John ch 6:5-8
5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
In attended a service this morning, and it was very meaningful. A young preacher in his third year at Regent's Bible College delivered the sermon from the verses I have quoted.
His approach was not the usual. He spoke about the feeding of the five thousand around the boy's actions! The boy brings his entire ration. Five loaves and 2 small fish. John writes that the loaves were made of Barley. Poor peoples food, usually used for animal feed.
How we underestimate small things. The important thing is that God looks at the offering of our hearts. We may not be powerful teachers, preachers or highly educated, but required to give sacrificially, such as we have. And Jesus received it and multiplied it to feed thousands. Don't devalue or underestimate what God will do with such as you have to bring of yourself. God will bless others through such means and so we are blessed by a faith that grows.
Humanly speaking, we would have dismissed the little boy and his humble ration. Especially in our rationalistic age! God chose the foolish things to bring blessing. A wiry boy called David, became King. God saw looked within Gideon, and saw a mighty person of valour. Again, as mentioned elsewhere on this website: St Paul writes to the Corinthians: " So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! "
How frequently do leaders in the churches devalue people and their gifts. So often overlooked due to lack of education, position in the corporate world. I don't think God is impressed when titles and letters behind a person's name are criteria for service! "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."(2Cor4:7)
A Hymn ci
5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
In attended a service this morning, and it was very meaningful. A young preacher in his third year at Regent's Bible College delivered the sermon from the verses I have quoted.
His approach was not the usual. He spoke about the feeding of the five thousand around the boy's actions! The boy brings his entire ration. Five loaves and 2 small fish. John writes that the loaves were made of Barley. Poor peoples food, usually used for animal feed.
How we underestimate small things. The important thing is that God looks at the offering of our hearts. We may not be powerful teachers, preachers or highly educated, but required to give sacrificially, such as we have. And Jesus received it and multiplied it to feed thousands. Don't devalue or underestimate what God will do with such as you have to bring of yourself. God will bless others through such means and so we are blessed by a faith that grows.
Humanly speaking, we would have dismissed the little boy and his humble ration. Especially in our rationalistic age! God chose the foolish things to bring blessing. A wiry boy called David, became King. God saw looked within Gideon, and saw a mighty person of valour. Again, as mentioned elsewhere on this website: St Paul writes to the Corinthians: " So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! "
How frequently do leaders in the churches devalue people and their gifts. So often overlooked due to lack of education, position in the corporate world. I don't think God is impressed when titles and letters behind a person's name are criteria for service! "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."(2Cor4:7)
A Hymn ci