The Feeding
of 5000 - John 6:1-14
Passover was near.
Crowds needed to leave and travel home.
They needed feeding - but who had enough money?
Like the disciples, we always think of the natural first.
Small boys lunch was not enough to feed so many, was it!
Jesus watched as they wondered what to do.
He was testing their faith.
Everyone was filled to overflowing.
Who was this miracle really for?
Notice the twelve baskets - notice the twelve disciples.
Little is much in God's hands.
One is a majority with the Lord.
God is able to supply all the needs of His people.
This miracle was for the attention of His disciples.
But it was for the others too.
Moses provided the Jews bread in the Wilderness.
Moses spoke of the coming Prophet.
Jesus was fulfilling this prophecy.
The true bread was for their souls.
Like the disciples we often run around like headless chickens.
But is it not better to have confidence in God?
How much do we really trust Jesus?
Jesus walks on our Fears - John 6:15-21
The miracle of bread excited everyone.
They wanted to crown Jesus as King, Hero and leader.
But His kingdom is not of this world.
There has always been the 'Kingdom Now' crowd.
The disciples were told to go to the other side of the lake.
Jesus did not ask them to do the impossible.
Fear #1. The Great Storm:
a) These men were seasoned fishermen.
b) Those who were not put fear on all in the boat.
c) Fear is contagious - but so is faith!
Fear #2. The Pitch Darkness:
a) They had never experienced darkness like this before.
b) They could hardly see each others face.
c) This would have heightened the panic attack.
d) From picnic (feeding 5000) to panic in one easy lesson!
Fear #3. The Ghost:
a) They thought this was the grim reaper / angel of death.
b) Notice how the fear caused them to be afraid of Jesus.
c) Superstition will always follow foolish fear.
The Remedy for Fear:
a) Allow Jesus into all your circumstances.
b) Believe His word.
c) No problem (:21).
Jesus, the Bread of Life (part 1) - John 6:22-34
Read Mark 4:33-34.
The crowds were searching for Jesus again.
Jesus knew why they really came.
He rebuked them for their greed.
Nothing in this life can offer us eternal life.
What does God want from us? - Faith in Jesus.
The people only believed as long as miracles happened.
The previous miracle was forgotten.
They did not have real faith.
They wanted Jesus to perform (Matthew 4:3).
They pointed to their mouths, but He pointed to their hearts.
He did not come to prosper the body but the spirit / soul.
He is the True Bread from Heaven.
Those who feed from Him will never die.
Verse 34 is not a declaration of faith (John 4:15).
All some see in Jesus is healing, prosperity, happiness and blessings.
Those who have faith see Him as Saviour and Lord.
Jesus - the Bread of Life (part 2) - John
6:35-76
Bread and Water of Life.
What He offers maintains eternal life in us.
Accepting Him = accepting God = true faith (:37).
He came to redeem the lost.
Eat His flesh, Drink His blood?
Those who are spiritually dead only see the physical.
They do not understand, they have no faith.
Those who accept Christ understand (Mark 4:33-34).
Only the saved understand the true nature of the Bread and the Wine.
The Bread is His death upon the Cross.
Eating and drinking simply means having fellowship with Him (Revelation 3:20).
We are united with Him in the Cross.
Those who misunderstand the Bread and Blood never follow Him, they just follow
their church's tradition and idolatry.
Verse 61, Offence = scandalise.
Were the disciples offended?
Verse 63 with 68-69 - It is the words of Jesus not His flesh and blood which we
consume.
Those who follow Satan do not understand (:70-71).
How is it that we understand? (:65 with Matthew 16:17).