ALL FOUR GOSPELS RECORD THE MIRACLE OF THE FEEDING OF THE 5,000, BUT JOHN SUPPLIES TENDER DETAILS

1. When I spoke on this 4-21-63 I tried to emphasize the Spiritual instead of Socialistic -contrast
2. But today, let's try to go deeply into the Word - searching background info.- and hearts -
3. The heart of Jesus was caused agony because men took His miracles & turned political!

Jesus tried to offer them the Living Bread- Life eternal- They wanted a soup kitchen! 

I.- THE AGONY OF PROBLEMS V. 1-4

Life has its problems; Jesus was not immune- so why should you expect it any easier! - learn of Him

A.- THE BIBLE SAYS "AFTER THESE THINGS, JESUS WENT OVER THE SEA OF GALILEE v.1 What Things?

1. There had been some real trouble- tonight I speak of Herod Antipas killing John the Baptist- & Why
2. Jesus left Herod's jurisdiction- took a boat across Galilee into area of Phillip II, Tetrarch
3. The people were troubled, murmuring about Herod's senseless murder, treason, rebellion

B.- THE SEA WAS ALSO CALLED THE SEA OF TIBERIAS, AND THERE WERE TWO BETHSAIDA TOO (Fish House)

1. NE of where Jordan comes into Galilee, Phillip renamed Bethsaida Julias-after Caesar's daughter
2. Jesus gathered His disciples on a hill, and began to teach them - a grassy hill in pastures
3. The people had seen Him crossing Galilee- ran ahead, forded Jordan, and multitude gathered

C.- THE GREAT MULTITUDE FOLLOWED HIM BECAUSE THEY SAW HIS MIRACLES, AND JESUS OFFERED THEM GREATER

1. They could see and conceive a miracle of healing,- even of miracle feeding- but real life? No
2. In a great pastureland- rolling hills, grassland, they gathered as sheep around a shepherd
3. But there in the open fields the multitudes posed new problems- ecological disaster of crowd

The multitudes teeming with anger at Herod, now turning hungry- a potential for riot & revolution

II. THE MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES & FISHES v. 5-13

God takes our problems and turns them into glory for the Lord- if we will but cooperate with Him

A.- JESUS SAW THE NEED, AND HE USED THIS NEED TO PROVE, TEST, HIS DISCIPLES v. 5,6- & you

1. Jesus knew what He would do- but the disciples did not! They had to learn to trust Him.-
2. They had already been working on it, 200 day's pay had been figured out!- But no money!-
3. They had found 5 barley loaves (very poor man's food), & 2 small dried fish- also poor food

B.- JESUS SPOKE, GAVE THEM INSTRUCTIONS, AND THEY OBEYED HIM; AND THE PEOPLE OBEYED TOO v.10

1. The Bible teaches Authority, and Organization- simple obedience to Gad's plan- Baptists rebel!
2. Luke & Mark even record the ushering plan- in 100's & 50's - They gathered for a banquet-
3. If we are going to have a touch from God's hand, we have to learn to work with Him-not against Jesus

C.- JESUS SPOKE AGAIN, AND THE GOD OF ALL GLORY HEARD HIM, AND MULTIPLIED THE LOAVES & FISHES v.11

1. Even with barley (for animals) loaves- Jesus under the clear open sky, before all- gave thanks
2. Like a father with his children gathered at his feet- He broke the bread- distributed- order! Reed
3. That none be wasted - He had them gather -12 baskets (small wicker style) filled! -clean

There are some miracles to be seen today tool- but it takes cooperation, obedience, & work 

III.- A CALL FOR A KING, NOW OR ETERNITY? 14,15-

The people could see the solution for another problem, but it posed a great problem to the Lord

A.- THE PEOPLE RECOGNIZED JESUS AS THE ONE PROMISED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT- THAT PROPHET! v.14

1. The people say a miracle, the Apostles recorded it, and they acted dangerously on it - argue?
2. They saw in Jesus Gen 49:10-Shiloh; or Deut 18:15- the Promised Prophet to lead them -
3. If Jesus could feed them, He could lead them to overthrow Rome & the Puppets- Herods-

B. THEY SOUGHT FOR A TEMPORAL GLORY, A POLITICAL SOLUTION FOR THEIR PROBLEM, MAKE HIM KING!

1. They would have taken Jesus by force- and made him King - Man seeks such political solutions
2. Can you imagine the heartbreak of Jesus - enough grief with authorities- gossip caused death
3. He slipped away to a mountain- alone, to pray. later walked across Galilee- v.19 miracles

C.- BUT JESUS TRIED TO GET THEM TO SEE A GREATER MIRACLE, LIVING BREAD, LIFE ETERNAL- FEW SAW!

1. He spoke plainly v.26,7 and rebuked them for seeking temporal- v.35 tried to show eternal
2. He taught them deeply v. 51 but they felt the sayings too hard v.60 -disciples murmured
3. With heartache of v.66, many offended- yet the few found life- v.67-69- Thou art Christ!

Will you open the eyes of your soul- and let Jesus offer you Living Bread- Eternal Lord?

ARE YOU FOLLOWING HIM FOR THE FRINGE BENEFITS, OR WILL YOU ACCEPT HIM AS LORD OF YOUR SOUL?

1. The real prize is to find in Him the Living Bread- the Living water!-  Never hunger, thirst.-
2. They would make Him King- power to command, tax, and FORCE! Will you accept Him as Lord- Love?
3. The Living Bread must be distributed- will you let yourself be organized as soulwinner?

If we would but listen and obey,- we would see greater miracles than food