FHCC
20260111 Worship Service

                • Revelation 11:17ESV

                • Psalm 145:10ESV

              • Unstoppable God
              • Holy Spirit
                                      • Great Things
                                      • Same God

                                              • John 6:1–15ESV

                                            • INTRODUCTION

                                              How many of you had a teacher in school that required you to “show your work”? As I remember, it was my Algebra and Geometry classes that were most committed to this task.
                                              a few of the Elder feedback surveys indicated that some of you want to see a little more of the work that goes into the outline that you finally see on Sundays. So, this week I’m showing you “how the sausage is made.”
                                              Approaching a text begins with identifying the verbs and conjunctions to know the flow of thought. Next, I spend time identifying the key nouns and cultural phrases that may not transfer well to our language and culture.
                                              TRANSITION: We begin today with that list of nouns and cultural shifts. Here is the parts list that will go into what I consider the meat of the text which become the meaning of the sermon.

                                              Observations on the Text

                                              Name of the Sea (Jn 6.1)- It had one name in OT times (Kinnereth) because this body of water was shaped like a Lyre. It had another name under Herod Antipas who honored emperor Tiberias by naming a nearby town after him. By the time John writes in the middle to later part of the first century he gives multiple names to the large sea that was in the Galilee region.
                                              Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand (Jn 6.4) This would have been a time of national pride (similar to our 4th of July). The 4 big heroes of the Jews were Father Abraham, Moses the deliver, David the King, and Elijah the prophet. By offering to feed the people, Jesus is connecting with Moses whom God used to feed the desert wanderers.
                                              Philip (Jn 6.5-7) - Why Philip?Jn 1:44 told us that Philip was from the nearby town of Bethsaida. When the question is a practical “Where could we buy bread?” Jesus turns to the guy who knew the area best.
                                              200 denarii (Jn 6.7) - A denarius was 1 days wages for a commoner. Wages would not have been paid on Sabbath or during Festivals, so Philip is saying 8 month’s wages is no small task for the 12 of us who have left our livelihoods to follow Jesus. Feeding these would require a God-sized miracle.
                                              Barley loaves (Jn 6.9) were “poor man’s food” wheat bread traded for 2x the price.
                                              much grass (Jn 6.10 b) - Just like the Flint Hills in Spring are lush and much more comfortable for a crowd to sit on, the Spring [Passover was at hand - Jn. 6.4] timeframe would have been the NATURAL expectation for those coming out to meet Jesus, but Jesus is about to do something SUPERnatural.
                                              Jesus gave thanks (Jn 6.11) - this was a role for the heads of Jewish households. By doing this for the crowd, Jesus was presenting himself as having authority.
                                              as much as they wanted, eaten their fill and Gather up the leftover fragments (Jn 6.11-13) - There is plenty for all, yet nothing is to be wasted.
                                              While I make observations like this every week in my preparation, I don’t normally use sermon time to point them out because many of these facts are already in your footnotes if your have a good Study Bible.
                                              TRANSITION: I normally use the message to show how the parts fit with each other. That is the next part of today’s message. This is where teaching facts becomes preaching the meaning.

                                              John’s Message

                                              by pointing out that Jesus sat down to teach, surprised them with a feast and withdrew while they got a goal in their mind...

                                              Jesus frequently had his mind on a different goal

                                              Last week we saw a man who thought walking was his biggest challenge, yet Jesus wanted to change some things about his character.
                                              Historic sign workers did not concern themselves with teaching. Jesus sat down, (Jn 6.3) which was the normal posture of a rabbi during instruction.
                                              At the end of this miracle, Jesus perceives that the crowd wants to force him into something (Jn 6.15) that is not part of his first Advent. So he leaves alone rather than be hijacked into a lesser purpose. Eventually, He will be their king, but not until he goes through the journey of death and resurrection.

                                              by highlighting the time of year and the similarities to Moses and Elisha...

                                              Jesus’ kingdom is rooted in Jewish History

                                              While Jesus’ audience was Jewish, and we aren’t, What becomes transferrable is that Jesus did not come up with novel ideas, He participated in a pre-ordained plan that was already established and needed to continue.
                                              Passover - This is Passover Season, but Jesus uses this miracle to display that His provision will supercede past Passovers. Similarly, the meal that has become our Communion, was rooted in past Passovers, but is elevated when we see Jesus as the Ultimate Passover Lamb, the once-for-all sacrifice.
                                              Elisha (2 Kings 4:42-44) multiplied Barley loaves
                                              Moses provided food and promised another “prophet” (Jn 6.14). The crowd gathers because of healing signs (Jn 6.2), but they leave having seen the sign that Jesus is a prophetic fulfillment of their history that went back centuries and will last eternally. In Deut 18:15 Moses prophesied another like him. Jn 6.14 states that those who witnessed and participated in this sign associated Jesus with that promised prophet.

                                              John looks back and honors their past while at the same time is looking forward in that...

                                              Jesus’ Ministry exceeds the past

                                              12 baskets - quantity

                                              I have read some who try to disqualify Jesus’ miracle. They propose that instead of Jesus supernaturally multiplying the loaves and fishes, that when the crowds saw the selflessness of this one boy that they brought out their hidden food supply. But notice Jn 6.13, the gathered fragments were from the five barley loaves.

                                              Bread of LIFE - quality

                                              Jesus doesn’t just provide bread for them like Moses, but Jesus BECAME the life giving “bread of life” (Jn 6.48) who gave his body for the world.
                                              Moses didn’t give anybody bread after he died. Jesus was resurrected and offers his death and life for eternity for any who will respond, who will “eat and drink” without cost. In Jn 6.35 Jesus says those who come to him will not hunger, and whoever believe in him shall never thirst.
                                              The quantity and quality speaks to me of our attitudes toward others. Are we generous? Do we only give leftovers?
                                              TRANSITION: Having seen what the text says and what it means, now what do we do?

                                              Our Response

                                              When Jesus doesn’t let the people force Him into their mold, He withdraws, and the rest of the book of John will show that they are no longer following when Jesus goes to the cross [only 4 women and John are named] (Jn 19.25). When the crucifixion is complete John only mentions Joseph and Nicodemus in the act of burial (Jn 19.38-39). Where are the 20,000 Jesus fed in John 6?
                                              We can’t make Jesus into what we want Him to be. Lasting Discipleship looks like we have to allow Him to transform US into what He wants US to be.

                                              Light & Lamp Applications

                                              Light for the Journey

                                              Signs reveal the character of God, but personal response is necessary for lasting discipleship.

                                              Lamps for my steps

                                              Think – What are God’s priorities for conforming me to the image of Christ?
                                              Feel – Make a list of 5-10 things that the New Covenant (Grace) improves on the Old (Law)
                                              Do – Select 1 unexpected act of generosity to do for someone else this week.

                                                • John 6:1–15ESV

                                                  • His Way with Thee

                                                      • Ephesians 3:20–21ESV

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