"Have Ye The Faith?"

Matthew 14:15-21

INTRO. The Bible says in Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." That the fine Bible definition we have for faith. We know what it says, but do we practice it? We must not only believe what the Bible says about Faith, but also practice Faith in our lives! For v6 of Hebrews 11 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

So, if we don't practice faith in our lives, we can't please God! 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us, "For we walk by faith, not by sight." If we are not walking by faith, what are we doing? STANDING STILL! I want to title the message, "Have ye The Faith?" If we don't walk by faith, we won’t grow in Grace and will remain spiritual babes!

In Matthew 14, Jesus after hearing of the beheading of John the Baptist departed from Nazareth by ship into a desert place alone. But when the people heard where He was, they followed Him by foot from the cities. Notice the compassion of Our LORD JESUS, v14 says, “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion on them, and he healed their sick." OH, THE GREAT LOVE, Our Savior has for sinners!

That brings us to our text, vvs. 15-21. Contained in these 7 verses are a lesson that Our LORD wanted to teach His disciples and us also. Let us consider these verses, and see what GOD is trying to teach us about faith.

NOTICE:

(1) The Plea--"Give Ye Them To Eat"

Text: Matthew 14:16—“But Jesus said unto them, They need not

depart, give ye them to eat.”

A.  THE MISUNDERSTANDING. The disciples just couldn't understand. How could they minister to needs of such a great multitude? The Lord many times sends trials of our faith along to see if we will seek out a human solution to our problem or look to Him!

B.  THE MANDATE. A mandate is an authoritative command. The command of Jesus is clear, “…give ye them to eat..” Often we cannot see how God can fulfill our needs and the needs of others. Does that mean simply because we don’t understand God’s ways that we shouldn’t act on His Word? Of course not! Adam Clarke in his commentary on Matthew writes: “Should we say, Lord, how shall thy poor, feeble ministering servants feed so many hungry souls as attend thy word! Begin at the command of Jesus - make the attempt - divide what you have - and the bread of God shall be multiplied in your hands, and all shall eat and be satisfied” (Adam Clarke’s Commentary on The Bible). (Ecclesiastes 11:1-6). Oh, for the Faith To COUNT ON HIM AND HIS GRACIOUS POWER!

(2) The Problem--"We have here, but fives loaves and two fishes."

Text: Matthew 14:17—“And they say unto him, We have here but

five loaves, and two fishes.”

A.  THE IMPOSSIBLITY IN THE DISCIPLE’S MIND. Listen to the disciple’s words: “..we have here but five loaves, and two fishes.” They said this as John Gill wrote: “In order to excuse themselves, and to show the impossibility of feeding such a large number of people” (John Gill’s Exposition of The Entire Bible). Warren Wiersbe wrote: “Certainly the disciples knew that Jesus was powerful enough to meet the need, yet they did not turn to Him for help. Instead, they took inventory of their own food supply (a lad had five barley loaves and two fish) and their limited treasury. When they considered the time (evening) and the place (a desolate place), they came to the conclusion that nothing could be done to solve the problem…How like many of God’s people today. For some reason, it is never the right time or place for God to work. Jesus watched His frustrated disciples as they tried to solve the problem…He wanted to teach them a lesson in faith and surrender” (Warren W. Wiersbe. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Volume 1. Matthew-Galatians. P. 50). In Mark 6:37 we read of the disciples asking, “…Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat.” The disciples were looking to solve the problem by human means without considering heavenly means. Oh so often, we do the same. Turning to the Lord only as our last resort!

B.  THE INCREDIBILITY OF THE DIVINE SUPPLY. Jesus said in v18—

“…Bring them hither to me.” Things that look impossible to us are

possible with God. In Numbers 11:13, 21-23 we see Moses’

frustration in trying to solve the problem of providing for such a great

multitude under his leadership. But notice what God tells him in v23

of Numbers 11—“And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD’S hand

waxed short? Thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass

unto thee or not.” Listen, Nothing is too small, nothing too little, IF IT IS

BROUGHT TO THE LORD! He has chosen the weak things! We must

believe that God will and can supply. Jesus told his disciples in

Matthew 17:20, after they asked they could not cast the demon out of

demon possessed boy, “Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto

you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this

mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove: and

nothing shall be impossible unto you.” We must remember, “I can do

all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

(3) The Provider—“Bring Them Hither to Me”

Text: Matthew 14:18—“He said, Bring them hither to me.”

*CHRIST CAN SAY THAT BECAUSE:

A.  HE HAS AUTHORITY (Matthew 28:18). He has all authority in heaven and on earth. He is not limited by time or space. He is not limited by resources or lack thereof. He can do all things through His Almighty power!

B. HE HAS AVAILABILITY (Philippians 4:19). Here is the contrast between the helpless doubt of the disciples and the confident courage of Jesus. He used “the five loaves and two fishes” which they had mentioned as a reason for doing nothing. “Bring them hither unto me.” They had overlooked the power of Jesus in this emergency. (Robertson’s Word Pictures).

CLOSING: There are other lessons from this miracle: (1) Christ can take our little and make it much. (2) Whatever He blesses, He breaks. Are you willing to be broken? (3) People today are in the wilderness of sin (v. 15) and need Christ. (4) Christ can overcome every difficulty and feed the multitudes. The disciples had many excuses—not enough money, the wrong place, the wrong time—but Christ took what they had and met the need. He will do this today! (Warren W. Wiersbe. Expository Outlines On The New Testament. p. 58). Is the LORD asking you to give to someone or something? Are you bringing what you have to him? Is every service first brought to Him for blessing?

If we will bring it to Him He will bless it and with His blessing we can minister to others! But this is where faith comes in. We must bring it to Him! That takes faith! Remember all we do must be by faith! For Romans 14:23b tells us, "For whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Do you have the faith to bring everything to the all-sufficient, all-loving, all-knowing God?