[0:00] Now, we're going to read God's Word together from John's Gospel, chapter 6.! The Gospel of John, chapter 6.
[0:10] On page 8, 9, 1, John's Gospel, the sixth chapter, and we're going to read verses 1 to 15.
[0:30] Jesus feeds the 5,000. After this, Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.
[0:46] And a large crowd was following Him, because they saw the signs that He was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat down with His disciples.
[0:58] Now, the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. And lifting up His eyes then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming towards Him, Jesus said to Philip, Where are we to buy bread so that these people may eat?
[1:15] He said this to test Him, for He Himself knew what He would do. Philip answered Him, Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.
[1:31] One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?
[1:47] Jesus said, Make the people sit down. Now there was much grass in the place, So the men sat down about five thousand in number.
[1:59] Jesus then took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed them to those who were seated, so also the fish, as much as they wanted.
[2:10] And when they had eaten their fill, He told His disciples, Gather up the leftover fragments that nothing may be lost. So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.
[2:29] When the people saw the sign that He had done, they said, This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world. Perceiving then that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by Himself.
[2:51] Amen. And we trust that the Lord will add His blessing to the reading of His own holy and inspired Word.
[3:03] Well, I'd like us for a short time this morning to consider the words of John's Gospel, chapter 6, the passage we've just read together, and the words of verse 9.
[3:22] The words of Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish.
[3:35] But what are they for so many? There is a boy here.
[3:49] Well, the title for today's sermon is All for Jesus. Words taken from a song written by the Christian songwriter Robin Mark.
[4:08] All for Jesus. All I am and have and ever hope to be. Well, today we are going to focus on a boy mentioned in this passage who gave all without holding back for the Lord Jesus.
[4:32] All I am and have and ever hope to be. So, two thoughts. The boy and his gift.
[4:44] So, John tells us here in chapter 6, verse 9, that there is a boy here.
[4:55] We don't know his name, his age, or anything about his background. The little information we have concerns the contents of his lunchbox in verse 9.
[5:10] But that much is significant. Because through this anonymous boy, well over 5,000 people are fed.
[5:25] Some commentators maintain that there may well have been 10,000 to 15,000 people present at this point. The 5,000 refers primarily, if not exclusively, to the men who were present.
[5:41] And then there are women and children. But only John mentions this boy.
[5:54] But it's an important reference, and it's our focal point today for good reason, against the backdrop of the sacrament of baptism, where a little boy will come under the spotlight too.
[6:14] Well, John tells us of the moment this boy in John chapter 6 is introduced to Jesus. Now, let's pay some attention to detail, because it's not insignificant that it happens to be Andrew who presents him to Jesus.
[6:33] Why is that significant? Well, this is the same Andrew who, after he became a follower of the Lord Jesus back in chapter 1 of this same gospel, went looking for his brother Simon Peter, told him about the Messiah, and, I quote, John 1, 42, brought him to Jesus.
[7:02] It's the same formula. Now, let's look at this from Andrew's vantage point. Let's give him some slack.
[7:13] Andrew may have difficulty seeing how five small barley loaves and two fish can feed so many. Yes, but nonetheless, he guides this boy gently to Jesus with his food parcel to hand.
[7:33] There is a boy here. Now, Andrew's intervention places the spotlight firmly on the boy of John chapter 6, and it's very much a defining moment.
[7:45] Why? Well, it sets the scene, doesn't it, for one of the most celebrated and remarkable miracles Jesus will perform.
[7:58] What is one boy in a crowd of thousands upon thousands? What difference can he make?
[8:10] Well, John tells us that Andrew notices him and brings him to Jesus, even though he is skeptical about what difference so little food will make.
[8:27] A boy, a nobody, you might say, amongst thousands upon thousands upon thousands of people. people, but a nobody becomes somebody noteworthy.
[8:43] Now, he's the unsung hero of Matthew and Mark and Luke in their respective accounts of the feeding of the 5,000, but John specifically mentions him.
[8:57] And I believe John does so for our encouragement this morning. Now, against the backdrop of the sacrament of baptism, the gospel reminds us time and again, doesn't it, that we can all make a personal contribution to the kingdom of God.
[9:26] Men and women, boys and girls of any age. nobody is too old to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
[9:39] Let's be clear that Moses himself was 80 when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. The Lord can use a little child, your child, our children, to his glory.
[10:00] age is no barrier. Yes, they can be active instruments in his hand. They too can be solved and light and can make a difference for the Lord Jesus.
[10:17] We see this time and again as we turn the pages of Scripture. So, this is the question. Are we today prepared to bring our children to the Lord Jesus as Andrew did and to say, adopting the words of Andrew, there is a boy here.
[10:44] Believing that our children can also be Timothy's and Samuel's. Why do I mention them both?
[10:54] Well, you will recall, and we'll see a little more about Timothy later, Timothy, on the pages of the New Testament, his nurturing began in infancy.
[11:08] His spiritual training began in his early childhood, on his grandmother's knee, and in his mother's arms.
[11:20] They're both mentioned, of course, Lois and Eunice. And they both recognized, mother and grandmother, they both recognized, didn't they, that there is a boy here.
[11:34] there is a boy here whom the Lord will use effectively in his kingdom and to his glory, and use he did.
[11:49] As you read of Timothy on the pages of the New Testament, you see how he grows and develops into a godly evangelist for the Lord Jesus.
[12:01] He becomes Paul's co-worker, father. And there is that moment, isn't there, in 1 Timothy 4.12, where Paul says to Timothy, Timothy, do not let anyone despise you for being so young.
[12:19] Instead, he is to lead by example, as does this boy in John chapter 6. Now, let's come back to the feeding of the 5,000.
[12:31] Can you imagine what it must have been like to have been one person in this vast crowd? What might you have been thinking if you were that individual?
[12:46] Well, there may have been those who laughed disparagingly at this boy and the little he had to offer. He may have been dismissed by many.
[13:02] You can hear them saying, this is outrageous, this is ridiculous, but Jesus has a plan and a purpose for this boy. And the question arises, do you believe today that he may have a plan and a purpose for your boy, for your girl, for your son, for your daughter?
[13:26] I wonder what became of this boy in John chapter 6. I would like to believe that he grew up to be a follower of the Lord Jesus, and is that not what you and I would desire for our children this morning?
[13:50] But I also mention Samuel, Timothy and Samuel. And the question arises, are we prepared to give as Hannah gave on the pages of the Old Testament?
[14:04] So we're going all the way back to 1 Samuel. She gave without holding back. What did she say of little Samuel? I will give him to the Lord, for his whole life shall be given over to the Lord.
[14:22] And she does so. She is true to her word. In 1 Samuel chapter 2 verse 11, we read that the boy, Samuel, ministered to the Lord.
[14:36] When we get to chapter 3 verse 19, we read that the Lord was with Samuel as he grew up. You see, the boy, Samuel, became a man of God, a judge, a priest, a prophet, a wise counselor, and he too is, of course, listed in the hall of faith in Hebrews 11.
[15:03] But let's come back to Andrew. Andrew may have been, as we indicated earlier, a little reticent about bringing this boy to Jesus.
[15:14] the idea that so little food could possibly feed so many must have seemed utterly, utterly absurd to this vast crowd.
[15:29] But Jesus doesn't see it this way. Would the Lord Jesus not have received this boy graciously?
[15:43] would he not have embraced this boy with compassion? Can you hear the Lord Jesus saying, let him come to me?
[15:57] Do not hinder him, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Well, this boy takes his place, doesn't he, alongside many others on the pages of the Bible who witnessed for God in their early years.
[16:21] I mentioned Timothy and Samuel, but there's also, just like this boy, an anonymous little girl.
[16:32] She's mentioned in 2 Kings chapter 5, a little girl from the land of Israel, captured by the Syrians, and you'll remember how she commends Naaman the leper to Elisha, the man of God, so that Naaman might be cured of his leprosy.
[16:55] We're actually going to turn the spotlight on her tonight, so come back at six o'clock if you will, and we will do that.
[17:06] But there's another character. You see, there are lots of individuals like this. Think of King Josiah. He's mentioned in 2 Kings chapter 22.
[17:21] He was eight years old when he began to reign in Judah. The Bible tells us that he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, without turning aside to the right, or to the left.
[17:37] And then there is, of course, the boy David, and Daniel, and others who remained anonymous.
[17:48] They are alluded to in the closing paragraph of Hebrews 11, but eternity will tell of their witness and testimony and example for the Lord.
[18:02] So, back to the big question today. Are we prepared to give, to commend our children, our boys, and our girls to the Lord?
[18:17] Are we prepared to add this baptismal appendix? There is a boy here, and I pledge to bring him up in the training and nurturing of the Lord.
[18:37] But secondly, we are going to focus on his gift. Now, in verse 9, again, listen to what Andrew says, but what are they for so many?
[18:55] As if to say, really? five small barley loaves and two fish among so many? Well, the question is not unreasonable, of course.
[19:08] John allows us here, doesn't he, a closer look at the contents of this boy's foodstuff, and it doesn't amount to very much.
[19:20] It's John alone, out of the four gospel writers, who tells us that he has small barley loaves. So, we're talking about the low cost budget bread of the poorer classes.
[19:38] Inexpensive, everyday bread, which would have looked like a small jaffa cake without all the sweet stuff. Just a very small piece of bread.
[19:52] But what about the fish? Well, back in the first century Roman world, the fish mentioned here, we're talking small sardine like fish, probably pickled, used as a side dish, a tiny meal, ludicrously insufficient, laughable, that so little should feed so many.
[20:21] I suppose there would have been any number of heads just shaking their heads in derision. Now, John, of course, he mentions, doesn't he, the finer details of the lunchbox to amplify the miraculous element to the feeding of so many with so little.
[20:45] people. And there is nothing in this narrative, nothing whatsoever to suggest that this boy held back or refused to part with his lunch.
[21:03] There's nothing to indicate that he might have given it away reluctantly. In verse 11, John tells us that the Lord Jesus simply took the loaves and the fish, implying that he receives what was willingly offered to him.
[21:23] The boy gave sacrificially, denying himself for Jesus' sake. And then Jesus does the rest.
[21:36] He gives thanks, and the boys' food is distributed as much as they wanted, as much as they could eat, and eat they did until they had their fill.
[21:49] Verse 12. You might say, if we paraphrase the words of Ephesians 3.20, the provision, the little there is is exceedingly, abundantly, above anything they might have asked for or thought of.
[22:08] But notice, too, that there are leftovers for good measure, a little for the journey home. It is remarkable, the point is made, of course, in verse 7, that five barley, loaves, and two fish accomplish what a day's wage for a common laborer multiplied by 200 would not have achieved or anywhere near it.
[22:37] John is also anxious to convey to us that this miracle is far, far beyond the heavenly provision of manna, way back in the Exodus story.
[22:59] John does this time and again as if to convey that there is a greater than Moses here. It's also a miracle far beyond the less well-known miracle which happened in Elisha's day in 2 Kings chapter 4, if you read from verse 42, when 20 barley loaves fed 100 men.
[23:31] And is it interesting that in the narrative of 2 Kings 4, the provider of bread is a young servant. In the original language, in the Hebrew language of the Old Testament, a boy.
[23:49] He has difficulty seeing how so little can adequately feed so many, just like this boy in John 6.
[24:03] But the Bible tells us that he gave, they ate, and had some left, according to the word of the Lord. But what's John's point?
[24:17] There is a greater than Elisha here in John chapter 6. But as we conclude today, I want us to come back to the boy, because he gave generously.
[24:35] He had so little to give, a miniature meal that would barely feed himself. perhaps it was all he was given that morning by a poverty stricken mother.
[24:55] And he gave it all away with something of the sacrificial spirit of the poor widow, who placed, you will remember, two small copper coins into the offering plate of the temple.
[25:16] What are we told about her? She, out of her poverty, gave everything she had to live on. Well, so did this boy.
[25:27] And he did so for Jesus' sake. He's a cheerful giver, this boy. And ultimately, he, they, received significantly more than he gave.
[25:43] You see, a little becomes a lot, a lot more in the Lord's hands. Are we prepared to give?
[25:56] Are we prepared to forsake all as he did and trust him? Let me take you back in the mists of time to a small Scottish church and during the service, a collection plate is going from pew to pew.
[26:26] And when it arrives on the lap of a young boy, he has nothing to place in this plate. So he places the plate on the floor of the church and he stands on this plate.
[26:46] He closes his eyes and he clasps his hands and then he steps off the plate and he hands the plate to the next person. When the service was over, he was asked to explain why he did this and he replied that he had been deeply touched and challenged by the message of the gospel that morning.
[27:11] He was poor. This boy had no money to give. So instead he gave himself entirely to God in that moment without holding back and said to God from this moment in time I hereby pledge to serve you.
[27:36] The boy who stepped into that plate was Robert Moffat, Bobby Moffat, who in 1817 became a well-known missionary in South Africa.
[27:53] He was greatly used by God to touch and transform multiple lives through his ministry and witness for the Lord Jesus Christ.
[28:10] You see, with some encouragement from Andrew, this boy makes a very significant personal contribution, doesn't he, that touches and transforms the lives of thousands.
[28:28] So, take Andrew's lead. Whose son was he, this boy? What became of him? We don't know, but what we do know is that he was used mightily in this moment.
[28:44] And so can every boy and girl belonging to and associated with your fellowship here at Barvis. when we commit them all without exception to a mighty Savior with whom absolutely nothing is impossible.
[29:06] Again, let me come back to the words of Hudson Taylor. God isn't looking for people of great faith, no, but for individuals ready to follow him and walk by faith in him.
[29:27] Amen. Let's pray together. Gracious God, we thank you for this wonderful account of this anonymous boy who gave, who gave cheerfully without holding back, one who was used mightily in your kingdom.
[29:57] We praise you for all just like him on the pages of the Bible who in their early years gave their lives, gave all that they had and all that they were for you.
[30:20] And so grant us to take stock and to ask whether we ourselves are giving without holding back.
[30:36] May we serve you. May we too long to walk as they walked and may we too be encouraged to read and to reflect on the lives of the many Samuels and Timothys on the pages of the Bible, lives recorded for our encouragement so that we too might trust in Jesus, walking with him all of our days.
[31:18] Forgive our sins, our shortcomings, and cleanse us anew, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. We're going to sing to God's praise the words of Psalm 127, Psalm 127.
[31:39] It's the Sing Psalms version on page 171. Unless the Lord builds up the house, its builders toil in vain.
[32:10] Unless he keeps the city safe, they vainly watch, maintain. verse 3 resonates with us this morning.
[32:24] Sons are a precious heritage, a blessing from the Lord. The children that are born to us are truly his reward, and so on.
[32:34] So let's stand as we sing Psalm 127 to God's praise. Amen. Unless the Lord the Lord builds up houses, build a joy and beam, unless he keeps the city safe, voy voy!
[33:30] voy! voy! voy! voy! voy Purely toil for fair to read He cares his loved ones be Son, son, a precious heritage A blessing from the Lord The children that are born to us Are thoroughly his reward
[34:35] Like a rose in a warrior's heart The children of once youth The man who's querished Over there is blessed by God in love Such men will not be put to shame But will not be their fate When they contend against their foes
[35:46] Who face their men again Please be seated Allow me just to reflect a little further Just for a few moments on young Timothy Let me read the words of 2 Timothy chapter 1 Paul says to Timothy Timothy, I am reminded of your sincere faith A faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois And your mother Eunice And now I am sure dwells in you as well
[36:50] Well, it's very clear, isn't it That Timothy's upbringing was influenced by his Christian mother Eunice And his grandmother Lois Both believers of sincere faith So really from his childhood So really from his childhood They had instructed Timothy In the scriptures The Bible Now in Jewish culture Biblical training Biblical training Would commence At around the age of 5 But often before They believed That there's more That there's more to be gained From building a boy Than trying to mend a man So we too Aspire to be A Eunice
[37:52] And a Lois Because we too Are encouraged this morning To To support Our children To instruct them To encourage them Ultimately To exercise faith in Jesus Christ A heartwarming picture Unfolds in the mind's eye Of Timothy being nurtured on his mother's knee Being cradled prayerfully by his grandmother Perhaps Softly The words of Psalm 34 Come here My children Gather round And listen to my word And I will help you understand How you may fear The Lord Picture to Eunice and Lois Tenderly sharing a bedtime story
[38:54] With little Timothy From Isaiah 53 Sharing with Timothy How prophecy Is fulfilled In the coming of Jesus The Christ Encouraging Timothy To trust In this Jesus And trust he did Well This is our mandate today To teach As we were taught To follow the example Of a parent A grandparent A guardian A mentor A teacher And so on Well let's see it That we too Let's see to it That we too Actively contribute To the spiritual Well being Of our children Moulding Shaping Training Nurturing Them From a gospel Perspective So that they too Can become
[39:55] A Timothy In Christ Well We're going to read together Our warrant To administer the Sacrament of baptism Today From The very familiar words Of Matthew Chapter 28 So let's do that now The closing words Of Matthew's gospel As the gospel writer His Gospel To a close Chapter 28 And at verse 16 Verse 16 Under the heading The Great Commission Now the eleven Disciples Went to Galilee To the mountain To which Jesus Had directed them And when they saw him They worshipped him
[40:56] But some doubted As Jesus came And said to them And Jesus came And said to them All authority In heaven And on earth Has been given to me Go therefore And make disciples Of all nations Baptizing them In the name Of the Father And of the Son And of the Holy Spirit Teaching them To observe all That I have commanded you And behold I am with you always To the end of the age The age Well before I invite Martin And April Along With little Murdo John And Ava Ray If you would like to come too We'll then proceed With the sacrament of baptism But before doing so We are going to Bow our heads And unite our hearts
[41:57] In prayer Heavenly Father We do seek Your blessing Now As the Sacrament of baptism Is administered We praise you Our triune God For your grace And mercy And peace Mercy and peace All of which are ours Through Jesus Christ The Prince of Peace The one who is full Of grace and truth The one who extends tender mercy Grant us we pray A sense of your presence now As we baptize Murdo John And as we do so May your blessing Be upon him May he grow up
[42:58] To be A man of God May your blessing Be on His parents On Martin And April And on Eva Ray too We commit We commend them To you The God of all grace Of all grace As a family May they know Your leading And your guidance As they Nurture Their children As they Immerse them In your word May your word Speak And may your spirit Strive And may they come To place Their hope And their confidence In Jesus Christ For all of their days For all of eternity We ask all of these things In Jesus name And for his sake
[44:00] Amen Well can I invite you all To come forward Please if you will If you will So if you can stand There we are Well It's a wonderful privilege For me to stand here When I mentioned When I mentioned The year 2003 Martin You were in our At the time A bit of a rogue But a very lovable one Along with A group of Young folk That have now Grown to be In many contexts Like you Dads!
[44:57] It's wonderful For me to be Standing here And to administer The sacrament This morning It's a lovely Providence Well The sacrament Of baptism If I can ask you all To be upstanding Please As we administer The sacrament The sacrament Of baptism Will now be To Pledge To bring Murdo Privileges Of the gospel And pledge He And April Will bring him Up In the training Nurturing And instruction Of The Lord Well Martin God the The Son And the Holy Spirit As revealed In Scripture As the Lord You are Commanded To serve And recognizing Jesus Christ As the Savior
[45:58] You are And confess Promise To bring up Murdo Duncan John In the training Nurturing And instruction Of the Lord Well Murdo Duncan John John Graham I baptize You In the name Of the Father And of the Son And of the Holy Spirit Amen Amen The Lord The Lord Bless you And keep you The Lord Make his face To shine Upon you And be gracious To you The Lord Lift up His countenance Upon you And give You Peace
[47:00] Amen Eva Ray Would you do me a favor Now Old age doesn't come alone I left a Bible And a certificate Up in the pulpit Would you go up And get it for me Could you do that There we are Can you see it there If you just go inside And it's on the seat Yep You're not going to get it back out again Have you got it?
[47:31] Do you want to bring it down to me? Well done What a clever girl you are Thank you so, so much Can I get a high five for that?
[47:52] Good for you If I might present you with A story Bible Murdo Graham And a certificate Of your baptism So again May the Lord Richly bless you Martin And April Eva Ray And of course The man under the spotlight The boy There is a boy His name Is Murdo John And may you Grow up To be a man of God Amen Well You can Be seated Yes Thank you so much Please ladies and gentlemen Be seated We are going to sing to God's praise The very familiar words Of the 23rd Psalm Of the 23rd Psalm
[48:53] Psalm 23 The Lord's my shepherd I'll not want He makes me down to lie In pastures green He lead of me The quiet waters by Let's stand as we sing to the praise of God To the praise of God The Lord's my shepherd The quiet waters by Let's stand as we sing to the praise of God The Lord's my shepherd The Lord's my shepherd He leads me down to lie In pastures green He leads me down to lie In pastures green He leads me down to lie In pastures green He leads me down to lie He leads me down to lie He leads me down to lie The quiet waters by My soul he does restore again
[50:02] That me to walk not make Within the paths of righteousness They'll for His own name sing Ye though I walk and dance Not quail Yet will I fear not hear For Thou art with me And I would
[51:03] The staff become For still My table Thou hast furnished In the presence of my foot My head thournest With oil anoint And my cup of water flows Goodness and mercy All my life
[52:05] God surely follow me And it causes forevermore My dwelling place shall I be Heavenly Father Heavenly Father once again We would commit to you Myrdo Duncan John And we do pray that your blessing Would be upon him And on On Martin and April And Eva Ray As a family As an extended family May you watch over them May you shepherd them
[53:06] May you shepherd them May you grant them now And all their days Grace, mercy and peace Through Jesus Christ our Lord And now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ The love of God the Father And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit Remain with us all Amen