Media
Seeking the Giver more Than Gift
Summary
True faith seeks God Himself — the Giver — rather than His blessings, warning against a “vending machine” attitude that treats God as a dispenser of benefits instead of a Lord to be obeyed.
Description
Drawing from John 6 and the miracle of feeding the five thousand, the preacher warns against a selfish, transactional approach to God that expects immediate blessings in response to our prayers.
Using the “vending machine God” analogy, he contrasts superficial faith that demands gifts with genuine faith that submits to the Giver. The sermon revisits John’s purpose in recording Jesus’ miracles—to inspire belief in His divine identity—and explores how the crowds’ reaction revealed their misplaced priorities. Instead of reverent obedience, they sought to make Jesus a political king who could fill their stomachs.
The message challenges believers to examine their faith in God’s power, appreciate His provision, and respond in humble submission rather than selfish desire, aligning their prayers and lives with God’s will rather than treating Him as a means to an end.
Using the “vending machine God” analogy, he contrasts superficial faith that demands gifts with genuine faith that submits to the Giver. The sermon revisits John’s purpose in recording Jesus’ miracles—to inspire belief in His divine identity—and explores how the crowds’ reaction revealed their misplaced priorities. Instead of reverent obedience, they sought to make Jesus a political king who could fill their stomachs.
The message challenges believers to examine their faith in God’s power, appreciate His provision, and respond in humble submission rather than selfish desire, aligning their prayers and lives with God’s will rather than treating Him as a means to an end.
Outline
I. Introduction
• Light-hearted opening about introductions and fellowship.
• Transition to the theme of “vending machine faith.”
• Illustration: expecting God to dispense blessings instantly, like a vending machine.
II. Context in John’s Gospel
• John’s miracles (signs) reveal Jesus’ divine identity and evoke faith (John 20:30–31).
• Review of previous lessons: water to wine, healing the nobleman’s son.
• Each miracle both reveals Jesus’ power and exposes differing human responses.
III. The Feeding of the 5,000 (John 6)
1. Examine Your Faith in God’s Power
• Jesus tests Philip to reveal limited faith.
• Andrew brings a small offering but doubts its sufficiency.
• Application: trust God’s power beyond human limitations.
2. Appreciate God’s Provision
• Jesus feeds thousands from minimal resources.
• Twelve baskets of leftovers serve as tangible evidence of divine provision.
• Application: reflect on personal experiences of God’s providence.
3. Respond with Submission, Not Selfishness
• The crowd identifies Jesus as “the Prophet” (Deuteronomy 18:15) but misapplies it.
• They seek to make Him king for their own benefit—freedom from hunger and Rome.
• Jesus withdraws, rejecting selfish motives.
IV. Application
• Evaluate personal faith and prayer life.
• Are we seeking the Giver or only His gifts?
• Prayer should aim to align our will with God’s, not to command Him.
• Warning against “Santa Claus faith” or “vending machine faith.”
V. Conclusion and Invitation
• True faith submits humbly to Jesus’ lordship.
• Encouragement for believers to grow in genuine faith.
• Invitation to obey the gospel: belief, repentance, confession, baptism.
• Call for self-examination and renewal of faith in the Giver, not the gift.
• Light-hearted opening about introductions and fellowship.
• Transition to the theme of “vending machine faith.”
• Illustration: expecting God to dispense blessings instantly, like a vending machine.
II. Context in John’s Gospel
• John’s miracles (signs) reveal Jesus’ divine identity and evoke faith (John 20:30–31).
• Review of previous lessons: water to wine, healing the nobleman’s son.
• Each miracle both reveals Jesus’ power and exposes differing human responses.
III. The Feeding of the 5,000 (John 6)
1. Examine Your Faith in God’s Power
• Jesus tests Philip to reveal limited faith.
• Andrew brings a small offering but doubts its sufficiency.
• Application: trust God’s power beyond human limitations.
2. Appreciate God’s Provision
• Jesus feeds thousands from minimal resources.
• Twelve baskets of leftovers serve as tangible evidence of divine provision.
• Application: reflect on personal experiences of God’s providence.
3. Respond with Submission, Not Selfishness
• The crowd identifies Jesus as “the Prophet” (Deuteronomy 18:15) but misapplies it.
• They seek to make Him king for their own benefit—freedom from hunger and Rome.
• Jesus withdraws, rejecting selfish motives.
IV. Application
• Evaluate personal faith and prayer life.
• Are we seeking the Giver or only His gifts?
• Prayer should aim to align our will with God’s, not to command Him.
• Warning against “Santa Claus faith” or “vending machine faith.”
V. Conclusion and Invitation
• True faith submits humbly to Jesus’ lordship.
• Encouragement for believers to grow in genuine faith.
• Invitation to obey the gospel: belief, repentance, confession, baptism.
• Call for self-examination and renewal of faith in the Giver, not the gift.