Sunday Message Notes
Key Scripture
Genesis 11: 1-9 At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same words. 2 As the people migrated to the east, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there.
3 They began saying to each other, “Let’s make bricks and harden them with fire.” (In this region bricks were used instead of stone, and tar was used for mortar.) 4 Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.”
5 But the Lordcame down to look at the city and the tower the people were building. 6 “Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language.After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them! 7 Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.”
8 In that way,the Lord scattered them all over the world, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the Lord confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world.
Babylon represents the place where God’s people are focused on their own needs rather than serving Him. His name and only His name is to be exalted.
What are you building? — Your faith
Who are you building for? — The King of Kings
You bring God glory when you decide to walk with His Son.
What if the reason to build your spiritual life is because others need you step into your calling?
How do you build?
Rest - When you intentionally rest through Sabbath you allow yourself to be transformed.
Others - You need others during your build. When you build with others you get a sense that you belong.
Prayer - Prayer moves God and stops Satan.
Additional Scriptures:
Isaiah 47:6; John 1:14; Psalm 95; Mark 1; Habakkuk 2:3; Philippians 1:6
Reflection Question:
How am I building God’s Kingdom?
Key Scripture
John 7:10 But after his brothers left for the festival, Jesus also went, though secretly, staying out of public view. 11 The Jewish leaders tried to find him at the festival and kept asking if anyone had seen him. 12 There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, “He’s a good man,” but others said, “He’s nothing but a fraud who deceives the people.” 13 But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.
Jesus is Divisive and Following Him Takes Courage (Matthew 10:34-36, Matthew 16:13-15, John 7:11)
If You Believe That Jesus Is Who He Says He Is The Only Logical Response Is To Follow Him With Everything.
Following Jesus begins with making a strong decisive decision, freely made based on what you believe. (Matthew 7:13, John 15:18, Matthew 10:17, Luke 14:27-30, Matthew 14:44-46, Acts 2:37-41)
Why should believers expect that people will continue to make the courageous decision to follow Jesus?
We Can’t Solve The Problems That Only Jesus Solves.
Small Solutions Can’t Fix Big Problems.
We Keep Finding Out That The Promises Of The World Are Empty Promises.
We Universally Want The Fruit Of The Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Jesus Is Committed To Drawing People To Himself Until The Very End! (2 Corinthians 5:17-6:2)
If You Believe That Jesus Is Who He Says He Is The Only Logical Response Is To Follow Him With Everything.
Acts 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Additional Scriptures:
John 7:12, Matthew 7:13-14, John 15:18, Matthew 10:17-18
Key Scripture: Psalm 16:1-11 (NLT)
Keep me safe, O God,
for I have come to you for refuge.
2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Master!
Every good thing I have comes from you.”
3 The godly people in the land
are my true heroes!
I take pleasure in them!
4 Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods.
I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood
or even speak the names of their gods.
5 Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
You guard all that is mine.
6 The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
What a wonderful inheritance!
7 I will bless the Lord who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
My body rests in safety.
10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
11 You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.
Enduring Security (Psalm 16:1, 5)
Enduring Presence (Psalm 16:8)
Enduring Joy (Psalm 16:9)
Enduring Hope (Psalm 16:10, 11)
Reflection Questions
Where are the cracks in your life?
Where might God want to bring new growth?
Where do you need to trust God?
Key Scripture
Isaiah 7:14b…the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).
Isaiah 9:6
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His government and its peace will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen!
What if the Christmas story is a true story?
1. IF there is a creator, THEN it makes sense that He’s personal and relatable.
2. IF there’s a creator who is personal and relatable, THEN we should expect Him to have a range of emotions including Love.
3. IF God shows love, THEN it makes sense that He shows His love to His most treasured part of creation.
4. IF God loves humanity, THEN we should expect to have the freewill to love Him in return or to reject Him.
5. IF Humanity routinely chooses to reject a loving God, THEN there’s obviously going to be significant problems that follow.
6. IF God truly loves humanity, THEN the broken relationship between Himself and humanity grieves Him.
7. IF God is grieved by the broken relationship between Him and humanity, THEN of course He is going to take the initiative to heal the broken relationship.
8. IF God is going to take the initiative to heal the His broken relationship humanity, THEN He is going to do whatever is necessary.
9. IF God loves humanity more than anything else in all of His creation and is deeply grieved at the broken relationship, then we should be confident that He would take the initiative and do whatever is necessary to heal the broken relationship, THEN the only way is for Him to step into creation, take on humanity, and as a human pay the price that humanity could not pay for ourselves to receive forgiveness so we can reconcile with our heavenly Father.
10. IF God becoming humanity to the pay the price that humanity could not pay ourselves is the only way to restore a loving relationship with His most beloved part of creation, THEN the baby in a manger makes total sense and is the greatest news we’ll ever hear.
God Became Human To Pay The Price That Humanity Owed But Couldn’t Pay For Ourselves
That’s What Was Started On Christmas - the baby was born - the baby would grow up to be a man. A man who was sinless, perfect, who taught about His eternal Kingdom, He taught how we should live with one another. And He would go to the cross so you and I could receive forgiveness.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Additional Scriptures:
Psalm 33:6; 1 John 4:8b; Genesis 1:26; Galatians 2:21; Hebrews 7:28; Hebrews 2:14; Romans 1:19
Merry Christmas!
Key Scripture
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (NLT)
Jesus is the light and we have Jesus in us.
People should see Jesus in us and through us.
How do people see Jesus through us?
The way we live our lives and the things that we do should point to God’s goodness and it should attract people to us.
Jesus came to BUILD His Kingdom here on Earth so all could BELONG to the Community of God.
How did Jesus Build a Kingdom so that all could Belong to the Community of God?
Through His Birth -
The celebration of Christmas has always been centered around community. Jesus’ birth brought people together.
It set everyone on an even playing field. Everyone was in need of Savior, no one more so then another. Jesus drew all people to himself, regardless of race or social class.
Examples: The Shepherds, the Magi, Simeon
Through His Ministry
Jesus’ mission was to make sure all knew that He was the Savior and that He came for everyone.
This included the marginalized and all sinners.
We were a part of Jesus’ plan to establish His Kingdom on Earth.
We have been empowered to Continue what Jesus Started.
Through His Church
As a church we exist to build the community/kingdom of God.
The church equips people to go out into the world, to bring others into the community of God.
We have a plan and purpose given by God.
The Purpose of the Church is to serve the community and point the Community towards Jesus which brings Salvation— Hope and unity to the community.
Through Us Individually Being the Church
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (NLT)
Jesus came to BUILD His Kingdom here on Earth so all could BELONG to the Community of God
The Church was established to Continue What Jesus Started.
Additional Scriptures:
Luke2:8-20, Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 2:25-32, Luke 4:42-43, Mark 2:15-17, John 3:16-17, Luke 9:1-29, Ephesians 4:11-14, Ephesians 2:10, Acts 2:42-47 42, Matthew 5:14-16
Reflection Questions
Do people know that you’re a follower of Jesus or do you hide your light?
If people know that you are a follower of Jesus, do your actions point to Jesus?
Have you invited people to church?
Christmas Eve is a great opportunity.
Let’s Build a Community that people want to Belong to, this starts with each of us individually being the light in the world.
Key Scripture
John 7:1 After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. 2 But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, 3 and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! 4 You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” 5 For even his brothers didn’t believe in him. 6 Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. 7 The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. 8 You go on. I’m not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come.” 9 After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee.
Jesus is in Galilee and this conversation is about leaving to go on a trip to Judea.
This conversation with His brothers is a very typical, ordinary, human moment.
God Himself became humanity by sending the Word, His son to live among us…
John 1:14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
This interaction highlights the reality of the opposition and hostility Jesus faced - some want to kill Him for what He’s been doing and saying and even His brothers didn’t believe Him!
Death
John 7:1b…He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death…
- “if Jesus is delaying His crucifixion until a later date, what does Jesus plan to accomplish before His death and resurrection?”
His death means death to the old, His life means we find new life.
Romans 6:1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. 5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was.
Jesus delayed the crucifixion because a significant part of His ministry was to be a teacher - and if He was to die before His time - it would mean that He wouldn’t have taught the things He needed to teach us.
John 8:31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Different Goals
Jesus is waiting for the right timing for His crucifixion - but He also has a very different idea of success than His brothers…
John 7:3b…Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! 4 You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!”
John 7:6 Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. 7 The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil.
If Christians everywhere lived like this we would change the world. We know this because that’s how Jesus changed the world, and we’re called to continue what Jesus started.
Timing
John 7:6a Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go…8b... I’m not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come.”
Jesus talking about timing is a challenge to us to also submit to God’s timing. But to live in God's timing takes trust.
To trust God even when we disagree is a step towards life before the fall. To trust God’s timing instead of our own best guess and instead of popular opinion - is to return to how things should be.
Being a follower of Jesus means having Different Goals and a different definition of success.
Additional Scriptures:
Isaiah 40:12, Isaiah 45:18, Isaiah 30:21
Reflection Question 1
Are you looking to Jesus as a teacher?
He has many roles and descriptions - but teacher is important.
His crucifixion needed to wait so He could teach the world about who He is and the values of His kingdom
We need to stop believing lies and start believing the truth - and that will set us free.
Reflection Question 2
Do we trust God’s timing?
Expect that it’ll be frustrating and against our best judgment.
But trust that He is faithful to guide and direct our steps
We read that this moment was the wrong time - what do we know about the right time?
John 12:23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
Jesus knew that His mission meant He would have to die when the time was right.
And when the time was right Jesus was ready.
It was His death that meant countless others could find life
Not just happiness - but eternal life in Him.
Key Scripture
John 6:22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the far shore saw that the disciples had taken the only boat, and they realized Jesus had not gone with them. 23 Several boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the Lord had blessed the bread and the people had eaten. 24 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went across to Capernaum to look for him. 25 They found him on the other side of the lake and asked, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
John 6:26 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. 27 But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”
The Crowd
Selfish Motives →
“...you want to be with me because I fed you…”
Misunderstanding How God Is At Work →
“…not because you understood the miraculous signs…”
Faulty Priorities →
“...don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food…”
Small Perspective →
“Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you…”
What can we expect Jesus to address in the passage?
Selfish Motives
Misunderstanding How God Is At Work
Faulty Priorities
Small Perspectives
Now Jesus has created this tension, this is the crowd's response…
John 6:28 They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” 29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” 30 They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? 31 After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. 33 The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.”
An important and possibly understated point that’s being made here - you can’t survive on blessings and blessings alone - even if they’re absolute miracles.
John 6:35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me. 37 However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. 38 For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. 39 And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. 40 For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”
What is important for us to catch from this - is it shows the heart of God:
Those who come to me, I will never reject them
I don’t want to lose even one of all those the Father has given me
It is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”
John 6:41 Then the people began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”
John 6:43 But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said. 44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. 45 As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 46 (Not that anyone has ever seen the Father; only I, who was sent from God, have seen him.)
It’s God who takes the initiative and takes the first step to bring us home to Him.
The broken relationship between God and humanity because of our sins and shortcomings - motivated by love, He took the initiative to fix this broken relationship.
He sent His son - to pay the price humanity owed but could never pay for ourselves - He became humanity to fix humanity's biggest problem
John 6:47 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. 48 Yes, I am the bread of life! 49 Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. 50 Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.” 52 Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked. 53 So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. 54 But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57 I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.” 59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
But if someone has got selfish motives or faulty priorities or a small perspective or you’re misunderstanding how God is at work - why would they stick around?
John 6:60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?” 61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? 63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) 65 Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.” 66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.
John 6:67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” 68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Then Jesus said, “I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil.” 71 He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.
The disciples’ response:
Selfish Motives Faithful Motives →
“Are you also going to leave?”
The wrong motive will mean you’ll leave - The right motive will cause you to stay.
Faulty Priorities Correct Priorities →
“Lord, to whom would we go?
Small Perspective Eternal Perspective →
You have the words that give eternal life.
Misunderstanding How God Is At Work Appreciating How God Is At Work →
We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.
Embrace humility as a strength, seek first the kingdom of God, arrange your schedule around your faith - instead of squeezing God into whatever time is left over, find moments of silence to contemplate and reflect on the promise of eternal life, and look around and see what God is doing and how He’s changing lives.
The Disposition of a Disciple
Faithful Motives
Correct Priorities
Eternal Perspective
Appreciating How God Is At Work
Key Scripture
John 6:16 That evening Jesus’ disciples went down to the shore to wait for him. 17 But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn’t come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum. 18 Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough. 19 They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, 20 but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!” 21 Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!
When The Storm Hits, Make Sure Jesus Is In The Boat!
John 16:33b…Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Three Things That Made The Storm Worse:
Darkness
Uncertainty
Exhaustion
A storm is bad enough - but to face it without Jesus is infinitely worse!
When the disciples were struggling in the darkness and facing uncertainty and utterly exhausted - they needed Jesus.
John 6:19b…they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, 20 but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!”
Deuteronomy 31:8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
In the middle of the darkness and the middle of the storm, what they needed was Jesus - the light of the world.
The Difference Between The Crowd Who Left And The Disciples Who Stayed Was The Storm
He has overcome the world therefore it makes sense to eagerly want Him to be with us in the worst seasons of our lives. We should listen to what He says so we can build our life on Him, His promises & His teaching.
Whether you’re in a storm or not - it’s always the right time to eagerly - with passion and certainty - to invite Jesus into the boat
------------------------------------------------------------------
Philippians 2:3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
John 14:15-31
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” 22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” 23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. 25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, 31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. “Come now; let us leave.
Just like us, the disciples asked:
JESUS … CAN YOU GIVE US SOME PEACE IN THIS CRAZY MOMENT?
Jesus is teaching His disciples they need to:
LEARN: God wants to teach you who He is.
KNOW: God wants you to know him intimately.
LOVE: God wants you to love Him and receive a love from Him that transforms you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (v. 27)
2 Timothy 2:1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
John 6:1 After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. 3 Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him. 4 (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.) 5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” 6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!” 8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. 9 “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” 10 “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. 12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.14 When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” 15 When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.
Key Lessons From the Feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:1-15)
1. Jesus is where we find life
2. Jesus is a different kind of king
3. This is worth thinking about
John 6:29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” 30 They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? 31 After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. 33 The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.” 35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 6:1 After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. 3 Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him. 4 (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.) 5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” 6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!” 8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. 9 “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” 10 “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. 12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves. 14 When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” 15 When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.
John 6:35b…Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 6:14 When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” 15 When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.
“Christianity will go, it will vanish and shrink. I needn’t argue about that; I’m right and I will be proved right. We’re more popular than Jesus now; I don’t know which will go first—rock ’n’ roll or Christianity.”
John Lennon: London Evening Standard, March 1966
John 6:26 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. 27 But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”
John 6:15 When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John 18:33 Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him…36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”
Matthew 4:3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied
Matthew 20: 25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
John 6:12b…Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” 13a So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people…
Mark 8:19 When I fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread, how many baskets of leftovers did you pick up afterward?” “Twelve,” they said. 20 “And when I fed the 4,000 with seven loaves, how many large baskets of leftovers did you pick up?” “Seven,” they said.
John 6:12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves
Key Lessons From the Feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:1-15)
1. Jesus is where we find life
2. Jesus is a different kind of king
3. This is worth thinking about
Colossians 1:15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. 18 Christ is also the head of the church which is his body.He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.19 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20 and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
Lord Jesus
I believe you died for me
I want to follow you
I invite you
To be Lord of my life
Help me follow you everyday
I want to leave my old life of sin behind
And heal my broken relationship with God
In Jesus name, Amen
------------------------------------------------------------------
Philippians 2:3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.