Andy Finds Lunch

When we think about becoming fishers of people, we can become overwhelmed by the need. There are literally billions of people on the planet and the task of sharing the good news with all of them seems impossible. Jesus’ first disciples faced a similarly overwhelming situation when Jesus told them to feed a crowd of more than 5,000 people. Philip became overwhelmed, but Andrew focused on one small child and through that child, Jesus provided for everyone. Join us for part three of Go Fish! where we learn the importance of doing for one what you wish you could do for all.

After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following Him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 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. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”

John 6:1-14 (ESV)

Principles (KNOW THEM):

• Sharing your faith requires an act of faith that will build your faith.

Practices (DO THEM):

Identify the person in this story with whom you most closely relate:

• Philip: Overwhelmed and paralyzed by the need
• Andrew: Watching to see where God is working and taking a step of faith in that direction
• The Boy: Searching for God and willing to give up the little you have to follow Him

Daily Readings:

Monday: John 6
Tuesday: Exodus 3 & 4
Wednesday: Exodus 5 & 6
Thursday: Exodus 7
Friday: Exodus 8
Saturday: Exodus 9
Sunday: Exodus 10

Suggested Resources:

Books:

Reunion, Bruxy Cavey
Just Walk Across the Room, Bill Hybels
Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis
Share Jesus without Fear, William Fay
Workplace Grace, Bill Peel

Sermon series on ssbc.org:

30 Words (2018)
Beautiful Feet (2014)