Reflections from my message today at NRN

Today was an awesome day at church today.  As we recited the Apostle's Creed I noticed "goose bumps" on my arms as I declared the proclamation of faith that has been recited generation after generation.  The time of worship was wonderful and I sensed the anointing of God upon my message as I began speaking the first words.   Here is a summary:

 

Series: ENCOUNTERS BY THE SEA

Part 4:  Experiencing Provision

Mark 6:30-44      Matthew 14:13-21; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14

Intro:  Over the past 3 weeks we have been looking at incredible encounters by the Sea of Galilee.  Last week was truly amazing as we saw the miracle working power of Jesus as he healed an unclean woman and raised a 12 year old girl from the dead!  After this Jesus and the Disciples went around teaching from town to town. Then Jesus sent out the 12 to preach and minister.  It was an emotional and physically draining time (as ministry often is).  They received the news that the cousin of Jesus – John the Baptist was beheaded.  Recorded in all four gospels. In today’s passage Jesus provides an example of position and provision; expecting God to show up and do great things, and thinking big! God wants us to have the expectation that He will show up and provide.  

God’s Provision:

1. Comes in a place that is UNFAMILIAR

30 The apostles gathered around Jesus. They told him all they had done and taught. 31 But many people were coming and going. So they did not even have a chance to eat. Then Jesus said to his apostles, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place. You need to get some rest.” 32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a quiet place. 33 But many people who saw them leaving recognized them. They ran from all the towns and got there ahead of them.

34 When Jesus came ashore, he saw a large crowd. He felt deep concern for them. They were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.                                                                                                                             Mark 6: 30-34

Genesis 22:14

The story begins with a strange command from God to Abraham, instructing him to offer his “son of promise,” Isaac, as a burnt offering. Early the next morning, Abraham packs wood and a knife, and he and Isaac travel to Moriah, the place God had specified. As they near the site, Isaac questions Abraham concerning the intended offering: “Where is the lamb?” With great faith and foresight, Abraham responds, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son” (Genesis 22:1-8). The New Testament tells us that Abraham believed God would raise Isaac from the dead (Hebrews 11:19).

Upon reaching the place God had chosen, Abraham demonstrates his faith and obedience by building an altar, binding Isaac, and placing him on the wood. Before Abraham can finish the offering, the Angel of the Lord calls to him from heaven, and Isaac’s life is spared. Then, “Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son” (Genesis 22:13). Abraham names the place “Jehovah-Jireh” because of God’s gracious provision of a substitute for Isaac. (Genesis 22:14) Immediately afterwards, God reconfirms His covenant with Abraham (v 17-18). Centuries later, King Solomon would build the temple in the same location (2 Chronicles 3:1). So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."       Genesis 22: 14

The account of Abraham on Mt. Moriah thus becomes more than a dramatic illustration of faith and obedience. It is a presentation of the Lord’s eternal grace, continual provision, and all-encompassing wisdom. Jehovah-Jireh is not “The LORD Did Provide,” but “The LORD Will Provide.” In other words, the name does not simply memorialize a past event; it anticipates a future action.           

God’s Provision:

2.  Overcomes our times of UNBELIEF  

35 By that time it was late in the day. His disciples came to him. “There is nothing here,” they said. “It’s already very late. 36 Send the people away. They can go and buy something to eat in the nearby countryside and villages.” 37 But Jesus answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take eight months of a person’s pay! Should we go and spend that much on bread?   Are we supposed to feed them?”                           Mark 6:35-37

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.     James 1:6 (NIV)

But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.                                                                                       James 1:6 (NLT)

 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."                                        Matthew 17: 20

God’s Provision:

3.  Is EXTRAVAGENT:

Much is present but not SEEN

 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.  “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five loaves and two fish.” Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on   the green grass. So they sat down in groups of 100s and 50s.  Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up to heaven and gave thanks.

 

He broke the loaves into pieces. Then he gave them to his disciples to set in front of the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. All of them ate and were satisfied. The disciples picked up 12 baskets of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of men who had eaten was 5,000.  Mark 6: 38 – 44

Action Point:  ASK