Bread of Life - Pt 4

Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. (John 6:29-35 ESV). Today we are continuing where we ended yesterday. After the people had come to ask Jesus for more bread. They also asked him what God wanted them to do? His declaration to them is the heart of the gospel. It is the truth I have desired to point toward this week as we looked at the Bread of Life. In the Old Testament passage in Exodus, in the New Testament passage in John, and in my life and yours, Jesus wants us to see Him as the Bread of Life. The provision of manna served a practical need in the life of the Israelites. They needed something to eat, and God provided them with manna. In the New Testament, the people were once again hungry. Sure, they could have waited until they got home, but Jesus chose to feed them anyway. Why? To show them they He is the Bread of Life! Perhaps you are struggling in your life today. Perhaps you are at a crossroad of life that will change the course of your life. Unless you are very unusual, you either now or at sometime will have these thoughts and needs. Perhaps that time is now. Perhaps you have come to realize that you are hungry for a part of God that you haven't yet experienced. This is the place of the BREAD OF LIFE! Here is the truth: Jesus Christ IS the BREAD OF LIFE! He is it! He's the Alpha and Omega! The First and the Last! He is what you need now and forever more! If you are looking for fulfillment from any other source, you are missing the greatest blessing in life. Find your strength, your substance, and your life in the BREAD OF LIFE! Don’t misunderstand. I am not saying that Jesus will make all the bad things disappear from your life. I am, however, saying that in the midst of your hunger for satisfaction and fulfillment, He will give supply you with the most wonderful provision possible. Trust him. Turn to him today!

Bread of Life - Pt 3

On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (John 6:22-29 ESV). As we saw yesterday, Jesus had taken the fives loaves of bread and two fish and fed the multitudes. He was illustrating a modern example of God providing for them as he did with manna in the wilderness. The message should have been very clear. Jesus showed them that He could still provide them with all their needs. In our reading this morning the people were once more hungry. It is funny how we get hungry again and again. They came back to Jesus to see if He would meet their needs once more. Is that so unusual today? I find that I always “need” something else. Even after a wonderful blessing of God, my list continues to grow. That is not a condemnation unless it turns us away from the one who can provide for us. That’s the whole point of Jesus’ miracle. What do you want more of? Was there a time in your life when you were closer to God than you are right now? Do you see something others have in Christ that you would like to be a part of? Do you want more of Christ? Ask God today to give you more manna! Ask Him to fill you with His presence in such a way that others will really know that you have been with the Lord! The people came back to Jesus because they wanted more of what He had given them. Have you got all of Jesus you can stand? If your breadbox is running on empty, ask God to fill it again with the BREAD OF LIFE. Tell Jesus you want more! In fact tell Him you want Him ALL!

Bread of Life - Pt 2

Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. (John 6:5-13 ESV). In the Old Testament, as we saw yesterday, God supplied His people with manna. They were hungry and He gave them something to eat. Here is a New Testament example of the same thing, God providing for His people. This is one of my favorite stories from the earthly ministry of Jesus. There is such a great message here for us today. Jesus had come into the world. He is the Savior, the Son of God, and was walking among the people. Times were different than in the Exodus. God's people now had incomes. Though the Roman government was in control, God's people still participated in the commerce of the day. The difference in this New Testament story and the Old Testament story we looked at yesterday is that in today's story they just didn't have any food with them. They had not planned on staying all day and they didn't bring a picnic lunch. In the Old Testament passage, the Israelites had no other means of support than God. They were in the middle of the wilderness. They had left the commerce of Egypt and were on their own. They had to trust God. They had no choice. I have experienced both scenarios in my life. I have had times where I had plenty, and really didn't have to depend on God, and then I have had times when I had nowhere else to turn except God. In either case, I can honestly say that God has met my needs regardless of what they were. What about you? Where are you at right now? Do you need all of God? Is He your only resort? Or are things pretty good in your life right now? All you really would like is a little picnic lunch. One thing is the same in the Old Testament passage and in the New: People need the Bread of Life. Whatever you need, wherever you are, God is able to make all grace abound to you. You can trust Him to supply your heart with that which will truly satisfy. The only key is trust! In bad times or good times trust Him. After all, He is the BREAD OF LIFE!

Bread of Life - Pt 1

They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.” (Exodus 16:1-4 ESV). In the next few days I am going to be looking at the provision of God. We’ve been looking at the reasons why bad things happen to good people for the past few days. Now we can expand that to understand the compassionate provision of God in the midst of our lives. To begin this little series, we see the Israelites in their journey out of Egypt. They could have easily been called "The Grumblers". Led out of Egypt to escape persecutions and find the Promise Land, God's children never really seemed pleased with their new surroundings. They became hungry and God gave them something to eat. Every morning, thin flakes, like frost, would cover the ground. This was called "manna", and it was like toasted bread. It was sweet like honey. The people could only gather enough for one day's feeding. If they gathered too much it would spoil. The next morning, except on the Sabbath, they would go out and gather more manna. God did this miracle to demonstrate for His people that He could supply all their needs. Perhaps you are at a place where you need such provision. God is able. What are you praying for right now? Do you believe that He can provide it? Do you think the Israelites were originally surprised that God could cover the ground with "frosted flakes" every morning? Of course they were. We don't have a problem believing it now, because it is history, but try believing it before it happens. Let me ask you to simply trust God to provide. Now, He may provide in His way. And, that may a very surprising event. The Israelites may have wanted bagels and they got Frosted Flakes, but God did satisfy their need. Ask God to meet your needs, trust Him to do it, and then wait for His answer! God is still in the manna business today. After all, He is the BREAD OF LIFE!

In the Shadow of God

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. (Psalm 91:1-7 ESV). When I was a young boy, growing up on the Island of Galveston, air conditioning was a luxury. The weather was relatively moderate most of the year. You could count on a sea breeze nearly all year to keep things cool by the standards of that day. Most of the schools didn't have it and many of our houses were without it. However, today we wouldn’t be comfortable with such temperatures as we had then. Even with that being true, it seems like we spent more time outdoors then than we do now. In the heat of the summer, we would often find the nearest shade tree and enjoy the breeze. Sometimes we had the extra treat of ice cream. No matter how hot it was, with ice cream in hand and a shade tree above, the weather was always just right! That is what I think of when I think of the "shadow of the Almighty". Resting within the protection of God's glory, I find peace from the burdens of the world. No, my problems don't always disappear, but the journey is made easier. The valleys aren't as deep, and the mountaintops seem to last longer and come more often. Dwelling within God's shelter means that I trust Him even when the odds makers say I shouldn't. It means that I choose Him over the achievements I can make on my own. It means that my life is not my own. I am bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus, and that my home is in Heaven, where awaits for me an eternal blessing, which far outweighs the problems of this world. I’m sure those same shade trees are still standing, but I have air conditioning now, and we seldom get ice cream and sit under them. In fact, most of the time we are inside with the blinds drawn to keep the sun out and the cool air in! As I think about that shade tree, however, I realize that the best shade I will ever experience is within the "shadow of the Almighty". Perhaps you need to rest in His shade for a while. Take a few moments and be still in his presence. You’ll find it very comfortable there!

Philemon - Pt 8

Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (Philemon 1:20-25 ESV). The close of this letter is very poignant. Paul was in prison when he wrote it. He was facing uncertainty and daily struggle. He had been beaten, mocked, and his death seemed to be imminent. He had sacrificed much to follow Christ. Yet, he was optimistic and hopeful. The life of a Christian is not absent of adversity. It isn't always easy. In fact, sometimes it is just plain difficult. God calls us to give our whole lives as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Him. The key is found in the closing verse of the letter. It is the grace of God that gives us strength to continue in spite of adversity. Paul was saying as he closed out his letter to Philemon was: keep doing what you're doing! Don't give up! Being a Christian in the first century was tough, not too unlike being a Christian today. There were temptations, frustrations, and distractions that kept the committed Christian from staying focused on conforming to the image of Christ. Philemon had come a long way. People loved to be around him. He opened his house and heart to anyone. He was living the Christian life, not only on Sunday, but also throughout the week. He was an encouragement to everyone around him. He fought the good fight. Paul wanted Philemon to finish his work. Paul simply reminded Philemon to let the grace of Christ dwell in his spirit. Sometimes, when life gets draining, when the circumstances around you seem more than you can bear, you need to allow God's grace to enter your heart, strengthen your spirit, and give you the encouragement you need to continue. Paul wanted Philemon to have that encouragement. He wanted God's grace to saturate Philemon's life. Is life caving in around you? Do you need a break from the casualties of living? Could you use a refresher? Call upon the grace of God! Allow His Spirit to enter once again into your heart, drawing you into His mighty presence, preparing your mind to face another day! You can do it if you will cast ALL your cares upon Him. Allow the grace of the Lord Jesus to be with your spirit!

Philemon - Pt 7

For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. (Philemon 1:15-20 ESV). In the letter to the church at Rome, the Apostle Paul declares "All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose." That is a true statement. It has proven true in my life. The reason that the apostle may make that statement with absolute confidence is that God is ultimately sovereign. He is working life's situations, good and bad, together so that in the end, blessings come in the life of a Christian. God helps us to reach His ultimate goal for our lives, throughout the pages of time. Those acts on our behalf are often surprising. This must have been true with Philemon. He probably wasn't too happy when Onesimus left. He lost a slave. He lost revenue; net worth; and profit. Even if Onesimus wasn't the hardest working slave, he was still better than nothing. Philemon's first reaction to Paul may have instinctively been "I deserve Onesimus back as a slave." Yet, God used the time away from Philemon to work an ultimate good in the life of Onesimus. Taking him from a useless slave, he turned him into a useful servant of God. The time was also redeemed for Philemon. Although he no longer had a slave, he now had a new brother in Christ. I don't know about you, but I'll take a brother in Christ over a useless employee any day. Finally, God also worked the situation out for the good of Paul. Paul now had a faithful fellow servant who could help Paul further the cause of Christ. God worked all things for good! Perhaps there is something in your life that isn't turning out the way you planned. You have questioned God, but haven't received an answer that explains why. Maybe you don't think God is in control. Take it from the story of Philemon, Onesimus and Paul. God is working all things for good. Right now it may not seem possible to find good in the midst of the storm, but time is on God's side. He is able, and He will see you through the darkness and back into His glorious light. His promises are still true. Your future is secure, and the good will come when His will is done!