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John 6:1-13
WHEN A LITTLE BECOMES A LOT
Intro: It seems that life is a series of highs and lows. We face valleys andmountains and sometimes it seems that we are not able to go one stepfarther. Ill. Job - Job 3:25. Our obstacle, whatever name we attach to it, istotally overwhelming in our eyes. When this happens, the general tendencyis to just quit, to give up on the Lord. But, we forget just who God is! He isthe Creator, the Master of the Sea, the Lily of the Valley, The Bright andMorning Star. He is the One Who was, Who is and Who is to come! Heis still God and we need to remember this very important fact.
These verses picture a scene that is absolutely impossible in the eyesof man, but to God, it is merely an opportunity to display His awesomepower. It is an opportunity for Him to showcase His ability to overcome anyand all situations, without exception!
Today, I want you to take whatever burden you carry, whether it bepersonal, work, church or related to someone else: I want you to look at thisburden, then look at the greatness and power of your God and finally realizethat Jesus can handle it. And when this message is over, if you can waitthat long, I want you to bring it to this altar, lay it on the Lord's shoulders andleave it there forever. Notice with me what happens When A LittleBecomes A Lot.
I. v.1-7 THE SITUATION WAS OVERWHELMING
A. v.5 A RECOGNITION OF THE SITUATION - Ill. Jesus knows all circ*mstances - (Ill. Mt.10:29-31) (Pro.15:3) He knows what youface today! (Ill. Jesus also knew how He was going to handle thesituation, before the situation ever materialized, v. 6. Friends, Godalready has the answer to the question in hand before the questionis ever asked! He is always ahead of the game! Ill. The ram on Mt.Moriah, Elijah’s ravens and widow.)
B. v.6 A REQUEST FOR FAITH - Ill. All of God's people are supposedto live by faith - Hab.2:4; Heb. 11:6; Rom.14:23 (Ill. Our typicalresponse - Faithlessness says God is dead!)
C. v.7 A RESPONSE OF THE FLESH - Ill. I can't, we can't, it's neverbeen done that way before! (Ill. Phillip's response centered aroundmoney - 8 months wages, about $12,000.00 today! Andrew’sresponse was similar, it centered around what could not be done!)
The question from Jesus was, “How are we going to handle this?”,v. 5. There were four responses to that questions:
1. Let’s get rid of the problem - Mark 6:35-36; Matt. 15:23
2. Let’s raise more money - John 6:7
3. We have a little, but it will never be enough - John 6:5
4. Let Jesus have it - John 6:11
Ill. Do not listen to anything the flesh has to say about any situation- It lies! If you are in it, God has you there for a purpose, Rom. 8:28. God's way to handle the impossible is found in Phil.4:6-7. You see,God isn’t looking for excuses. He isn’t looking for self-doubts, orquestions marks. He is looking for faith!
II. v.8-9 THE SUPPLIES WERE INSUFFICIENT (Ill. Andrew)
A. v.9 THE SIZE OF THE GIFT - (Ill. 5 biscuits and 2 sardines) Ill.God is able to use the little things - (Baby’s cry to speak to Abraham;a stick to part a Red Sea; a stone and sling to remove a giant; apiece of cloth at Jordan; starving widow to speak to Elijah; manna tospeak to 2 million people - etc!) Your ability, or resources may besmall, but God is still God and He can use anything! (Ill. “He took”! It wasn't too small for the Lord! Ill. Often, He will use the resourcesyou already possess and multiply them in marvelous ways!)
B. v.9 THE SACRIFICE OF THE GIVER - Ill. He gave all he had. Thisis all God asks of any of us - Give Him all, whether it be great orsmall and He will use it for his glory. (Ill. The typical response - It isnever the size of the gift, it is always the heart of the giver - If no onegives God has nothing to work with!) Does He need us? No! Heallows us to be involved! (Ill. Your situation - Quit holding on to itand give it to the Lord along with yourself and God will amaze you!
C. v.9 THE STAIN OF DOUBT - Here is where we always lose thebattle. Ill. His promise - John 15:16 - Ill. We really don't believe this! If we did, there would be no worry in our lives at all, we would takeit to the Lord and let Him handle it for us!
III. v.10-13 THE SURPLUS WAS ABUNDANT
(Ill. Jesus was not disturbed by the circ*mstances - Ill. v.10 - You'llnever have a problem greater than God’s ability!)
A. THE FALTERING WERE SANCTIFIED - Ill. He used the doubters tofeed the hungry - a blessing - He does this to teach us who is incontrol. When it looks impossible, just keep on serving the Lord - Hewill reveal His purposes, in His time. (Ill. 1 Cor. 13:12)
B. THE FAMISHED WERE SATISFIED - Every need was met, possibly20,000+ people were fed, Matt. 14:21. Jesus took the little andturned it into a lot! (Ill. Eph.3:20) Place your little in the Lord's handand He will multiply it.
C. THE FAITHLESS WERE STUPEFIED - Ill. 12 baskets - 1 for eachdoubting disciple. When God does move in your situation, look out,it will amaze you and everyone who sees - 1 Cor. 2:9 (Ill. Yourdoubts will seem ridiculous then!)
Conc: Do you look at the things you face in life and say, “There’s no way!” Friend, as long as there is a great God Who sits on the throne of Heaven,there is a way! In fact, He says, “I am the way!”, John 14:6! If you can getit into His hands, He will handle it and make a lot out of your little. What doyou need to bring to Him tonight?
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