Faith Lesson 23

How God Multiplies our Faith

Matthew 14: 13-21

We, as a Church, tend to forget the impossible; we leave out faith and trust; we hoard what little we have; we fail to surrender to His Lordship or precepts. Regardless of this mindset of ours, Jesus stands at the door that we have closed in His face. He could just kick it down, but, He does not. He lets us live with what little we have when we could have so much more-5000 times as much!

This passage is about letting go, giving to Him, and allowing His multiplication to be glorified! This passage has a powerful lesson for us on faith and surrender. All too often, we in the church are much better at sending people away, stemming from our own misdirection. We forget that Christ is the One who calls us to Him. He says, bring what you have to me, while we focus on, what can you do for me? It is about how we can serve and glorify or Lord. Out of our poverty, He seems to use us the most, because, we are emptied from our pride and trivialities and are able to focus upon Him. We are to give Him all we have so He can meet our needs. When we do this, Jesus will multiply our efforts and we will be able to be used so much more effectively, giving the glory back to Him. Allow Him to do the miracle; then, distribute it! Remember, Jesus begins where we are and uses what we have. Therefore, we can grow more and He can use us more! So, let us give what we have, along with our faith, talent, time, and treasures, so He can make more with it!

· Jesus is our High Priest who intercedes for us. We do not need to worry about His busy schedule or if we are interrupting, He is there for us; He is there for you (Heb 7:23-28)! This passage demonstrates how much God loves and cares for us (Num. 27: 15 -17).

· We can also demonstrate His care by showing hospitality and the proclaiming of His Word in truth. It has been said, people will not care what you say until they know you care (1 Cor. 5:8; 2 Cor. 4:2; Col. 1:3-8)!

· Jesus forsook His own needs! This is not just concern, as in sympathy. It is, rather, a deep, heartfelt awareness that leads to action (Num. 27:15-17; Psalm 23:1; 53; 77:20; 78:52, 70-72; 80:1; Ezek. 34:11, 14-15; Matt. 20:24; Mark 1:41; Luke 7:13).

· Mark adds sheep without a Shepherd, meaning a reflection of abandonment by unfaithful leaders who chase their own whims, forsaking God and His people (Jer. 50:6).

· We may think we do not much to work with, but, we have to remember-it is not what we can see we have; it is what He is able to do!

· The disciples must have known that Jesus was powerful enough to meet their needs, but, did not consider it in this situation. How much is this like our spiritual lives-that we do not consider Jesus when we need Him, and, especially when we do not think we need Him? They quickly switched to the normal way of their culture, unaffected by the One whom they had with them!

· Jesus challenges the disciples to care and then become the care equippers, ministers of His provision. Christ is looking for hands that can pass His basket with clean hearts, and a will focused on His.

Questions

1. Most churches forget the impossible, and leave out faith and trust. What are the things some churches-perhaps yours-hoard? What do they need to do?

2. Read Hebrews 7:23-28. What would it mean to you not to worry? What do you worry about? What can you do about it? What can Jesus do about it? Remember, His schedule is not busy; we cannot interrupt Him; He is there for us; He is there for you! How does this make you feel?

3. How does this passage demonstrate how much God loves and cares for us? What are some other passages that testify to this?

4. It has been said, people will not care what you say until they know how much you care. What does this mean to you? How can you be better at modeling care? How does care reflect your faith?

5. Why do you suppose that the disciples only considered the "normal" way to feed the group? (Keep in mind the other miracles prior to this!)

6. Most Christians only look at what they can do. But, in Christ, it is not what we see we have; it is what He is able to do! Are you limited by your vision and thinking?

7. Why do you suppose the disciples, who must have known that Jesus was powerful enough to meet their needs, did not consider Him in this situation? How many times do you fail to consider Jesus when you need Him, especially when you do not think you need Him?

8. How is Jesus the Host, Caregiver, and the Provider for you?

9. Why is Christ looking for hands that can pass His basket with clean hearts, and a will focused on His? Will you be His hands?

10. Why is it that out of our poverty, Christ seems to use us the most? What is poverty? What would it mean for you?

11. We are to give Him all we have so He can meet our needs. What must take place in your heart and mind and your church to make this a reality?

12. How, where, and when can you allow Him to do the miracle, then, distribute it! What miracle do you need? What stops you from distributing it?