Making Room for Miracles: Faith and Action
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the theme of "How to Make Room for a Miracle" by examining the story of the feeding of the 5,000 from Mark 6:30-44. This miracle, which is the only one besides the resurrection to appear in all four Gospels, serves as a powerful illustration of how we can participate with God in the miracles He performs.
We began by acknowledging a common human tendency: we want the results without putting in the effort. We desire financial stability without working harder, a better marriage without investing time, and physical health without exercising or eating right. This principle extends to our spiritual lives as well. We want God's blessings without obeying His word, and we want to experience His miracles without making room for Him to work. The Bible clearly states in Galatians that "a man reaps what he sows," emphasizing that while it is God's job to move, it is our job to make room for Him to do so.
In Mark 6, Jesus invites His disciples to come away to a quiet place and rest, highlighting the importance of rest found in Jesus alone. Rest is not merely a break from activity but a time to be filled by Jesus so we can go out and minister from a place of overflow. However, as they attempt to rest, a large crowd follows them, and Jesus, moved by compassion, begins to teach them. This introduces a tension between rest and action, illustrating that a healthy rhythm involves both coming into Jesus for rest and going out to minister.
We then discussed the importance of taking responsibility for the opportunities God gives us. When the disciples pointed out the need to feed the crowd, Jesus challenged them to take action. This principle applies to our lives as well. Sometimes, God gives us the opportunity to be the answer to our own prayers. Whether it's helping the homeless, serving in church, or loving our family members, we must be willing to act on the opportunities God presents.
A personal story was shared about a man who initially resisted an opportunity to translate sermons into Spanish but eventually embraced it, leading to significant ministry growth. This story underscores the importance of being faithful with what we have, even if it doesn't seem significant at the moment. When we are faithful with little, God entrusts us with more.
The feeding of the 5,000 concludes with Jesus taking the five loaves and two fish, giving thanks, and distributing them to the people. Everyone ate and was satisfied, and there were leftovers. This miracle demonstrates that when we give God what we have, He multiplies it. The deeper message is that Jesus is the bread of life, meeting not only our physical needs but our spiritual needs as well. If we take care of our part, God will take care of His part.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Principle of Sowing and Reaping: We often desire the results without putting in the necessary effort. Whether it's financial stability, a better marriage, or spiritual growth, we must be willing to invest the time and effort required. Galatians reminds us that "a man reaps what he sows," emphasizing that while it is God's job to move, it is our job to make room for Him to do so. [07:55]
2. The Tension Between Rest and Action: Jesus invites us to find rest in Him, but He also calls us to action. A healthy spiritual rhythm involves both coming into Jesus for rest and going out to minister. Rest is not just a break from activity but a time to be filled by Jesus so we can serve from a place of overflow. [12:32]
3. Taking Responsibility for Opportunities: Sometimes, God gives us the opportunity to be the answer to our own prayers. Whether it's helping the homeless, serving in church, or loving our family members, we must be willing to act on the opportunities God presents. If we take care of our part, God will take care of His part. [16:53]
4. Faithfulness in Small Things: Being faithful with what we have, even if it doesn't seem significant, is crucial. A story was shared about a man who embraced an opportunity to translate sermons, leading to significant ministry growth. When we are faithful with little, God entrusts us with more. [22:13]
5. Jesus as the Bread of Life: The feeding of the 5,000 illustrates that Jesus meets both our physical and spiritual needs. While He provides for our physical needs, He also offers spiritual nourishment as the bread of life. When we give God what we have, He multiplies it, meeting our deepest needs. [29:02]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:42] - The Traffic Light Analogy
[07:55] - The Principle of Sowing and Reaping
[09:36] - Introduction to Mark 6:30-44
[10:54] - Jesus Invites Us to Rest
[12:32] - The Tension Between Rest and Action
[13:56] - The Balance of Rest and Work
[15:23] - Trusting God in Our Efforts
[16:53] - Taking Responsibility for Opportunities
[18:17] - Personal Story: Helping the Homeless
[19:35] - Being the Answer to Our Prayers
[21:03] - Personal Story: Ministry in London
[22:13] - Faithfulness in Small Things
[23:33] - Using Our Gifts for God
[24:50] - The Miracle of the Loaves and Fish
[26:17] - Personal Story: Overcoming Challenges
[27:39] - God's Miraculous Provision
[29:02] - Jesus as the Bread of Life
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Mark 6:30-44 - The Feeding of the 5,000
2. Galatians 6:7 - "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."
3. John 6:26-27 - "Jesus answered, 'Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What was Jesus' initial invitation to His disciples in Mark 6:30-32, and why is it significant? [10:54]
2. How did Jesus respond to the large crowd that followed Him and His disciples when they sought rest? [12:32]
3. What did Jesus challenge His disciples to do when they pointed out the need to feed the crowd? [16:53]
4. How did the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 conclude, and what was the result for the people? [24:50]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the principle of sowing and reaping in Galatians 6:7 imply about our spiritual and practical lives? How does this principle relate to the sermon’s message about making room for God to work? [07:55]
2. How does the tension between rest and action, as seen in Mark 6:30-34, apply to our daily lives and spiritual practices? [12:32]
3. In what ways can we take responsibility for the opportunities God gives us, as illustrated by the disciples' interaction with Jesus in Mark 6:35-37? [16:53]
4. How does the story of the feeding of the 5,000 in Mark 6:30-44 illustrate the deeper message that Jesus is the bread of life, as explained in John 6:26-27? [29:02]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you wanted results without putting in the necessary effort. How can you apply the principle of sowing and reaping to that situation? [07:55]
2. Are you more inclined towards being a "lazy Christian" or a "workaholic Christian"? How can you find a healthier balance between rest and action in your spiritual life? [13:56]
3. Think of an opportunity God has given you recently. How can you take responsibility and act on it, even if it seems insignificant? [16:53]
4. Have you ever felt like the man who initially resisted translating sermons into Spanish? How can you be more faithful with the small opportunities God gives you? [22:13]
5. In what ways can you give God what you have, trusting Him to multiply it? Reflect on a specific area in your life where you need to trust God more. [24:50]
6. How can you ensure that you are not just seeking Jesus for physical or material needs but also for spiritual nourishment? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him as the bread of life? [29:02]
7. Identify a specific distraction in your life that prevents you from making room for God to work. What practical steps can you take this week to minimize that distraction? [09:36]
Devotional
### Day 1: The Principle of Sowing and Reaping
We often desire the results without putting in the necessary effort. Whether it's financial stability, a better marriage, or spiritual growth, we must be willing to invest the time and effort required. Galatians reminds us that "a man reaps what he sows," emphasizing that while it is God's job to move, it is our job to make room for Him to do so. This principle is evident in many areas of our lives. For instance, we cannot expect to have a thriving relationship with God if we do not spend time in prayer and reading His Word. Similarly, we cannot expect to see growth in our personal lives if we are not willing to put in the work.
In Mark 6:30-44, we see this principle in action. The disciples had to take the initiative to find food for the crowd, even though they had very little to offer. Jesus then took what they had and multiplied it to feed the 5,000. This story illustrates that when we do our part, God will do His. We must be willing to sow the seeds of effort, faith, and obedience, trusting that God will bring the harvest. [07:55]
Galatians 6:7-8 (ESV): "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to start sowing more intentionally? How can you begin to invest time and effort in that area today?
### Day 2: The Tension Between Rest and Action
Jesus invites us to find rest in Him, but He also calls us to action. A healthy spiritual rhythm involves both coming into Jesus for rest and going out to minister. Rest is not just a break from activity but a time to be filled by Jesus so we can serve from a place of overflow. In Mark 6, Jesus invites His disciples to come away to a quiet place and rest. However, as they attempt to rest, a large crowd follows them, and Jesus, moved by compassion, begins to teach them. This introduces a tension between rest and action, illustrating that a healthy rhythm involves both coming into Jesus for rest and going out to minister.
This balance is crucial for our spiritual well-being. If we only focus on action without rest, we risk burnout. Conversely, if we only rest without taking action, we miss out on the opportunities God gives us to serve others. Jesus models this balance perfectly, showing us that true rest is found in Him and that this rest equips us to go out and minister effectively. [12:32]
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Reflection: How can you create a balance between rest and action in your life? What steps can you take to ensure you are both resting in Jesus and actively serving others?
### Day 3: Taking Responsibility for Opportunities
Sometimes, God gives us the opportunity to be the answer to our own prayers. Whether it's helping the homeless, serving in church, or loving our family members, we must be willing to act on the opportunities God presents. In Mark 6, when the disciples pointed out the need to feed the crowd, Jesus challenged them to take action. This principle applies to our lives as well. We often pray for God to intervene in various situations, but sometimes He calls us to be the solution.
Taking responsibility for the opportunities God gives us means stepping out in faith and trusting that He will provide what we need. It means being willing to act, even when we feel inadequate or unprepared. When we take that step of faith, God meets us there and works through us to accomplish His purposes. [16:53]
James 2:14-17 (ESV): "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: What is one opportunity God has placed before you that you have been hesitant to act on? How can you take a step of faith and take responsibility for that opportunity today?
### Day 4: Faithfulness in Small Things
Being faithful with what we have, even if it doesn't seem significant, is crucial. A story was shared about a man who embraced an opportunity to translate sermons, leading to significant ministry growth. When we are faithful with little, God entrusts us with more. This principle is evident in the story of the feeding of the 5,000. The disciples had only five loaves and two fish, but they brought what they had to Jesus, and He multiplied it to feed the multitude.
Faithfulness in small things means being diligent and committed in the tasks and opportunities God gives us, no matter how insignificant they may seem. It means trusting that God can use our small acts of obedience to accomplish great things. When we are faithful with the little we have, God sees our faithfulness and entrusts us with more. [22:13]
Luke 16:10 (ESV): "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much."
Reflection: What small task or opportunity has God given you that you need to be more faithful in? How can you commit to being diligent and faithful in that area today?
### Day 5: Jesus as the Bread of Life
The feeding of the 5,000 illustrates that Jesus meets both our physical and spiritual needs. While He provides for our physical needs, He also offers spiritual nourishment as the bread of life. In Mark 6, Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, gave thanks, and distributed them to the people. Everyone ate and was satisfied, and there were leftovers. This miracle demonstrates that when we give God what we have, He multiplies it, meeting our deepest needs.
Jesus is the bread of life, and He invites us to come to Him to find true satisfaction and fulfillment. He meets our physical needs, but more importantly, He meets our spiritual needs. When we come to Jesus and give Him what we have, He multiplies it and uses it to bless others. This story reminds us that Jesus is our ultimate source of provision and nourishment. [29:02]
John 6:35 (ESV): "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.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on Jesus as the bread of life? How can you give what you have to Him and trust Him to multiply it and meet your needs?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "So often we want the results, but we aren't willing to put in the work. For example, we want more money, but we don't want to work more. We want a better marriage, but we don't want to invest into it. We want to be physically strong, but we don't want to go to the gym. We want a healthy body, but we also want to be able to eat whatever we want. We want to raise godly kids, but we want to outsource parenting to our public schools. Anybody out there? We want to know more of the Bible, but we want to watch Netflix for three hours a night. We want a healthy church community, but we don't want to open up our lives and spend time with anybody. We want God's blessings, but we don't want to obey God's word." [07:55]
2. "Rest is not just a break from activity. Rest is getting alone with Jesus, allowing him to fill us up so that we can go out into the world. Rest is found in Jesus." [10:54]
3. "Sometimes God will give you the opportunity to be the answer to your own prayer request. I remember when I lived in New York City and I was walking. I lived on the corner of 33rd and 8th, if anybody's ever been to Manhattan. It's the same corner that Madison Square Garden is on. And I used to walk by and I would see lots and lots and lots of homeless people. And I used to walk by and think, someone should do something about this. Someone. I don't know who, but someone should help me. I don't know who, but someone should help me. And I said, okay, I'm going to do these guys. Somebody. And then one day I felt like God spoke to me and said, you're right. You do something." [16:53]
4. "Jesus is saying to everybody, yes, I will meet your physical needs, but even more than that, I will meet your spiritual need. I will provide for you spiritually. The whole point of this story is, it's echoing what Moses did, leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. When manna appeared in the wilderness, the whole point of the feeding of the 5,000 is to show that Jesus is a better Moses. That Jesus doesn't just meet your physical needs, but He meets your spiritual needs. So yes, Jesus can satisfy you physically, He will provide for you, but Jesus describes Himself as the bread of life. It is only in Jesus that your spiritual needs, the deepest needs of your soul, get met. Without Him, there is something missing." [29:02]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Ultimately, it is God's job to move, but it is our job to make room for God to move. It's God's job to speak to us, but it's our job to be obedient to God's voice. It's God's job to give us his power and authority, but it's our responsibility to walk out in his power and authority. It's God's job to pour out his Holy Spirit, but it's our job to steward God's presence. It's God's job to do a miracle, but it's our part. It's God's job to be able to participate with him in the miracle that he's doing." [09:36]
2. "There's a tension between rest and action. Getting alone with Jesus and ministering on his behalf. Ministering to him and ministering for him. We need to understand each. Because on one end of the spectrum is what I'll call Christians that are a little bit lazy. And we want to sit and just not do anything at all. And Christians that are lazy love the Bible verses about getting rest. And rest is so important. We need it. Take a Sabbath. Get a rest. But if we, all we do is sit and rest and we never do anything, we never obey God and what he's asking us to do, we'll end up being a lazy Christian. The other end of the spectrum is overworking Christians. Workaholic Christians. And we work and we work and we work and we work and we make no time for rest and we get depleted." [12:32]
3. "If you want to follow Jesus, the healthy rhythm is not doing nothing 24-7 and it's not working 24-7 until you burn out. It is exactly what the disciples did. They came into Jesus, spent time with him, rested, and then they went out from him and ministered on his behalf. There's a healthy rhythm to coming in and to going out. If you will come into Jesus, allow him to give you rest. Allow him to fill you. Allow him to rejuvenate and restore your soul. You can then go out and minister not out of an empty tank but out of overflow." [13:56]
4. "If you are not faithful with the opportunities that God gives you, you will miss out on being a part of what God wants to do in you and through you. You and I can't abdicate and miss out on our responsibility. And the problem today is that we there, I met a kind of an old friend, and he said, hey, I want to introduce you to somebody. He introduced me to a pastor who led a church in London. And that guy said, hey, I've been looking for somebody kind of like you. Let's meet up for coffee in a couple days. I'd love to hear more about you. We ended up meeting for a two-hour coffee. At the end of that coffee, he looked me straight in the face, and he said, Max, I think God's got something on your life. I want you to come to London. I want you to be a pastor at our church. We'll sponsor your visa. We'll take care of everything. All you have to do is say yes." [27:39]
5. "If you are faithful with what little God's given you now, if you are faithful with little, God will give you much. If you take care of your part, God will take care of his part. So Jesus directed them to sit, to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. They sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples and they distributed them to the people. He also divided up the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied. And the disciples picked up 12 basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of men who had eaten was 5,000. So they gave God what they had, which wasn't much, and they walked away with more left over than what they gave in the first place." [24:50]
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