Passing God's Test Of Faith
Ray
Part of Snapshots of John's Gospel
August 27, 2023

Passing God’s Test Of Faith
Sunday, August 27, 2023
ray@crossroadsny.org


Snapshot of John 6:1-15: Recorded in all four Gospels, Jesus uses the feeding of the five thousand men plus women and children to provide a life-changing test for His disciples.


1. myself by developing a mind of faith.
John 6:1-6 / ESV, “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.”

Psalm 26:2 / CSB,* “Test me, Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind.”*

Psalm 139: 23-24 / TLB, “ Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. 24 Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

2. Focus on being faithful with whatever God gives me
John 6:7-9 / ESV, 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?”

Luke 12:48b / TLB, “Much is required from those to whom much is given, for their responsibility is greater.”


3. Do what God says and wait on His provision
John 6:10-15 / ESV, 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.”


My next steps

  • Read Next: John 5
  • Memorize: Psalm 26:2; Psalm 139:23-24
  • Pray regularly for God to test my mind
  • Return for service next Sunday. (9am, 11am, or 6pm)