Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 26, 2020
Series Title: “Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus”
Today’s Title: “They Did Not Even Have the Chance to Eat”
Today’s Text: Mark 6:30-44
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 14:13-21, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:5-13
Where is God when the needs before me and my need to rest are on a collision course?
CONTEXT:
- The disciples had just returned from going out two by two to share the gospel from town to town...
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 26, 2020
Series Title: “Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus”
Today’s Title: “They Did Not Even Have the Chance to Eat”
Today’s Text: Mark 6:30-44
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 14:13-21, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:5-13
Where is God when the needs before me and my need to rest are on a collision course?
CONTEXT:
- The disciples had just returned from going out two by two to share the gospel from town to town
- Jesus had just received word of the tragic and unjust death of John the Baptist
- The disciples needed to debrief and to rest
- Jesus needed to grieve
FINDING THE BALANCE BETWEEN MY NEEDS & THE NEEDS OF OTHERS
WE NEED TO DEBRIEF FROM OUR WORK (v30)
- After a long “campaign”, training event, seminar – you need to “debrief”, to have a transition
- “How was your day?” is a powerful and important question….
THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WILL NEVER STOP (v31)
- it’s very important to accept this as reality
- feeding people requires a lot of work
- caring for the sick requires a lot of work
- education, (not just children) requires a lot of work
- listening to people’s struggles requires a lot of work
- basic shelter requires a lot of work
- clothing people requires a lot of work
- a good responsible parent is aware that these every day realities do not stop
WE NEED QUIET REST (v31)
- Sabbath
- Retreats
- rest for the heart, mind, soul, & body
WHEN YOU CARE FOR OTHERS, THEIR NEEDS WILL FOLLOW YOU (v32-33)
- think about the effort of the developing crowd
- think about the disciples seeing this from the boat
COMPASSION IS STRONGER THAN FATIGUE (v34)
- THIS HAS TO BE TRUE FOR US TO SURVIVE! (parenting)
- Jesus didn’t see the crowd as an obstacle, an annoyance, or a problem
- He saw their need of direction
- How did the disciples feel about Jesus “teaching them many things”?
WHEN THE NEEDS ARE BIGGER THAN YOU AND BIGGER THAN “US”…. (v35-38)
- The 12 have a legitimate concern that can also serve as an appropriate exit
- The crowd did not ask to be fed, nor expected it
- Jesus was testing the faith of the 12 (“You give them something to eat”)
- “How many loaves do you have?” GO AND SEE
…..GOD MULTIPLIES THE LITTLE WE OFFER TO MEET NEEDS BEYOND WHAT WE IMAGINE! (v39-44)
- Imagine the disciples working thru the crowd and having them sit in groups
- 5000? 10000? 20000?
- What did they tell the crowd? Did they expect food?
Where is God when the needs before me and my need to rest are on a collision course?
He is ready to use what you have and will work with you, finding rest along the way.
Matthew 11:28-30
