ARE YOU GOING TO FINISH THE YEAR FAITH-FULL OR FEAR-FULL?

OPEN HANDS, OPEN HEAVEN

John 6:1–13 (NIV) Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2 and a great crowd of people followed Him because they saw the signs He had performed by healing the sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with His disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Festival was near.

5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what He was going to do.

7 Philip answered Him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” 8 Another of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

12 When they had all had enough to eat, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

FAITH-FULL — NOT FEAR-FULL

The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped. Proverbs 11:24–25 (MSG)

✓ THE WORLD OF THE STINGY SHRINKS — their perspective narrows, their opportunities fade, and their hearts close.

✓ THE WORLD OF THE GENEROUS EXPANDS — their influence, relationships, joy, and impact grow wider.

Faith opens our hearts and hands; fear closes them.

God wants you to finish the year blessed, not stressed.

You cannot live a large life with a small heart. — UNKNOWN

A CALL TO FAITH, NOT FEAR

His disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late.” Mark 6:35 (ESV)

What area of your life feels like a “desolate place” right now?

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what He was going to do. John 6:5–6 (NIV)

1. THE COMPASSION OF CHRIST

He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them and… Matthew 14:14 (ESV)

As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion. Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

2. THE DISCIPLES’ DILEMMA

He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what He was going to do. John 6:5–6 (NIV)

Faith sees beyond what we hold in our hands because it trusts what is in God’s heart.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 1 John 5:14 (NIV)

Faith doesn’t stop at believing God can — it confidently trusts that God will, because He is faithful.

3. BRING WHAT YOU HAVE

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” John 6:8–9 (NIV)

For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)

For if the intention and desire are there, the size of the gift doesn’t matter. Your gift is fully acceptable to God according to what you have, not what you don’t have. 2 Corinthians 8:12 (TPT)

God blesses what is placed in His hands, not what is hidden in ours.

PREPARATION PROCEEDS PROVISION

Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Mark 6:39–40 (NIV)

“Order is heaven’s first law.” — ALEXANDER POPE

Prepare the way for the Lord. Isaiah 40:3 (NIV)

Stewardship is an act of faith, not just an act of management.

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much. Luke 16:10 (NIV)

THANKSGIVING UNLOCKS BLESSING

Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. John 6:11 (NIV)

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalms 100:4–5 (NIV)

“A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles.” — CORRIE TEN BOOM

STEWARD THE MIRACLE

When they had all had enough to eat, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” John 6:12 (NIV)

“Preparation and stewardship are the guardians of blessing.” — UNKNOWN

GOD’S GENEROSITY

“You cannot out-give God. Nobody ever has, nobody ever will.” — CHARLES STANLEY

This is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NLT)