Worship led by Ken Cowell
Exodus 3. 1-4 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in the flames of the fire from within the bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire, it did not burn up. 3. So Moses thought “I will go over and see this strange sight----why the bush does not burn up.” 4. When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And Moses said “Here I am.”
James 4.8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands you sinners and purify your hearts, you double -minded.
God was so loving and kind that when he created us to us give us eyes to see. Not only that, but he also provided us with wonderful things to see, like the sky, stars, the moon, sunsets, trees, flowers, mountains, autumn colours, animals, people and even babies smiling. They are all awesome. Moses had his attention captured when he saw a burning bush that wasn’t consumed by the fire. As he drew near the burning bush he discovered that the true attraction wasn’t the burning bush but the invisible God who spoke to him from within the bush. God used the visible world to lead him into His Presence where he could speak to him and have a relationship with him. That was only possible as Moses drew near to God. God also desires this morning to reveal himself to us and speak with us, but we too must draw near to Him. We can miss meeting and hearing God speak to us if we don’t draw near to him. His command to us is “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” Let’s sing our first song as a prayer.
1217 Draw me near to You.
The place to hear God’s voice is in his Presence. It wasn’t the bush that was special but the God who spoke from within the bush. We are in His Presence this morning. May we experience the joy and wonder of being in His Presence and worshipping him at this time.
1067 To be in your Presence
Prayer
Exodus 3. 5-6 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God.”
Moses was told to take off his sandals to show reverence, respect and awe before God. He was made aware that God is Holy and Moses hid his face, afraid to look at God being conscious of his sin and unworthiness. Can we draw near to such a Holy God? Hebrews 10.19 tells us how we can. “we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.” It is through the death of Jesus for us on the cross that we are forgiven and made righteous so we can boldly come before God and worship him even for his Holiness. Let’s do that now.
183 Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty
Jesus declares,”Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” To meet with God this morning we need clean hearts. If there is sin we need to confess we can use the next song to do that. As we confess our sin we can receive God’s forgiveness and be able to truly meet with him.
475 Purify my heart
Exodus 3. 10-12 “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt. 11 But Moses said to God “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be a sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”
In these verses we see God’s call for Moses to be his servant and his representative to Pharoah in bringing the nation of Israel out of slavery into freedom and become his worshippers. Moses’s initial response is one of his availability, “Here I am” but it turns into his refusal to obey because of his inability to do it. God’s response to Moses’s weakness is the promise of his Presence, “I will be with you.” In the New Testament we have the commission of Jesus to us to bring the gospel to those who are lost. Just as Moses fulfilled his call with the Presence and Power of God so we today can fulfil God’s call to us as “ambassadors of Christ” with the Presence and Power of Christ. As we sing the next song may we be ready to go where he sends us this coming week.
I the Lord of sea and sky
Breaking of Bread
1 Peter 2. 24-25 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have been returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Moses drew near to God through the burning bush but we draw near to God through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus on the tree. It wasn’t any tree but the cross of Calvary. We were lost sheep far from God but Jesus the Good Shepherd by giving his life for us brought us back to God. He bore the fire of God’s judgement for our sin and his wounds we have been healed. Before we take communion lets sing 522
522 Thank you for the cross
Euan Menzies Message
Mark 8 v1-21 The Feeding of 4000
1. Introduction
Its September and schools have returned which may remind us of our schooldays
Can you recall copying from the blackboard, spelling tests, times tables, end of year exams and perhaps even doing ‘lines” for misbehaviour
There is a lot of repetition at school because repetition is a powerful learning technique which helps solidify information, develop skills, and reinforce memory so that important things and need to know items are learned
Outside of school people practise delivering a presentation for work or perfect a recipe for a good meal by doing it often or good musicians will practise playing their instrument. Ideally people go beyond just rote learning and really comprehend what they are doing and this allows the knowledge to go in more deeply
2. Is our passage today the same as the more well known one of the feeding of 5000?
Did the gospel writer Mark get things confused by repeating a story?
Certainly there are lots of similarities between the two stories – hungry crowds, disciples without answers, crowd being fed with small amounts of food and leftovers
However the crowd numbers were different - 4000 v 5000, and the number of days crowds had been with Jesus were different - 3 days v 1 day and the amount of food from which the miracles came was different - 7 loaves and a few fish v 5 loaves and 2 fish and the amount of leftovers collected were different - 7 hampers v 12 baskets.
The miracles happened at different locations: the feeding of 5000 was at Bethsaida near Sea of Galilee in Central Israel whereas the feeding of 4000 was in the region of Decapolis in South East of Israel. The locations meant that the crowds had different ethnic and religious background - the feeding of 5000 was in a Jewish area whereas the feeding of 4000 was in a largely Gentile area
The gospel writer Matthew also thought there were two events because he, like Mark also, included both accounts in his gospel. And as we read, Jesus in v19-20 referred to both miracles as separate events in speaking to the disciples
3. Why did Jesus repeat a similar miracle?
He showed his power not only to do miracles but even repeat miracles. It also shows he had come to show himself not just to the Jewsih nation but for the Gentiles too (ie all the nations) to the whole world. The key reason perhaps comes towards the end of the section of our reading. Jesus is disappointed that the disciples still do not understand Him. He describes them as slow to understand – perhaps they just need more time, perhaps they are forgetful, perhaps they are distracted by other things. He describes them also as having hearts which were hardened ie closed off or wilfully not understanding too
But Jesus, like the best teacher, patiently reveals who He is time after time but also presses home the point as to what progress they are making in their understanding. Repetitio is part of the learning process and Jesus uses it so that they can really understand who He is – the Saviour of the world- both the ruler who serves and the servant who rules
There is another repetition in this part of Mark’s gospel too. If you look at events recorded ch 6v30 - 8v30, you will see sequence of events repeated
Feeding a crowd, a sea journey, a dispute with Pharisees, some teaching on bread, a miraculous healing and then a confession of faith. Then this pattern is repeated beginning with chapter 8 v1 and the feeding of the 4000. Jesus really wants people to understand who He is – the Saviour of the world - both the ruler who serves and the servant who rules
We are no different. We need to hear gospel truths time after time because we are often slow to understand and slow to take it in. We really need to know for certain who Jesus is
4 Let’s look at the Crowd:
It was another large crowd of people. They had been with him for 3 days in remote area and some were far from home. Naturally speaking they were hungry for physical food. Note the emphasis in the passage v1 nothing to eat, v2 nothing to eat, v3 hungry/might faint on the way home. Jesus of course frequently drew crowds and his very presence made it impossible to leave and miss out. They were probably hungry also to see miracles and hear his teaching because he was a compelling figure
5 Let’s look at the Disciples:
The disciples had little to offer. They had no food for the crowd and no good answers to Jesus’ questions.
They were in a remote area and there was nowhere to get food so their response was nothing was possible and they said - can anyone get enough to feed the crowd?. Jesus was testing them. Did they really share his compassion? Did they really know the source of his power? Did they really know who he is?
They did ask Jesus to repeat the feeding of 5000 miracle. Had they forgotten about it or were they just distracted by the immediate need in front of them? The disciples only see a problem, whereas Jesus always has a plan and is not at all at a loss what to do. The lesson must be that Jesus is the only one to turn to
6 Let’s look at the Miracle:
It is another complete feeding of a large hungry crowd by Jesus with little food> There are no other solutions/
Jesus prays and gives thanks twice for the food. There is to be no doubt that his miraculous power comes from heaven and is given by God. The sense is that there is a plentiful supply as Jesus keeps giving the food and the disciples keep distributing it until everyone is satisfied. In order to emphasise this point there are 7 large baskets/hampers of leftovers (i.e. there is more than enough) and the number 7 in the Bible refers to completeness and perfection because this full provision of food is complete and perfect.
It’s another miracle of Jesus. He heals illnesses, he restores the paralyzed, he casts out evil spirits, he walks on water, and he feeds crowds. The very gathering of large frequent crowds attest to the authenticity and reality of events. Who can perform such mighty acts but God alone?
7 Let’s look at the understanding the Pharisees & the Disciples have of what has happened
Following the miracle, Jesus is in discussion with Pharisees and religious leaders.No doubt they already heard about the feeding of 4000 and other miracles but these were not enough for them. They expected, from reading their Old Testament scriptures, that true prophets needed to give signs - this was often being able to predict the future. Were they really looking for a sign or were they wanting to tempt him to fail or to discredit him in some other way?
Jesus refuses to do miracles or signs to order or on demand. He has shown them sufficient evidence already, and will not submit to examination on their terms. He knows their prejudice, wilful blindness, hard hearts which refuse to believe. His deep sigh reflects their unbelief and ejection of him –They are demanding a sign, but refuse to accept the ones already given
We can compare and contrast their response to those of the disciples. As jesus uses the image of yeast to teach about the dangers of the religious leaders – their hypocrisy and self righteousness - the disciples fail to
understand again what he is talking about as they thought he was referring to physical food. Instead Jesus reminds them about the feeding of 5000 and feeding of 4000 to teach spiritual lessons. He says - “Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember the miracles” They are not outrightly rejecting Jesus and his miracles but they are not very quick understanding them. They lack spiritual understanding but Jesus continues to be patient with them.
7 Lets’ look at Jesus
Although we have seen Jesus spent time with crowds, and taught disciples, and prayed over food, and performed miracle note too his compassion for people. He expresses that compassion in his words to disciples and in his actions by feeding the crowd. He does not want to send the crowd away hungry; he is moved by their real needs – both the physical and the spiritual. Jesus has sympathy as he knew physical hunger in the desert himself when he was tempted by Satan.
Jesus frequently showed compassion not only to individuals but more widely and generally to crowds – so much need. Earlier in his ministry he had compassion because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. His compassion is the very hallmark of God as revealed in the following Old Testament scriptures
- The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
- As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him
- The Lord longs to be gracious to you; he will rise up to show you compassion.The Lord is a God of justice.
One of the more famous passages which Jesus speaks of himself take the the words of the prophet Isaiah,
A bruised reed he will not break & a smouldering wick he will not quench
Jesus has compassion on the damaged, the hopeless and the marginalised. He does not discard people or abandon people but has true compassion for all who would come to him
Here are 4 things to think about, for us today in September 2023?
Who is this man?
Mark in the first of his gospel seeks to answer this question. Jesus performs many miracles to the amazement of people. he teaches with authority to the consternation of religious authorities. Moses, in the Old Testament who also was involved with a miraculous feeding in he desert on the way to the Promised Land, spoke of a promised prophet, who would be raised up from among them and they must listen to him. Jesus has all the credentials of that Prophet – He is the Messiah or Christ – God’s promised king, prophesied from long ago. His miracles and teaching authenticate him as such. He calls people today to follow him, to bow to his authority in their lives. hHe calls people to trust him , that he is sufficient, that no one else is needed for life that satisfies
What about you and I, how much more evidence do we need that He is who he says he is? The Christ
Who has he come for?
We saw that he came not just for the Jewish nation because the same teaching and same miracles are given to the Gentiles or nations – ie He is the Saviour of whole world, not just for the locals. His compassion, his power, his provision and his satisfaction is for all. He is the fulfilment of what was spoken to Abraham, father of Israel, that through him the whole world would be blessed. He came for male and female, young and old, Jew and Gentile. He came for the self fulfilled and the people who think they don’t need him. He came for the excluded, the wanderers, the lost, the rebellious, the sinners. As saviour of the whole world, he came for you and I. His life, death and resurrection cannot be ignored and we have to take account of his claims and demands of each person
Spiritual matters are more important than the physical things
The provision of physical bread for the hungry crowds was the launchpad of Jesus meeting spiritual needs.
When he was tempted in the desert he said “Man shall not live by bread alone, but every word proceeds from the mouth of God” because material things can never fully satisfy and will not be enough for life.
After the feeding of 5000 he said “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” because he knew the focus of life cannot be on material things but must be on lasting, eternal matters
He followed that up by saying “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe” because he was offering himself as the one who could truly satisfy and forever for all who will put their trust in him.
The challenge to us is where we are putting our focus for satisfaction - our family, our home, our career, our leisure, little luxuries and our entertainment all have their place but are seeking to find ultimate satisfaction in Jesus
Living for & serving Jesus
As we think again of the disciples, they failed to understand LJC, failed to trust him completely when the situation looked hopeless. Jesus was testing them again as to where they would turn to and who had the answers and who could be trusted. He pointed to himself. What Jesus supplied met all the need and fully satisfied.
Despite all this Jesus used them in his work. He began with what they had and where they were at and they just kept distributing the food. I wonder if they shared his compassion; or was it just a job to be done or an embarrassing situation to be avoided
As follower of Jesus, we could ask ourselves some questions
Do we need repetition/reminders/testing so that we are always learning?
Do we sharing Jesus compassion for crowds, individuals, and those who are not believers in Jesus?
Do we have full confidence in God, that he is always be trusted to supply what is needed, he gives wisdom
when we should speak for him and where and how to serve him?