#LoveLikeJesus Week 3
Pastor Kris Freeman
Sunday, July 16, 2017
Revolution Church
Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21 (NLT)
16 But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.” 17 “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered. 18 “Bring them here,” he said. 19 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. 20 They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. 21 About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!
We often talk about why Jesus came:
1. Seek and save the lost
2. Give life as a ransom for many - payment for sins
3. Fulfillment of the prophecy of the Messiah
4. Might have life to the fullest
But how did he come? - Preaching, Healing, Teaching, EATING - so much that they accused him of being in sin while he did it!
The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, as you say, he’s a glutton and a drunkard and a friend to tax collectors and other sinners! (Luke 7:34)
#LoveLikeJesus is a reminder that:
1. Jesus Forgives Sinners
2. Jesus Serves (washes feet)
3. Jesus Feeds the Hungry (breaks bread)
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. (Matt. 5:6)
Because of the poverty level of the people who followed Jesus, HUNGER was a common problem, along with financial hardship, illness and punishment from the ruling Roman government for things like paying taxes and obeying the law.
Peter’s brother Andrew, a disciple, brings a young man to Jesus with a potential ANSWER to a definite PROBLEM. Jesus did a miracle. But often, food is the FOUNDATION for a greater opportunity!
Breaking Bread to Share the Love of Jesus
1. With other believers at CHURCH
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his returning is drawing near. (Heb. 10:25)
Presence is powerful! Things found in the presence of other believers:
- Fellowship, worship, prayer, food, hospitality, mentoring, teaching, discipleship, fun!
- Sharing of sorrow, bearing each other’s burdens, sympathy, help, aid, counseling
Quote this: Don’t reduce fellowship and worship to an electronic device, but make it about God and people!
You likely spend more time on social media in a DAY than you will intimately with people in a whole WEEK! We can do better if we want better!
2. With other people in COMMUNITY
They worshipped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day, the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. (Acts 2:46-47)
What’s the secret to a growing body of believers that make up a church?
- Long-term relationships and friendships
- Projects (remodeled homes, landscaped yards, cleaned after storms, served on
mission trips, funded foster and adoptions, meals for funerals and illnesses, gave food)
Quote this: You can be overlooked by being present. You can never be insignificant by being involved.
With strangers in a CROWD
Jesus knew that FILLING THEIR BELLIES would not bring them salvation. But it might open the door to it and soften their hearts to hear the true message!
- Breaking bread is about intimacy.
- Breaking bread is about sharing.
- Breaking bread is about presence.
- Breaking bread is about trust.
- Breaking bread is about hope.
Jesus Feeds the Hungry, and so can you.
#LoveLikeJesus
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