John 6:1-13
A man wrote to General Motors about a problem with his car:
This is the second time I have written you, and I don't blame you for not answering me,
because what I have to say sounds kind of crazy.
But we have a tradition in our family of ice cream for desert after dinner each night.
But the kind of ice cream varies.
So every night, after we've eaten, the whole family votes on which kind of ice cream we should have
and I drive down to the store to get it.
I recently purchased a new Pontiac, and since then, my trips to the store have created a problem.
You see, every time I buy vanilla ice cream, and leave the store -- my car won't start.
If I get any other kind of ice cream, the car starts fine.
I want you to know I'm serious about this question, no matter how silly it sounds:
"What is there about a Pontiac that makes it not start when I get vanilla ice cream,
and easy to start whenever I get any other kind?"
The Pontiac president was understandably skeptical about the letter, but sent an engineer
to check it out anyway.
The engineer was surprised to be greeted by a successful, obviously well-educated man
in a fine neighborhood.
He had arranged to meet the man just after dinner time, so the two hopped into the car
and drove to the ice cream store.
It was vanilla ice cream that night and sure enough after they came back to the car it wouldn't start.
The engineer returned for three more nights.
The first night the man got chocolate.
The car started.
The second night he got strawberry.
The car started.
The third night he ordered vanilla.
Again the car failed to start.
Now the engineer refused to believe that this man's car was allergic to vanilla ice cream.
He was going to stay until he could solve the problem.
He took notes.
He listed the time of day, type of gas used, time to drive back and forth, etc.
In a short time he realized that the man took more time to buy any other flavor than vanilla. Why?
The answer was in the layout of the store.
Vanilla, being the most popular flavor, was in a separate case at the front of the store for quick pickup.
All the other flavors were kept in the back of the store at a different counter
where it took considerably longer to find the flavor and get checked out.
Now the engineer knew how to solve the problem why the car wouldn't start when it took less time.
Time became the problem--not the vanilla ice cream.
The problem was vapor lock.
The extra time taken to get the other flavors allowed the engine to cool down sufficiently to start.
When the man got vanilla the engine was still too hot for the vapor lock to dissipate.
I had a car like that some years ago, and it was a frustrating problem.
There are probably some in this service struggling with a serious problem.
Maybe it is a financial problem, a family problem, a health problem, an emotional problem,
or something else.
If you have a problem you're dealing with in your life this morning or if you have had one
in the past, I hope that this sermon will help you in problem solving.
I know One who can solve all our problems.
John 6:1-13
This miracle is the only one that is recorded in each of the four gospels.
So it is considered extremely significant by all four of the gospel writers.
It gives insight into the problems of life and how the Jesus deals with them.
Crowds followed Jesus everywhere He went.
They followed Jesus in hopes of seeing or benefitting from a miracle.
Luke 9:10-14 tells us that it was late and they were in a remote area.
He knew that they were hungry and needed to eat.
There were five thousand men not even counting women and children.
Anyone would agree that feeding that crowd was impossible.
In a response to Jesus' intention to feed the multitude Phillip thought the task was an impossibility.
Jesus would solve that impossible problem!
The disciples faced a huge problem.
Jesus already knew what He would do, but he presented the problem to them to see
what they would do.
He was about show them something that they would never forget.
Jesus wanted his disciples to learn to depend upon Him.
He wanted them to remember that He could solve all of life's impossible problems.
Jesus solved the problem miraculously.
He will do the same with our problems.
Our problems should cause us to depend more upon Jesus Christ.
Herbert Jackson, a new missionary, was assigned a car that would not start without a push.
After pondering his problem, he devised a plan.
He went to the school near his home, and received permission to take some children out of class,
and they helped him push his car.
He would always park on a hill or leave the engine running.
He used this ingenious procedure for two years.
Ill health forced the Jackson family to leave, and a new missionary came to that station.
When Jackson proudly began to explain his arrangement for getting the car started,
the new man began looking under the hood.
Before the explanation was complete, the new missionary interrupted, "Why, Dr. Jackson,
I believe the only trouble is this loose cable."
He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the car, pushed the switch, and to Jackson's astonishment,
the engine roared to life.
For two years, needless trouble had become routine.
The power was there all the time.
Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting that power to work.
J.B. Phillips paraphrases Ephesians l:19-20, "How tremendous is the power available to us
who believe in God."
When we maintain a vital connection with God, His life and power flow through us.
Are you depending upon Jesus?
Are you abiding in Jesus?
What is your relationship with Jesus Christ.
Are you abiding in Christ?