Message Notes

INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL 28 January 2024
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Text: Matthew 15

Subject: “Feeding of the Four Thousand”

INTRODUCTION

1. The Feeding of the Five Thousand

a) This was recorded in Matthew 14:13-21

b) This Miracle was performed out of compassion

c) There were thousands who followed the Lord Jesus

2. The Feeding of the Four Thousand

a) This was recorded in Matthew 15

b) There are deep lessons we can learn from this Miracle

ANOTHER GREAT MIRACLE

32 Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”
33 Then His disciples said to Him, “Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?”
34 Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?”
And they said, “Seven, and a few little fish.”
35 So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
36 And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude.
37 So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left.
38 Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.
39 And He sent away the multitude, got into the boat, and came to the region of Magdala.

Matthew 15:32-39

1. Magdala

a) This was a small city

b) It is in the region of Dalmanutha Mark 8:1-11

c) This was several kilometres from the Sea of Galilee

2. Multitudes

a) 400 men

b) Not counting the women and children

3. They had followed the Lord Jesus

a) For three days

b) They did not have anything to eat

c) The Lord’s concern

i) He did not want to send them away hungry

ii) Some were weak and they might faint along the way

IMPORTANT LESSONS FOR THE DISCIPLES TO LEARN

1. The Needs of the Multitudes

a) They had deep spiritual needs

b) They were seeking to learn from the Lord Jesus

c) This is an important lesson for the Disciples to learn

2. Compassion for the Multitudes

a) The Compassion of the Lord is to be noted

b) He saw their needs, both physical and spiritual

c) He cared deeply

d) The Disciples need to develop a heart of Compassion too

3. Faith in the Power of God

a) The Disciples had seen the Feeding of the 5000

b) But they still lacked deep faith in God

THE PROVISION OF GOD

1. Once again, God provided

2. More than 4000 were adequately fed

3. This was another great Sign from God

a) To bear witness of who the Lord Jesus is

b) To encourage faith in the Lord Jesus

c) To strengthen the faith of the Disciples!