Series: Luke
Sermon Title: Feeding the 5000
Passage:  Luke 9:10-17

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Series: Luke
Sermon Title: Feeding the 5000
Passage:  Luke 9:10-17

When Jesus does miracles he is revealing four things about himself…

1. He has power that is greater than our problems.
   
2. He is absolutely unique in history.
   
3. He has incredible compassion and care for us.
   Matthew 14:14
4. He has a mission that is greater than any singular miracle.
   Luke 22:19
   John 6:25-35
   Revelation 21:4

 

PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1. How does the miracle of the Feeding of the 5000 demonstrate that Jesus’ power is greater than our problems? Can you Ephesians 3:20 
2. In what ways have you experienced God taking your limited resources and creating abundance? How can you apply this principle of faith and trust in your current life situation?
   Philippians 4:19 
3. What does it mean to you that Jesus is greater than nature, evil forces, death, and all religious leaders? How does this shape your understanding of His authority in your life?
   Colossians 1:16-17
4. Jesus had compassion for the crowd and met their needs. What practical steps can we take to care for those who are suffering?
   James 1:27
5. Read John 6:5-7.  Phillip is thinking about feeding the 5000 a minimum amount of food.   When have you asked God for just the minimum?
6. How do Jesus’ miracles point to His ultimate mission of going to the cross and the renewal of all things? How does understanding this mission impact your daily life and priorities?
   Luke 22:19
   Revelation 21:4 
7. When have you been so focused on your practical needs that you lost sight of your spiritual needs?
8. How do our perceived and pressing needs compare to our true ultimate need for Jesus, the Bread of Life? How can we shift our focus from immediate concerns to eternal truths?
   John 6:35 
9. The disciples struggled to trust Jesus’ ability to provide for the crowd (Luke 9:12). In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust Jesus’ provision, and how can you grow in faith?
   Matthew 6:33
10. How does knowing that Jesus’ miracles often point to the renewal of all things influence the way you live your life? What changes can you make to live more in line with this eternal perspective?
    2 Corinthians 4:18

 

SCRIPTURES TO MEDITATE ON:

• Ephesians 3:20
  
• James 1:27
  
• Matthew 6:33

RESOURCES:

• Sermon | John Piper | Jesus Came Not to Give Bread but to Be Bread
• Article | Jon Bloom | More Than Enough

 

MONTHLY SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TO TRY: SABBATH REST

What is the Sabbath? In Dallas Willard’s book “The Spirit of Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives”, Willard discusses two types of Disciplines. The Disciplines of Abstinence and Disciplines of Engagement. The Spirit of Abstinence is supported and defined by 1 Peter 2:11, Abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul. The Disciplines of Engagement can be summed up through Jesus’ words in Mark 2:11, Arise, take up your bed and go. These two work hand in hand in our spiritual formation, they act almost like when we inhale and exhale. We breathe in God’s presence and love for us, and we exhale through expanding our knowledge of and worshipping him.

Which do you think Sabbath falls under?

Sabbath is the merging of both. We abstain from things in our normal day to day in order to Engage God, His Glory and Lordship.

Here are four principles to incorporate into your sabbath plan or approach.

1. Stop: Identify an hour when you can intentionally stop.

2. Rest: Identify things you need to abstain from during that hour.

3. Delight: Inhale the presence of God. Discipline your thoughts of the promises of God for your life.

4. Ponder: Exhale your internal response to the promises. Allow this to lead you to worship God for who he is and what he has done.

 

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

The disciples are so relatable. You see quarreling, complaining, fear, doubt, disbelief, and lack of faith all throughout their journey with Jesus. In Luke 9, they have just come back from being sent out to heal the sick and preach the good news. They return most likely tired, and excited to tell Jesus all about it so they withdrew to a town called Bethsaida for a little R&R, only to be met by swarms of people, 5,000 counted of just men. Here we see them coming back from a mission unlike any they had done before, healing people casting out demons, and tending to their needs. Yet when this crowd approaches, they tell Jesus to send them away.

Isn’t this just like us sometimes? Exhausted from our responsibilities, our long workdays and full school schedules only to come home and have a meltdown over the slightest inconvenience or have a sense of dread tending to the needs of others after a long day. We can’t fathom having to meet one more need or add another task to our plates. But how does Jesus respond to the disciples in this moment? In verse 13 He commands “you give them something to eat”. When they told Jesus that they didn’t have what it took to feed everyone, while also presenting what they did have – loaves and fish – this is where the miracle happens.

Most of us spend far too much time focusing on what we don’t have, instead of realizing we have all we need to accomplish the mission that Christ has called us to. We simply need to return what He has given us, offer it over to Him to multiply, and turn it into more than enough. This is something that has plagued mankind since the garden. Adam and Eve had the whole garden, every plant and tree available to them but, but it being off-limits became the object of Eve’s obsession rather quickly. The age-old lie “God is holding out on you, you don’t have everything you need” affects us all in one way or another.

Do we turn to Jesus when we feel we don’t have what it takes for the tasks in front of us? Maybe for financial needs, physical healing, or broken relationships. But what about getting quality time with your kids when you only see them for 30 minutes before work? Do we go before Him and ask Him to multiply the impact of our time together? Or what about when we only have a quick passing moment with a stranger in a store or someone in need on the street? Do we ask the Lord to take this small moment in time and impact the rest of their life?

We serve a God of abundance as seen in verse 17, “They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over”. Jesus didn’t just meet their need, there was plenty left over. This week, ask the Lord to reveal to you what is already in your possession. Ask Him to show you how He wants you to use it and for Him to bless what He has given you so that you may bless others with the overflow.