Scripture Reading (NIV):
ROM. 5: 2b - 5
2.By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in
hope of the glory of God.
3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by
the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

James 1:2 - 4
2 ¶  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; {temptations: or, trials}
3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Matthew 5:21 - 26
21 ¶  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever
shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: {by: or, to}
22  But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in
danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of
the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. {Raca: that is,
Vain fellow}
23  Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath
ought against thee;
24  Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and
then come and offer thy gift.
25  Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the
adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast
into prison.

Matthew 14: 17 - 21
17  And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
18  He said, Bring them hither to me.
19  And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and
the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his
disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
20  And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained
twelve baskets full.
21  And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.


Message
Mission Statement

“To inspire vision, create hope and to unleash another Wave Of Revival to the ends of the
earth”

God is challenging our faith; Jesus is saying - Be it according to your faith. What you believe,
say and confess, is what you get.

Jesus used what the little boy had. 5 Loaves and 2 fish. Not much in the face of a crowd of
5000.

You may look at the small gifts in your hand and say  - What good is this Lord?

The little boy did not look at the gift he looked at Jesus and gave his best. His eyes and focus
was on the Miracle Worker.

What are your eyes on?

Do not look at how little you have, look at the one who is able to transform the gift and multiply
it.

Let us look at the what Jesus does with the boy’s gift.

1.        He Takes it

•        i.        The boy had to let go and actually give it! Ever had a gift and held on at the last     
moment?
•        ii.        The moment it is in Jesus’ hands it changes. It is transformed!
•        iii.        Jesus will take your gift no matter what it is.
2.        Gave thanks to God

Sanctified the gift. Think  of that, Jesus actually thanks the Father for the gifts we bring Him -
that sanctifies the gift.

3.         Breaks it

I’m sure the boy is cool with this but how do we feel when we give something to God and the
next thing we see is him breaking it, and how do you feel when He breaks  you?

Pride has got to go, self must go, my program must go. It is now in Jesus’ hands. No strings
attached in your giving! Jesus has to break the bread to feed the crowd.

How do you feel when he does that?
Do you rebel?
Do you humbly submit like the boy?

4.        Jesus gives the bread and the fishes away.

Until the loaves and fishes were broken they couldn’t help anyone. Once broken they could
feed the crowd.

Sometimes the delays in our ministry are because of our  stubborn refusal to be broken and
given away.

God wants to feed a multitude through  the Church. Are we ready to be used? Are we
available to the Master?

5.        The miracle happened 5000 were fed.

We all need a miracle, an ongoing miracle.  The miracle of revival will flow when we lay our
lives down so that He can pick us up.

I included the passage about leaving your gifts at the alter to make right with your brother
because that is God’s priority - Our hearts attitude is more important than the gift it self.

I do not know if you have ever received a gift in anger or with bad feelings. I have once or twice
and it left me feeling “ I wish they didn’t give me that because it left me feeling very unhappy.”
God loves a cheerful giver.

When we bring our gifts to God it is even more important that we give with a good heart.

I believe if every Christian would bring their gift to God, if we would look into our hearts
and offer what we have, we will see revival.
Church on the Way.
What do you Believe?  Sermon - week 9
St. Georges Presbyterian Church  Bluff, Durban, South Africa.