DATE: 2nd August, 2020
THEME: GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Isaiah 55:1-5
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:13-21
Psalter: Psalms 145:8-9, 14-21
INTRODUCTION
Of all the many miracles performed by the Lord Jesus, this is the only one recorded by all four Gospel writers. This signifies its great importance. This miracle was designed to reveal the Lord Jesus Christ as the Messiah and to reveal His nature as God. In fact, there were THREE DISTINCT REASONS this miracle was performed:
- To illustrate Jesus Christ as the Bread of Life, who was to be broken for the sin of humanity on the cross.
- To show the Jews that One greater than Moses was here. The Jews revered Moses because they believed that he had given the Israelites bread in the wilderness. Jesus set the record straight in John 6:32-33. He reminded them that God gave the Hebrews the manna, but that Jesus Himself was the true Bread of God.
- To demonstrate His power as the Lord of all creation.
This is a tremendous miracle and it is usually handled in a way that shows Jesus as the Bread of Life and the need of all humanity.
BODY
I. “YOU GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT.”
It had been a long day and they were probably tired.
The people are probably hungry and ready to get some food for themselves but Jesus suggested to the disciples to give them something to eat. In the face of their questions… in response to their doubts… in spite of their laziness, whatever it may have been for them, Jesus says, “YOU give them something to eat.”
Sure the disciples are still skeptical. We sometimes sound and act like the disciples too much of the time?
We don’t have enough bread – whether that means time, or money; energy, willingness, or ability; faith, love, compassion, or whatever. We’re skeptical. We’re pessimistic. We’re preoccupied, distracted, lazy, uninspired, selfish, insecure, unconvinced – just like those disciples were that day.
What I hear Jesus saying is, “DON’T WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT.” “Don’t pretend you don’t have the time or the skills or the resources to do God’s bidding in the world.” “Don’t pretend you’re not qualified or capable.” “Don’t put it off for another day or time or moment when it might be more convenient for you.”
“YOU give them something to eat.”
II. THE MASTER BLESSED THE BREAD
a. We are told that the bread and the fish came from a small boy in the crowd, John 6:9. Jews were always very careful to render their thanks to God for His blessings. They always prayed over their food at mealtime. The point is, Jesus took this bread in His hands and He looked up to Heaven and the thanked God for His provision!
b. Just as Jesus blessed the bread and fish that day, He blesses the lives of His people! Think about His blessings upon you since the day He placed His hand upon your life!
c. We all love it when the Lord is blessing, don’t we? Just a reminder, the Lord doesn’t expect us to repay Him for the blessings He gives us. All He wants in return is our LOVE, our OBEDIENCE and our PRAISE. Is He getting that from your life?
III. THE MASTER BROKE THE BREAD
a. After He had blessed the bread, He used the same hands to break the bread! THE REASON? Before the bread could be shared with others, it had to be broken!
b. One of the hardest truths for humans to grasp is the great truth that THOSE GOD WOULD USE GREATLY, HE HURTS DEEPLY! A period of brokenness always precedes a time of usefulness! You can see this principle at work even in the life of the Lord Jesus Himself. Before He could provide salvation to the world, He had to be broken on the cross! We love His blessings, BUT WE SHRINK FROM HIS BREAKINGS! However, while the blessings of the Lord are nice, the breakings of the Lord are necessary!
c. One of the clearest examples of this truth in the Bible is the life of the man named Job. God blessed the life of Job greatly, Job 1:1-3; then God hurt the heart of Job deeply, Job 1:8-2:10. The Lord’s purpose in breaking Job is not revealed until the end of the book, when we see Job’s influence expanded and God glorified, Job 42:1-17!
d. The reasons for His breaking ministry in our lives are always the same. He does it for His glory and to prepare us for greater usefulness in His kingdom work, Rom. 8:28-29. It is never pleasant, but the results are always worth the pain!
Note: The lessons learned in the furnace are lessons that can be learned no where else! Daniel, Noah, 3 Hebrews, Disciples in boat, Widow in Zarephath, Elijah by the dry brook, Widow of Nain; Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
e. The methods He uses for breaking a life will vary greatly.
▪He used the analogy of metal in a furnace in Ezekiel – Eze. 22:18-22.
▪He used the analogy of a potter in Jer. 18:1-6.
In both cases, God was taking His people and He was breaking them down so that they would be more like Him!
I do not want to scare anyone this morning, but I just want to remind you that the Lord knows just how to break your life!
✍🏼He knows exactly what to touch in your life to get your attention!
✍🏼He knows your heartstring!
✍🏼He can and will break churches just like He breaks the lives of individuals!
f. Friends, if you are in one of those breaking periods of life right now, let me point out a great truth. Did you notice where the bread was while it was being broken? It was in the Master’s hands! I would just remind you that when the Lord is breaking you, it isn’t to damage you beyond repair. HE DOES IT TO PREPARE YOU SO THAT HE CAN USE YOU IN A FAR GREATER WAY.
IV. THE MASTER BROADENED THE BREAD
a. The five small loves and two small fishes were just enough to feed one little boy, but they were woefully insufficient to feed a vast multitude. However, when they were BLESSED and BROKEN by the MASTER, their ability was BROADENED. He took what was designed for one and used it to feed more than 5000 people. That is what the Master can do with those things He blesses and breaks!
b. God only breaks us so that He might broaden our ministry! Therefore, do not try to run away when the hand of the Lord lays heavy on your life!. When He is breaking you, it is so that He can use you in a greater manner!
▪Think of Elijah by the dry brook.
▪Think of Jacob as he served his uncle Laban for 20 years and as he wrestled with the Lord, Gen. 32.
▪Think of Moses on the backside of the desert.
Note: Remember Joseph. He was the apple of his father’s eye, but he wound up in slavery and prison before the Lord exalted him to the throne of Egypt. He hurt him deeply so that He might use him greatly!
c. If you have been blessed and broken for the Lord, then get ready, He has a plan for your life that is glorious beyond imagination!
CONCLUSION
That bread and those fish were greatly used of the Lord. Before He could use them, however, they had to be placed in His hands. There are people here today who need to place their lives in the hand of the Master. Trust Him to do what is right by your life and to prepare you for greatness.
Let’s ask Him to bless us! Let’s ask Him to break us to bring us to a place of total dependence upon Him. Then let’s watch Him use us for His glory! Enjoy the service. Stay BLESSED.
PREPARED BY
VERY REV DR. SAMUEL DUA DODD
CALVARY METHODIST CHURCH
ADABRAKA-ACCRA
