Matthew 14:15-21…Ready

Matthew 14:15-21…Ready

14:15  As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, (Similar to Israel’s wondering in the wilderness in which God provided Manna from heave.)and its already getting late. (As if Jesus didn’t know where they were or what time it was) Send the crowds away, so that they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” 16 Jesus said, They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.  (Not that Jesus didn’t already know what He was going to do, But was meant to confront them with the fact they had no resource in themselves to depend on.  According to the Gospel of John Jesus’ reply was meant to test Philip’s faith for Jesus “already had in mind what he was going to do” (John 6:5-6) 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread (Don’t think of loaves of bread like we have today, ranging from 16 to 24 slices per loaf. But rather these were flat round cakes that had to be broken into tiny bits. Even if broken down into minute and infinitesimal tiny pieces it still couldn’t feed 5000 people, let alone 10 to 15 thousand people ) and two fish,” they answered. (Andrew strong arms a little kid and takes his lunchbox. Not literally, but he’s a man of decisive action and problem solving -(New) 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19  And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks (A typical Hebrew blessing back in the day went something like; “Blessed are you our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.”)  and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20  They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. (For Complete Expository See Book)

Extended Sermons

“Teaches how we’re not to allow our limited resources & abilities keep us from serving the Lord. (What’s little in us, is much in God!)” → If God can use the cry of a baby to move the heart of Pharaoh’s daughter. If He used a shepherds stick to work mighty miracles in Egypt. If He used a sling and stone to conquer a nation. If He used a little servant girl to lead Naaman to Elisha to be healed. If He used a widow with little meal to sustain a prophet. If he used Ballams ass to preach His truth. If He used the jaw bone of another ass to slay a thousand men. If He used a little child to teach on the meaning of humility. Surly God can use the small things we offer for a great end!

“Teaches how God often tests our faith by asking us to use what little we have, trusting in His power to accomplish the impossible.“ → God often exposes our lack, not to discourage us, but to get us to depend on Him to provide it. Just as God brings us face-to-face with our limitations—whether in resources, wisdom, or strength—He does so not to highlight our insufficiency, but to draw us closer in reliance on His sufficiency. When we step forward, offering what little we have with faith, we discover that God’s provision meets us exactly where our need feels impossible. This act of trust is not about ignoring reality, but about allowing God to shape our perspective and multiply our offerings far beyond what we could orchestrate on our own. So when you see only a handful of bread and fish, don’t count yourself out—let your faith grow stronger, knowing that God delights in turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. In those moments when the answer seems out of reach, let God be the difference-maker, turning lack into abundance and impossibility into testimony. The journey of faith often begins with simple obedience and a willingness to surrender, believing that what’s placed in God’s hands can accomplish what we never imagined possible.

“Teaches how with an all-powerful God outcomes aren’t limited by resources, statistics, or past experiences.” → Don’t let assumptions or stereotypes set your limits or define your future—trust in God’s power.  A poll was once taken that said those with a absent father are at greater risk of growing up in poverty. They’re more likely to commit a clime and go to prison, They’re more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. They’re more likely to suffer obesity and drop out of school. They’re more likely to get a divorce and become an absent father themselves. No matter what the world may say about your limitations, remember the statistics and stereotypes that surround you are not the final word on your life, God is!  While statistics can be informative, they don’t necessarily define individual potential or possibilities with a all powerful God. Don’t let polls, statistics, or assumptions be your inner-critic, feeding you with self-doubt and negativity. Step forward and let your life be shaped by God, not by gloom or pessimism. Think of Helen Keller, who despite the loss of her sight and hearing at a tender age, defied all expectations and emerged as an accomplished Christian author, activist, and lecturer.

“Teaches how simple obedience will offer what little we have to God’s use without hesitation or excuse.” →  Have you ever tried to excuse simple obedience in doing to “If I only had, then I would have.” We’ve all done it at one time or another. How many have said  “If I only had more money, I could help others.” “If only I had a bigger house then I could maybe one day invite people over for meals. if I had just one more room I could let a person who needs a place to live to come over and stay for a while. Or maybe your excuses sound something like this, “If only I had a better paying job than I could tithe more to the church. If only I had more bible knowledge than I could hold a mall group bible study, or serve in the high school ministry. If only I didn’t have a full time job or all these kids to take care of, I could offer more time to the church. If only I had more energy, or more strength, or better health than I would serve God.” Though all these reasons may be legitimate, but they’re no excuse for not doing what little we can. You’d be surprised by what God can do with the little we bring in using it to impact others in a big way.

“Teaches how every believer has a part to play in the mission and work of Jesus in serving and helping others.” → Jesus didn’t need the disciples, He could have done it all by Himself. He could have simply snapped His fingers and caused everyone present to have a meal. But instead He invites His disciples into the provision process in having them carry it to the crowds. As believers were all involved in the mission and ministry of the Gospel. What we can offer and provide can seem inadequate compared to Jesus. But we can still offer our time, our talents, our resources. We can offer a word of encouragement, we can feed souls with the Word of God. We can offer a testimony of God’s grace by helping in some practical way.

“Even today, after doing the math and it doesn’t add up. “I don’t have enough money in the bank.to pay all these bills. I don’t have enough time or resources to do all that I have to do. I don’t have enough skill to get that job.” Will you bring what you do have and put it in the Lord’s hands, trusting Him accomplish it” ⇒  How do you respond when you don’t have enough? Do you fall into despair and throw your hands up, “it’s over, that’s it, I’m in trouble.” We say it in our job, “Sales are low this week, I know they’re going to fire me.” We say it our relationships, “We had a huge fight, that’s it the marriage is over.” We see it in our health, “We broke our hip, how can we work anymore.” We even say it in our church “Offering plates are low this week, this church is dead man walking, I’m out of here.”    There will always be moments when what seems not enough or hopelessly insufficient—when the numbers don’t add up and our resources, time, or abilities appear painfully small. Yet, it’s in these very moments that a quiet invitation emerges: to let go of the notion that everything depends on us, and to offer what little we do have into the hands of a loving God. Consider the size of your offering is never a limiting factor for what God can accomplish. Your willingness, your step of faith—these are the seeds that grow into miracles. Instead of dwelling on what you lack, present what you possess with courage and trust.

Additional Notes & Applications

Warns how God doesn’t need our counsel. Oftentimes we feel we need to help Jesus and tell Him what is best.

Displays how oftentimes we go with what is practical and easiest as the best option, when the Lord has something better instore for us.

Reminds believers how there will be times in our life’s when God will ask more of us then what we can do. Don’t let anyone tell you “God will never give you mare than you can handle.” -(1-Corin. 10:13)

Teaches how it’s not the size or value of the offering that matters, but the willingness to surrender what we have to God.

Teaches no matter how small and insignificant the offering is, God can use it in powerful and mighty ways

Teaches how believers stand between Christ and a needy world that hungers for healing, wholeness, and compassion. When Jesus broke the loaves who did He give it to? He gave it to the disciples didn’t He.

Teaches when the Lord commands us to do what we don’t understand, we do it anyway expecting something amazing and wonderful will take place.

Displays how oftentimes the first thing we do is assesses the situation, take inventory of what we have, evaluate our resources, surroundings, and abilities in determining whether accomplishing the task is feasible with what is present before we even act.

Displays the abundant provisions of God’s grace in giving us everything we need to accomplish His purpose.

Displays the power of prayer that is trusting God to provide without worrying about where the provision will come from.

Teaches those who follow and trust in God will always have more than what we started with!  (Know that little is much when God is in it!)

Displays the abundance of God’s grace. That God has more grace than we could ever possibly use.

Teaches those who follow God will have more than what we started with!  (Know that little is much when God is in it!)

Teaches how discipleship will serve others first before getting or own. After providing for others God will see that there’s provision left over for us. As we join Jesus in the dilemma, we also participate personally in the blessing of His provision as well.

SOME HAVE TRIED TO EXPLIAN THE MIRACLE WAY AS

• That the people were shamed by the boys own generosity, and looked inside their cloaks and shared the lunch they had brought with them.

• That the people were so whipped up into a frenzy in hearing Jesus speak that the fervor suppressed their appetites.

IMPLICATIONS OF THE MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES

• Jesus the source of eternal life. (John 6:32-33, 47-51)

• Jesus’ abundant provision in satisfying people’s spiritual needs. (John 6:26-27, 35)

• A claim to Jesus’ divinity by paralleling the same miraculous provision of manna that God provided in the desert after the Exodus.  (See Ex. Chp. 16)

• A claim to Jesus’ prophetic office by paralleling the same action of the prophet Elisha in miraculously feeding 100 men. (See 2-Kings 4:42-44)

• Fulfilled the Messianic expectations of a prophet like Moses. (Deut. 18:15, Luke 9:18-19)

• Fulfilled the Messianic banquet predicted by the prophets. (Is. 25:6-8, Ps. 132:15, Neh. 9:15, Luke 14:15-24-K.J.V., Rev. 2:17)

• Parallels Jesus’ atoning death and served as a prelude to the last supper (Eucharist) (John 6:35-58, Matt. 26:26-29)