Deepening Disciples
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: John 1-12: Come, See, Live!
John 6:1-21 (ESV)
1 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” 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. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”
15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea,17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened.20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
Sermon Outline
As Jesus leads those who have joined with him, he nourishes and teaches them (vv5-6).
1. The Heart of Christ
v2 a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick.
v5 seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said… “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”
v4 …the Passover… was at hand.
v14-15 they said, “This is indeed the Prophet…” they were about to come and take him by force to make him king…
2. The Initiative of Christ
vv17-18 It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.
v20 he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
3. The Stewardship of Christ
v9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”
v11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them… So also the fish, as much as they wanted.
Prayer of Confession
Our Father, we are a spiritually hungry people. We confess that we come to you with many hungers, with hopes you will provide what we feel we need. We are often hardened to our need of you. Forgive us for using you. Forgive us for our apathy towards you. Forgive us for lacking the faith and discernment to see what you have entrusted to us and to use it for your glory. We thank you for Jesus who came to lead us, to feed us, to give us life. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What draws you to Christianity? What is most appealing, or seems the greatest benefit of being a Christian?
As you form your thoughts about Jesus, what role does the compassion he shows towards people play in shaping your thoughts? Is it important? Why or why not?
In what ways are we to seek after Jesus? Why should we? What should we be hoping to find or gain?
What are the implications of Jesus being the one who seeks after his people? Is there anything you are supposed to do?
How can knowing that Jesus can cross darkness and meet his people on the windy sea be a source of strength when you face situations where you are fearful?
What does it mean to share Jesus with the world? What is it that God most deeply offers for your nourishment and that you can offer to others?
How is sharing an act of faith? What do you have that you can give to others?