Stepping Out in Faith: Trusting God's Abundant Provision

Devotional

Day 1: Empowerment Through Divine Authority

Jesus empowers His disciples by sending them out with His authority, challenging them to rely on divine provision rather than material resources. This moment is a profound act of trust, as the disciples are pushed beyond their comfort zones to carry out the mission of spreading the good news. They are instructed to take nothing for the journey except a staff, emphasizing reliance on God's provision. This teaches us that stepping out in faith often requires us to move beyond our comfort zones, trusting in God's authority and provision. As we reflect on this, we are reminded that God equips us with what we need to fulfill His purposes, even when we feel unprepared or inadequate. [03:03]

"And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts." (Mark 6:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith, beyond your comfort zone? How can you trust in His authority and provision today?

Day 2: Abundance in Scarcity

The feeding of the 5,000 is a powerful illustration of God's ability to provide abundantly from seemingly scarce resources. The disciples, focused on their limitations, are challenged by Jesus to see beyond scarcity to the abundance of God's kingdom. Jesus takes the little they have—five loaves and two fish—and multiplies it to feed thousands. This miracle is a testament to God's ability to provide abundantly when we trust Him with what we have. It reminds us that when we focus on what we have and offer it to God, He can multiply it to meet the needs of many, reminding us of His limitless provision. [14:18]

"And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied." (Mark 6:41-42, ESV)

Reflection: What is one resource or talent you have that you often see as insufficient? How can you offer it to God today, trusting Him to multiply it for His purposes?

Day 3: Living on Mission with Jesus

As followers of Jesus, we are invited to live on mission with Him, sharing His love and truth in our communities. This involves being faithful in our roles and trusting that God will use our efforts to further His Kingdom. Our everyday lives, whether in our jobs, schools, or communities, are opportunities to share the good news of the Kingdom. Living on mission means being intentional about our actions and words, knowing that God can use even the smallest acts of faithfulness to make a significant impact. [22:06]

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally live on mission with Jesus in your current environment? What is one specific action you can take today to share His love and truth with someone in your community?

Day 4: Trusting God with Our Limits

While acknowledging our limitations, we are called to trust God to work through them. This involves shifting our focus from scarcity to the abundance of God's Kingdom, believing that He will provide what we need to accomplish His purposes. Trusting God with our limits means recognizing that our weaknesses and inadequacies are opportunities for His strength to be displayed. It is an invitation to rely on His power rather than our own, knowing that He is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. [17:39]

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one limitation or weakness you struggle with? How can you shift your focus from this limitation to God's abundant provision and strength today?

Day 5: The Joy of God's Provision

God delights in providing for His people, often giving us more than we need as a reminder of His goodness. When we follow Him, He not only meets our needs but also blesses us abundantly, encouraging us to trust Him more deeply. The joy of God's provision is found in recognizing His faithfulness and generosity in our lives. It is an invitation to celebrate His goodness and to trust that He will continue to provide for us in ways that exceed our expectations. [21:10]

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen." (Philippians 4:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when God provided for you in an unexpected way. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude and trust in His continued provision today?

Sermon Summary

In the sixth chapter of the Book of Mark, we find ourselves in a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus. Imagine being one of His disciples, witnessing His authority over nature, sickness, and even death. You've seen Him calm storms, heal the sick, and raise the dead. Now, Jesus turns to you and says, "It's your turn." He sends His disciples out two by two, giving them authority over impure spirits and instructing them to take nothing for the journey except a staff. This is a profound moment of trust and empowerment, pushing the disciples beyond their comfort zones.

This narrative challenges us to consider our own comfort zones and the tasks God calls us to undertake. Like Kathy Healey, who stepped out of her comfort zone to pray for strangers on a beach, we are often called to trust in God's provision and authority. Jesus equips His disciples with His authority, not with material resources, emphasizing reliance on divine provision rather than human preparation.

The story of the feeding of the 5,000 further illustrates this point. The disciples, focused on their limitations, are challenged by Jesus to see beyond scarcity to the abundance of God's kingdom. Jesus takes the little they have—five loaves and two fish—and multiplies it to feed thousands. This miracle is a testament to God's ability to provide abundantly when we trust Him with what we have.

As followers of Jesus, we are invited to live on mission with Him, stepping out in faith and trusting in His provision. This doesn't mean ignoring our limitations but rather offering them to God and trusting Him to work through them. Our everyday lives, whether in our jobs, schools, or communities, are opportunities to share the good news of the Kingdom. We are called to live faithfully, trusting that God will provide all we need to accomplish His purposes.

Key Takeaways

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2. Divine Provision in Scarcity: The feeding of the 5,000 illustrates God's ability to provide abundantly from seemingly scarce resources. When we focus on what we have and offer it to God, He can multiply it to meet the needs of many, reminding us of His limitless provision.

3. Living on Mission with Jesus: Our everyday lives are opportunities to live on mission with Jesus, sharing His love and truth in our communities. This involves being faithful in our roles and trusting that God will use our efforts to further His Kingdom.

4. Trusting God with Our Limits: While acknowledging our limitations, we are called to trust God to work through them. This involves shifting our focus from scarcity to the abundance of God's Kingdom, believing that He will provide what we need to accomplish His purposes.

5. The Joy of God's Provision: God delights in providing for His people, often giving us more than we need as a reminder of His goodness. When we follow Him, He not only meets our needs but also blesses us abundantly, encouraging us to trust Him more deeply.

** [03:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to Mark 6
[00:26] - Witnessing Jesus' Authority
[01:09] - Calming the Storm
[01:45] - Raising the Dead
[02:28] - Jesus' Authority Over All
[03:03] - Disciples Sent Out
[04:27] - Kathy's Story of Faith
[06:09] - Stepping Out in Faith
[07:23] - Trusting in Divine Provision
[10:10] - The Assignment of the Disciples
[11:24] - Seeking Rest and Retreat
[13:18] - Feeding the 5,000
[15:02] - Understanding Jesus' Authority
[17:39] - Trusting God with Our Limits
[21:10] - The Joy of God's Provision
[24:33] - Communion and Closing Prayer

Sermon Clips

Imagine Jesus turning to you and saying now it's your turn. How would you feel? I would feel over my head. We're gonna jump into Mark chapter 6, and this is what Jesus does. He says it's your turn. Mark chapter 6 verses 7-13. This is in the NIV. [00:03:03]

Then Jesus went around teaching from Village to Village, calling the 12 to him. He began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure Spirits. These were his instructions: take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. [00:03:33]

Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and Shake the Dust off your feet as a testimony against them. They went out and they preached that people should repent. [00:03:57]

They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. Have you ever been given a task that pushed you past your comfort zone? I think we all probably have. Kathy Healey gave me permission to share this story of hers about her experience. [00:04:14]

Jesus does something kind of like that. He does something that would push any one of us way outside of our comfort level. He pairs his followers up and then he sends them out, and that's and and and without even carry-on bag, nothing. He just sends them out. [00:06:16]

What you do go with though is that you're representing somebody whose credentials will get you wherever you need to go. So you get a rental car when you show up, you get clothing, you get food, you're provided for or with that person's credentials. [00:09:56]

The disciples have just been given Jesus' authority to teach, to heal, and they've experienced success in that, but they're not quite at the point yet where they understand that Authority can provide in this situation too. They're not quite thinking in those terms yet. [00:14:56]

Jesus is assuming his disciples are still acting with his authority. You give them something to eat, he says. They're still not used to operating that way, so he walks them through this. What's the disciples' focus of attention here? I could relate to them. [00:15:49]

Their focus of attention is it's really late, we're tired, it's a remote location, we don't have enough money to feed all these people, there's not enough time, there's not enough food here. What's their focus on? It's the limits, real real limits, but it's on the limits. [00:16:11]

When we are on Mission with Jesus, when we are following him, when he calls us out of our comfort zone and we follow him in that with the good news of the Kingdom, we can know we can trust that God will provide everything that we need to accomplish what he's called us to do. [00:18:09]

When you're following him, following his Direction, and you're going past your comfort zone when he calls you to, he will provide, and just because he's like he is, he'll probably provide. [00:20:40]

Jesus is still sending us out in our day-to-day lives, in our day-to-day activities, in our communities. He is still sending us out. He is still the one providing all that we need to accomplish what he calls us to. [00:24:01]

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