The Motives for Miracles - Jesus Feeds 4,000 - Part 2

Part 2 – The Motives for Miracles

1 – God’s motive for miracles is LOVE

Miracles Require Pure Motives

· Motives of the people turned selfish – John 6

· Miraculous PATTERNS are to be appreciated but not expected.

· In this case, God chose to answer the same need the same way – sitting, thanking, breaking – but this would be the last time.

· Later on in John chapter 6 - the crowd seemed to expect a free dinner to be every time or at least become a regular event.

2 – Wrong Motives for Miracles = selfishness

· The same crowd kept following Jesus for free fish sandwiches

· One can ask God for the right thing the wrong way – for the wrong reasons, even if the need is legitimate. (entitlement or welfare mentality)

John 6:26 (NLT)

John 6:26 NLT

26 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs.

John 6:27 (NLT)

John 6:27 NLT

27 But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”

John 6:28 NLT

28 They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”

· Sounds good – but do they really mean it?

· Our words are only as good as our works (talk vs walk)

John 6:29 NLT

29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

John 6:33 NLT

33 The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

John 6:34 NLT

34 “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.”

· Human nature is lazy – always wants something for nothing – including from God!

· But God would not enable man’s laziness, even though they expected to receive from Him in faith!

John 6:35 NLT

35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 6:36 NLT

36 But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me.

Miracles point to Jesus

John 6:51 NLT

51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”

John 6:53 NLT

53 So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you.

John 6:60 NLT

60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”

John 6:66 NLT

66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.

John 6:67 NLT

67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”

John 6:68 NLT

68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.

Life Lesson: Seek Jesus more than anything, including miracles!

Seek FIRST the Kingdom, THEN all these things will be added to you.

Self Exam: What is your motive for miracles?