Lunchbox Faith
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?" 10 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.
John 6:8-10, ESV
Lunchbox Faith
(John 6:5-11)
Intro:
A. Of all the miracles that Jesus did during his ministry, only one is recorded in all four gospel accounts – the feeding of the 5000. In those accounts only one tells us where the bread and fish came from. But I just want to start by telling you that story and then talking to some of our own kids and hear some of their story.
B. The crowds around Jesus were growing. Some say they were growing because of the amount of healing that Jesus was doing. Others say it was because they heard about the miracles of Jesus and wanted to see for themselves what Jesus was doing. No matter what drew the crowd, Jesus took the opportunity to tell the people about the kingdom of God. As evening was approaching the question of food came up. It is first started by Jesus, but the disciples simply wanted to send the people away so they could all go and buy their own food. In reality, that makes sense. The cost the disciples say it would take to buy enough food was enormous. But Jesus pushes them. Then John records what happened next. (READ John 6:8-10)
C. We know what happens. Jesus takes that boy’s lunch of five loaves and two fish and with it feeds 5000 men plus women and children. This morning I want to talk about a few qualities I see in that boy that I know need to be all Christians. To get us started about what kids who serve, I have ask three of our kids to talk with me about the things they do to serve this church right now.
I. Interview of Kids
A. Let’s get started with Gavin. Gavin, how old are you? Would you tell me a little bit about what you like about being a part of this church family? Share with everyone some of things you are doing that help us as a church that maybe people don’t know that you are doing. How did you get started doing those things? Thank you for serving us.
B. Tessa. Let’s get started as we did with Gavin. How old are you? Like Gavin, this has been your only church home. This past summer you were baptized and let me share how great that news was to hear. What is something you really like about being a part of this church family? Please tell me a little about the things you are involved in and how you got started doing them? Thank you so much for serving.
C. Connor. By now you know the questions I am about to ask. How old are you? What is something you like about being a part of this church family? Tell me how you got started working with our AV team? Do you ever have difficulty trying to follow my written sermon to know when to do the next slide? Do you enjoy working as part of the AV team here? Thank you for serving, and head on back to take care of the rest of the slide of my sermon.
D. I wanted you to hear from these young people what they are already doing as part of this church family. I wanted you to understand that they are not just the future of this church, but they are a part of the ministries in the church and how they are helping in the work of church.
II. Lessons From A Child
A. I started with the narrative of Jesus feeding the 5000 because it could not have happened if a young boy didn’t share his food with Jesus. The people were not fed because the disciples had compassion, but because the boy was willing to share and serve. Have you ever wondered about how the disciples got the 5 loaves and 2 fish? When I told you the story, only John tells us it was the boy who furnished the food. Just let your mind work out what happened.
B. Here is what we know, Andrew found a kid that had five small loaves of bread and two dried fish. What we don’t know is how that kid reacted to the situation when someone wanted his lunch. I guess that either Andrew or Jesus asked the boy if they could have his food. Whether out of respect for adults, maybe a little fear, or out the kindness of who he was, he gave Jesus the food that fed well over 5000 people. It causes me to ponder about the heart of children. They are not perfect, but they have an innocence and another quality that Jesus sees in children.
C. Listen to Matt. 18:1-4. I touched on this passage last week, but I wanted to reference it again today because Jesus uses a child to teach adults an important lesson. Jesus tells the disciples that they must “turn and become like children.” The disciples were arguing about who was the greatest, and Jesus said you have turn that idea around and look at humbling yourself. To make his point, he brings a child in front of them and says, this is what the kingdom of heaven looks on earth.
D. The kids I shared in video last week and the kids that shared about their ministry this week, weren’t guilted into loving Jesus and others, it is who they are right now. I give great credit to their parents and mentors for helping them be exactly what Jesus say in that child.
E. There is a passage godly parents hold dear. Listen to it. (READ Prov. 22:6). In our congregational reading we read these words (READ Eph. 6:1-3). Unless Jesus comes very soon, our kids will become adults. Their faith will become their own. They will leave home and learn to live life separate from mom and dad. Their foundation, character and future starts with you helping to develop the childlike faith we have seen in scripture and in our kids today.
Conclusion:
A. I wonder why John makes mention of the little boy? I’m not sure, but I know the little boy teaches us that even the most insignificant among us possess the stuff that can be used to help others see Jesus. We have time. We have skills. We have financial resources. We have expertise. We have so much to offer no matter how insignificant we believe ourselves to be.
B. A childlike faith is one that is humble and giving. You are not insignificant, even if you have convinced yourself you are. You have gifts that I don’t. You know people I don’t. You touch lives I can’t. This morning, Jesus challenges us to give to him what we have so that he can use it for the kingdom. Share you, your story, your blessing of being a Christian with someone, and just see what happens next.
Because of Jesus,
Jeffrey Dillinger, minister