Lessons from the Fish and the Loaves John 6:1-14

The Setting Location: along the Sea of Galilee (near Capernaum and Tabgha) An Open green grassy area where “a great multitude” gathered men( and perhaps as many as to people were gathered around Jesus. In all 4 gospels. Philip and Andrew were put to the test. Historical event… and prophetic meaning.

The Test John 6:5 Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" John 6:6 But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.

The “Yardstick” Lesson 1. The Yardstick Lesson – Do not measure a problem or challenge according to your own abilities. 1.Jesus knows your needs and has a plan. 2.Jesus loves the “impossible” circumstances. because He uses it to provide the perfect test. 3.Keep the right attitude.

The “Yardstick” Lesson 4.God puts us in impossible situations to stretch and grow our faith. 5.God puts us in impossible situations to strengthen our trust. 6.God puts us in impossible situations to show His incredible love. 7.God speaks and situations change to show His power.

The “Scales” Lesson John 6:8 “One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, “ John 6:9 "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?"

The “Scales” Lesson 2. Don’t weigh the answer, by the seemingly little provision before you… God always likes to multiply. 1.Your little can become much in Jesus’ hands. Carefully watch your emotions and words. 2.If God limits your resources for a time … it is to magnify His abundant provisions and grow your dependence on Him.

The “Scales” Lesson 3.God uses “the little” of what we have to multiply and show His “surpassing greatness”. We need to cooperate with our words and faith.

The “Obedience” Lesson John 6:10 “Then Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. “ John 6:11 “And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. “

The “Obedience” Lesson 3. Obedience … leads to abundance. John 6:12 “So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, "Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost." John 6:13 “Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. “

The “Symbolic Prophetic” Lesson 4. Symbolism – The scriptures are abundantly overflowing with them. 1. The “Bread” (that was broken and given to the people)... symbolizes His body. John 6:35,51 2. The “multiplication of Fish” symbolizes the millions of believers who would soon come into the Kingdom of God after His resurrection. 3. Five (5) is God’s number for Grace.

The “Symbolic Prophetic” Lesson 4.The feeding of the 5000 symbolizes God’s abundant loving grace now and in heaven for all believers. 5.The Bringing together of The Bread (Jesus) and the fish (us) sets the stage for an explosion of provisions. 6.What are your “five barley loaves and two small fish”? Would you like to offer them to Jesus today?

Lessons from the Fish and the Loaves 1.Jesus Christ never looks at anything as too little…we should see it as seed (small) for Him to multiply. 2.A big part of this victory is keeping our attitude and words right and our faith operating. 3.Jesus always has many more lessons for us in a message than we first see.