Nov. 22, 2020

“GIVING THANKS TURNS INTO A MIRACLE”

JOHN 6:1-15

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Job 1:21 “And he said, naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Habakkuk 3:17-18 “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls- Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

How Can We Express Genuine Thanks In The Face of Overwhelming Needs?

John 6:1-15

1.   Do Not Panic- John 6:5

We will always have needs. It is in the nature of being human. We were not created to be self-sufficient.

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

2.   Throw Away Your Safety Net- John 6:6

Needs reveal the true object of our trust. Where do we turn for help in a crisis? Do we cry out to the Lord? Do we confidently trust Him to give what we need when we need it?

Or do we look for our quietly- constructed, emotional safety nets?

Your Father in heaven is calling you to live without safety nets. No matter how great the need, He desires that you run and call upon Him. Your needs are designed to draw your heart into greater dependance upon your Father, and not upon yourself or your resources.

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”

3.   Keep Your Eyes On The Lord- John 6:7-9

Philip was saying, “What I can do is insufficient and inadequate.” Andrew was saying, “What I have is insufficient and inadequate.”

Paul warns the Romans about the warped view of God that can result from an attitude of ingratitude.

Romans 1:21-23 “Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.”

It is vital that we maintain a grateful, trusting spirit in the face of our needs.

4.   Choose To Thank God For All Things- John 6:10-11,23

The disciples were astonished, Jesus took the resources they had-which were inadequate, and gave thanks to God. It was a choice. Two miracles resulted.

There was the inadequate becoming more than adequate. Everyone ate as much as they wanted. 

John 6:12 “So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.”

Then there was the miracle of understanding. The disciples never forgot what they had witnessed.

Armed with a deep fulfilling relationship with God, the disciples realized they could thank God for everything-even needs that were overwhelming or unmet- just like Jesus demonstrated.

5.   Do It Together

Some lessons can be mastered alone. Other lessons are learned in fellowship with other believers.