Jesus Feeds His Children

by Pastor Edwin Lehmann on July 31, 2021 in

Sermon for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost                                                                          August 1, 2021
Text: John 6:1-15                                             CW 3 Year Series B                                        21:2272
Theme: Jesus Feeds His Children

It was a most pleasant morning in early spring. The hills were carpeted with fresh green grass. That’s not always the case in these parts. Wild-flowers were in bloom as a young boy set out from home to walk along the lake shore. His mother had packed him a lunch – 5 little round pieces of flat-bread and 2 small fish. Was he headed on an errand or just out and about, enjoying the soft warm spring air? I don’t know. But whatever he was looking for, he could hardly have imagined what he was about to find.
The lake was calm that morning. Its blue waters mirroring the snow-capped peak of Mt. Hermon to the north. Here and there a fishing boat crawled along the surface, moving from place to place. Little else disturbed the calm, for this was the east shore of the lake.
The western side was the busy side. Over there, towns nestled at the water’s edge with fishermen sorting their night’s catch, traders selling goods from distant places, and produce lining the market’s stalls. That was the western side. But this north-eastern shore was more deserted, except for a small fishing village here and there. Few people climbed the hills that rose above the lake on this side. Not enough rain fell to farm the land. If there are no farms, there are few markets for selling goods. It was a quiet place.
Besides the boy, someone else was looking for a quiet place that early spring morning. Soon, in the distance, a boat appeared on the water. It didn’t move from place to place like the fishing boats. It headed in a straight line for the eastern shore. A little different, but nothing totally unusual about that. As the little boy watched, he never dreamed that he was about to meet his Savior face to face.
The boy’s attention was distracted by another sound, rather unusual on this side of the lake. It was the murmur of many voices, growing louder all the time. Soon, around the bend in the shore, a great crowd of people burst into view. Well, there must have been thousands of people. What in the world was such a crowd doing here? The boat arrived just ahead of them and when Jesus stepped out of it, He barely had enough time to gather His disciples, as He had planned. Little rest was going to be found in that place today.
Have you ever been so tired that you didn’t want to see anybody? So tired that you said, “Go away! I’m too worn out to see you”? That’s the way it was for these 13 people in the boat, for the crowds wouldn’t let Jesus alone.
They kept coming day after day to hear Him teach and to have their loved ones healed of their illnesses. I am sure that He was more tired from ministry than I have ever been for it is said that the crowds did not even give Him a chance to eat, much less to rest. But Jesus never said, “Go away! I don’t want to see you.” No, the Lord Jesus never says, “Go away!” Remember that when you are seeking Him. He will not turn you away! Instead, He sees us in our needs like sheep longing for a Shepherd to guide and provide for them. In His wondrous compassion He reaches out to help. So it was that He climbed a nearby hill by the water’s edge, sat down on the grass, and began to teach the people. The boy sat down too.
Sitting there on that sunny spring day, He talked to them about God, about the things that they needed the most, and about how God planned to eternally save them from their sins through Him. There were many sick in the crowd. One by one they came to Him, slowly, ever so slowly. Some had to be carried. They looked so malnourished. But one by one Jesus healed them all. The blind saw, the lame walked, the lepers were made whole again. Those wasted by years of suffering were made strong again at Jesus’ word.
Meanwhile the sun rose overhead. Then, gradually it began to sink in the west, turning the surface of the lake into many colors. Finally, Jesus’ friends dared to interrupt Him. Actually, long before this, soon after they stepped from the boat, Jesus had asked some of them, “How are we going to feed them all?” But He said no more. He was testing His friends and wanted these men, who had seen so much from Him, mull over the problem that day. But now it was late, and Jesus asked again how they were going to feed this crowd.
Perhaps you have fed a gathering of people before. How did you do it? I suppose you managed alright. But could you feed well over 5,000 people who dropped in on you on the spur of the moment? Ladies, what would you do? And you men who grill, how would you go about preparing food for 5,000?
“Send them away,” the disciples replied. “Let them find their own food. We don’t have enough to feed so many. It would take over 200 hundred days’ worth of wages – almost 2/3rds of a year’s income to buy them just a little food.” “Well, give them something to eat,” Jesus commanded. How? They simply stared at Him.
Finally, one of them said, “There’s a boy here with 2 small fish and 5 pieces of bread. But,” looking at the crowd, “how far will that go among so many?” Jesus replied, “Make the people sit down in groups of 50 (Lk.9).”
Can you see them all? 50 here, 50 there, 100 over there. They organized over 5,000 of them that way. He then took the bread and the fish, in His hands and looked towards heaven, lifting them in thanksgiving to God. Then He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to the people.
I wonder how it happened. As they gave to the people, more portions replaced those given. Imagine dishing out food, and miraculously more replaces what you gave. It kept coming. Would you laugh in wonderment and delight? And it all came from 5 pieces of bread and 2 little fish. Astounding!
“Pick it all up,” Jesus said. “Don’t waste any food.” So they did, as we should do, too, as good stewards of all that God gives. And the disciples picked up 12 baskets full of leftovers, in essence, a basket for each of them who had no answers as to how to feed such a group. Talk about stunning reversals! Imagine what those 12 learned that day. When they were answerless, Christ had everything under control. Why hadn’t they gone to Him in the first place saying, “Lord, You, the gracious Shepherd of the sheep, can handle this.” But then, why don’t I always rely on Him either?
Over 5,000 fed! It is a miracle of astounding proportions. It is the only miracle, outside of Jesus’ death and resurrection, that is recorded in all the Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
So why did Jesus do it? Why did The Lord Jesus Feed His Children in such an astounding way? I can think of at least 3 reasons. Perhaps you can think of more.
#1 I think that He wants to impress upon us that He cares very much when we and any of His children are tired or hungry or are in any kind of trouble. He looks at us in our “lostness” of having answers to our problems and He sees us as sheep without a shepherd. Then He steps in to “restore my soul” (Ps.23)
#2 I think that He not only cares for us, but He will provide us, no matter the circumstances, with whatever we need. And He does it abundantly: food, clothing, shelter, doctors, medicine too, to help heal us when we are sick. He provides abundantly out of His grace. As King David said, “I was a young man. Now I am old. But I have never seen (God’s) righteous person forsaken or his children begging for bread” (Ps.37:25).
#3 I think that He not only cares for us and provides for us, but He tests us to find our answers for everything that confront us in Him. The greatest of which is not just to give us bread and fish, but to work forgiveness and eternal life for us in dying for our sin and rising again to bring us back to life with God. “Test me in this,” He says, “and see whether I do not open for you the windows of heaven and pour down blessing on you, until there is more than enough” (Mal.3:10). More than enough fish and bread….more than enough forgiveness and blessings in eternity.
He is Jesus, Shepherd of the sheep. He Feeds His Children until “they are in want no more.” God grant the faith to ever rely upon Him; for His name’s sake. Amen.


Zion Lutheran Church of Springfield

(A member congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)

4717 S Farm Rd 135 (Golden Avenue)

Church phone: 417.887.0886                        Pastor’s cell phone: 417.693.3244

www.zionluthchurch.com                              email: revelehmann@gmail.com

You can also find us on Facebook 

The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost    August 1, 2021     

 “When the people were full, He told His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are

left over so that nothing is wasted….They filled twelve baskets.” John 6:12-13

F o r   O u r     V i s i t o r s

The family of Zion welcomes you as we worship the Lord today. We encourage children to worship with us. However, if you need to leave with your child, there is a nursery room to the right as you exit the sanctuary. The rest rooms are located in the hallway between the sanctuary and the fellowship hall. Visitors, please sign our guest book to the right, just outside the sanctuary. We’re glad that you are here and pray that through our worship the Lord grants you peace.

U p o n   E n t e r i n g   G o d’ s   H o u s e

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. He gives fold to all living creatures. Give thanks to the God of the heavens. For His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 136).

W h a t   T h i s   S u n d a y   i s   A b o u t

An Abundance of Grace No matter the needs, concerns, or obstacles that confront us, the Lord Jesus provides from the abundance of His grace. He can take care of everything and do it in bountiful ways.

Every age must learn that truth. It was true of God’s Old Testament people in their wanderings through the desert. It was true of His disciples who constantly saw His miracles, yet consistently doubted His abilities. And it is true of us today when in the weakness of our flesh we see no way out of the situation in which we find ourselves.   Yet time and time again the Lord opens the floodgates of heaven and pours out so much blessing that His people do not have room enough for it (Malachi 3:10) – an abundance of grace.

And so we pray: O Lord, Your ears are always open to the prayers of Your humble servants, who come to you in Jesus’ name. Teach us always to ask according to Your will that we may never fail to obtain the blessings You have promised; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

– T h e   W o r d   o f   G o d   f o r   T o d a y –

The Old Testament Lesson: Exodus 24:3-11

After hearing God’s commands and receiving the covenant at Mt. Sinai, Israel vowed to be God’s people and obey Him. Moses cleansed the people with the sacrifices offered to the Lord, and the elders went up to “see” God and enjoy fellowship with Him.

 The Epistle Lesson: Ephesians 4:1-7,11-16

While he is a prisoner and separated from them, Paul urges the congregation at Ephesus to remain humble in faith, patient with each other, and growing in the fellowship of faith that the Lord gave them.   Through His gifts a special fellowship is enjoyed.

 The Gospel Lesson: John 6:1-15                

Jesus feeds over 5,000 people by providing enough food for them from 5 loaves of bread and 2 small fish. He provided so abundantly for them that 12 baskets full remained after all had eaten. Such an abundance of grace! Sadly, the people misunderstood His purpose.

O u r   P r a c t i c e   o f   H o l y   C o m m u n i o n

Out of deep love for the truth of God’s Word and precious souls, we follow the practice of Close Communion in our congregation. This has been the practice of Christians for centuries and reflects the Bible’s teaching on unity of faith in the reception of the Supper (1 Cor.10:17). It does not judge a person’s heart but anticipates agreement in that which God says.   Since we do not wish to put anyone in the position of declaring such agreement with us before study in the Word is possible, we ask that only those who are communicant members of this or another Wisconsin Synod or ELS congregation come to receive the Sacrament.

The Organist: Jane Rips                The Preacher: Pastor Edwin Lehmann

Point to Ponder: “A legend about the boy who gave up his loaves and fish so that Christ could feed the multitude says he hurried home to tell his mother. Then, with a wistful look, he added: “I wonder whether it would be that way with everything we gave Him!”

Yes, He is the great Multiplier. Are we willing to turn over a generous portion of our earthly ‘loaves and fishes’ to the Savior’s use that His purposes on earth may be accomplished? Omnipotent though He is, Christ looks to us, as He did to the boy with the lunch box, to help Him carry on His work. And He will multiply it.”   adapted from Herman Gockel

Outline of  Our Worship

The Preparation

Opening Thoughts on the Service

Opening Hymn: #224

Order of Worship:   The Common Service with Holy Communion: page 15-16

Prayer of the Day

The Ministry of the Word

Exodus 24:3-11

Ephesians 4:1-7,11-16

Hymn Response: #538

The Gospel Responses: pg.18

John 6:1-15

The Nicene Creed pg.18

Hymn: #616

Sermon: John 6:1-15     Jesus Feeds His Children

Our Response to the Word

The Offertory & Offering: page 20

Prayers & The Lord’s Prayer

The Lord Blesses Us

Order of Holy Communion   Hymnal pages 21-23

(Visitors: Please read the box on  page 2 regarding Holy Communion)

Distribution Hymn: #309

Thanksgiving Prayer & Blessing    Hymnal pages 24-25

Closing Hymn: #316

Silent Prayer


The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost – Series B

 Old Testament: Exodus 24:3-11 – The Covenant Ceremony: 3Moses came and reported to the people all the words of the Lord and all the ordinances. Then all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words which the Lord has spoken we will do.” 4Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. He got up early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain. He set up twelve memorial stones for the twelve tribes of Israel. 5He sent young Israelite men, who offered whole burnt offerings and sacrificed fellowship offerings of cattle to the Lord. 6Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and he splashed half of the blood on the altar. 7He took the Book of the Covenant and read it out loud to the people and they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do. We will obey.” 8Moses took the blood and splashed it on the people. He said, “Look, here is the blood of the covenant, which the Lord made with you by means of all these words.” 9Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up. 10They saw the God of Israel. Under his feet they saw what looked like a pavement of sapphire as clear as the sky. 11The Lord did not lay his hand on the dignitaries of the people of Israel. They gazed at God, and they ate and drank.

Epistle Lesson: Ephesians 4:1-7,11-16 – Members of Christ’s Body: 1As a prisoner in the Lord, therefore, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called. 2Live with all humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in the one hope of your calling. 5There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all. 7But to each one of us grace was given, according to the measure of the gift from Christ. 11He himself gave the apostles, as well as the prophets, as well as the evangelists, as well as the pastors and teachers, 12for the purpose of training the saints for the work of serving, in order to build up the body of Christ. 13This is to continue until we all reach unity in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, resulting in a mature man with a stature reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ. 14The goal is that we would no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, when people use tricks and invent clever ways to lead us astray. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we would in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head. 16From him the whole body, being joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows in accordance with Christ’s activity when he measured out each individual part. He causes the growth of the body so that it builds itself up in love.

Gospel Lesson: John 6:1-15 – Jesus Feeds the 5,000: 1After this, Jesus crossed over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). 2A large crowd followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he was performing on those who were sick. 3Jesus went up on the hillside and sat down there with his disciples. 4The Jewish Passover Festival was near. 5When Jesus looked up and saw a huge crowd coming toward him, he asked Philip, “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6But Jesus was saying this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to have just a little.” 8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9“There’s a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what is that for so many people?” 10Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, so they sat down. There were about five thousand men. 11Then Jesus took the loaves and, after giving thanks, he distributed pieces to those who were seated. He also did the same with the fish—as much as they wanted. 12When the people were full, he told his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over so that nothing is wasted.” 13So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with pieces from the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. 14When the people saw the miraculous sign Jesus did, they said, “This really is the Prophet who is coming into the world.” 15When Jesus realized that they intended to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) copyright © 2019 The Wartburg Project.


C a l e n d a r     &     A n n o u n c e m e n t s     f o r     Z i o n     L u t h e r a n     C h u r c h

 

Today

Aug. 1

Mon

Aug. 2

Tues.

Aug. 3

Wed.

Aug. 3

Thurs.

Aug. 4

Fri.

Aug. 5

Sat.

Aug. 6

Next Sun.

Aug. 7

9:00 am

Divine Worship Service with Holy Communion

on line – Facebook

10:15 am

Fellowship & Brief Bible Study

Pentecost 10

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11 pm

Midweek Bible Class,

 

Confirmation is recessed this month

choir

  9:00 am

Divine Worship Service

on line – Facebook

10:15 am

Fellowship & Brief Bible Study

 Pentecost 11

A Brief Bible Study on God’s Word for Today

It’s easy to become distracted as a member of a Christian congregation. Sometimes false teaching and opinions destroy a congregation’s unity. Sometimes it’s just plain hard to get along with your fellow Christians, and often long-standing resentment follows. Sometimes congregations get caught up in too many “projects” and “programs” that take them off their divine purpose. Only Jesus can overcome such distractions. He gives us His Word, the Bread of Life, to unify us in faith, love and purpose.

The Gospel Lesson: John 6:1-5 (answers are found on the back side)

  1. What concern did Jesus have for the great crowds who were following Him? What was Philip’s response?
  2. How did Jesus show his power? How did some wrongly react to Jesus’ miracle?

Those We Remember In Our Prayers:   Dea Windsor; Clyde Johnson; Dave Ballou; Greg Miller; Lou Schulz; Norine Richardson; Barbara Long; Jodi Milam; William & Laurie Moon; Patsy Mickelson; Lance & Jodi Milam; Pauline Jaeger, Randy’s mother, diagnosed with cancer; the family of Ken Burns in IA, former member at Zion, and Bob Daisher, member at Peace, Marshfield, both of whom the Lord took to Himself this past week.

No Face Mask Regulations Facemasks are no longer required in a church setting. If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask, especially with the upswing in Covid cases in our community, you may do so. Masks, disposable gloves, and sanitizer are in the narthex and the fellowship hall for your use. We are again passing the offering plate in our worship service.

Forward in Christ’s latest edition for August has arrived. You will find copies in the narthex. Copies of the Daily Devotions written by Pastor this past week on Psalm 136 will also be found in the narthex.

The Week in Review

Last Sunday’s Worship Attendance: ; Bible Class: 8; Midweek Bible Class: no class this past week; Offering: $

Next Sunday’s Lessons:                                             

Pentecost 11:   Exodus 16:2-15; Ephesians 4:17-24; John 6:24-35 (Series B)

Answers to Today’s Gospel Lesson Brief Study:

  1. Jesus wanted to give the people something to eat. Philip thought that it was the people’s responsibility to find food for themselves.
  2. Jesus fed the entire crowd with just two fish and five loaves of bread. Some people, seeing this miracle, wanted to make Jesus a worldly king by force. But Jesus had not come principally to give physical bread but spiritual bread, the Bread of Life.

This week I am praying for……      



 

 

 

 

Pastor Edwin Lehmann

Preacher: Pastor Edwin Lehmann