Tuesday, September 20, 2016

A Great Deed

"After this, Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee (some call it Tiberias). A huge crowd followed him, attracted by the miracles they had seen him do among the sick. When he got to the other side, he climbed a hill and sat down, surrounded by his disciples. It was nearly time for the Feast of Passover, kept annually by the Jews. When Jesus looked out and saw that a large crowd had arrived, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread to feed these people?” He said this to stretch Philip’s faith. He already knew what he was going to do. Philip answered, “Two hundred silver pieces wouldn’t be enough to buy bread for each person to get a piece.” One of the disciples—it was Andrew, brother to Simon Peter—said, “There’s a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But that’s a drop in the bucket for a crowd like this.” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” There was a nice carpet of green grass in this place. They sat down, about five thousand of them. Then Jesus took the bread and, having given thanks, gave it to those who were seated. He did the same with the fish. All ate as much as they wanted. When the people had eaten their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the leftovers so nothing is wasted.” They went to work and filled twelve large baskets with leftovers from the five barley loaves." John 6:1-13

"When there is a need that is sensed by a few and each individual understands his responsibility and gives his best regardless of the odds then God can do a miracle and meet the need." John Maxwell

As we learned in the last lesson, miracles always happen in response to needs. 

There are over 90 miracles in the Bible. And everyone of them happened in response to a need. Some happened apart from faith. Some happened apart from prayer. But none happened apart from a need.

So, to have a miracle there must be a great need.

In addition to the great need there must be a great deed.

When God wants to do a miracle He always uses a person.

You can't have a miracle without God and He won't do one without choosing a person to work through!

Jesus asked Philip, "How are we going to feed all these people?" Philip's reply was that they didn't have enough money. And, of course, they didn't.

About that time Andrew brought a boy to Jesus who had a modest lunch consisting of five loaves and two salted fish. 

Would he be willing to turn over his lunch to Jesus?

What difference could one lunch make among thousands of hungry people?

Everyone recognized the great need but now it was time for a great deed and the lad loaned his lunch to Jesus.

Jesus planned to do a miracle but He was looking for some person to partner with Him. His good deed allowed the miracle to happen!

When Jesus wants to meet a great need He looks for someone willing to do a great deed of faith.

Are you willing to partner with God?

What are you willing to offer Him?

Is there anything you are unwilling to offer Him?

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