Jesus Can Week 4: Jesus Can Feed Body & Soul Message Summary: Jesus’ miracles (and his explanations for them) remind us that God holistically loves us. He cares about our hunger, our thirst, our aches, our pains, our guilt, our shame, our sin. That’s why Jesus used his power to feed and forgive, to meet physical and eternal needs. That same Savior hasn’t changed, which is why we call upon his power for daily bread and the “food” our souls need. ✦ Jesus’ Miracles = power of God glimpses & heart of God insights. ✦ The world says: Resources > Needs = I’m good ✦ Matthew 14:13a — When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. ✦ Matthew 14:13b — Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. ✦ Matthew 14:14 — When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. ✦ Matthew 14:15-16 — As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish.” they answered. ✦ Matthew 14:17-19 — “Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ✦ Matthew 14:20-21 — They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. ✦ The Bible says: Jesus’ Resources > My Needs = God’s good! ✦ Psalm 145:15,16 — The yes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. ✦ Matthew 6:31-33 — So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” Or “What shall we drink?” Or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ✦ Ephesians 3:20,21 — Now to him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power the is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Planting Jesus Roots GATHER — Mark your calendars for our special Holy Week services on Maundy Thursday 3/28 at St. Peter only and Good Friday 3/29 at both campuses. GROUP — Evaluate: Many Christian people stop praying for physical needs because they fear that God will never answer their prayer. GROW — Study another account of this miracle in John 6:1-14. What additional things do you learn from these verses? GIVE — Confidence in God’s promises to provide is essential for becoming financially generous. Today, ask God to increase your trust in his words to you. GO — Easter weekend is the perfect time to invite a friend to hear the good news about Jesus. Start praying for open doors to invite your friends to join you later this month. Homework: Matthew 15:21-28 (Hashtags: Faith, Miracles, Satisfaction)