Ceres United Methodist Church

Worship

Notes from the Service

Sunday July 30, 2006



(John 6:1-14) Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Feast was near. 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?" He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." (NIV)



Jesus fed 5,000 men that day. Including women and children there could have been as many as 15,000 people or more. Jesus fed that many people with the equivalent of a Happy Meal from McDonald’s. Lets take a look at what it could have cost in today’s world;

Dominos: Figure three people per large pizza. Since it was a church group, Dominos would have given them a special price of $6 per large pizza. Also figure that you would have needed some Cokes. 2-Liters are much cheaper than buying cans, so we’ll go with 2-liters. Grand total: $32,143.

Burger King: Let’s say everybody is going to eat off the value menu. It’s after 4 p.m. so we’ll order double cheeseburgers, fries and Cokes for everybody. Grand total: $45,000.

Outback Steakhouse: Come on, though. This is Jesus. No greasy pizzas or burgers for Jesus. He’s taking everybody to Outback. The men get those 12-ounce Outback specials. The ladies all get the chicken dinner and a salad and the kids all order off the kids’ menu. Grand total: $152,5000.

Jesus fed that many people with, (John 6:9), five small barley loaves and two small fish, a Happy Meal. The miracle of this event in Jesus’ ministry is the boy with the Happy Meal. The miracle would never have happened if the small boy would not have allowed Jesus to use his Happy Meal.

God cannot use us unless we offer ourselves up to Him for ministry. We can call ourselves Christian, but if we do not do the work of God, are we truly Christian? Christianity is only one generation away from being an extinct religion. If we, as a generation, choose not to do the work of God and offer ourselves up to do God’s work here on earth, Christianity will die. If we do not tell our neighbors about Jesus Christ, how will the next generation know Jesus, and what He did for you and I on the cross?

When we get up in the morning we should ask God what He wants us to do today. Maybe we are supposed to take a Happy Meal to a friend or neighbor.



"If we offer nothing to God, he’ll have nothing to use. But he can take what little we offer him and do the impossible." (from the Life Application Bible)



My prayer for you this day is; allow yourself to be led by God, and offer your life as a instrument for God’s will, that you would yield to His guidance and be obedient.

May God bless you,

Pastor Dan