Sermon Notes for Sunday Morning by Joan Ferrand

Pastor Ernie's message, taken from Matthew 14:13-21, was “ Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand .” This familiar story is recorded in all four Gospels. Its importance is not just the miracle performed, but the lessons Jesus wanted to teach his disciples. These lessons are still applicable to us today. This is Pastor's outline.

•  The People – Verses 13-14, After the death of John the Baptist, Jesus sought a place of solitude and rest. It wasn't long before a great crowd followed. Jesus saw the multitudes, was moved with compassion and healed the sick. The word for compassion here has the deeper meaning of, ' a moving of the heart, deep within His soul over their needs.' So, why did the crowd follow Jesus? A good question for today.

•  The Physically needy . - Many who followed had physical needs and illnesses. Although this wasn't their greatest need, Jesus healed them.

•  The Spiritually needy .- These understood something was missing in their souls, and understood His words only would truly satisfy. This is everyone's true need. Remember Simon Peter's answer to Jesus? “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life (John 6:68).”

•  The Thrill Seekers . - Looking for a show of miracles, no concern for physical or spiritual needs, and could care less about the message. Sound familiar!

•  The Problem – Verses 15-17 - A large, hungry and exhausted crowd had gathered. It was time for the evening meal, but they were far from a source of food. The disciples wanted to send them away, but Jesus challenged them to provide what was needed. The disciples were only able to come up with five loaves and two fishes. Even though Jesus had desired solitude, He willingly met their physical and spiritual needs.

•  The Provider – Verses 18-21

•  The Crowd – No one in the crowd could meet the need for all the food required.

•  The Disciples – The disciples had no wisdom as to how to provide. All they had come up with was the five loaves and two fish! They had no financial or food sources. The crowd of 5,000 men, plus women and children could have been over 25,000!

•  The Savior – Jesus is the only one who could provide. He would provide through what the disciples thought inadequate. When they obediently gave what they had (five loaves-two fishes), and followed Jesus' instructions all were fed. Not just fed, but filled (satisfied to the point of wanting no more), and had twelve baskets left over! (Note: He made them organize and sit in groups; His example of giving thanks to the Father; He had the disciples be responsible for distributing the food; The crowd was satisfied.) Are we willing to give 'our little' so God can bless it to supply 'all' our needs, and serve others as well?

•  The Principles Presented – Jesus knew that He would soon be going to the Cross, and He wanted to use this event to prepare His disciples (and us) for their responsibility to 'feed and meet' the needs of the people.

•  The importance of time to get alone for rest and solitude. Everyone need this. (vs. 13)

•  A time for persons in leadership to teach, regroup and instruct apart from the crowds.

•  Recognize the need to show compassion on the fickle and undeserving. (Matthew 5:44, “...Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you.”)

•  Rest and leisure must sometimes take a backseat to ministry and be sacrificed for the needy.

•  Teaching the Word of God and speaking for Christ must be done when meeting physical needs of others.

•  Jesus taught the need of orderly conduct and not chaos. (People sat)

•  Importance of obeying the Lord, even when you may not fully understand. (Feeding the crowd) Be faithful, give and use what you have.

•  Teach the generosity of God and His provision. He is there for every need. He is Sovereign.

•  God needs to be trusted to supply the impossible. Rely on His wisdom, not our own.

•  God manifests His power through weakness. Here are some examples. A baby's cry moved the heart of Pharaoh's daughter and became the deliverer of Israel. A shepherd's staff was used to perform miracles in Egypt. A poverty stricken widow was used to feed the prophet, Elijah. A young maid was used to lead leprous Naaman to Elisha for healing. A boy's lunch was used to feed several thousand! I Corinthians 1:27, “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound those which are mighty.”

What do you have in your hand that can be used for God? Give Him your whole heart. He has a job for each of us who are willing to be used. Be faithful. He will multiply your ministry.