Provider | Craig Curtis

Week 1: Jesus is Forgiver of Sins.

Week 2: Jesus is the Answer.

Week 3: Jesus is Provider.

Mark 6:30-43 NIV

30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”

They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”

When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish.

Jesus Provides

1. Compassion

Mark 6:34 NIV

34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

God will call you to do what you cannot do, but He will give you everything you need to do it.

"God, help me see people the way you see them. Help me choose to give compassion."

Jesus Provides

2. So You Can Provide

Mark 6:37-38 NIV

37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

Are you putting back in His hands what He has put in yours?

God hasn't blessed us to just raise our standard of living; He's blessed us for giving.

Jesus Provides

3. The Next Step

Mark 6:39-40 NIV

39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.

"now-ism" - being faithful in the now

Be obedient in the small things, and let God take care of the big things.

Jesus Provides

4. When We Return to Him

Mark 6:41 NIV

41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.

Is there enough?

"Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day." - 2 Corinthians 4:16b ESV

"The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love." - Psalm 103:8 NIV

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'" - 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

Jesus Provides

5. Satisfaction

Mark 6:42-44 NIV

42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

You make a living by what you get, and you make a life by what you give.