Dr Tom Hover
September 21, 2025
Matthew 14:13-21 / Philippians 2:5
Little Is Much When God Is In It / The Mind Of Christ Jesus
AM
Little Is Much When God Is In It
Text: Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44 , Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-15
Introduction: There a song that goes like this:
Little is much when God is in it - Labor not for wealth or fame,
There's a crown, and you can win it - If you go in Jesus' name.
The feeding of the 5,000 by Jesus is found in all four Gospels: Matthew (14:13-21), Mark (6:30-44), Luke (9:10-17), and John (6:1-15). This multiple attestation makes it the only miracle of Jesus, aside from his resurrection, to be recounted in every Gospel. Matthew 14:13-21 We are also going to look into Mark, Luke, and John so can get a complete picture.
I. The Big Problem - The Lack Of Food
The Situation Was Overwhelming , But There Is No Problem Too Big For God to Solve Matthew 14:15
A. THERE WAS A RECOGNITION OF THE PROBLEM John 6:5
B. THERE WAS A REQUEST FOR FAITH John 6:6
John 6:7 The Feelers, The Figurers, the Faithers
C. THERE WAS A RESPONSE OF THE FLESH John 6:7
The question from Jesus was, “How are we going to handle this?”, v. 5. There were four responses to that questions:
1. Let’s get rid of the problem Matthew 14:15-16
2. Let’s raise more money John 6:7
3. We have a little, but it will never be enough Matthew 14:17
4. Let Jesus have it Matthew 14:19, John 6:11, Romans 8:28
You see, God isn’t looking for excuses. He isn’t looking for self-doubts, or questions marks. He is looking for faith!
II. The Little Boy - The Lad That Had John 6:8-9
The Boy Was Little And The Gift Seemed Small But There Is Never a Person Or Thing Too Small for God to Use Matthew does not Mention The Little Boy but the Book of John does.
Let me give you some words that start with the letter “T” so you can remember them. Here’s the recipe for a miracle.
1. It Was Transferred to Christ
2. It Was Taken by Christ
3. It Was Touched by Christ
4. It Was Transformed by Christ
III. The Power Of Jesus - Our Great Provider
The Surplus Was Abundant Because Little Is Much When God Is In It. Matthew 14:19
A. There Will Be Physical Hunger That Will Come And Go.
John 6:11 They enjoyed All you can eat fish and bread buffet
B. There Is Never a Spiritual Hunger To Big That Jesus Will Not Satisfy
These people Had A Physical Hunger, However Spiritual Is The Greatest Of All Hungers. There’s never a problem too big for God to solve. There’s never a person too small for God to use, and there’s never a spiritual hunger too deep for Jesus to satisfy. They were hungry for literal bread. John 6:25-27
Heaven’s Bread for Earth’s Hunger What kind of bread is Jesus?
1. Jesus Is Spiritual Bread For Us John 6:27
2. Jesus Is Supernatural Bread For Us John 6:31-35
“Bread of heaven, feed me ’til I want no more” (author unknown).
3. Jesus Is Satisfying Bread For Us John 6:35, Matthew 5:6
Psalm 107:9
4. Jesus Is Sustaining Bread For Us John 6:47-51, 10:10
Conclusion: What good is bread if it’s not eaten? John 6:51 There were some that day that did not have an appetite. There were some that day that turned and walked away. John 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?Thank God for what Simon Peter said. He said, John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. It seems that life is a series of highs and lows. We face valleys and mountains and sometimes it seems that we are not able to go one step farther.Our obstacle, whatever name we attach to it, is totally overwhelming in our eyes. When this happens, the general tendency is to just quit, to give up on the Lord. But, we forget just who God is! He is the Creator, the Master of the Sea, the Lily of the Valley, The Bright and Morning Star. He is the One Who was, Who is and Who is to come! He is still God and we need to remember this very important fact.
PM
The Mind Of Christ Jesus
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Right Brain Left Brain
The concept of "right brain" and "left brain" refers to the two hemispheres of the brain, each associated with different cognitive functions and personality traits, but recent research suggests that this dichotomy is an oversimplification.
Left Brain: an·a·lyt·i·cal
Traditionally associated with logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and language processing. It is often described as the "digital brain," excelling in tasks such as reading, writing, and mathematical computations. The left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and is linked to functions like speech and language comprehension.
Right Brain: in·tu·i·tive
Often linked to creativity, intuition, and holistic thinking. It is considered the "analog brain," better at visual and spatial tasks, recognizing faces, and processing emotions. The right hemisphere controls the left side of the body and is associated with artistic and imaginative activities. Our minds is not just a warehouse to be filled but a garden to be tilled. The Myth of Left-Brain vs. Right-Brain Dominance-It is not the Intuitive Mind or the Analytical Mind that is of the Soundest Mind. The Spiritual Supersedes All Minds. Philippians 2:1-11, Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Seems to be more of a command then an just an suggestion. The Greek word in Philippians 2:5 translated as "mind" or "attitude" is φρονέω (phroneō), which is a verb meaning to think, to have a certain mindset, or to hold an attitude. Contextual Meaning: While it generally means "to think" or "use your mind," in Philippians 2:5, it carries the meaning of "to have a certain mindset or attitude". Example of Christ's Mindset: The verses that follow Philippians 2:5 provide an example of Christ's Humility, Servanthood and Self-Sacrifice as the "mind" or attitude to be adopted. Really A Mind-Set to Live By!
Paul writes his letter to the Philippians to encourage them to rejoice even in difficult circumstances. Paul was in prison, and he encourages the Philippians that, even though he was imprisoned, they should rejoice because God was still working (Philippians The church at Philippi was commendable for several reasons; however, they were also dealing with some disunity (Philippians 4:2). Paul asks them to make his joy complete—to provide him joy even in his difficulty—by “being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (Philippians 2:2). The Philippians could help Paul in his difficult time by simply showing the maturity that they should show in the first place. Paul explains how they can do that. They shouldn’t do anything out of selfishness or pride, but, instead, with humility in their thinking they should consider the other person as more important than themselves (Philippians 2:3). They shouldn’t be simply concerned about their own interests, but also the interests of others (Philippians 2:4). After these exhortations, Paul gives them a supreme example to consider:“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).The idea of “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5) is to have the same mindset or thinking that Christ had. Specifically, Paul is talking about how Jesus as God was willing to give up His glory (Philippians 2:6) and to humble Himself to become a man and to die on a cross (Philippians 2:7–8). Jesus gave Himself up as an expression of love and was willing to lower Himself to express that love. He is the supreme example of love and humility—as Jesus Himself put it, no one has greater love than to give his life for another (John 15:13). Paul is challenging his readers to think like that—to be willing to lower themselves for the benefit of the other. That is how they could be of the same mind, maintaining the same love, and intent on one purpose:Philippians 2:2 By being willing to make their own interests and purposes subservient for the good of the other person.
The Church At Philppi lacked: Unity, Tranquility, Stability, Surrender
Have a Mind Set like Christ is one of: Humility, Servanthood, Self-Sacrifice
James 4:6, Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:...”, Romans 8:5-6, II Peter 3:18, Philippians 4:8, II Peter 1:3, Romans 13:14,1 Corinthians 2:16,
Philippians 4:6-7 In the verses leading up to 1 Corinthians 2:16, we note some truths concerning the mind of Christ:I Corinthians 2:1-16
1) The mind of Christ stands in sharp contrast to the wisdom of man I Corinthians 2:5-6
2) The mind of Christ involves wisdom from God, once hidden but now revealed I Corinthians 2:7 3) The mind of Christ is given to believers through the Spirit of God I Corinthians 2:10-12
4) The mind of Christ cannot be understood by those without the Spirit I Corinthians 2:14
5) The mind of Christ gives believers discernment in spiritual matters I Corinthians 2: 15-16
In order to have the mind of Christ, one must first have saving faith in Christ: John 1:12, I John 5:12
After salvation, the believer lives a life under God’s influence. The Holy Spirit indwells and enlightens the believer, infusing him with wisdom—the mind of Christ. The believer bears a responsibility to yield to the Spirit’s leading: Ephesians 4:30 And to allow the Spirit to transform and renew His mind:Romans 12:1-2Conclusion: Isaiah 26:3, Philippians 2:5, I Corinthians 2:16:
“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”
Announcement: Annual Church Fish Fry September 28, 2025 Sunday 6:00 PM
