You Can Do It!

John 6.1-14

Introduction

Today I want to talk to you about being an effective minister, an effective servant, an effective
leader of Jesus Christ. It doesnt matter if you are new to Christianity, or if you may not know a
lot about Jesus. You may have just begun walking with Him, and you have yet to recognize His
still small voice leading you like the good shepherd He is. You may not know all about
sanctification, justification, repentance, redemption, or all those other fancy words. You may
not even fully understand what it means to be saved or what Jesus death on the cross over
2,000 years ago really means to you. But thats okay.

In our text, the disciples had just begun to follow Jesus. They were once in your shoes. They
had no clue as to what His full mission would encompass. No idea that He was the Bread of
Life, the Living waters, the food and drink of the spirit. They didnt and couldnt rely on Him for
everything, yet, because they didnt know Him like that. His perfect love did not cast out all of
their fears yet. They were at times double minded, brash, and perplexed. Ministry was new to
them and they had no idea of the impact they would one day make that would change the face
of the entire world for all time. They couldnt imagine their lives turning into legacies or
transforming history. They were mere fishermen, one was a tax collector and the other 7s
occupations are lost in time. But we do know that its what they did after they had met Christ
that had the greatest impact on millions of souls worldwide.

But to begin with, they were just like you and I.

This is where we find them in this story told by the Apostle John. (John The Beloved) Although
these men were just beginners, young in the faith, and still a little worldy, they were still used
to do one of the most (I believe to be) powerful ministries in the gospels. They had no clue
about the work that was about to be done through them just because they were following
Jesus.

Just because Youre There
- Being in meetings with Billy Mack not knowing whats going on
- Serving Felipe
- 80% of Life/Success is just about showing up

Because they were there in His presence, Jesus was able to use them. Many of us are just HERE
also.





WHAT MAKES AN EFFECTIVE MINISTER, SERVANT, LEADER OF CHRIST?


1. Dont Focus on the Problem John 6.5
For Phillip, the problem was material or monetary. He might not have known (or maybe
had forgotten) that Everything in the heavens and on the earth belong to *the Lord+.
1 Ch 29.11-12.
- I aint got no money at McDs with no money
- Jesus knew what He was about to do, but said this to test him.
- Tested his heart, mind, vision, dependency
o Still worldly
- But its human

When storms come we can, like Peter, focus our attention on the wind and waves and
not on the one who has all-power and control over the storm; the one walking on the
storm.
- Our eyes are on the waves when theres a miracle right in front of us

a. Jesus knows what He is going to do in your life
When problems arise, God has already seen it. Before any of us got here to the
Ranch, God had already seen it. I think Phillip may have forgotten that (just 4
chapters ago) Jesus had seen him before he met Him.
a. Jeremiah 29.11 For I know the plans that I have for you, says the
Lord. Plans no to harm you but to prosper you. To give you a hope and
a future.
b. Philippians 4.8 Whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely,
whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is
anything praiseworthymeditate on these things.
c. Matthew 6.22-23 The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your
eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad,
your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in
you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

- White paper with little black dot. we are prone, and possibly built to see the wrong.
Instead of letting the negative problems limit us, we can turn it around and use the
problems to challenge us to be creative thinkers like our God and find a solution.

b. Our God is BIG!!! (And I mean, BIIIIGGGGG!!!)
He is the Creator, Elohim, He placed the stars in the sky and He knows each one
by name. The biggest galaxy cannot contain Him. He tells the oceans where to
stop and they do not go past His boundaries. Our problems are nothing. He is
the M.C. (Master Craftsman). Its like
a. The pot thinking that the potter, who formed the beautiful curves and
brim and everything else, cannot fix that little hairline fracture. Or that it
can fix itself. Imagine a pot telling the potter how to fix itself.
b. Creator of the UNIVERSE. 93 Billion Light-Years (observable)

2. Bring something (anything!) to the table John 6.9
Now we look at another disciple: Andrew. Talk about being a nobody. He really had no
identity. Whenever he is mentioned in the bible he is always mentioned as Andrew,
Simon Peters brother, or Simons brother, Andrew. Never just, Andrew. Here was
a man I know someone here can relate to. He didnt have an identity. But that didnt
stop him.
- P.I.T.A. Boys

Didnt have an identity but was able to fulfill this ministry because he brought
something to the table.

a. Be expectant
a. Luke 5.1-10 Andrew experience Jesus before
1. You may think that you havent experienced Him before
a. BUT LOOK AROUND YOU
b. Dont worry if its not enough
a. Andrew brought a boys lunch to Jesus. A lunch to feed 15,000 people.
b. It wasnt even his. This ranch isnt yours but bring it to Jesus. Let Him
bless it and give it back to you so you can get to work.

3. Get to work and dont worry about the blessing Lk 17.5-10 (read)
An effective minister for Christ works while the people sit.
Its our duty as Christians
We HAVE THE BLESSING!
The blessing will come. For the disciples it was after they had gathered up the left overs
and each had his own basket. Dont worry Gods got your basket.

- Moses went up the mountain while the people partied. He went up to seek God and get
direction for the people while the people had a huge ol rave.
o The party will go on out there. But we still need to get to work
o The world will still turn, but we need to get to work.
a. The work may seem small at first Ushering ministry
a. Room cleanup
b. Yards, Trash, and Animals
c. Then the kitchen
d. Then job sites
e. Then Asst. Rm Leader, Room Leader, Staff, maybe Head Staff
f. Asst. Director, Director, to Pastor
g. GLORY TO GLORY!
h. But it all starts small!
b. Faithfull with the little
c. Just BE FAITHFUL!
4. Get, Give, and keep on Giving Jn6.11
Its not about you or I, its about the people. This is a perfect example of getting filled
up quicker than we get depleted. People are selfish. People want, want, and want. The
disciples were focused on tending to the PEOPLEs needs and not their own. It was only
AFTER the PEOPLE were filled that Jesus said to gather up the fragments.

a. Jesus is the supplier Jn15.1-5
b. Keep going back to Him

5. In conclusion
In order to be an effective minister for Christ, to be used to do great things for God, you
dont have to be seasoned and ALL-TOGETHER! You just need to be still here at the
Ranch and know that He IS GOD! We must not focus on our past, present, or imagined
future problems. God is bigger than our problems. We also need to bring something to
the table. It doesnt matter if its a lot, or a little, or even if its yours. You can bring the
Ranch to Jesus and Hell bless it and use it. And of course, just stay in your lane. Stay
focused on Jesus Christ and building your relationship with Him, and on your calling and
YOU WILL SUCCEED!