“Thankful for Jesus’ Merciful Healing and Provision”

Oct.9, 2011 Mt.14:13-21   Play AUDIO (32 kbps mp3)

GRATEFUL DESPITE GRIEVOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

•    Thankful - even when robbed?
•    Jesus withdrew to solitude following news of John the Baptist’s death
•    Overtones of evil’s opposition that would one day kill Jesus too
•    Even our darkest moments can become occasions for God’s glory to be manifested.
•    Q: What dark tunnel is currently bothering you? Is there room for Jesus to join you there, and make a difference?

SURPRISING COMPASSION INSTEAD OF REJECTION

•    Crowd’s coming thwarted Jesus’ quest for privacy
•    What remarkable humility and graciousness! Our pathetic condition mysteriously induces Jesus’ compassion rather than His rejection.
•    Q: How might pride be preventing you from ‘bothering’ Jesus with your problem? Can you trust Him to be the judge of real need? Have you experienced Jesus turning to help you, not reject you, in your weakness?

ONLY FIVE LOAVES...BRING THEM

•    disciples concerned crowd needed to go find their own food
•    Jesus challenges them to use their loaves / fish to give to the multitude
•    Q: What’s the ‘little’ you have that Christ is beckoning you to entrust to His use? How are you ‘holding out’ on Jesus (loaves / money / etc.)? What might He multiply if you yielded things to His control?
•    When we commit totally to the Lord the ‘little’ we DO have, it makes room for God’s awesome supernatural power and goodness to operate.
•    considering majesty of the Giver, no gift is small
•    “Harvest For Hunger” million-dollar fundraiser started small

THANKS - IN THE BROKENNESS?

•    take - bless - break - give: echoes of Communion
•    Brokenness is at the heart of Christian transformation.
•    Steve Jobs’ firing from Apple best thing that happened to him
•    Q: What ‘brokenness’ in your life right now do you need to entrust to Jesus’ hands for blessing and surrender?

SATISFACTION THAT’S NOT SKIMPY

•    crowd went away satisfied, with 12 baskets surplus
•    God doesn’t skimp on His grace: He supplies our needs as unique individuals, and more!
•    Q: This weekend, think of some ways God’s grace has been amply shown to you; share that story with someone.
•    with so many causes of joy, don’t choose to sit upon the “little handful of thorns”