Dinner with Jesus

Notes: Dinner with Jesus
Matthew 14:14–21
Pastor Greg Laurie
SERIES: God Came Near
Sunday, February 8, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

America is one of the most over weight nations on earth. California is the most over weight state.

Greg likes watching Chopped, and Diners, Drive ins and Dives.

Jesus Christ liked to eat and having a meal with people. He would stop in with people and even cooked for them.

Revelation 3:20 NKJV
[20] Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

The miracle of the feeding of the 5000 is the only miracle so important that it is found in all four Gospels.

Matthew 14:14-21 NKJV
[14] And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. [15] When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food." [16] But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." [17] And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish." [18] He said, "Bring them here to Me." [19] Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. [20] So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. [21] Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

This is a lot of people's favorite story in the Bible.

During this time Jesus was reaching the peak of His popularity. He would have been like a rockstar, having paparazzi around. These people would have been following Him around.

Matthew 14:14 NKJV
[14] And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.

In this meaning of "moved" it was compassion and wanting to help.

John 6:2 NKJV
[2] Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased.

He knew these people followed Him because they wanted Him to help them. They were there for themselves, not Him. Yet Jesus Christ still cared for them and wanted to help them.

These people were known for only caring about "bread and circuses" or feed us and entertain us, a lot like America today.

Three characters in the story:
1. Phillip

John 6:5 NKJV
[5] Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?"

John 6:6-7 NKJV
[6] But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. [7] Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little."

Phillip should have known Jesus could feed them.

Hebrews 5:12-14 NKJV
[12] For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. [13] For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. [14] But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Sometimes you need to be tested and retested. Maybe you are going through a test right now. It could be a test or a retest.

Phillip didn't pass his test.

2. Andrew

Andrew was introduced to Jesus Christ by John the Baptist. Andrew always brought others to Jesus Christ.

John 6:8-9 NKJV
[8] One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, [9] "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?"

Andrew almost had the right answer and then doubted himself.

3. The little boy

The little boy gave his lunch to Jesus Christ as little as it was.

That which was insufficient
From the hands of the little boy, became sufficient in the hands of Jesus Christ.

When God gets hold of anything it can be transformed.

John 6:10-12 NKJV
[10] Then Jesus said, "Make the people 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 them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. [12] So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, "Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost."

It's not what you are offering Christ that matters, it is that you present it and place it in the hands of God.

God told us to pray "give us this day, our daily bread" it is for us to remember that.

Philippians 4:19 NKJV
[19] And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

God supplies your needs, not your greeds.

Jesus Christ gives us what we need when we need it.

If God lets you go through it then God will give you the strength to get through it.

2 Timothy 1:6-7 NKJV
[6] Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. [7] For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

The gift you are given are to share. Use your gifts for God's glory.

Matthew 14:20 NKJV
[20] So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.

Ephesians 3:20 NKJV
[20] Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

This was such a popular miracle that John commented:
John 6:14-15 NKJV
[14] Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world." [15] Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.

These people wanted to use God instead of being used by God.

Just like today people want to use God. Like candidates running for office, all seem to say they are Christians.

Abraham Lincoln said he was not concerned if God was on his side, he was concerned of we were on God's side.

Jesus Christ will not be used by people.

What have we learned:
1. We need to show compassion for those that are in need.

Compassion is caring plus action.

John 6:35 NKJV
[35] And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

Churches help people every single day. Feeding people, out reaches and lots of great things. But we need to make sure we reach the issue of their souls. We will all be dead someday, and need to get to heaven.

2. When faced with a need no matter how large, we need to look to God to meet it.

Little monsters or big monsters, we need Jesus Christ's help.

These test come in our lives to show us our weakness and His sufficiency,

James 1:2-4 NKJV
[2] My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, [3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. [4] But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.


3. Nothing is too small or too big for God to respond to.

Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
[6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; [7] and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Turn your worries into prayers. Let God know it freaks you out and you give it to Him.

4. Bring your talents, abilities, gifts and resources to Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV
[13] No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

God will not give you more than you can handle. As His child He will be there for you.