Sermon by Ps Justin Chia on 23 October 2022
Matthew 14:15-21 - “That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.” “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered. “Bring them here,” he said. Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!”
When we have Christ, we have everything. The Kingdom of God is neither here nor there. It is within us.
When we bring our petition to Jesus, some people tend to tell God what, how and when to do according to their time and will. We are called to be a blessing to others. Psalm 23 is similar to Matthew 14:19 reference to sitting down on the grass. Jesus has tremendous compassion for the people.
Before Jesus met the multitudes, He was alone in a deserted place. He went there because He received sad news that John the Baptist was beheaded. When the disciples of John collected his body and informed Jesus, He departed to the wilderness alone. The crowd followed Jesus. The scriptures were set in the evening. The disciples were not complaining but it was a real concern. They brought the crowd’s needs to Jesus. Jesus told them to get them something to eat.
We always say that we don’t have enough things. When we focus on what we don’t have, we suspend the blessing from God. When we always focus on the hole in the donut, you will never enjoy the donut. We allow our limitations to keep us from taking action. The disciples focused on their limitations. Awareness activates generosity but their focus was on their lack.
Jesus said bring what you have to me. He is our co-worker. We come with what we have. We bring our little faith to Jesus. We bring whatever we have to the Lord. Leave whatever you have to the Lord. The mistake the disciples made was looking at their limitations instead of looking to the Lord. But they had Jesus sitting there with them. The spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in our body. When we take a step towards faith, He will multiply our efforts. God makes all things possible. He gives us sufficiency.
2 Corinthians 6:1 - “As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.”
The Kingdom of God is Enough formula. The equation is what we have + Jesus = plenty!
Matthew 6:25 - ““That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?”
Jesus is a God that is great in every tiny little thing too. God will use our limitations to change the lives of others. Faith makes everything better when we put what we have and who He is together. When we have Christ, the kingdom of God is enough. Jesus must always be at the centre of our lives. The Kingdom of God is enough to sustain us and deliver us, redeem us, restore us and refresh us. We received a kingdom that is unshakable.
Hebrews 12:28 - “Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.”
1. In times of trouble, the Kingdom of God is enough
Daniel 6:22 - “My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.””
Matthew 14:31 - “Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?””
Acts 16:25 - “Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.”
2. In times of temptation, the Kingdom of God is enough
In every temptation you are going through, there is an escape for you. His grace is sufficient for us. His power is made perfect in our weakness.
1 Corinthians 10:13 - “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 - “Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”
3. In times of need, the Kingdom of God is enough
Exodus 16 & 17
1 Kings 17:2-7 - “Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land.”
1 Kings 17:8-16 - “Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.” So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.” But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!” So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah.”
1 Kings 19:4-7 - “Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again. Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.””
Matthew 14:15-21 - “That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.” “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered. “Bring them here,” he said. Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!”
Can God see me through my times of trial? Yes He can! Let not your heart be troubled. We will diffuse the fragrance of God.
Hebrews 13:8 - “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
2 Corinthians 2:14-17 - “But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this? You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.”
Amen.
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