Mark 6:30-44
"What Do We Do With Unwanted Dinner Guests?"

I. OPEN THE DOOR

V.30 After going out and doing all they had done they now return to Jesus for fellowship and further direction.

V.31-32 Jesus recognizes the need of the apostles and requests that they go to find rest.

V.32 “Solitary place” not just a quiet place but a remote place. A retreat. But God had other plans...

How many of us would be irritated that someone came by and interrupted our time of relaxation?

Luke 9:11 He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

Divine Appointments

Esther- Est 4:14 And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?

Phillip- Acts 8:27 [Phillip is heading down the Gaza road] on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, Go to that chariot and stay near it.

Jesus did not see these people as a “pain” or an “inconvenience”

V.41 “He gave thanks and broke the loaves”-

He saw this as an opportunity to teach these people about the kingdom and minister to their needs.

These were “Sheep without a shepherd”-The compassion of Jesus over-road His need for Himself

How many opportunities do we miss because we do not open the door to people?

II. SET THE TABLE- With a word Jesus could have created the food out of nothing but He didn’t

V. 36 “Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.
This seemed to be the MO of the apostles.

Matt 15:22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to [Jesus], crying out, Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession. 23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.

Send them away because they
1. Were concerned about their needs?
2. They were concerned about themselves?

Jesus invited the disciples to join in and help Him serve the others as He does us.

**When we pray to Jesus about the lost people of our community, Jesus says, YOU GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT

III. GOD CAN DO MIRACLES WITH OUR LEFTOVERS

Remember how they got the loaves and fish?

John 6:8 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?

Not having much to give is no excuse for not giving.
Give and watch the LORD do wonders.

Illus: Our Daily Bread
Several years ago Grace Baptist Church in Philadelphia had to turn away a little girl named Hattie May Wiatt from children’s ministry because of overcrowding. That day Hattie May Wiatt started saving her pennies to help the church make more room in their children’s ministry. Two years later, Hattie May tragically died. In her pocketbook next to her bed her parents found 57 pennies and a piece of paper with a note saying that the money was to help the church build a bigger children’s ministry. At Hattie May’s funeral, her mother gave that 57 cents and the note to Pastor Russell Conwell, the pastor of Grace Baptist Church. That Sunday, Pastor Conwell shared Hattie May’s story with his congregation. People’s hearts were touched; a realtor gave the church a piece of land to expand the children’s ministry, asking for 57 cents for a down payment. A local newspaper carried the story, and soon, news about Hattie May Wiatt’s 57 cents spread across the country. The pennies grew far beyond Hattie May’s initial 57 pennies. Grace Baptist Church not only built a new children’s ministry wing, but also a new ministry center, today seating over 3,000 people. Out of that movement of generosity from Hattie May’s example the church built Temple University in Philadelphia, and Good Samaritan Hospital. In fact, you can visit Temple University today and find a picture on the wall of Hattie May Wiatt, a little girl who’s 57 pennies were used by God far beyond the limits of her life.

We are so inadequate but with Jesus we have all we need

•“I do not know enough.”
•“What if I say the wrong thing?”
• “I will let the preacher do it.”

Jesus can take us and can do great things for the kingdom with us.

IV. NO ONE GOES AWAY HUNGRY (V.42-44)
Jesus completely satisfies our needs

How do you think the disciples felt after the event?

V.42 “were satisfied” contrast this with those at Herod’s elaborate banquet.

Why were they satisfied?
1. because they ate and
2. because they helped Jesus feed the people.

When you are in close fellowship with Jesus and serving Him you will be satisfied.

Close
• The next time an unwanted dinner guest shows up in your life what are you going to do? Are you going to feed them or send them away?

• People are hungry for Jesus and the only way they will be fed is if WE FEED THEM

• Are you trying to feed anyone with Jesus right now?