Morning Worship - Sunday 25th October 2020, the Free North Church, Inverness - John 6 verses 1 to 15

Sunday Morning worship from the Free North Church, on Bank Street by the River Ness, in the heart of Inverness, for Sunday 25th October 2020. Bible teaching is from John's Gospel chapter 6, verses 1-15, the famous miracle of the 5,000. The preacher is the minister of the Free North, Rev Angus MacRae, and the sermon is entitled: "Look Beyond Lunch". Praise items: Psalm 121 (Scottish Psalter version), to the tune Elijah (CM); a Children's Song "Who is this man?" by Emu Music; and Emma Turl's arrangement of Psalm 130, "From the Depths of Shame and Sorrow." The service includes some video and photos of the wedding of Joan and Stewart Vant on Saturday 24th. SERMON SUMMARY - JOHN 6:1-15 - LOOK BEYOND LUNCH The feeding of the 5,000 is the only miracle (apart for the resurrection) found in all four gospels. It is the 5th of 7 SIGNS in this gospel that point us towards placing our faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Man cannot live by bread alone. We need to look beyond our lunch to feed on Jesus himself as our source of life and joy. 1). JESUS IS MORE THAN MOSES. This miracle invites us to contrast the prophet Moses with Jesus. The gospel points to Jesus as a far greater prophet, lawgiver and miracle worker than the prophet who gave Israel manna in the wilderness. The prophet Elisha also fed a crowd with a few barley loaves, but Jesus’ ability to provide is vastly greater than Moses or Elisha because He is God. 2). JESUS IS MOVED BY COMPASSION. The crowd were hungry, but not starving! Jesus simply fed them out of his compassion and care for ordinary and everyday needs. Our generous Saviour teaches us to use our “littles”, our weak abilities and our limited resources, both to serve God and to share His compassion. 3). JESUS IS ALL YOU NEED. The point of the sign is to place our faith in Jesus. We must not settle for temporary and unsatisfying things, when real satisfaction is found in Jesus. That alone produces contentment and a life of gratitude. A PRAYER OF RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD Gracious Lord, may we never try to live by bread alone. We ask that you would always feed us by your Word of grace. Strengthen our hearts and minds to receive Christ, that we may go forward in faith, depending on Jesus the Living Bread. Help us to generously share our bread with others. Help us to share the bread of your word with others. May we never lose our hunger and our thirst for you. Bring us at last to sit as guests at your table, feasting in the joy of your Kingdom. Pardon and forgive all our sins. We pray through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. There is live "Sunday at Six" Church Night on Youtube at 6 pm (GMT). This will be followed by congregational PRAYER for the COVID-19 PANDEMIC, held on the Zoom Platform from around 6.30 pm. REGULAR SERVICE TIMES: Sunday Morning Service is at 11 am, and our evening service has moved to the new time of 6 pm (online on YouTube). This week we have Wednesday Church Night both in-person in the church hall and online at 7.30 pm (28th October). Wednesday Church Night is always online only on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. The Free North Church offers both in-person and online worship once again on Sunday mornings. Please visit our website - freenorthchurch.org and join us in person when you can.