Temple Baptist Church - 12-14-2022
John 6:1-15
Introduction:
A. In these verses, we find the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 done by the Lord that John recorded. We also find the same story in Mark and Luke. There are several aspects of the story that are interesting.
1. Verses 2, 10. The Problem. A great multitude of people. 5,000 men and possibly 4 to 5 times that many people including the women and children. I say that because we find a “lad” in verse 6.
2. Verse 5-6. The Proving. “Whence shall we buy bread?” The place was a mountain with no Walmart Super Centers around and their money insufficient for the task. The Lord knew what He would do but the disciples did not trust what He could do.
3. Verses 8-9, 11-13. The Provision. Five barley loaves and two small fishes supplied the multitude with 12 baskets of fragments left over after everyone had eaten their full.
4. Verse 6, 8-9. The Perspectives.
B. What I want to do tonight is to look at the 2 perspectives: that of the disciples and that of the Lord.
1. The Lord’s Perspective. John 6:5-6 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? (6) And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
2. The Disciples’ Perspective. John 6:8-9 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, (9) There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
C. We live in the day of “big things.” Today, it is always:
1. How much did you make last year? A great salary does little to impress God.
a) I am not against making a good living if it is done in such a way as to glorify God. The Lord did not have much good to say about the rich of this world. It was the poor that were rich in faith.
b) The problem with this “big thing” thinking is that people with modest incomes think they are either not as important as the rich or that they are failures because they did not become rich.
2. How big is your home or automobile?
a) I pray that you have a beautiful home and the best automobile on the road but I am also thankful for a 23 year old truck that still runs and a modest home filled with quietness and love. That is more impressive to both the Lord and me.
b) The problem with this “big thing” thinking is that people with less impressive homes and autos feel impoverished instead of blessed.
3. How many points did you score or how many yards did you run?
a) I am not against scoring points or running yards but where are the assists and blocks statistics? Media and fans always make men of numbers their heroes while those who assist are overlooked. Try to score 30 points without rebounders and passers; try to run 100 yards a game without blockers.
b) The problem with this “big thing” thinking is that it overlooks the fundamentals and team players who make the big plays possible for others.
4. How many people attend your church?
a) We live in the days of the “super” or “mega” churches. I am not against numbers, but numbers can define who we are in a wrong way. If we have great numbers by adhering to the Old Paths of doctrinal correctness and holiness, then these numbers impress and glorify God but, if we have great numbers because we neglect to preach and practice the whole counsel of God, then the numbers only impress and glorify men.
b) The result of the “big thing” concept is that men who pastor small but sound churches feel that they are a failure in the sight of men and, therefore in the sight of God.
5. The list could go but I think you have the point.
D. Now, let me say that “big things” are important!
1. I am not minimizing the importance of doing great things or having great thing, but “big things” are normally a result of the “small things” in your life.
2. If your “small things” are not impressive to God, then your “big things” will not impress Him either.
1. Your “Little Things” are important to God. He chose to use a little boy’s lunch!
a. Your little cares are important to God. 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (We so often think that God only cares about the burdens that we bring to Him, but we are so wrong. God cares for everything you and I care about. “Casting all” means just that. God cares about what you care about as every aspect of your life is important to Him.)
b. Your little prayers are important to God. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. (I call this our “small talk” with God. Most pray only when they have something big to ask for, but God wants to hear from us when we have not big things to worry about. Enoch walked with God. I used to walk a lot with a friend and, when we first started walking each day, we would discuss the “big things” that we had on our minds but, after a couple of miles, we would just “small talk.” God wants you to tell him your “little things” as well as the big ones.)
c. Your little tithes and offerings are important to God. Fifty dollars a month supports another missionary! Luke 21:1-4 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. (2) And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. (3) And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: (4) For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
d. Your little things are important to God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (Here we find a couple of “little things” that precede the “big things” of “whatsoever ye do, do all!” Even what we eat, and drink is important to the Lord. What we desire is as important as what we accomplish. What we think is just as important as what we do.)
d. If we fail to do little things for God, we will not be faithful to accomplish big things for Him.
2. Your “Little Things” are important to you. Our “little things” develop character in us that will later define our “big things.”
a. Think on “little things.” Little things make big things! Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Thinking big is great at times, but the “little things” of our thinking mold the “big things” of our thinking.
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
b. Be thankful for the “little things” of life. If we are not thankful for the little things in life, we will not be thankful for the big things either. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (Learn to smell the roses once in a while. Our Lord rebuked Martha because she was “careful” about many things while missing the “needful” ones. Too often the cares and problems of this life cause us to miss the little blessings that grace our days. A breath of fresh air; a sip of cool water; the smell of the honeysuckle in the spring; a sunbeam showing through the trees; a rainbow after the storm; feeling good when you get up in the morning; food on the table, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, shelter from the storm, wind, cold, and heat. Did I make this one clear? God has so blessed every one of us that, if we would count our blessings, we would be blessed!)
c. Practice “little things” that develop character. If we do not have the integrity to do the little things, we will not have the integrity of do big things. When we practice doing the “little things” right, we will do the “big things” of life right without having to even think about it. Samuel Smiles once said:
“Sow a thought, and you reap an act;
Sow an act, and you reap a habit;
Sow a habit, and you reap a character;
Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.”
Conclusion: We that are saved belong to Christ. We were bought with a great price at Calvary. Let our lives bring glory and honor to the Lord in all that we do: both big and little things.
