John 6:1-13
BE AN OVERACHIEVER
LIFE OF CHRIST #28
You and I each know at least one person who we consider to be an overachiever. They never stop working. They always need to be accomplishing something new. They have to be the best. They seem to work beyond their ability to get things done.
Many think that it’s wrong to be an overachiever. “Why should we be so committed to achievement that it drives ourselves and others crazy?”
Jesus was an overachiever.
· He walked on water.
· He raised three people from the dead.
· He fed thousands of people with a minimum of food.
· He made lame men walk, blind men see, and dumb men speak.
· He calmed storms at sea.
· He died for the sins of the whole world.
· He arose from the dead.
· He ascended into Heaven.
· He sits on the right hand of the throne of God.
“Of course, Jesus is an overachiever,” you say, “He’s God!”
Jesus wants you to be an overachiever.
But let’s define the word overachiever a little differently.
Let’s think of an overachiever as a person who accomplishes things above his own natural ability.
John 14:12 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
John 15:16 - Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Acts 1:8 - But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Why would Jesus ever want you to be an overachiever?
· Because much can be accomplished for His glory when we trust Him.
· Because it shows how much we love Him.
· Because the needs are so great and Christ is so compassionate.
· When we overachieve properly He gets the glory.
We continue this morning in our study on the Life of Christ. Last week we saw Jesus take his disciples apart to a dessert place to rest awhile. However the crowds were waiting for Him. Jesus had compassion upon them and began to teach them.
The story continues this week as it gets late and there is a need for this huge crowd to be fed. Jesus feeds the 5,000 men plus women and children. This was one of his “overachievements”.
This story can teach us some lessons about being overachievers for the glory of God. Let’s consider the following principles:
· SUPPOSITION – JESUS WANTS YOU TO FEED THE MULTITUDES
· SURVEY – WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT JESUS CAN USE?
· SURRENDER – GIVE WHAT IS AVAILABLE TO JESUS
· SUPPLY – JESUS WILL MULTIPLY WHAT YOU HAVE
· SURPLUS – DON’T WASTE WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU
· SUPPOSITION – JESUS WANTS YOU TO FEED THE MULTITUDES - Vss. 1-7
A supposition is an assumption.
There is no sense in trying to be an overachiever unless our Lord and Master wants us to be overachievers.
This miracle is recorded in all four Gospels.
We learn from comparing the accounts. Each one gives us some more information.
The other Gospels tell us that it was toward the end of the day in a desert place and the disciples encourage Jesus to send the crowd away so they can get food.
Jesus’ answers in Matthew 14:16, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
Jesus is telling the disciples that they should feed the multitude. And of course, with His help they could have.
The disciples were stymied and could only think of going somewhere and buying food, which probably wouldn’t have been enough anyway.
Vs. 5 – Jesus tested Phillip. “Where can we buy bread, so
this crowd can eat?”
Vs. 6 – Jesus already knew what He was going to do. I think that Jesus wanted Phillip to ask Jesus to do a miracle.
Vs. 7 – Phillip’s answered that even 8 months worth of daily wages would hardly be enough to give them a little.
There is a multitude of spiritually hungry people both saved and unsaved around us. Jesus says feed them spiritually and help them physically.
Mark 16:15 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Galatians 6:9-10 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. [10] As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Hebrews 10:24-25 - And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: [25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
And like the disciples we look at the multitude and we check our resources and we begin to think that we have nothing to offer.
We look at our own abilities or lack thereof.
We look at our own backwardness.
We look at our lack of talent or brains.
We look at our lack of learning.
We look at our lack of finances.
We get discouraged and think that we can’t help one or two people, let alone a multitude!
Jesus wants us to feed a multitude, but how?
· SUPPOSITION – JESUS WANTS YOU TO FEED THE MULTITUDES
· SURVEY – WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT JESUS CAN USE? – Mark 6:38
Mark 6:38 - He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.
Vss. 8-9 – John tells us a little more. The five loaves and two fishes that were found were a little boy’s lunch.
Just as Jesus had the disciples make a survey of what was available, I believe that He would also have us make a survey of what we have available that Jesus might be able to use.
The list I gave you to consider is not a complete one, but should get you to thinking, “What do I have that Jesus can use?”
____ A driver’s license and car
____ A singing voice for solos or choir
____ A sense of humor
____ The ability to play a musical instrument
____ A friendly disposition
____ An ability to teach
____ An ability to encourage
____ A listening ear
____ An ability to cook
____ An ability to clean
____ An ability to fix things
____ An ability to plan
____ A regular income and/or bank account
____ An ability to invite
____ An ability to memorize
____ An ability to learn
____ A concern for lost souls
____ An ability to pray
____ A voice to sing praise to God at home and in church
____ Artistic ability
____ Hospitality
____ Computer skills
____ Other? ____________________________________
I suggest you take this list home and honestly check off the abilities you have, asking God for help.
In order to feed the multitudes, in order to be an overachiever, you must begin by knowing what you have available for God’s use.
· SUPPOSITION – JESUS WANTS YOU TO FEED THE MULTITUDES
· SURVEY – WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT JESUS CAN USE?
· SURRENDER – GIVE WHAT IS AVAILABLE TO JESUS – Vs. 9
In order for this miracle to take place, the little boy with the lunch had to do something with it.
HE HAD TO SURRENDER HIS LUNCH TO JESUS!
This is why multitudes are not being fed with the Gospel.
This is why Christians are not being taught and encouraged.
This is why churches are dying.
This is why we lack missionaries and pastors.
This is why Christians are not being helped by other Christians.
Christians who have been blessed by God with all sorts of abilities are not surrendering their abilities to God for His use. Thus, they are not overachieving.
Turn to Romans 12:1-5 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. [3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. [4] For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: [5] So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
First, we are to surrender ourselves to God and that includes all our gifts, talents and abilities.
When we surrender our abilities we are asking God to show us how we can use them for His glory.
Let me ask you, what are you doing right now to feed the multitudes that have so many needs? Won’t you begin by praying over the survey and then surrendering your abilities to God for his use? Ask Him to show you how to use your abilities?
· SUPPOSITION – JESUS WANTS YOU TO FEED THE MULTITUDES
· SURVEY – WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT JESUS CAN USE?
· SURRENDER – GIVE WHAT IS AVAILABLE TO JESUS
· SUPPLY – JESUS WILL MULTIPLY WHAT YOU HAVE – Vss. 10-11
The little boy’s lunch, so insignificant, was used to feed the multitude, because Jesus multiplied it.
Jesus can start multiplying what you have to offer once you start using what you have to offer for His glory.
Romans 12:6-8 - Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; [7] Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; [8] Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
There was a lady in New Jersey whose name was Hazel Dale. She taught children and won many of them to Christ. She raised money so literally hundreds of children could go to camp.
She was even responsible for helping us find an office when we needed one. God used her and multiplied her efforts.
Let me tell you something.
If everyone sang who could sing,
If everyone witnessed who could witness,
If everyone invited people to church and Sunday School who could invite people to church,
If everyone one gave who could give,
If everyone went who could go,
If everyone prayed who could pray,
If everyone taught who could teach,
If everyone served on council who could serve on council,
If everyone just did what they had the ability to do for the glory of God
God would be blessing and we’d be in a building program, not only to replace the grange but to hold the people in a larger sanctuary!
Shamgar had an oxgoad
David had a sling,
Samson had a jawbone,
Rahab had a string,
Mary had some ointment,
Aaron had a rod,
Dorcas had a needle,
All were used for God. (Source Unknown)
Here’s another reminder. We can’t do anything in our own strength. When we surrender our abilities to be used by God, we must use them in His power!
Zechariah 4:6 - …Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
John 15:5 - I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
· SUPPOSITION – JESUS WANTS YOU TO FEED THE MULTITUDES
· SURVEY – WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT JESUS CAN USE?
· SURRENDER – GIVE WHAT IS AVAILABLE TO JESUS
· SUPPLY – JESUS WILL MULTIPLY WHAT YOU HAVE
· SURPLUS – DON’T WASTE WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU – Vs. 12
Jesus instructed the disciples to pick up the leftovers so that there was no waste.
God has given you many gifts, abilities and talents.
When we use them we bring honor and glory to God.
When we use them we show our appreciation.
When we fail to use them, we are wasteful.
When we use them for our own benefit only, we are wasteful.
This week I’d like you to take the survey of what abilities God has given you.
This week, I’d like you to surrender those abilities to the Lord Jesus for His service.
This week, I’d like you to ask the Lord how you should be using these abilities.
Next week, I’d like you to share how God has led you to use the abilities he has given you. We’ll give you a piece of paper to write them down on, and we’ll read them.
· SUPPOSITION – JESUS WANTS YOU TO FEED THE MULTITUDES
· SURVEY – WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT JESUS CAN USE?
· SURRENDER – GIVE WHAT IS AVAILABLE TO JESUS
· SUPPLY – JESUS WILL MULTIPLY WHAT YOU HAVE
· SURPLUS – DON’T WASTE WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU – Vs. 12