Another Sermon on the Feeding of the 5,000...

Welcome to my sermon, my friends. Today, our focus will be on a concept that intrigued me from last week's sermon – the significance of Elijah's double portion of spirit and its relevance to us as believers. It's an incredible journey of faith, divine provision, and the boundless power of God. In this blog post, I summarize this week’s sermon, as we delve further into our sermon series on the Gospel of John, with a special emphasis on The Feeding of the 5,000. This miraculous event is rich in spiritual insights and truths.

The Double Portion - A Biblical Perspective

The concept of a double portion comes from Deuteronomy 21:17. The verse specifies that the firstborn son should receive twice as much of an inheritance as any other son in the family. This was his right as the first fruits of his father's strength. But what does receiving a double portion look like on this side of the cross?

In Colossians 1:15, it is stated that Jesus is the visible representation of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. An interesting fact is that the tribe of Levi did not receive a portion of the promised land. I believe grasping the concept of a double portion involves understanding the finished work accomplished on the cross by Jesus, our Savior. Exploring Deuteronomy 18:1–2 sheds light on this profound truth. The inheritance of the Levites was unique: they did not inherit land and instead relied on the food offerings made to the Lord, as God was their inheritance.

The Spiritual Inheritance

The Levites' inheritance was God Himself. This concept is echoed for us also in 1 Peter 2:9, where it is stated that we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession.

In essence, Jesus is our portion...our double portion! Psalm 16:5 reinforces this concept, stating: "The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup." Isaiah 61:7 also speaks of a double portion, promising that instead of shame and disgrace, we will rejoice in our inheritance and inherit a double portion in our land, with everlasting joy.

To Live as One with a Double Portion

Believing that we hold a special position as Jesus does in the Kingdom of God can profoundly impact how we live our lives. According to 1 John 4:17,”…our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s(MSG)”.

Our status in the world mirrors that of Christ, forming our new identity in this world. 

Limiting God - A Cautionary Tale

Yet, despite these promises, we often limit God. Psalms 78:40-42 tell us about how the children of God provoked Him in the wilderness and limited His power. They forgot His hand, the day He delivered them from the enemy. They limited God by holding on to the old, refusing to let go and embrace the new. This is something we can also do in our day-to-day lives. Old habits, old thoughts, old beliefs, and old ways. I think you get the picture.

The Power of Transformation

If we hold onto the old, we limit God's transformative power in our lives. God can only work with the things we're willing to give Him. If we try to hide our shortcomings or deny our past, we miss the opportunity for transformation. It's not just about attending church; it's about having a true encounter with God and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us.

The narrative embedded in the Hebrew alphabet is deeply significant, mirroring our relationship with God, starting with an inner bond and leading to a transformative truth. The second letter, Bet, resembling an overturned cup, symbolizes a healthy heart that is open, eager to learn, and ready to share with others. Sometimes, life's imbalances, filled with preconceptions and closed to new insights, leave no space for God to impart new wisdom to us. Amidst the daily rush, it's too easy to forget our dependence on God, choosing instead to amass information and knowledge, hoping it will touch our hearts and spur true transformation. Yet, if we inadvertently let our Bet, which is meant to be an overturned cup to became upright cup, get filled with the head knowledge and information, we block the way to transformation. Letting go of the old is crucial to embrace the new.

Believing, Trust and Faith

Occasionally, we endeavor to strengthen our trust, faith, or belief. However, true faith is granted as a gift; it is not acquired but freely given. Translating the Gospel of John from Greek to English presents difficulties. Certain esteemed biblical scholars suggest that terms such as trust and belief might be more precisely rendered as "relax" in English. Jesus invites us to relax in Him, which means to trust Him. This element is vital for our spiritual development. It is quite remarkable to consider that the Apostle John's most striking scriptural image is of him leaning against Jesus. Of course this RELAX isn’t inactivity or some how laziness but a supernatural RELAX that comes from the Spirit that lives inside of us.

Transformation Requires Practice

Having Biblical knowledge is important, but it alone doesn't guarantee spiritual growth. Jesus encourages us to do more than, believe in His teachings. He wants us to internalize them, to let them take root within our hearts.

All transformation requires knowledge that is converted into practice. It's one thing to believe that Jesus walked this earth, died for our sins, was raised to life, and is alive today. It's another thing to let that belief transform our hearts and our lives.

Example from My Life

Around a decade ago, I encountered digestive issues. At that time, my chiropractor suggested I undergo testing for food allergies. After discovering I was allergic to wheat, specifically the wheat germ protein, I delved into a book on the subject. Taking it seriously, I made copious notes and highlighted key points. Despite absorbing all that information, I only saw real improvement when I applied the knowledge. This principle applies to Kingdom truths as well – implementing them in our lives leads to transformative results. Having Biblical knowledge is crucial, yet it alone does not guarantee spiritual growth. Jesus encourages us to do more than simply believe in His teachings. His intention is for knowledge to deeply root itself within our hearts like a seed.

Conclusion

Today, consider what the Word of God has done for you. How can you release the past and open yourself to God's transformative power? Reflect on these questions as we conclude our time together.

In our shared journey of faith, let us aim to receive our double portion, who is Jesus and release the past, and welcome the transformative power of God. Let us not confine God; rather, let us open our hearts and lives to His infinite love and power as we RELAX in the assurance of His completed work.