TEXT: JOHN 6:1-14

SUBJECT: THANKSGIVING

THEME: THE POWER IN THANKSGIVING

INTRODUCTION:

This passage under consideration is one of the notable miracles of our Lord. He fed 5000 people with 5 barley loaves of bread and two fishes. In the gospel of John, John under the Holy Spirit recorded the following miracles:

1. Changing water into wine. 2:1-11
2. The healing of the son of the royal officer. 4:46-54

• The healing of the invalid man at the pool. 5:1-18

1. The feeding of the 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fishes. 6:1-14
2. Walking on the sea. 6:15-25
3. Healing a man born blind. 9:1-41

• Raising Lazarus from the dead. 11:1-46

He called these miracles of Jesus signs and wonders. He said the purpose of the signs is to bring Christian to the absolute assurance of their salvation. Moreover, his purpose is to lead these to faith which prove that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, that by believing they may have life in His name.

Jesus therefore puts the disciples to a test to see if they would really see through him.

The actors of this story are:

1. Philip
2. Andrew
3. An unknown boy
4. Jesus Christ

Shall we now take a look at the responses that the disciples made out of the test put before them.

1. The responses of the disciples v.6
2. Phillip thought in terms of pragmatism/ works

• He thought in terms of labor
• He thought in terms of days, weeks, months
• He thought in terms of money
• He thought in terms of limitation

It is good to be pragmatic because the bible encourages hard however not all needs are resolved by hard-work.

1. Andrew perceived in terms of socialism

• he was ready to borrow a boy’s food
• he wanted to share the boys food (5 loaves and 2 fishes)

As social creatures, we do not live in isolation but certain answers are beyond the ability of man. It is worth noting that where humans are limited, God’s grace abounds.

1. The response of the boy
2. The boy thought of what is in hand and he gladly gave it. They say a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

• The response of Jesus Christ.

Lifting up the 5 loaves and two fishes to God, He gave thanks.

Thanks to His thanksgiving everybody ate and were filled.

This demonstrate the power of thanksgiving.

It wasn’t for nothing that the bible says that in all things we should give thanks. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.1 Thessalonians 5:18

Giving thanks is a foundational response to God.  When you grow in the knowledge of God and your focus is on Him, you can, as the Scripture says, “in all things give thanks.”

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

Psalm 136:1

CONCLUSION:

As we do God’s work, there will be times of inadequacies. The responses will either prove our resilience in God or otherwise. I strongly believe the God of provocation will always do more than supply our needs we should therefore never forget to the show the culture of thanksgiving always. God bless us all.