A Christian's Labor

A Christian’s Labor

John 6:15-29

I read an article on the National Health Service website about the causes of insomnia which said, “It's not always clear what triggers insomnia, but it's often associated with…

• stress and anxiety (i.e., worry)

• a poor sleeping environment – such as an uncomfortable bed, or a bedroom that's too light, noisy, hot, or cold.

• lifestyle factors – such as jet lag, shift work, or drinking alcohol or caffeine before going to bed.

• mental health conditions – such as depression or schizophrenia.

• physical health conditions – such as heart problems, other sleep disorders and long-term pain.

• certain medicines – such as some anti-depressants, epilepsy medicines or certain steroids.”

Since this is Labor Day weekend, I would like to talk about what a Christian should labor for and how we can find rest.

Please open your Bible this morning to the Gospel of John 6

Allow me to set a backdrop for our passage this morning. In John 6 we find the account of the Feeding of the 5000.

We also studied the feeding of the 5000 in our Mark series; as a side note, there are only two miracles written about in all four Gospels: Jesus’ resurrection and the feeding of the 5,000.

Here in the Gospel of John, a crowd of people had gathered to hear Jesus and when evening had come…

Jesus’ Disciples wanted to send the people away so they could reach civilization to buy food and find lodging for the night.

But Jesus asked Philip a provoking question to make the Disciples realize who He is. Philip was from the area, so that may explain why Jesus posed this question to him specifically.

Jesus asked in John 6:5, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?"

John 6:6 But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. NKJV

And Philip said, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” (John 6:7).

Jesus wanted to shatter their closed-minded expectations and make them realize He could do more than just little miracles.

When we willingly offer the Lord every part of our life, “Do we believe the Lord will use ordinary things in our life to create extraordinary things for God’s kingdom purposes?

Christians must never believe our resources are too little to serve God. Jesus used a Lunchable and fed 15-20,000 people with it.

When we obediently bring our life to the Lord sacrificially, no matter how insignificant we may think our gifts or talents are; the Lord will use them to fulfill His plan.

When we fully surrender to the Lord, He will do far beyond what can be imagined.

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

Ephesians 3:21 to Him be glory in the church. NKJV

With these verses in Ephesians, Jesus tells us His power is shown through His followers, the church.

This morning Jesus communicates to labor for the everlasting things, not for the things that will perish and rest in His plan.

I. The One who creates the storm, can calm the storm.

Read John 6:15-21

The crowd wanted to make Jesus King, but they did not realize He had first come to His creation to be the Sacrificial Lamb and to offer His life as a ransom for lost sinners.

The crowd wanted an earthly king but did not recognize Jesus as the Heavenly King of Glory.

The crowd was concerned with things of the physical world as well as defeating the Roman Oppression, but Jesus came to save them from their sin, and they just didn’t get it.

These people were sheep without a shepherd, and they wanted a shepherd who would do their will, not a shepherd to follow.

So, Jesus slips away before they got a chance to force Him into a situation that was contrary to God’s plan.

Jesus needed some time alone with the Father to fellowship with Him, hear His voice, and stick with His plan.

Have you ever been at a point in your life where you couldn’t hear the voice of God and were not sure what to do?

When trying to discern the Lord’s voice, sometimes we need to be alone and give God time to speak into our lives.

It is often during quiet times, when we are alone with the Lord, that He reveals His will and plan to us.

It is not said here in the Gospel of John, but we know from the other Gospels, Jesus compelled His disciples to go on to the other side, ahead of Him.