Transcription
[Music]
Shalom, everyone. Please sit down. First of all, I want to express my gratitude for the "Breakfast With God" event we held a few weeks ago. It was well-received by the congregation. I am proud as a shepherd to see this congregation prioritizing God, coming early in the morning to kiss the feet of Jesus. For those who couldn't attend, the children from Eagle Kids also participated in "Breakfast With God." Without names, it was just written "Voltage." One of the children, a "Voltage" child, attended the first weekend service here at GMS on Saturday at 1 PM. For BWG, I long for this love to build 1 million strong local churches and 1 million disciples of Christ. This vision is bigger than our vision. Our vision is 1,000 churches. He wrote 1 million churches, 1 million churches, but 1 million disciples. One church, one congregation. The innocence, the simplicity of a small child is extraordinary, and I long for us to achieve this vision. I was touched, you know. The children already know the vision of the church, they know the Great Commission. Read the other one. This is from Jambi, right? The one that was sent, yes? This is from Sumatra. I did send the sticker. I asked, I must keep it myself. Lord Jesus, thank you because you always love me, protect me, and bless me. Lord Jesus, forgive me because this morning, while people are giving all that is precious, I cannot give anything this year except myself. Forgive me, Lord. Greetings from your child. This makes me emotional. This is the essence of all that we can give: our lives first, offered to God. So beautiful. One more. There are quite a few. I keep them all in my office. I never throw them away. This is from Kalista. "Hello Pastor Philip, often come to GMS Rooftop, meaning. And when you're asked for a photo, don't run away. I waited 3 years for a photo with Pastor Philip. So, often come to GMS Rooftop, okay? So we can take photos together. Bye-bye." This has nothing to do with BWG, but I still keep it. Put this in the church, okay? Yes, I won't run away. I am not Lord Jesus, I cannot meet everyone, but I am touched to see children with such hearts. These are the children who have the kingdom of heaven. They teach us how to have a heart for God. God bless you all. Today, we will prepare ourselves to hear the Word. But before that, continuing the children's letters, mark your calendars: June 26th to 28th, the Eagle Kids Conference will be held for children, including their parents. So, those from out of town, out of island, come to Surabaya. Just vacation here and attend this conference. June 26th to 28th, Eagle Kids Conference. Inside, I'll give you a sneak peek. There will be a "Career Day," a day where children will be able to see what they will become later from what they learn in school. So, what they learn in science, biology, what they will become, what they will learn in languages, English, and so on. There will be figures that we will showcase from among the adult congregation, people who have studied certain fields. So, that's it. And they will also become Church Builders, not just have good careers. If my child were still in what grade, what grade to what grade, 4th grade to 7th grade, I would definitely tell my child to come. I would take them myself. If I lived in Africa, I would fly here because it will not be streamed. So, please register. June is very close, and the capacity is limited because all our congregations worldwide want to attend here with their young children. Give a round of applause for God. Today, we will fill ourselves with water, which is the Word. May that water become wine. So, don't fill it half-full, or the sermon will also be only half. Attend all the services in the "Business Breakthrough" week. I will teach the principles of blessing in the Bible because this is the international year of blessing, the year of victory. I pray for the work of the congregation so that you experience breakthroughs. The first service today was water becoming wine. That's done. Then the remaining services. But now, let's discuss the 5 loaves and 2 fish. We will learn the true principles of blessing in the Bible so that our work is blessed, so that we experience victory and breakthrough in our respective careers. Let's look at Mark chapter 6, verses 35 to 44. I will read verse by verse first. As it was getting late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and it is already late. Send them away so that they may go to the surrounding villages and towns and buy themselves something to eat." But he answered them, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?" But he said to them, "But he said, How many loaves do you have? Go and see." And when they had seen, they said, "Five loaves and two fish." Then he commanded them all to sit down by groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups, some of a hundred, and some of fifty. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up at heaven and gave thanks, and broke the loaves and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and he divided the two fish among all of them. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish, besides those who ate. Those who ate the bread were five thousand men. Say Amen. We will read verse by verse, I will explain, and the Holy Spirit will give revelation. As it was getting late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and it is already late." When they saw the sunset, it was unavoidable. The sun set. Perhaps you also feel that your life is like that now. It's getting dimmer. Maybe your business isn't as busy as before. Maybe your career is slow, no promotion. Just not being laid off is already lucky. It's getting late. For God, there is no sunset. God is sunrise. That's why He is called the Star of the East. Where Christ is, there is always rising hope. So, let none of us be stressed. You can be stressed, but please don't be depressed. Don't rely on medication. Once it starts, it's hard for the body to stop. Don't allow yourself to fall into all sorts of mental illnesses. If you've experienced it, we must have compassion. But if you haven't experienced it, prevention is better than cure. Don't let yourself lose hope. This era is crazy. We lose hope. The medicine is expensive. Don't let hope be stolen. Faith cannot be stolen, cannot be taken away. Faith must be continuously heard through the Word. But hope can be stolen. And if hope is stolen, your face loses its radiance, loses its shine. It's very visible. You don't need the gift of discernment of spirits. We know what's wrong with that person. Their face is gloomy. "This is a desolate place, and it is already late." Nothing can choke us except needs, including physical needs. So, don't say that God only cares about spiritual matters. The proof is that Jesus died physically, meaning God also cares about our physical needs. Did you know that one of the highest reasons for divorce is not infidelity? Yes, don't even try it. But it turns out there are economic problems. I was burdened when I saw how the congregation gave during "Breakfast With God" yesterday. I prayed for you from that moment until today. I continue to intercede for you regarding your work. So, your shepherd and your shepherds are secretly praying for your work. So, don't feel alone. That's why this "Business Breakthrough" week is happening. But let's learn universal principles, whatever your business, your career, your profession. These principles all apply because this is truth. This is not a business seminar. If it were a business seminar, it would be better to have a specialized one. For example, if you are a doctor, let a doctor talk about medical science, new discoveries, technology. If you are in the jewelry business, it's better to have an exhibition, look at jewelry designs. I am not providing from that perspective. You have to find that yourself and develop yourself. But I am from the perspective of guarding and shepherding, shepherding your heart and mind to always be on the axis of God's will. Let's look at verse 36 now. The disciples' words: "Send them away so that they may go to the surrounding villages and towns and buy themselves something to eat." This is a big mistake. It seems logical. When we are faced with a need and we cannot fulfill it, we tend to easily give up on ourselves. Where is God wanting to perform a miracle? Don't learn to accept what is still available through God. This is the mistake of Jesus and his disciples. Same, same. Both saw the need. In English, "vast need." A very wide need. But the reactions are different. The disciples wanted to ignore the need by telling everyone to leave. But Jesus wanted to use it to glorify His name. You cannot always get rid of the need around you. We cannot, what, eliminate the needs and challenges around us. For example, for example, if the disciples saw this, they shouldn't first think about themselves. Am I capable? A mother, if her child suddenly falls into a ravine, even if the mother is thin and frail, and the child is perhaps chubby and fat, she will still try to get her child out of there. The one hanging in the ravine, she will definitely reach out, even if the risk is that the mother also falls into the ravine. Love will not first calculate its ability. It will always try for the one it loves. I am sure that mother will not be afraid to take the risk. Now, the question is, in the working world, whom do we love? If our primary motivation in our hearts is to love God and neighbor, our hearts will not give up. I used to live in Canada, studied there. In one of the local news, there was a mother and her child walking, even hiking or climbing a hill, and they met a bear. A grizzly bear, not a cute panda bear. They are huge, and one swipe can send someone meters away and can cause broken bones or be torn apart. The mother would not have been able to defend her child, but the mother suddenly became Wonder Woman. The child was in danger because of the bear. She fought the bear, and the bear ran away. That's love. If we love something or someone, we won't think of ourselves first, and we won't be afraid of challenges. Remember, in our work, God has a purpose. God has a plan. Economists say it's difficult. Don't be afraid of difficulty if you love, if you know you have a mission in this life, not just for my family or my tribe. God wants to use me. It's not the money we can give, but faith first. We won't immediately calculate profit and loss and say, "Oh, I'm afraid to take a step." All the economic experts say if they are all pessimistic, I will seek God because I know my work will be a blessing to others, let alone for my family, let alone for those above me whom I am responsible for. Don't easily tell them to leave. Don't give up inside of you. Don't let us easily surrender in our hearts. Jesus and they are different, right? Jesus is the Messiah, while his disciples are sinners. Sinners are selfish, always thinking of themselves. But Jesus thinks of others. Don't you tell them to leave? You tell them to go buy food in the villages and towns around. No, you have to feed them. If something happens to the church, I will abort the assets and buildings because what I love is the people. I will defend them, I will serve the congregation, the volunteers, and the full-timers. I will fight for them. We started our history back in West Surabaya in 2020. How many hundreds of staff were in the church at that time, when we started from scratch again? In my heart, I said, "Lord, I don't know how to support them. I myself don't know how to survive." Only 5 years, but I said, "Whatever, Lord, I will sacrifice anything for the people." But it turns out God never leaves. If our eyes are not focused on ourselves, if our eyes are focused on those He loves, His redeemed people, if our eyes are focused on serving fellow humans, our eyes are focused on a greater purpose, which is the kingdom of heaven. God sustains. God sustains me and my wife. We said, "Get ready, personal savings, everything." It can't be done. We have to eat. We have two children. At that time, I told my friends, "Don't follow me anymore. Don't follow me. I don't know how to survive." But they all said, "It's okay. We'll go through thick and thin together." It made my heart even more restless. Whatever it is, remember, people are God's greatest asset. So, in the working world, don't think about profit first. Profit is certain because that's the professionalism. We must have a strategy because business, work must be profitable. If you don't have a business but you are given a salary, then you need to manage your five loaves and two fish so it's not a deficit. You need to have a clear budget. What is for what in your life? This falls into the category of living to give. Don't give everything. This is for last needs. That's desire. If you get a salary, not dividends or profit, your income is from something fixed, then you need to manage it. But remember, whatever you receive, don't let the vision be wealth. So, it's not surprising. Try to trace it. I ponder a lot because before I share the Word, I have to prepare it first. I have to digest it. Before I feed you, before I spoon-feed the congregation, I think, why do many aunts and uncles, the first generation, the pioneers of family businesses, talk about businessmen? Why were they successful? Not all of them, not on average. But those who succeeded, for example, try to investigate. Humans usually only look at the end result and then imitate the methods. Do you forget the motivation? The first generation, they cleared the land, they were the first to start their businesses. They usually had to support their younger siblings. Are you aware that this story is already common in society? They used to support their younger siblings, even support their fathers, mothers who might be old. It always starts with the opposite. "Send them away." They adopted people into their hearts. If you study, young people must learn this. Young people today tend to think about themselves and their prestige. "I want to study in America. I want to study wherever." Later, I will discuss that. No, no, no, no. You should not think that way. That's second. That's secondary. What's after that? Third? Fourth? Tertiary. So, secondary, tertiary. What I want to ask here first is, who here is in college? Raise your hand. Okay, raise them high. Be proud if you're in college. Praise God. Those who are in college, it shouldn't be your thought. Especially now, in high school. You think about wanting to adopt into your heart before you start your career. A career is pioneered from school. It's wrong if a career is pioneered only after graduation. What do you adopt? What is the motivation for your future career? What is the motivation for your career someday? Learn from the first generation. They had to support their families. That's why that generation is not easily defeated. We are not secondary, tertiary. Oh, I'm confused. Well, forget it. They are not quitters. Forcing them is not being a quitter, not someone who gives up easily. Because if they have that motivation, when they face challenges, for example, if their business is shaken, no matter how big, a business can shake. Their stress. Look at the difference with the stress of young people who don't have that heart. "I can't close my business. I have to fight to the death, find another way." Why is this person with me for 20 years? This person, this person. They think about how many people eat through their hands. I once talked with certain uncles, certain aunts whose thinking was, "I can't. Those who follow us, this family, are like another family." It's very different from the spirit of young people today. But young people in our church are trained from the spirit of BWG with this spirit from the beginning, from Eagle Kids. Hallelujah. Give a round of applause for God. Instill this mindset, fathers and mothers. If you are parenting, and your child immediately says, "Dad, I want to study here. Wow, I want to study here." Everything is exciting. Even if you can afford it, slap them first. Don't slap their cheeks, slap their ego. "Don't talk about which country. Don't talk about it." Even if you can afford it, don't talk about it. "Dad wants to know what you're studying. What's your major? Why?" Answer first. Present. Make them present. That's not cruel. That's a rod to make them. If you keep that rod, you don't love. What is your motivation? Why do you want to succeed? Why must you succeed? "Dad has the power to bless or curse you. Dad will curse you, you won't succeed, child. You will always be stunted, your career won't succeed. You will have a very hard time breaking through. Tell Dad why Dad should bless you and pray for you to succeed. You tell me why." "Because I want to be a Church Builder." A child says that. Ha! Pray for him because he has a mission. That is, 1 million churches and 1 million disciples of Christ. One church, one congregation. Let them answer you. That child must be answerable. So, let's not learn from the first generation. Why are they so tough? Because they are people-oriented. Even though their work is task-oriented, their hearts are human-oriented. Don't forget, fathers and mothers. Jesus did not tell them to leave. His disciples. Let them find it themselves. God said, "No." Verse 37. "But he answered them, 'You give them something to eat.'" They said to him, "We can still argue." But I understand. If I were them, I would do the same because I don't yet understand God's mentality. They said to him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?" I understand now. These five loaves and two fish are not a miracle for 5,000 people, but for 12 people. It's a miracle to feed 5,000, but the spirit is transferred to the 12. God is training a new mentality for his disciples, who are as foolish as you and me. One of them who said this, if I'm not mistaken, was named Philip. Same name as me, so I can learn more closely. Without God, our mentality is that low. How can we feed them? It's not enough, even with a year's salary. 200 denarii is a year's salary. People tend to see their own resources, abilities, or limitations. But we must involve God. As believers, in that calculation, there is God who makes everything change. For God, 5 + 2 is not equal to 7. 5 loaves and 2 fish equal 5,000. But I must give a disclaimer. You listen to the previous service that we must be precise. Six jars filled with two or three jugs each, water becoming wine. Don't just guess. That's too broad speculation, gambling. We must have, we must have, we must have planning. We must master the material. Many people just follow God as luck. They are not afraid to borrow money because we believe in blessing. Faith has nothing to do with superstition. Faith actually adds wisdom for us to have mature planning. I'm saying this by involving God in the calculation, not by being reckless with our planning. All by faith only. A person of faith is a person of reason, but they make decisions not solely based on what makes sense, but they understand how God can use the little in their hands, as long as they manage it well, as long as they manage it, because they know themselves that I am a steward, I am a manager of the grace that God has given, and their heart knows not to deviate right or left through envy, through jealousy of what others have. If they manage what they have, it's okay. If it's a responsibility with the numbers God has entrusted, then it's okay for you to believe in greater things. Amen. Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, let this heart, these eyes, have only one focus: looking to God, so that we can see that whatever we have, however little, is the initial blessing in our hands. So, shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread? The thought is, "Dad, a year's salary, and that's not enough for 5,000 to feed them." But God has unlimited resources. God has infinite resources. That day, God taught good management. Let's look at verse 38. "But he said to them," God asks like this, "How many loaves do you have?" Extraordinary teacher. No one can mentor and disciple like Jesus. He said, "How much do you have?" God's miracles always involve someone. God never wants to work alone, even though He can. In the beginning, when God created the world, the earth was empty. There was only one voice: "Let there be light." So, when God formed the first human, Adam, from the earth, He didn't need anyone's help. But after that, God seemed to ask for our help because when God has humans, it's like someone has children, they want to involve their children. I can imagine a father who has a workshop in his garage, who likes to tinker with electronics or anything. His child is old enough, not a baby, or they'll get run over, or heavy equipment will fall. But the father says, "Come here, bring the wrench, bring the saw, and so on." His creations in the garage, he allows his child to participate, the one who is a bit older. Not because he can't, not because he doesn't know where the saw or hammer is, but because I love you, I want you to be there. Even though this is my masterpiece, my creation, I want you to work together with me. God asked his disciples, "You guys, what do you have?" God doesn't need our business, and God doesn't need our church. God doesn't need my ability to preach. God doesn't need even my voice. God doesn't need all those who can sing. God doesn't need that. But God involves us because He loves you and me. He loves us. And God said that day, "How many loaves do you have?" God taught them, "Hey guys, if you see something big, you must first appreciate something small. Hey, if you want to see a blessing that doesn't exist yet, you must first manage what already exists. Have you treated what you have, however little, as a blessing in your life, or has it just become a source of complaint? 'Why is it only this much?'" Actually, five loaves and two fish are a miracle for 12. The proof is that later, the others go home full, usually falling into a food coma and falling asleep. But the 12 people carried 12 baskets. God reminds them of a valuable lesson today. You must not have the wrong principle. God said, "How many loaves do you have?" "Go and see." Exclamation mark. "And when they had seen, they said, 'Five loaves and two fish.'" Remember a simple principle: if we want to manage what we have, then God will give us what we don't have. So, please apply this in your life. Spiritual life is relevant to daily life. Who says spirituality has nothing to do with work? It's very connected. Where your heart is, that's what affects all your work. Not English. So, please, don't pray for something more if you haven't used all the resources entrusted to you. It is strictly forbidden to pray for something more if what you have has not been offered to God. Many people pray like this: "I want to be a blessing to nations." Okay, save that prayer for later. When you are learning languages of nations, those who speak Indonesian are only Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam. Okay, learn Malay. Learn English properly, with good grammar, don't make mistakes. Learn when you are learning more international languages, for example, preparing for a future you don't know. Jeremiah 33: "Call to me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great things, which you do not know." The purpose is in God's hands. The preparation is in your hands. Before you ask for fire to come, prepare the firewood, like Elijah. He prepared everything. Whoosh, the fire arrived. You can pray when you start, start, start building the altar, halfway done, or almost done, when it's poured with water up to the trenches, and say, "Come, fire." Study diligently. And when you are studying, during lessons, or at school, when you are studying, cry out in your heart. Prayer near the altar being built is more effective than the prayer of an unemployed person with no preparation. When you are in class, cry out in your heart, "Use me to the nations." Use me for the nations. That prayer goes directly, no transit anywhere, because God sees the seriousness. Don't pray for rain if you have no umbrella in your hand. Don't pray for rain. Show your seriousness. Make sure if you believe that God will send rain after a long drought, bring an umbrella. With your umbrella, under the scorching sun, say, "Rain, come." God says, "Wow, serious." That's not the prayer. The umbrella is God's. The preparation is ours. God never blesses empty dreams. God always blesses a person's preparation. God never blesses the lamp of a person, but their oil. You read from Matthew 25. No need to open it. Five foolish virgins, five wise virgins. It talks about the foolish church, the wise church. The foolish Christian, the wise Christian. All got lamps. Those who brought oil, their lamps burned. I want you to understand one thing: we must prepare ourselves. My sermon now is being heard. It will be broadcast on GMS all over America. Those of you in America, don't lose your Indonesian language. You can speak it. Don't be lacking one. If possible, more. But don't just hang out with Indonesians. Your English is wrong. Even after 7 years in America, learn properly. Your English should be good. You should speak properly. Later, one day, when God uses you more beyond our cultural boundaries, you won't be embarrassed. Your seriousness will be visible. Give a round of applause to all who want to learn. Amen. Fathers, mothers, hopefully, this is not just a message for young people who want to study. It's for all of us. For all of us. Let's not ask for something more if we haven't used all the resources entrusted to us. But when you use them, don't wait until they're gone before asking. That's a mistake. Don't wait until the gas is yellow, really yellow, or the phone is red and then dies. Don't wait until it's gone before asking or refilling. Make sure when you start to step out and use your talents, start sowing. Those who reap, when they reap, they don't sow again. There will be no more harvest. That's why when you reap, you must start sowing. When you start preparing yourself, pray for more. Amen. Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, let's continue now to verse 39. "Then he commanded them all to sit down by groups on the green grass." Jesus is truly here. He acts according to His character written in Psalm 23. Everyone sat down in groups on the green grass. That's very God-like. God is a shepherd. I shall not want. If God commands us to sit in groups on the green grass, that's very God-like. That's why when I see our CGs growing in groups like this, it's very God-like. If it's difficult to divide, maybe always together. That's very human. Humans don't want to grow. Humans are already in a safe zone. It's just the same old thing. Learn God's knowledge. Families can be close. It's a different story if families are far apart. Why should our children marry other people's children? Siblings can't marry, right? Here, God always tears down through natural law. Every family that is exclusive, closed, and wants to be among themselves, sooner or later will die, become barren, be forgotten, and perish. Do you want to continue in this life? You must be open to another family. That's in-laws, parents-in-law, sons-in-law. That's God's knowledge in human life. It's no different from spirituality. Do you want to see the next potential, God's use? Be open to new people. God grouped them with the purpose that they interact and experience God more. So, that's very God-like. Jesus is the shepherd. That's why a church led by a shepherd, or led by an evangelist, or led by a businessman, is very different. It's very different. That's why we always pray for missionaries to be sent everywhere. It's not easy to find a true shepherd. Our churches everywhere, praise God, can be said to be mostly led by good shepherds. It's not easy. Because when led by a shepherd, he understands God's heart and God's way. This is God's way. He acts according to His character. Verse 40. What's the connection to work? Wait a minute. Our God is orderly. Apparently, He loves organization, but not like we understand it, an organization that is about exchange among themselves. Wait a minute. Read verse 40. "So they sat down in groups, some of a hundred, and some of fifty." There's a name called "grace." Say "grace." In English, "grace." So, if there's someone named Grace here, wow, you are grace. But there are people named Grace who are very stingy and always look for faults in others and find it very difficult to forgive mistakes. Please change your name. Not Grace. Grace is a person who is generous. Grace is grace given by God for free. But when they sat down in groups, something happened beyond grace. Something happened that exceeded grace. What is it? The works of grace. Differentiate between grace and the works of grace. That's why one of Paul's letters says, "Work out your salvation." Salvation is not work, it's grace. But after you are saved, work out your salvation. Please prioritize and start categorizing things in your life. God first, then people, then yourself, money, then things, even material things. Money first. Don't have much money yet, but things are scattered everywhere. Then you'll be in debt everywhere. The works of grace teach us order, teach us to put our thoughts in the right place so we don't overthink and end up with panic attacks. The works of grace teach us to walk with God in healthy rhythms. The works of Christ. God loves order. If order means organizing His grace. Manage our grace. None of us own ourselves. We are not owners. We are just stewards. In English, "steward" means manager of God's grace. If we are given a little, it means God thinks we need one talent. If we are given more, it means five, two, or five. We don't need to be jealous of each other. If God considers our ability to be that much, the important thing is to manage it. Don't be jealous of what others have. If I don't hide my little under the ground, if I manage it diligently and it bears fruit, I don't need to be jealous of those who have five, because everyone's life context is different. But we must manage them. Sitting in groups is God's desire for order. Many people misunderstand. They think that if a church is orderly and disciplined, it's dead. No, order doesn't mean it's not passionate or not lively. It means having priorities. You know all the functions. All the wheels are turning in place. God is orderly. Look at creativity. If not orderly, God is... If not orderly, God is... But God's order is creative. Look, even though God is orderly, meaning look at your ears. Your ears are here, not on your feet. God is orderly, but creative. If you don't believe it, look at the person next to you. If God wasn't creative, He wouldn't have created people. There are funny ones, there are unexpected jokes. All sense of humor is from God. God gives us abilities, gives us things that are uniquely ours. Look at a small child. A small child says something differently from one another. Children, when they refer to themselves, call themselves by different names. Maybe it's difficult when they are young. They call themselves by their own names. There are unintentional mispronunciations because they are toddlers. No child is the same. No child can be called just one of two. No, no, no. They are all unique in God's eyes. God is so creative, but He is orderly. Meaning, the grace of God cannot be compared. You are not the same as others. Each is like a fingerprint. But what we can learn from each other is how to organize different graces. How can we arrange different graces? At that time, it was the same, 24 hours a day. But your time is not the same as mine. The way we manage it, our priorities are different. But the way we determine what is important, the way we manage time wisely, is the same. And God told them to sit in groups, some of a hundred, some of fifty. And they were taught by God to categorize. I don't know what they were categorized by there. Come on, those who are equally hungry here. It's a disaster if everyone is equally hungry. God knows how to divide equally. If you look at 5,000 men alone, divided into 100 groups, that means 50 groups per 100, right? My math. If they divided into 50 people per group, that means 100 groups. So, Jesus stood on the hill, there were 100 circles, groups of people. And I am sure, by the Father's sovereignty, it was arranged. Those who were extremely hungry, who usually rush to the buffet and grab, never thinking of others, giving a plate to the elderly first, for example. If it's like that with food, sometimes we are like that too. It's not put on one table. The distribution of bread might not reach everyone. In God's sovereignty, God knows best. Each group, without them being able to set it up, without them being able to survey, the Father's sovereignty on the green field ensures that everyone gathers. Iron sharpens iron, man sharpens man. No one. And there is no group that consists of all people who are so hungry that they are not just hungry, in English, this is wrong English, don't imitate it, they are "hangry," hungry to the point of angry. That's when they gather together. Even though, ah, everyone can eat until full, but people can be late. God can arrange everything. Let's apply this to our lives, our businesses, and our work. Those who follow God will be... and categorize. And face challenges in the working world. Just create an organized thought. If you don't write it down, if, for example, I face this and then I complain, ask yourself. No need to consult anyone, not even God. "Am I complaining?" This is not a solution. The person who knows the answer is not a solution. They have already started categorizing it. They have already started classifying the problem. "Is God... are we worried? Are we anxious? Does worrying about it prevent it from happening?" No, rather you become weak. Does worrying about something make you better anticipate it if it happens, or more ready? Not really. It just paralyzes us with fear. God taught them to sit in groups so that their thoughts are orderly and so that they can divide the bread. God wants us to always have the ability in the Holy Spirit and through the Word to classify and categorize life's problems, including in our working world. And what is the solution? And if we don't know the solution, at least our hearts know to pray and be grateful. That is much more useful than complaining. God multiplied the five loaves and two fish. And after that, he took the five loaves and the two fish. Verse 41. He looked up to heaven and gave thanks, and broke the loaves and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and he divided the two fish among all of them. Pay attention. There is one point here I want to bring up. In verse 41, Jesus looked up to heaven and gave thanks for the bread. Don't think that the profit you get or the salary you receive is a blessing. No, it doesn't bless you. I invite you to think further. Jesus never said, "Oh, this bread is a blessing." He looked up. The blessing comes from above. Then he gave thanks for the bread. The bread is not blessed. Jesus blesses the bread. He doesn't... the bread doesn't bless Jesus. Listen. For example, an offering. Not this, but this is not an offering. For example, let's say... Brother, come here for a moment. How many times do you exercise a week? Give it to me. Give it to me. Wow, thank you. Thank you. Wait here first. Wait here. Wow, we can show off to our friends. I got a blessing! I got a blessing! So cheap. I got a blessing! I got a blessing! You can never get a blessing. Blessings come from above. Not material. Blessings are not even money, not people. Blessings are God. When God blesses you, it's in your hands. If God puts it there, it's because God considers you worthy to receive it. Not because it blesses you, but because you first become a blessing. Part of that blessing is manifested in material blessings. Part of the blessing is that certain people praise you. Part of the blessing makes some people popular. Don't look for those things. Blessing is your relationship with God. Blessing is your relationship with God. And if God puts something in your hands, give it to me. Put it here. Thank you. Please sit down. This doesn't make me rich. This doesn't make me rich. But because God is pleased with me, God sustains me, God adds this and that. These things don't add an inch to my life. My blessing doesn't depend on the money I receive, the money I make. Because the one blessed by God, whatever he does, Psalm 1, will succeed. So, actually, your work cannot bless you, but your work is blessed because God has blessed you. Do you understand what I mean? I invite you to think a little. For example, I have a job here. I am placed in a company, and my work is successful. I don't say this so that when you go home, you tell your boss, "Boss, you are lucky to have me as an employee." Nonsense. Keep it in your heart. Because the moment you are proud of yourself, proud of your achievements, the moment you start to be arrogant, that's when God stops blessing your life. That day you fall. Keep it in your heart. Don't boast about it. But FYI, for your information, as your understanding, fathers and mothers, if your work is blessed, it's because you are a blessed person. Don't feel like, "Wow, I got a blessing." You never got a blessing. You give blessings. The company is blessed because of you. The income you receive, dividends, whatever you receive, promotions, all of that is just a small bonus from God to show His favor. Although it cannot be a sole declaration. So, we cannot say that if God favors someone, that person will surely be rich. God doesn't favor someone, so they will surely be poor. Not necessarily. The game plan is different. That's no longer the rule. But let's believe from this story. Jesus looked up to heaven. His blessing comes from the Father, and He blessed the bread. The bread multiplied. I don't care if we start, for example, this CG, and suddenly I'm left with three people. Just give it all to them, to them, to them. Don't fight over it. If I am blessed, if I am anointed, you wait. Give me a little more time. These three will become thirty. In time. Not because, wow, don't be too surprised by your blessings. If you are blessed, wherever you go, blessings will follow. Look at Lot. He went to Sodom and Gomorrah. Sodom and Gomorrah, which was evil, became what? Abraham went to the barren land, the desert in the Middle East, and now it's Israel, the promised land. It turns out blessings cannot be obtained. Blessings can be given. The person I said earlier, it's because God blessed them. Not money, not things. Take what I have. Give me a few years. I'll show you I have more. [Music] Truly. But if we hold on tightly, "My blessing, my blessing," we don't want it like this. Whatever you have will be taken away. Even the one talent you hid underground will be taken away and given to the one who has five talents. Jesus' gestures, His movements, teach us something. Not everything Jesus taught was through words. Through His body movements alone, I can learn something. He looked up to heaven. From hands, from above. The blessing comes from above, from the Father.
He saw that bread. I bless you, Mom. If I receive my salary, I will bless that salary. I said, "Thank you, God. I bless this salary. May this be a blessing for my family. Thank you for blessing me." Thank you, God, because I am a blessing. God gave me this because I am a blessing. First, in my work, because I am useful, because I am effective. Not because of my gifts, but because Your grace works through me. God gave this to sustain me. Thank you, God. That's why when I receive something, I never want to be like this, never want to be like this, truly unnecessary. Why? Because it comes and goes. Blessings like that come and go. But if I am blessed, I will never lack, because my God will be with me. He is my provider. He is Jehovah Jireh, who provides. Clap for God. And they all ate until they were full. Verse 42: Then the people gathered up the broken pieces of bread, twelve full baskets, in addition to the leftover fish. Those who ate the bread were 5,000 men. Try to see. Lastly, I mention this: zero wastefulness. Not wasting at all. They all ate until they were full. When they were all full, the Lord commanded to gather the broken pieces of bread. There were no fish leftovers because the fish were all gone. How could it be just right? The last fish was eaten, only the bread remained. The bread was made of wheat. Twelve full baskets of bread leftovers were collected. Jesus did not take advantage. 5,000 people ate. A great victory. It's already wasted. No. Jesus is like a painter. If there are leftover paints, they are put back into the can. Even though Jesus has everything. Look at this. This is not stinginess. This is not being cheap. This is good frugality. People are usually frugal in areas where they should learn to be generous. They are calculative with things that shouldn't be calculated. But people are usually extravagant, truly lavish, truly going all out, feasting in areas where they should be frugal. Jesus taught. Even though He is God, He can create more. Why were the bread pieces just enough for 12 baskets, each disciple taking one home? Jesus valued people to the very end. After everyone ate, I am sure the disciples also ate. After it was finished, but God still valued them. They went home with severance pay, not because of layoffs. They were given 12 baskets for 12 people. From this, we see why Jesus was pleased by the Father. Not only because He is the Son of God, not only because Jesus is God, but we see His humanity. Not only is He very, very zero waste, He doesn't want to waste. He is not the type of person who is "old money." Do you understand? Not newly rich. He is almighty. Everything belongs to Him. He knows every resource is precious. Even though He can create more, God still collected the bread. God didn't create another miracle. God gave them, and God was not extravagant. The story should have been different. Not just five loaves of bread and two fish. It should have been five lobsters and two lobsters. What's difficult about God creating fish? Don't act more than necessary. We don't need to be pretentious. We don't need to show off. We don't need to feel intimidated by people who have power, who have, who have, what is called black magic. In the time of Moses, in the time of Pharaoh, they might have already shown something wow, wow, all of it. No, no, no. Jesus' miracles were never careless. God gave them generously. He never wasted. Jesus only gave them five loaves of bread and two fish. God did not give them anything excessive, but they also did not lack. Trust God that He will give you what you need this year. And don't be angry about something you don't have. Don't be angry because we compare ourselves to others. Don't be angry if we don't get all our desires. Praise God. Later, in the last service, I will explain. If we are given everything, maybe the bread you thought was actually a scorpion. God knows where to stop in your life so that it won't bring you down. I learned something. The 12 pieces, uh, 12 full baskets, God saved and gave to each of His workers. Jesus, in His humanity, valued every worker, His work, because He knows that those who sacrificed first did not get five loaves and two fish, but got a full basket. God values His staff to the very end of the event. They were given by God, each taking home. God could think of Peter's mother-in-law, whom Jesus had healed when she had a fever. Maybe she hadn't eaten yet because Peter was the lifeline of the family. He went home without bringing fish because today he worked for God. For example, Peter was not yet a full pastor then. He was a volunteer. He knew God knew I owe you. Your whole family depends on it. Later, Peter went home, did he bring fish from selling? No. Because today he fed people in diaconal work. I will give you your sustenance. I never owe gratitude to my volunteers. I have not opened the tap here because it is blocked here. Today you are not fishing. I will open another one next door. You never expect it. It's strange and miraculous. Our medical bills can be very, very cheap that month. We never get sick. Suddenly, there's a scholarship for our child. Don't be surprised. Never box God. And never, never be motivated by God. God doesn't need to be told. He doesn't need to be instructed. He knows how to bless His children. Jesus is always in character. He is the good shepherd. We will not lack. But Jesus has a commitment that we must learn. Zero wastefulness. He never wasted resources. He collected them. Here, I learned Jesus' way of viewing blessings, not like us. He, he really, he really paid attention to His people. When blessings are abundant, it should be that everyone is full. That's enough. That's enough. We ourselves don't care anymore. We don't care how much is left. Because those 12 baskets look like a lot, but in a large valley or a green hill, they get scattered, scattered, scattered. A little bit of bread here and there. It looks like a little, but when collected, it becomes a lot. Let's not underestimate the smallest blessings scattered left and right in your life. If you can manage and categorize them, you will see that God has never lacked in blessing you, but we haven't managed it well. Three points as a summary, as a conclusion to remind us what we have learned from the five loaves and two fish. One: a sense of responsibility for the lives of others invites blessings. Note this down. Please teach the young people, the children in this church. We always diligently teach this, including later at children's conferences. There is no such thing as being too young for values. Values must be instilled from infancy. If possible, discipleship in our church starts from the nursery, from the baby room. Outside, in this church, you are discipled from babyhood. Like just now, it was mentioned, "baby." Teach your children that responsibility for others opens the window of blessing. Not ambition. What do you want to be? What major? Tell us later. What is your desire before God? From there, we will outline two: good management of what you have is the beginning of blessing. Remember, the beginning of blessing. Five loaves and two fish becoming food for 5,000 people started when they began to assess first. There were five loaves and two fish surrendered to God and managed well, placed in Jesus' hands. I can imagine maybe there, if there was a stone place, God put the five loaves and two fish there. Manage well. Don't be envious of what you don't have. Manage what you have first so that you can have what you don't yet have. This good management is also a message, an additional message. It's a good reason. If you want to study management in school. If there are young people here, in the past, when I was young, when Mas was still in school, I mean, still young, when I was in school, people only took majors that were taken by all my peers. It wasn't very creative. We, if not management, then economics. There's nothing wrong with that. But don't just follow. For example, if you are taking management but have no vision to manage anything, while what you have is a mess. For example, taking management but your room is messy. Taking management but your hair is never combed. No schedule for showering. It's useless. Whatever you take is truly useless. Even if you want to take theology school, you never read the Bible and never desire to serve, feeling that serving is a waste of time. Why take theology? The bottle should match the wine you want to drink. Don't let it be different. Even the temperature difference. For example, if you have a wine bottle and fill it with syrup, it's not suitable. Syrup is good with the street bottles, you know, the ones with used mineral bottles that are washed. No, I don't know about vodka. I'm not offering for you to drink such things, especially hard liquor. Don't cloud our minds to make decisions. If you become a heavy drinker, don't be a regular drinker either. For example, if it's vodka, and then you fill it with plain water, but then you see plain water there, but it's vodka inside. It's very chaotic. Humans, if you really want to take something, management, you believe in God's multiplication. You must believe in God's multiplication first. Faith. Your faith must be strong. Then make sure the bottle and the wine are not too different. If you take management, manage your life first. But I think in the future, people in finance will need management. People who need to learn, learn marketing. But don't be shy about marketing. But if people come and just look at their phones all the time, marketing is learned from childhood. Put everything. Uncles and aunts, if possible, that day, you sell your shoes to your uncles and aunts. Eat at a restaurant. Maybe if necessary, they buy your tissues. You already have the taste, the drive to sell something. Take those who are shy. Don't know. Follow your friends. You are never interested in people. Look at people's faces and eyes. Think. Keep looking down. What are you looking at? Wrong major, maybe. But I think in the future, there must be good managers. When I say managers, it doesn't necessarily mean company managers. There must be people who can manage their gifts and develop them. I think this is appropriate. It doesn't mean less creative, but don't just follow. I think in my time, when I was still in school, it needs to be repeated. People say, "I want to take management," but let's be serious that what you manage will grow in your hands like five loaves and two fish. Amen. Brothers and sisters, the church also has management. It must be good, accurate, know its functions, its steps. Three: a valuable lesson to pay attention to the quality of treating others. Always value every worker when blessings are abundant. You must note this well. Don't always think about making deals. After-sales service, even if there's no profit, Christians must serve from the heart. Value every worker, your supplier, value your partners. Give the calculation without being asked. Don't wait to be billed. Return it. Value them. Value people. Don't just want to get profit. But if you want to be an inspiration, be an inspiration. Be an inspiration to awaken loyalty in others. Know that people don't always have to bless our lives, but if we can build loyalty, blessings will continue to come from the same channel. Here, we value every worker when blessings are abundant. Don't forget those who have contributed to your life. And after you succeed, don't change. Don't suddenly be like... Don't forget that your success is not for yourself. God has blessings for those who feel responsible for others, more open, more, greater than their desire to be rich. I hope this congregation is a model congregation in their workplaces this year. Whatever the economic experts say, the economy is sluggish or whatever, I don't care. I believe your blessing. Your blessing comes when you remember that there is an upward. Hallelujah. Give applause for God. Let us all rise. Thank you, Jesus. Sing what song. I come, O Father, in longing to behold Your beauty. I give everything, everything I have. I want to please Your heart. Oh Lord, make me, make me beautiful in Your sight, glorious according to Your work in my life. Teach me to hope only in You, to obey and be faithful to You, Lord. I come, O Father, Hallelujah. I come, O Father, in longing to behold Your beauty. I give everything, everything I have. I want to please Your heart. Oh Lord, make me beautiful in Your sight, glorious according to Your work in my life. Teach me to hope only in You, to obey and be faithful to You. Let us make a commitment. Lord, make me beautiful in our work world. Make me beautiful in Your sight, glorious according to Your work in my life. And teach me to hope only in You, to obey and be faithful to You, Lord. To obey and be faithful. To obey and be faithful. To obey and be faithful. To obey and be faithful. Let us surrender our respective jobs to God. Let us fellowship in prayer with the power of the Holy Spirit. Oh Father, let us intentionally approach God's throne. Bring our work into God's will. Seek guidance from the Holy Spirit. Ask for a new anointing that will accompany us. Give our hearts burdens for God's kingdom. Give our hearts burdens for our neighbors, burdens for our families, burdens for our work, burdens for our colleagues. Pray that our hearts be filled with God. Hallelujah. Because the greatest blessing, the highest blessing is our relationship with God. From there, the vine and its branches will bear fruit. Hallelujah. Don't chase blessings that are money. Don't chase blessings that are material or possessions. Chase a right relationship with God. Chase a renewed mind. Chase a fiery, burning spirit. A relationship full of faith and hope. Fill your heart with Jesus' love. Fill your soul with Jesus' love. Fill your heart and mind with truth. I pray for their work. I pray for their victory this year. A year of international blessing. A year of victory. Anoint, Lord Jesus, Your people in the world of work. Whatever their profession: civil servants, private sector, entrepreneurs, employees, professionals. I pray for housewives, young children, students, learners in schools, from elementary school children. I pray that in this church, there will be a revival from within their hearts. Revival from within their souls. We surrender all the challenges ahead. We surrender all financial struggles. I believe blessings will not fall far from the tree. Blessings will descend upon the heads of the righteous. Yes, Lord, thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Make me beautiful. Make me beautiful in Your sight, glorious according to Your work in my life. And teach me to hope only in You, to obey and be faithful to You. Teach me to hope only in You, to obey and be faithful to You, Lord. Teach me to hope in You. Teach me to hope only in You, to obey and be faithful to You, Lord. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Say to your right, finally, God will surely accompany your work. Hallelujah. All day long I enjoy the help from God. I feel Your abundant blessings, Oh Lord. All the paths You show lead to life. I feel God's love, restoring my soul. I am grateful because the Holy Spirit guides my life. I love You, Jesus, Lord. I love You, Jesus, Lord. Truly, You are everything to me. All day long I enjoy the help from God. I feel Your abundant blessings, Oh Lord. All the paths You show lead to life. I feel God's love, restoring my soul. Let us raise our hands in gratitude. I am grateful because the Holy Spirit guides my life. I love You, Jesus, Lord. I love You, Jesus, Lord. Truly, You are everything to me. I am grateful. I am grateful. Sing together. I am grateful because the Holy Spirit guides my life. I love You, Jesus, Lord. I love You, Jesus, Lord. Truly, You are everything to me. I am grateful. Hallelujah. I am grateful because the Holy Spirit guides my life. I love You, Jesus, Lord. I love You, Jesus, Lord. Truly, You are everything to me. Truly, You are everything. Truly, You are everything to me. Truly, You are everything. Truly, You are everything to me. Give glory only to God.