Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 18 July 2021

Text: John 6:1-15

Subject: Evangelism

Focus:  Ministering to Multitudes

INTRODUCTION

1. Ministry to the Individuals

a) Nicodemus (John 3)

b) The woman of Samaria (John 4)

c) The nobleman (John 4)

d) The man with a chronic infirmity (John 5)

The Lord Jesus showed He was a master at reaching out to individuals.

2. Ministry to Multitudes

a) The Samaritans in Sychar (John 4)

b) The Multitude of 5000 (John 6)

A DESCRIPTION OF THE MULTITUDE

1. “A great multitude” (John 6:2a)

2. These were “followers” (John 6:2b)

3. Because they saw His signs (John 6:2c)

MINISTRY TO THE DISCIPLES

1. He was in the mountain (John 6:3a)

2. His disciples were with Him (John 6:3b)

OCCASION

1. The Feast of the Passover was near (John 6:4a)

This was a major Feast

2. Usually a lot of preparation had to be done

LOOKING AT THE MULTITUDES

1. The Lord Jesus was moved with compassion (Matthew 14:14)

2. The Lord spoke to Philip

a) “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” John 6:5

b) This was said to test Philip

He knew what He was going to do (John 6:6)

3. Philip’s Reply

a) “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little” John 6:7

b) Meaning

“Not possible”

4. Andrew’s Response

a) “There is a lad here who has 5 barley loaves and 2 small fish” John 6:9a

b) “But what are they among so many” John 6:9b

c) Meaning

“Not possible”

THE LORD’S SOLUTION

1. Organization of the 5000 (John 6:10)

2. He gave thanks

3. The 5 loaves and 2 small fish fed 5000 men

Not counting the children (John 6:11-12)

4. Fragments were gathered

Twelve baskets full (John 6:13)

THE CONCLUSION OF THIS MIRACLE

1. “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world” John 6:14

2. They were going to make the Lord Jesus King by force if needs be (John 6:15a)

3. He withdrew into the mountain alone (John 6:15b)

LESSONS TO LEARN

1. For the Disciples

a) A glimpse of future ministry

b) There are special challenges to consider

2. They were not ready

a) They were negative in their approach

b) They were thinking in terms of money

3. They were also not ready for the Responses of the people

a) They were going to force the Lord Jesus to be King

b) The Disciples would not know how to deal with this

4. What was needed?

a) A vision of the harvest field (John 4:27-38)

b) A vision of the Great Multitude (John 6:1-15)

c) Faith

d) Skills of evangelism