‘more Than Enough!’

SERMON OUTLINE:

• The pursuit of the crowd (vs 13-14)

• The problem of no food (vs 15-17)

• The provision Jesus (vs 18-21).

• Lesson #1: people matter.

• Lesson #2: problems are part of life.

• Lesson #3: God provides.

SERMON BODY:

Reading: Matthew chapter 14 verses 13-21.

Ill:

Favourite smells….

• Freshly cut grass.

• A real Christmas tree.

• Gunpowder (cap gun/after a firework has gone off)

• Barbecues

• Lavender

• Scented candles

• The seaside

• Coffee

• The forest

• Fresh flowers

• Bacon

• Freshly baked bread

• TRANSITION:

• There is nothing quite like fresh bread baking in the oven.

• Now, whether you make your own or go into a shop,

• Fresh bread is appeals to the senses…

• You can see it golden brown colour,

• You can smell the freshness,

• You can even feel the loaf is still warm!

• When you buy or make bread like that,

• Your taste buds start to salivate,

• Your tummy starts to rumble,

• And only when you bite into the bread and taste it,

• Do you truly experience the full advantages of fresh bread.

• By contrast,

• Stale bread tastes terrible,

• And can often look unpleasant (mould on the edges etc.)

Note:

• Apply that simple illustration to your faith.

• If you do not keep it fresh, it will soon go stale.

• Regular time with Christ in prayer,

• Regular time with Christ in his word,

• Regular time with Christ in his service,

• Our invisible faith needs to be made visible in action to others.

• Regular time with Christ in evangelism,

• Don’t miss that one, we are fed as we feed.

• And evangelism is never an optional extra,

• It will enrich your Christian life immensely,

• And help keep your faith fresh!

• Jesus reminded us elsewhere (Matthew chapter 4 verse 4),

• That we do not live by bread alone.

• But remember that we also don't live long without it.

• To eat is to acknowledge our dependence,

• Both on food and on each other.

• It also reminds us that unless we must feed on Christ daily,

• If we want a fresh faith.

• Remember the Lord’s prayer, “Daily bread.”

• Or we will live on a diet of stale bread,

• That will keep us alive but will not satisfy.

(1). The PURSUIT of the crowd (vs 13-14).

“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. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed those who were ill.”

Question:

• Have you ever been so tired,

• That you are just not sure you can go on?

• If the answer is yes, you might appreciate this story.

ILL:

• A woman who had recently moved into a small village in Wiltshire,

• Was in the backyard hanging out the washing on the line.

• When an old, tired looking dog wandered into the yard.

• She could tell from his collar and well-fed belly,

• That he was not a stray, but he had a home.

• As she walked into the house, the dog followed her in,

• Sat down under the kitchen table and fell sound asleep.

• An hour later, he woke up.

• Went over to the door and she let him out.

• The next day he was back.

• He took up the same position under the kitchen table,

• And once again slept for an hour.

• This continued for the rest of the week.

• Curious, the lady pinned a note to his collar:

• "Every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap."

• The next day the dog arrived at the house,

• With a different note pinned to his collar:

• "He lives in a home with 6 children - he’s trying to catch up on his sleep."

• TRANSITION:

• We know from the other gospels that record this story:

• That Jesus was looking to take a break,

• He wanted to go somewhere quiet to get some rest,

• To recharge his physical batteries.

• People had been following Jesus and the disciples incessantly,

• And constantly making demands,

• (wanting healings etc which were time consuming & very draining).

• And although Jesus was weary and in need of a rest,

• The people kept coming and he was unable to get one.

Note:

• It is here that we get a remarkable glimpse of Jesus character.

• If it had been you or me, weary and in need of a rest,