May 18, 2008

  • MARKS GOSPEL [#23]

    Feeding a Crowd
    Mark 6:30-44
    Pastor Dennis Rost (    02/10/2008)

    INTRO:
      • the story behind the story: lessons on giving & receiving...

      • …When Jesus fed a great multitude of people by “stretching” a boys' lunch, He did it to alleviate a problem (hunger). But, He also did it to communicate a message:
          >  John 5:36 - to testify as to His DIVINE ORIGIN
          >  John 20:30-31 - to inspire BELIEF

      • There is a danger (now even as there was then) of seeking His provision, healing, etc., but totally ignoring His message…

    1. Lessons from the LORD
        • vs. 31-32  He gives REST to His laborers (cp. Matt.11:28-30)... He shows great care for His followers
        • v. 34  He has compassion even for SUPERFICIAL followers.

    2. Lessons from the LAD
        • v. 38 (cp. John 6:9) He GAVE... ALL that he had… in FAITH
          >  he could have asked why me, shouldn't the adults give?
          >  he not only gave some, he gave all.
          >  he didn't know that his own needs would be met... He was as hungry as anyone else
        • Two Great Barriers To Giving...
            (a)  Thinking that what I have is too GREAT to give…(I can't bear to part with it)
            (b)  Thinking that what I have is too SMALL to give…(It won't make any difference)... Little is much when God is in it!... God delights to use small people w/ limited resources to accomplish His ends
        • The same God who accepted the lunch of the boy and used it to feed 20,000 people is well able to take your sacrificial gift (treasure, time, talent) and multiply it in the same manner. Do you have the faith to believe this, or are you like those who see the great need, consider your personal resources, and then sadly walk away, thinking “What are they among so many?”
        • God honoring giving can never be divorced from FAITH or from SACRIFICE.

    3. Lessons from the LEFTOVERS
        • vs. 42-43    After they all ate and were satisfied, there were twelve baskets of food left over. Guess who brought those home… (12 disciples)
        • Little really is much when God is in it!
        • There were two responses from the crowd:
            (a)  John 6:26-27 - Some followed Him SUPERFICIALLY, interested in what they could GET out of Him… someone to fight their battles, heal their sick, and fill their stomachs.
                >  they: “Bless me, and I'll follow You.”
                >  Him: “Follow Me, and I'll bless you.”
            (b)  John 6:67-69 - “So Jesus said to the twelve, You do not want to go away also, do you? Simon Peter answered Him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God'.”

    CONCLUSION
    • So, what is it that draws YOU to Jesus?...
    • What would it take for you to fall away?...