Channels of His Power

John 6:1-14 (NIV84) 1Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. 3Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4The Jewish Passover Feast was near. 5When 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?” 6He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. 7Philip answered him, “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” 8Another 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?” 10Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11Jesus 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. 12When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. 14After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

Matthew 17:20 (NIV) “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

• God loves you enough to let you participate in his work.

The sufficiency of his power

1 Corinthians 15:6 (NIV) After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living.

Exodus 16:4 (ESV) Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day.”

Ephesians 1:18-20 (NIV) 18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.

John 2:8-11 (NKJV) 8And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 9When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” 11This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory.

Psalm 29:10 (NIV) The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.

Matthew 8:27 (NIV) The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Being channels for his power

1. You cannot be a channel of his power until you see your own powerlessness.

2. You have to put everything you have in his hands.

• Be obedient with the knowledge of his power.

• Realize that God’s power is for you.

Talk It Over

We can limit what God does in us by assuming what is and isn’t possible. Is there an impossible task that you believe God wants you to do? Don’t let your estimate of what can’t be done keep you from taking on the task. God can do the miraculous.

What are specific ways we can demonstrate “faith” as we follow Jesus each day?

What are some ways you are currently coming to Jesus, and seeking him? Have you ever felt tempted to walk away from him?

How did you come to realize that Jesus was the one, above all others, that you should follow?

When did you come to appreciate all that God has done for you in Jesus Christ? How does this affect your outlook on life?

Parents: Focus on one big idea for the remainder of the month to reinforce your faith in God. Invite your children into the process of something you’ve been bringing to God. Pray together and talk about ways God is working on that big idea or challenge. Be in awe of God. Your children are watching and learning by the things you do. Show them your wonder of God and how big he is.