One of the exercises that a good Bible student can do, is to take the different accounts in the 4 gospels and combine them into a single reading. This practice will allow a better understanding of the account rather than flipping back and forth. Below is an example:

Matthew 14:13 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.

Luke 9:12 And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.

Mark 6:34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

Matthew 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

Matthew 14:15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.

Matthew 14:16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.

John 6:7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

John 6:8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,

John 6:9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

John 6:6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.

Matthew 14:18 He said, Bring them hither to me.

Mark 6:39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.

Mark 6:40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.

Matthew 14:19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

Matthew 14:20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

John 6:12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

John 6:13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

Matthew 14:21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

John 6:14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

Lessons from these passages:

We should have compassion

Matthew 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

Can I say that having love, having compassion is noble but matter not at all without action. Not that the compassion “moved” Jesus to action. By comparison is Jude where we have compassion… but the action is the “making a difference”. Even in John 3:16 … For God so loved the world that he “gave”… again love in action.

Jesus noted an opportunity to teach the disciples something

1. Ministry takes money and resources
2. Part of this is the faith needed that the money and/or resources will be provided

John 6:6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.

The disciples had with them funds to support themselves on their long journeys. However, they didn’t have enough to fulfill the need before them. Even if they had enough money, they didn’t have the time to go to town, get the resources and come back… In all that was taking place, Jesus worked the circumstances to place the disciples in a position where they couldn’t do it on their own.

(Just because you get taught a lesson, doesn’t mean you learned from it: After the next major event Jesus noted after the storm: Mark 6:52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.)

Little is much

In John’s account we find Andrew noticed a Lad that had a lunch. Now whether he got what Jesus was doing… or was making fun of the situation, Jesus shocked them all by taking the child’s lunch and multiplied it for 5000 people, plus women and children to eat; and not just a snack but full bellies with leftovers!. Now I suspect that the first couple of baskets that they were passing out they were like: “Jesus, I’m out… nevermind…” Then again: “Jesus, I’m out… nevermind…” In my minds eye they were got to a point where they would come up to a group of people… “see my basket is empty… watch this: Jesus, I’m out… nevermind!”

It reminds me of the oil and cruse

1 Kings 17:12 And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.

14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.

15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.

16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.

Conclusion:

This account has so many underlying things to find in these verses.

1. Are you willing to take time to serve? The disciples were tired from ministering with Jesus:

Mark 6:31  And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

2. Ministry takes effort, money and resources

3. Are you willing to serve by faith? True faith where you really don’t know the outcome? Where the basket is empty and you expect it to be full?

Hebrews 9:23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

The Pattern

On the mount God gave Moses a set of instructions, laws and commandments to help establish a people unto himself. This information would help mold and guide this people to a level of understanding and insight never seen before in human history.

As part of these instructions God gave Moses some patterns to follow. These patterns carry through even today as a guide to better our understanding in the areas of salvation, fellowship, the Church and even marriage.

Exodus 25:9  According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

Pattern of the Tabernacle

The tabernacle was to be built in exacting measurements and materials. This basic level of obedience, as a foundation, was needed to be followed in order to have confidence in weightier matters…

Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

There is no mistake, when the instructions for the Tabernacle were established in Exodus 25.. it started with the Ark, then the sanctuary, then the border… building around God as the center.

 Let’s look at the basic parts:

• The walls (boundary) Exodus 25 – 27
• The Altar – Exodus 27-1
• The Laver – Exodus 30:18
• The Courtyard – Exodus 25 – 32
• The Sanctuary – Exodus 25 – 26
• Furniture (table of Shewbread, candlestick, altar of incense) Exodus 25
• The Vail, Veil Exodus 26:31
• Holy of Holies (containing the Ark of the Covenant) Exodus 25

Details, Details, Details

The pattern as the tabernacle is laid out with a specific order to follow. We see this pattern in many different areas; but first in the area of it detail. Every element of the tabernacle, down to the clothes that the priests wore, shows God’s desire for things to be done decently and in order: (1 Corinthians 14:40) This detail oriented pattern teaches us that everything has a reason, place and purpose. This should be the pattern we follow in our lives as well. Every detail can make the difference. In the work we do and the life we lead we should do all with this pattern and goal in mind.

Ecclesiastes 9:10  Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

The Pattern seen in Salvation and the Christian life

The pattern of the temple is a fantastic guide for us to see how we can have true fellowship and worship with God. In order for us to reach the Holy of Holies ,whereby we can have that perfect worship; we must go through the path that God laid out. This path is seen in the pattern of the tabernacle.

The Door

The boundary of the tabernacle only allows one way to get in:

John 10:1  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

Throughout all of human history God has always made a path to get to Him but, it was always just one way.

Matthew 7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The Altar

The first thing you come to after you enter in at the door, is the Altar. The sacrifice of Jesus is the very first and necessary step to true worship and fellowship with God.

Ephesians 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Laver

Right after the Altar is some cleansing. The laver is used to wash off the dirt of the world. In order to get to the point that you can have fellowship is to get the dirt of the world, the sins of the flesh washed off.

Ephesians 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Note: The Laver was polished brass to a mirror finish… always reflecting the Altar

Area of Fellowship (Church)

Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

This is the area where we can fellowship with others, share stories of God’s goodness and mercy. In this area of fellowship we see some parts:

Hebrews 9:2  For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.

• Candlestick – Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
• Table – 1 Corinthians 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.
• Shewbread – Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

Additionally there were other items in the Sanctuary

• Altar of incense – Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

The Veil

Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

Exodus 26:31  And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:

When Christ died the veil of the temple was rent from top to the bottom opening the access to the Father through Jesus Christ.

Holy of Holies

This is where God would come down to receive the offering. It contained the Ark which held the commandments of God and a golden censer.

Ephesians 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

The Holy place, where God met at the mercy seat, was a set apart place where only those who were clean and sanctified could enter. However, when Christ made His sacrifice that ripped the veil and gave entry.. THAT fact did not change. The world feels like it has access because the veil is not there but, looking closely at the order that God set of the tabernacle; this pattern is what we are to follow in our Christian life. To have true fellowship, to be right with God… we must go through the order HE set. To try to come any other way is the same as a thief and a robber.

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Do you love God?

John 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

1 Corinthians 8:3  But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

1 John 4:20  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

• Actions don’t just speak louder than words… they become the words spoken about you (testimony)

Can love be expressed without action? In John 3:16 we see God’s love to us… placed into action. For God so loved — that He gave. If we want to show God that we love Him… we must take His example and show Him our love… by putting it in action.

Are we serving God’s purpose?

2 Timothy 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

God can do something special when you do it together

• We are his hands, feet and voice

Acts 19:11  And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

John 6:40  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

… that every one which seeth the Son (Testimony)

One of the reasons that society is the way it is today with all the violence and corruption, lying and deception is that not many people see the Son of God.

How does someone see the Son of God today?

1 Corinthians 2:1  And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

• Testimony: Something you was part of.
• Witness: Telling what you saw.

Philemon 1:3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

Hearing of thy Love

Philemon 1:5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

In verse 5 Paul mentions that he has heard the testimony of this church that is meeting in Philemon’s home. As a church you should have a good testimony or reputation within the community abroad.

Furthermore, this carries over into verse 6.

6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

This communication was more than just hearing of their good testimony, but it was a point of communication. This communication was having an effect, and Paul saw that.

Effectual

The term effectual is both a noun and a verb. It means that something not only had an effect but also the act of having an effect.

Paul could see that when people spoke to each other about the testimony of the people that were meeting at Philemon’s house that it was having an effect on their lives. That their testimony was challenging them to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others.

If you examine the passage carefully you will note that Paul was not addressing what the this group at Philemon’s house was saying to the world (the witness)… but rather what the world was saying about the church at Philemon’s house. (their testimony!)

• People today need to see our testimony, the need to see Jesus Christ in us

An Effectual testimony, lifts up Christ

6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Note again: what was causing this effect was the testimony of this church that was causing a communication. People saw all their good works and it got them talking.

It is difficult to have an effect behind closed doors.

Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

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John 6:40  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

If we want to change the world we must first change ourselves. What does your testimony say to others?

• Do they see Christ in you?
• Do they see someone who says they go to church, but your words deny the faith?

In order to see others saved we must show Jesus to others by our testimony.

Have you accepted Christ?