A Miracle in You or Through You?
Purpose of Miracles
John 20:30,31
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
John 6:1-13 (also Mt.14:15-21, Mark 6:35-44, Luke 9:12-17)
1 ΒΆ After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
2 And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
3 And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
4 And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
5 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.
7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
8 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?
10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
A basketball in my hands might be worth $15, but in the hands of Michael Jordan it could be worth tens of thousands.
A paintbrush and canvass in my hands may have a value of $20, but in the hands of Van Gogh it is worth millions.
The sack lunch that a young lad carried on his outing, that seemingly average day would have been worth no more than $5 in todays economy; but when it was placed in the hands of Jesus, it became priceless.
Zechariah 4:10 a
For who hath despised the day of small things?
I. A Miracle Takes Place where there is First a Need.
It doesn't have to be an end of the world disaster. God delights in working personal miracles that are real and pressing in your present situation.
Phil. 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
It would be no miracle for Pres. Trump if you walked up to him and gave him a hundred dollar bill. He has plenty of them.
Miracles are for the Hurting, the Helpless, and the Have-Nots.
The principal reason that we bring people to meet Jesus is for them to receive the greatest miracle---SALVATION. And then, in His presence, we all find opportunities to receive many other miracles.
God is interested in every area of your life; first and foremost, the eternal; but also the earthly.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Even when the need of the miracle is self-generated, in a sense. For most of the group, this was a matter of lack of preparation or presumption. No one had promised them a free meal ticket for showing up.
What miracle do you need today?
God sees what you are lacking.
He knows where you are hurting,
He wants to help you.
The treasury of the disciples is low; the nearest meat market is a long ways off, and the natural resources are not readily accessible.
Where is FAITH at in the working of this miracle? All of the disciples seem to be speaking with doubt and uncertainty. We are not told of the disposition of the lad in handing over his food.
Christ knew what He was going to do. It wasn't for a show, but it was to supply a present need. If no one else had faith, Christ was still going to do the miracle.
II. The Lord will use the "Little" given to Him to do Much.
In all actuality, God does not need anything to produce a miracle. After all, He made this whole world out of nothing.
He delights in taking the most insignificant thing to show His greatness.
God looks for a willing, obedient, sacrificial soul. They may not have more than a smidgin of faith, but He will use it for something wonderful.
Don't ever despise the small and seemingly insignificant! Some never do anything for the Lord because they feel that all they have is too little and too insignificant.
The gospels tell of a widow woman who gave two mites in the offering. For centuries, christians around the world have read how God honored her for doing that.
IL.: Some years ago, in a weekly service at a center of rehab., near the city landfill, I felt impressed to give Bro. Juventino an offering. All I had on my person was 20 pesos (about 2 dollars).
Use your time, talents, and treasures for the work of the kingdom of God.
III. Christ Honors Those Who Make Preparations
It looks like this one young man was the only one who brought a lunch that day. I assume that mom and dad weren't able to go along, but they insisted that he go prepared, just in case he was out longer than planned.
It is good to be prepared for the unexpected.
Someone was looking out for his best interests.
I am sure that he was not carrying that sack around, just to have something to hold on to. Someone had instructed him to keep it with him UNTIL.
IV. Jesus Honors Those Who Have a Heart for Sharing
We don't know the size of those portions of bread or of the fish. It is very possible that his parents packed enough for him to share with a friend.
But herein is the marvel: he not only offered Jesus part of his lunch, but willingly gave it all to him.
Jesus could have done the same miracle, with half a sack lunch, but He didn't.
A great key to success---whether little or much, give it ALL to Jesus.
V. Miracles Happen for Those with Hope and Expectations
--go back and read Jn. 6:2
--Luke tells us that those who needed healing that day, received their healing.
--Expectancy is a brother to faith.
VI. Miracles Happen When Someone Prays
Jesus himself prays to the Father (Jn. 6:11) and then give the command to serve the food.
I wonder at what point the disciples realized that a miracle was taking place. Many were probably too anxious or nervous to take notice.
I am not even sure that the disciples were united with the prayer. They were worried, tired, and hungry themselves.
VII. Christ Always in a Greater Way than We ask for
-surely the disciples were holding their breath, hoping that they could serve to the last one of the group
-there was enough for seconds, if you wanted it
And now, LEFTOVERS. Here is a lesson in Stewardship. God is not wasteful.
He commanded that the fragments be gathered up. Each disciple came back with a full basket of bread.
What do you think was done with that bread?
