

7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,

9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

THE WORK - Laboring for the Lord Jesus Christ

THIS IS NOT TO REMOVE ANY GLORY FROM GOD.

It was nearing the end of the day.

There were more than 5000 people.

They had to get everyone seated.

They had to get the bread to everyone. Then they did the fishes. They had at least 12 baskets by the end. But I’m not sure how many helped.

They had to make sure everyone was provided for. They were filled.

They had to get the baskets and the remains. That meant checking back in with everyone.

10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.

12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

THE MAKINGS OF A MIRACLE:

It Requires seeing the need

It Requires overcoming the circumstance

It Requires work for the Lord Jesus Christ

It Requires a Yielded vessel

The Problems people face:

The World doesn’t believe in a miracle making God because they have never trusted God. Hebrews 11:6 James 4:8

James 4:8 KJV 1900

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Hebrews 11:6 KJV 1900

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

The Christian discounts God when they do not invest themselves to the Will of God. Obedience will increase your faith. Walking with God will increase your faith. Both require work.

Romans 10:17 KJV 1900

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Matthew 7:24–27 KJV 1900

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

God Wants us to be a Working People:

Colossians 3:23 “23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”

1 Corinthians 15:10 “10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

Matthew 11:28 “28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

John 6:27 “27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.”

The Miracles of the Bible:

-Noah and the Ark Genesis 6

-Elijah and the prophets of Baal 1 Kings 18

-Moses and the Children of Israel crossing the Red Sea

Closing Thoughts:

1. All Glory goes to God for every miracle. For without God no miracle would ever happen, even if man strove with his or her every fiber to make something miraculous happen.

2. However, it is clear that God chooses to display many if not most of his miracles in the work of those who are yielded completely to his work out His will.

Matthew 19:26 KJV 1900

26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Galatians 6:9 KJV 1900

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV 1900

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.