Podcasts about believe jesus

If my math is correct, there are 201 more shopping days until Christmas!! Did that statement surprise you?  Are you wondering, “Why on earth is Pastor Joe bringing Christmas up in June?”   I think most of us would agree, that for the world, Christmas is the most celebrated of the Christian Holy Days, with Easter coming in second. For many Christ-followers in the “Western World”, those are often the only two Christian Holy Days we celebrate. In the last 5 or so years, through my study of God's Word, I've had a growing a conviction that JESUS would have His disciples add a third Holy Day Celebration to our annual calendars that would on par with Christmas and Easter. That Holy Day is PENTECOST! Through His life and teachings, JESUS showed incredibly great honor for the HOLY SPIRIT and urged His disciples to do the same.  JESUS went as far as to say that the HOLY SPIRIT in us, is better than JESUS beside us! While at Christmas, we celebrate the “Incarnation” of GOD on the earth, on Pentecost we celebrate the “Indwelling” of GOD in our lives.  I'm praying that you'll make plans right now to join us this Sunday at our service at 9:30 or 11AM, or in our livestream service at 11AM on riverbluff.live, as we celebrate the coming of the HOLY SPIRIT in our on-going study of Riverbluff's “Essential Beliefs”. Pastor Joe Still

Believe Jesus Now #SMUCDhttps://www.smucd.org/blog ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.smucd.org/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To Join our Sermons every saturday at 5:30pm EST 4:30 South Dakota & surrounding states you can go straight to our home pagehttps://www.smucd.org/scroll down all the way down till you see sermons andclick join nowIf you scroll down on our website you can also sign up for our email blast so we can send alerts updates and info for our Sermons and Bible studies#JESUS #Baptism #BLIND #SIGHT #Rest #Slavery #Israel #TheBible #RiverOfZion #Anotherexodus #peace #Liloc #grace #deuteronomy28 #christ #prophecy #Hebrews #Sermons #Oneness #florida #TheFuture #Revelation #Newtestament #Oldtestament #Galighticus #hinduism #newage #meditation #IAM #GREATIAM #refined #HolySpirit #mercy #DBCreativeforce #DonaldTrump #Cyrus #Trumpcyrus #Jubilee #Redemption #unitedstates #greatharvest

Welcome to Episode #172 of the Way of the Bible podcast. This is the fourth of eight episodes in our Twenty-Second mini-series entitled The Return of Jesus Christ. On today's episode, we're going to take a look at what Jesus said about his coming back in the New Testament. Jesus was clear that he came the first time as the suffering savior of the world and would be returning a second time in righteousness to judge the world. This was well understood by the Apostles, early disciples, and the early church. Over time, as Jesus' return was delayed, from a human perspective, individuals in and out of the church began to spiritualize Jesus' comments and imagined an ending quite different than what the New Testament writers understood.  I've spent two episodes trying to provide some background for the difficulty we as humans have in comprehending who Jesus is and why he came the first time. We have to overcome that difficulty first before tackling Jesus' coming back. I've used the expression, make your head hurt, several times in prior episodes to emphasize a point. In the modern and now post-modern worlds, the spiritual realm is not readily accepted. And because of that, over the centuries and millennia, the significance of the word of God, like entropy we covered on our last episode, always increases toward disorder and/or chaos. Each generation has to learn on its own the significance of the word of God to guide them on their spiritual walk with Christ. In that regard, let's speak about where every generation has to begin. 

Happy Easter and welcome to Rise Up with Fr. Jonathan Meyer! Today's Gospel reminds us of a powerful truth: the ruler of this world has been condemned. Jesus has triumphed over sin and death—He has won! And because of that, we are called to live with joy, hope, and encouragement, even in a broken world. So… do you really believe He's victorious? Let this be a reminder: We know how the story ends. We know who wins. Hallelujah!  

Episode 812: Ask and Believe - Jesus paid for so much for us at Calvary. We know it is God's will for us to have all that Jesus paid for so we just need to ask and believe we receive those promises. Learn more on this episode of Good News with Greg Fritz. Download or request your FREE Study Notes for this series at https://gregfritz.org/study-notes/. Greg Fritz is on a mission to get the truth of the Good News to as many people as possible. The truth is God has a plan and a meaning for your life. You are extravagantly and deeply loved by God, and you were created for a purpose.  Receive a free CD and our newsletter: https://www.gregfritz.org/free-cd/   Follow Greg on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gregfritzministries/  Follow Greg on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregfritzministries/ Watch more videos: https://www.gospeltruth.tv/   Learn more on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrR9Rsx4h_RqYigda2PysZQ  Email us: info@gregfritz.org  Partner with us:  https://gregfritz.org/partners/ Donate: https://gregfritz.org/donate/

Preacher: Nicholas Chung Title: What We Believe: Jesus Christ, His Only Son, our Lord Sermon Series: A City on a Hill Scripture: Matthew 16:13-17 (ESV)

John 3:32 What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. John the Baptist was speaking of Jesus in these verses. Jesus is from heaven, and what He has seen and heard in heaven, of that He testified on earth. In the first chapter of his gospel, the apostle John said that Jesus came to His own people and they didn't receive Him. In 3:11, Jesus told Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony.” So this point was important enough to John, that he mentioned it twice in this chapter. It raises the question for everyone reading, “Have you received Jesus' testimony?” It is because of Jesus' testimony that we call people to live to love with Jesus. He has come from heaven to tell us that God is love. He declared that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that He has made God known. He came to live to love with His Father. He commands us to believe He is God and to love one another as He has loved us. He has given us the Holy Spirit so that He abides in us and we in Him. The proof of our relationship with God is the fruit of His presence and power in our lives. That fruit is love. If we don't love with Him, which is the only way we can glorify God, our lives are wasted (1 Cor. 13:1-3). We live to love because, unlike those of whom John the Baptist spoke in this verse, we believe Jesus' testimony of what He has seen and heard in heaven. God is love, and we're here to live to love with Him. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.

Series: Crown Him Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:1-28

Read OnlineSo they said to Jesus, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” John 6:34–35Imagine if you were to never grow hungry or never thirst again. On a natural level, this would be an interesting reality.Of course, if you never had physical hunger or thirst, then you may never enjoy the delight of good food and drink. So why would anyone want to lose out on such delights? Of course, Jesus was not speaking of natural food and drink, He was speaking of supernatural hunger and thirst. And He was not saying that the spiritual food and drink He came to give us would eliminate our ability to delight in spiritual fulfillment. On the contrary, Jesus was saying that the spiritual food and drink He was to provide would result in never-ending fulfillment and satisfaction.Chapter 6 of John's Gospel will continue to be read throughout this week, the Third Week of Easter. This chapter presents us with what is traditionally called the “Bread of Life Discourse.” It's John's deep, mystical and profound teaching on the Most Holy Eucharist.First of all, it's useful to look at this Gospel within its context. Recall that on the previous day, Jesus performed the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, and a crowd of people who had been fed by Him were now seeking more food. Jesus uses their desire for more food to begin to teach them about the Most Holy Eucharist, and He wants to do the same for you.Put yourself into this scene. What is it that you hunger and thirst for the most? Perhaps you have plenty of physical food, but perhaps you don't. If you do, what else do you crave? What do you desire? When you have identified your deepest desires right now, use these desires to allow our Lord to teach you about the Bread of Life. It might be useful to say to our Lord, “Here are my current desires in life…” And then, allow yourself to hear Jesus say to you, “I want to give you so much more. I am what you truly long for. If you come to Me, you will have all your desires fulfilled and more.” This is essentially the conversation Jesus had with this crowd throughout John Chapter 6.Do you believe that the Most Holy Eucharist is capable of fulfilling you on the deepest level? Too often we approach that Sacrament in a lazy and distracted way. As a result, we often fail to truly receive our Lord on a level that provides this deepest delight and satisfaction.Reflect, today and throughout this week, upon your approach to Holy Communion. The Eucharist is Christ Himself. It's a gift that has the potential to not only sustain us in every way but also to draw us into the greatest Heavenly delights. Believe Jesus' words in this holy chapter of John's Gospel. For if you deepen your belief in all that Jesus has said, you will begin to realize that all you crave in life will begin to be fulfilled by this precious gift in ways beyond your imagination.My Eucharistic Lord, You are the Bread of Life. You are all that I desire in life. Give me the grace of understanding, dear Lord, so that I can come to believe all that You have revealed about the Most Holy Eucharist. I do believe, my God. Help my unbelief. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Christ the Saviour Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International, via Wikemedia Commons Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Sermon from 05-04-2025

Bottom line: Believe Jesus and you will have life eternally. Know Jesus more and more and you will experience life abundantly. John wrote his gospel to prove that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that by believing we would have eternal life. But if we know Jesus more and more as the Word of God, the Creator, the Light of Life, the Son of God, the Lamb of God, the Messiah, the King, we will experience life more abundantly.

Bottom line: Believe Jesus and you will have life eternally. Know Jesus more and more and you will experience life abundantly. John wrote his gospel to prove that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that by believing we would have eternal life. But if we know Jesus more and more as the Word of God, the Creator, the Light of Life, the Son of God, the Lamb of God, the Messiah, the King, we will experience life more abundantly.

Acts 10:34-43

Series: Crown Him

As the JOYLAND Community looks back and reflects on Easter, we contemplate and revelate: Using our place and timing to plug into the various stories of how those disciples, friends, followers, persecutors, and even enemies might have encountered the risen Jesus Himself—to most of their surprise—was undeniably alive again. * No one seemed to expect Him to come back to life. Should they have? * Some were quick to believe, but usually once He revealed Himself (even then some doubted…fear seemed to be involved). * Some you wouldn’t have expected to believe apparently did! Who were they? As it was that first few weeks following Jesus’ resurrection, it is not in doctrine that we are called to believe in—but a person—Jesus. Belief in doctrine DOES NOT make us Christians! The resurrection presents each of us with the invitation to believe in and know Jesus, who is alive today, right now in our lives. Jesus makes us living sons and daughters of His Father and Our Father, His God and Our God. Follow along at our social outlets: https://joylandlife.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joylandlife/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5-vPe7h_wjctIQxnaUQSnQ?view_as=subscriber Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/joyland-life/id1494637858 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6gCbEDE8pgrNhHlG0WM0fo?si=6fSKeO87SoGrx2BOUveHfQ&nd=1 Zoom: https://www.zoom.us/j/3377733377 Joyland App: https://tithely.app.link/joyland (You must follow this through your phone.) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joylandlife/ X: https://twitter.com/JoylandLife Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/joylandlife

Episode 271- Did Early Christians Believe Jesus was God?, hosted by Mark Vance.This podcast is designed to help you live a faithful and fruitful life where Jesus has called you. Connect with Cornerstone Church Online at cornerstonelife.com. Subscribe to our "Sermon" and "Equip" podcasts on iTunes and Spotify and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

In this week's podcast Mike, Debi, Nathan and Ashley Pearl answer questions sent in from viewers:If one does not believe in the Trinity, can one be born again?Do you have suggestions for Grandmas who have to deal with grand-kids and adult children?Are there things in To Train Up a Child that you would change?Why would Christ forgive me?Jesus is God | According to the scriptures: https://youtu.be/4MFsA78tV4Y?si=0DJmJAjnnRNbAFVA

In last week's episode, Dr. David discussed the most popular arguments agains the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Today, he looks at the three types of evidence that point to the historicity of the resurrection. By themselves, each piece of evidence is a strong proof for the resurrection. Taken together, Christians can rest assured that their faith is not misplaced but is based on a solid foundation of evidence that we can trust!Resource Highlight- Reflections on the ResurrectionDavid and Annie are serving the Lord in the US, Africa, India, and South America. Would you consider joining their team? Just click here to get involved. Thanks so much!Show credits:Opening music- Beach Bum Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Transition music- Highlight Reel Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Closing music- Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Today we are pleased to share an audio essay written and read by Lydia Brownback entitled "If I Believe Jesus Has Forgiven My Sins, Why Do I Still Feel Guilty?". Lydia Brownback is a regular speaker at conferences and events. She is also the author of several books, including 'Flourish: How the Love of Christ Frees Us from Self-Focus' from Crossway. Read the essay here. Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung! If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show!

"Light in the Darkness: A Journey Through the Gospel of John"Jeremy Rose - March 30, 2025Week 40 - John 11:17-27⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theaxischurch.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-----Subscribe to The Axis Church sermons on Apple Podcast or Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify Podcast

Scripture Reference: John 18:12-14, Matthew 26:57-68

In this episode of FACTS, Stephen takes a deep dive into the writings of Ignatius of Antioch to answer a critical question: Did Ignatius believe that Jesus was God in the flesh? Focusing on key passages from Ignatius's Letter to the Ephesians and Letter to the Romans, Stephen explores Ignatius's use of the provocative phrase “the blood of God” and what it reveals about his understanding of Jesus's divinity and humanity. Did Ignatius truly believe that God suffered and died in the person of Jesus Christ — or were later scribes and translators softening his radical Christology? Tune in to uncover the evidence and discover why Ignatius's view of Jesus remains central to early Christian theology.If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7 #IgnatiusOfAntioch #EarlyChurch #Christology #JesusIsGod #ChurchFathers #ChristianHistory #BloodOfGod #Ephesians #Romans #FACTSPodcast #HistoricalTheology #EarlyChristianity #Patristics #DivinityOfChrist

John 8:1-12 John is not content to just tell us WHAT happened. John wants something TO happen to you. “These have been written that you may BELIEVE Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by BELIEVING you may have LIFE in His name.” – John 20:31 “Jesus said, I am the LIGHT of […]

The Transfiguration is real. And that means real change is possible in your life. Do you have faith that Jesus can change your habits, your relationships, your struggles? Surrender to Him today and let Him transform you.  

John 6:1-69 The reason why John writes his Gospel: “These have been written that you may BELIEVE Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by BELIEVING you may have LIFE in His name.” John 20:31 Perhaps the most misunderstood and misused words in all of Christianity are the words FAITH and BELIEVE. As […]

Do Not Fear, Believe Jesus... 1. Enters our Trouble (vv. 40-42, 49-50) 2. Saves the Outcast (vv. 43-48) 3. Raises the Dead (vv. 51-56)  

Is Jesus really the only way to God? What if there were another path?ABOUT THIS MESSAGE:In a world with so many beliefs, is it narrow-minded to say Jesus is the only way? In this sermon, Pastor Adam Burton unpacks John 14:6, where Jesus declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Discover why Jesus' words are not just exclusive but incredibly good news, offering hope, purpose, and the way to true life with God. Watch now to find clarity and confidence in your faith!SERMON TRANSCRIPT: https://bit.ly/4kns2TkSERMON DISCUSSION GUIDE: https://bit.ly/3EVsokaABOUT CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH:Central Baptist Church is located in the heart of Maysville, Kentucky. We invite you to join our community and explore our services and programs. For more information, visit our website at ⁠cbcmaysville.com⁠. If you're new or want to get connected, please fill out our digital connection card at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://⁠cbcmaysville.com/connect⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.We look forward to welcoming you!FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Facebook: https://facebook.com/cbcmaysville⁠Instagram: https://instagram.com/centralbaptistmaysvilleYouTube: https://youtube.com/@cbcmaysville⁠⁠TIMESTAMPS:Opening [0:00]Introduction [0:38]Follow Jesus as the Only Way [4:38]Believe Jesus as the Full Truth [11:57]Receive Jesus as the True Life [19:52]Conclusion [28:21]Closing [31:52]#JesusIsTheWay #John146 #FaithInChrist

Today Pastor Cameron answers a listener question by declaring that yes, Jesus is the only way to God! He is the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life! 

Trust.... Join this channel to get access to perks like LIVE coaching and MORE VIDEOS helping you with your Soul, Mind and Body: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UComOLNKo70zgeWxOJEJChlQ/join I would love to come speak at your conference, association, men/women/youth event or parish! I also lead retreats and parish missions - check out my website at https://kendravonesh.com/speaking/ Where are my upcoming events and media appearances? https://kendravonesh.com/events-media/ Check out my 10 minute daily inspirational podcast! https://realityreflections.com Share if you appreciated this podcast.

You may have been taught, “Don’t believe what people say they believe. Watch what they actually do.” Behavior reveals what people truly believe. And what the early Church actually did was worship Jesus as God — an earth-shattering development in a monotheistic environment.

"Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” These ancient words from Scripture carry a startling urgency. The apostle John wraps up his letter by confronting us with an audacious claim: everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. This isn't just theological theory - it's a provocative declaration that challenges our very understanding of faith, love, and what it means to be children of God.  The Rev. Doug Griebenaw, Mission Advocate for KFUO Radio, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 1 John 5:1-21. In these epistles, John defends the truth of Jesus Christ against false teachings, calling believers to remain steadfast in their faith and grounded in the apostolic witness. He emphasizes the essential connection between truth, love, and fellowship, urging Christians to walk in the light, love one another, and reject anything that denies the person and work of Jesus.  Through 1 John, we explore the assurance of salvation, the battle between light and darkness, and the call to abide in Christ. In 2 John, we are reminded of the importance of holding fast to the truth while guarding against deceivers. Finally, in 3 John, we see a personal glimpse into the challenges of church leadership, hospitality, and Christian unity.  Together, these letters challenge us to live faithfully as God's children in a world that opposes His truth.   Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Brad Kerkow says he can says he can jump over a building, run a marathon in under two hours, and do 200 pushups in a row. Can he convince you of these claims? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/peace-devotions/support

When you use the term "gospel," have you really considered what it means? Join Rabbi Schneider as he returns to the book of Romans, which gives lasting insight on the power of Jesus' death, the significance of His resurrection, and the part humanity plays in all of it.   Visit our website at DiscoveringTheJewishJesus.com

November 11, 2024 | Teaching from John 10 and John 14:6, Dakota Tucker discusses how to witness to someone who believes there are alternative ways to salvation other than through Jesus. Dakota walks through why people might believe this, what the bible says about salvation, and how we can minister to people who have this mindset. For more information about The Vue, visit www.bellevue.org/college. If you've liked what you've heard in this message, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Spotify.

Come the good or the bad of any current political situation, our ultimate hope, and our truest reality, is that Jesus is Lord.

How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast.  If you would like to help support my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches, click here:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robskinner   In this episode, I continue my exposition of the book of Matthew with Jesus' feeding of the five thousand in Matthew 14:13-21. Transcript:   Introduction Pictures from Apple Annies 1.    Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand, Matthew 14:13-21 13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” 16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. 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 the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. The Prophet Like Moses.  ·       Here is the second “banquet” in this chapter.  This is not as lavish as Herod's but it was much better spiritually.  All four of the gospels record this feeding.  This reveals the importance of the event.  They are in a lonely place or desert on the northeast side of the lake.  There are Old Testament parallels to this event: o  Elisha's feeding 100 men with 30 loaves in 2 Kings 4:42-44 o  Moses feeding the Israelites with the manna in Exodus 16:11, “11 The Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.'” §  This is Jesus' way of pointing to himself as the New Moses or as the Prophet Moses predicted would come.  In Deuteron0my 18:15 it says, “15 The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him… 17 The Lord said to me: “What they say is good. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. 19 I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name. 13  Jesus' Compassion 13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. ·       Jesus withdrew in order to deal with the loss of his relative and also to escape the potential political pressure or persecution coming from Herod Antipas.  Jesus is seeking solitude in his grief.  However, when he sees the crowds waiting for him, Jesus' compassion is triggered and he puts aside any thoughts of “me-time” and instead he heals, helps and feeds the crowd.  Jesus reveals how when tough times hit, we want solitude and we also want people around us to comfort us.  His motives rise to the surface as he reveals compassion to the crowds and heals, teaches and feeds them.  Jesus' ministry was a combination of preaching, healing and teaching.  What can we apply here? o  There is a time for solitude and recovery o  There are times when we are called to serve even in the midst of difficulty, persecution, tiredness and sadness. o  Compassion needs to drive our behavior.  It's easy to get cold and clinical when we see people in need.  We let ourselves off the hook by pointing out people's mistakes and failures that led to their problems.  Jesus could have done that with every one of us.  He still has compassion on each one of us.  Don't get to the point where you are driving away people from you because there is no compassion in your heart.  15-18  “Give and it will be given to you.”  15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said.  ·       The disciples are tired.  Jesus is tired and grieving.  They want to send the people away.  Jesus says they don't need to.  They don't even have enough food to feed themselves and Jesus asks for that. Jesus follows an Old Testament Pattern when he asks his disciples to give him what they do have.  This follows a pattern seen in 1 Kings 17:10 in a story about Elijah, “10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don't have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”13 Elijah said to her, “Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.'”15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah. Keep the bread and skip the miracle o  The lady only has a handful of flour, she's about to die of starvation and the prophet says, I know that, but feed me first.  If you want to see amazing things happen, it starts with giving up everything you currently have.  You have to sacrifice.  You have to take that first step of faith.  You have to let go of what you are counting on, worshipping or putting your trust in.  Jesus said in Matthew 9:29, “According to your faith will it be done.”  You have to make that initial investment of faith, even if it's really small.  Like the woman in the story, who only had a little flour and oil, she sacrificed it and gave it to Elijah.  God saw the faith and multiplied the little she had.  Miracles start with faith.  Jesus will often ask you to “prime the pump” by sacrificing something important to you before he opens up the blessings. §  Financial blessing:  “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse and see if I won't open the floodgates of blessings.”  Malachi §  Spiritual growth:  Let go of the sin in repentance and God will open the door to heaven for you. §  Relational blessings:  Give up the bad relationship and allow God to bring you someone or something better §  Example 19-21  The Original Lord's Supper.  19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. 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 the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. ·       The verbs used here, “take, gave thanks, broke, gave” all are replicated at the last supper and when he had a meal with the two disciples on the way to Emmaus in Luke 24:30, “30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.”    Paul repeats this format in 1 Corinthians 11:23-24, “The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”   This is a foreshadowing of the LORD's supper.  Scholars consider this a foretaste of the Messianic Banquet in Matthew 26:29.  The Miracle ·       Simple food.  Have you ever tasted “Ezekiel” bread?  It's pretty plain.  The bread these people were eating was like that, barley bread and plain fish.  That was it.  It wasn't like Herod's delicious dinner.  Jesus offered very plain fare.  Sometimes we don't serve people because we feel like it has to be super fancy.  It has to come straight out of Pinterest or Better Homes and Gardens.  This keeps us from serving people and connecting with people more often.  We are overshooting it.  Next time, just serve your basic food, that's all that's needed. o  Pictures of James' dinner ·       God works through people.  Who gave out the bread?  The disciples.  God works through imperfect people to do miracles.  ·       Mystery Miracle.  How did the miracle happen?  We don't know.  What did it look like?  It must have been amazing, but only God knows. ·       The miraculous power of a full stomach.  All ate and had their fill.  12 baskets get picked up afterward.  This isn't like the communion bread we are “snacking” on Sundays.  Everyone had a full stomach and there is much more food left over than there was when the disciples handed Jesus the little they had.  They were satisfied.  Food brings people together and provides temporary satisfaction and contentment.  That's the power of food, fellowship and Bible teaching, it builds unity, joy and satisfaction.  It's a powerful combination.  It's how you build a church.  You build it on brotherhood, the Bible and breaking bread together.  There were five thousand men plus women and children.  Jesus said, let nothing be wasted.  They picked it up and used it later.   Conclusion: We've seen two banquets, one fancy and one plain.  One brought destruction and one brought life, healing and deeper faith.  ·       Jesus has the power to provide in abundance, to amaze us with his miracles. ·       He works through people to help others ·       His compassion is what drives him and us ·       Push through tiredness and resistance to give ·       Give what you have.  You can keep your bread but you'll skip the miracle ·       Serve people don't send them away ·       Believe Jesus has the capacity to multiply and meet our needs   Next Steps: ·       Grow in compassion.  Learn to serve and give even when you are tired, grieving and running low on resources.  Jesus sets the example. ·       Bring people to Jesus, don't send them away.  In a couple of weeks we are going to have a neighbor day.  This is a small recreation of this meal in the desert.  We bring people to hear Jesus' words and then we feed them.  Let's bring people because we feel compassion for them.  Let's not imitate the disciples who said, “send them away.”  Let's bring people to Jesus and serve them.  Let's have the heart of Jesus in his desire to meet people's spiritual and physical needs.

September 21, 2024 I Sam. 13:1-23; Ps. 107:33-43; Prov. 23:24; John 7:1-13