Amen, little is much when God is in it. I tell you all, he needs just a little bit. All he needs is all of you. You say, well, I'm not much. Good, good, you're just what Jesus needs. That's all he needs, just a little bit. And I'm glad that God will use anybody. If you'd like to find your place in John chapter six, it's Father's Day, happy Father's Day, remember, In order, you don't have to be a father to celebrate Father's Day, because we all come from a father. We have a father, we have a mother, and God wants us to honor them. So how do you honor your parents? You honor your parents by living for God. If you obey God, then you honor your parents, even if they don't appreciate it. Maybe they're lost. Maybe they're not saved. Maybe they don't even go to church. They don't care about God. You honor the Lord. You honor your parents. You're obeying God and God will bless you. And they'll see a difference in your life as well. I'd like to preach on the subject of how to be a proud parent. I think we'd all say we'd like to be proud of our children. And as a child, you wanted your parents to be proud of you. And for many children, they don't really set out to displease their parents, but it does happen. And there's times where our children, you know, you'll have these moments where you're really proud of them for some accomplishment or something they did. And there's times you'll be mildly disappointed. and they'll disappoint you, just like we disappoint our Lord and Savior. You know, I want God to be proud of us too, right? We ought to desire that as his children. And the only way for him to be proud of us is that we do right, that we fear him and keep his commandments. You know, the Bible says in Proverbs 29, 15, but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. Not shame on the child, but on his mama. When you leave a child to himself, you leave a child to just fend for their self. You leave a child, well, I'm just not gonna invest in them that much. I'm too busy. I got so many things to do. I got my career. I got all these things that I'm doing. I gotta pay the bills and all that. But the Bible says, and I mean, God doesn't lie. His word doesn't lie. It says a child left to himself. bringeth his mother to shame." It will come back to shame you if you don't invest in your children. Last week we looked at Proverbs chapter 7 and we saw there some young people, the Bible refers to them as simple ones, among the youth there that were void of understanding. Somebody left them to themselves. Somebody did not invest in them and they were void of understanding and we saw their end. But today I'd like for us to look at this story in John chapter 6. In verse 1 it says, After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias, and a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes and saw a great company coming unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat? And this he said to prove him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred penny worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brothers, saith unto him, There is a lad here which hath five barley loaves and two small fishes, but what are they amongst so many? In this story, there's at least one and most likely two people that are in this story, but they're not mentioned. Here we find a lad, but there's no mention of his mom and dad, but we understand that without mom and dad, that little lad would not have been there. A few years ago I preached out of 2 Kings chapter 5 and I think it was maybe a Father's Day or a Mother's Day message on the story of Naaman the leper. The Bible says that he was great with his master. He was honorable. He was a captain. of the host of the king of Syria. He had a name in Syria, he had fame, he had fortune, but none of those things matter because the Bible said that he was a leper. And God allowed a little maid to be taken into captivity who would tell Naaman's wife that there was hope for Naaman with the prophet in Samaria, and she was referring to the prophet Elisha. And God gives us a story of a little girl with no mention of her parents, but yet her parents' investment in her life was seen throughout that story. In verse 3 of 2 Kings 5 it says, Would God my Lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria, for he would recover him of his leprosy. Oh, Naaman may have had a name in Syria. He may have had a reputation in Syria. He may have been honorable in Syria. He may have even been the captain of the host of the king of Syria. He may have even been great with his master, but he was associated with the wrong person in the wrong place when it came to who could help him with his problem. Oh, this little maid told Naaman's wife, the only hope that Naaman has, if he's in the right place with the right person, her mom and dad, and obviously put a lot into her. This little girl knew the Lord. She knew the power of the Lord, and she wasn't afraid to speak up for God. You see, her faith had not changed just because she was taken captive. Matter of fact, I think her faith got stronger there, and we see the boldness of her faith. I love that mom and daddy that's not mentioned in that story. That mom and daddy who was probably killed. Because I don't know any daddy that would have just let somebody take his daughter without at least trying to stop them. Oh, but you know, this mom and dad, they wasted no time. I mean, the valuable time that they had with their daughter. Oh, I'm telling you, they put stuff in her. They invested in her. And they taught her many things. As I begin to think about that story and think about that mom and daddy, may have been that crowd that was hanging around on Mount Carmel with Elijah. and just kind of teeter-tottering between, you know, is it Baal or is it the Lord? Maybe they were at some point in their life, they were halt. You know, how long halty between two opinions. Maybe they hadn't made up their mind back on Mount Carmel. Oh, but I tell you, when the fire of God fell, they may have been the ones that hollered, the Lord, he is God. The Lord, he is God. And I'm telling you what, From that point on, they started raising their children in the nurture and the admonition of the Lord and making a difference in their lives. But now that Elijah has passed on, oh, they didn't quit. They just stayed with Elisha. They continued in the faith, and they made sure that their daughter had a firsthand knowledge of who Elisha was. Elisha represented the power and the presence of God. there in Samaria. The important thing about that little story is that these parents made the much of the little amount of time they had with their daughter. Oh, we've got such a limited time to invest in our children and to teach them about the Lord and how to love the Lord and to live for God. You know, this little girl compared to Naaman, she wasn't known by the king of Syria. She didn't have fame or fortune. But right here's what she knew. She knew Elisha. She knew the God of Elisha. Hey, let me ask you this. Does your children and your grandchildren, do they know the Lord? Do they know God's men? Could I start naming off preacher after preacher and your child be able to tell me something about them? I'm not talking about those that ain't preaching the truth either. And there's plenty of those on the internet. You better be careful allowing your children to listen to folks that ain't preaching it right, preaching it straight. You better be careful. You say, well, I know the difference, preacher. You know, about 90 percent, they're always right, but you better be careful because your child don't know the difference. And you may just be exposing them to untruth. We only have a few moments with our children. where we can influence them for what's right. You think about that mom and dad of that little girl, and I'm gonna get back to John. I'm comparing these two children is what I'm doing, this little boy and this little girl. They both were influenced by mom and dad. This mom and dad were raising their child for the Lord, but on that day, you think about this, they had no idea. I'm talking about the day that she was taken captive. They had no idea of how the investments of her and their daughter would one day make the eternal pages of Scripture. That's why the Bible tells us in Proverbs chapter 22 and verse 6, train up a child in the way he should go, and when he's old, he will not depart from it. Hey, we've got such a limited time to invest in our children. Our life is but a vapor. The Bible says in Proverbs 27, one, boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Here in our passage, we find ourselves 850 to 800 years later than when that story of that little girl took place over in Syria. But 850, 800 years later, there's a similar story that's developing. There's a mom and dad, again, who are not mentioned. But what they did to train up their child is about to pay off. for all eternity. When this little mom and dad packed this little boy's meal that day, they had no idea that he too would make the eternal pages of Holy Scriptures. I mean, you think about it. Think about that. They had no idea. Think about that little maid. That little maid, she knew Elisha, who represented the presence and the power of the Lord, and she didn't hesitate to share what she had been invested, what had been invested in her, that could make all the difference for Naaman and his family. Well, think about this. This little lad did not hesitate to provide what he had been given that could make all the difference for 5,000 men, not counting men, women, and children. What made the difference in both these cases was the investment that a mom and dad made in their child. Can I ask you, what are you investing in your children? Is it anything that God could use? Is it anything that would make a difference in the lives of many? Or at least in one? Is it anything that would bring honor and glory to the Lord? Is it something that God could bless? I wonder, is it anything that God would take note of and record it in heaven as a reward for us and for our children? Oh, with the help of the Lord, I'd like to preach on the subject. on how to be a proud parent. Third John verse four says, I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. John was a proud parent there referring to the church there that he was writing to and the fact they were fearing God and keeping his commandments and living and doing right. Number one, If you're gonna be a proud parent in the eyes of the Lord, number one, these unnamed parents, I'm talking about this little lad, purposed for their child to be near Jesus. This little lad was not there on that mountain by accident. Someone purposed for him to be there that day. Someone had to wake him up that morning. Somebody had to pack his food. and they made sure that he had everything that he needed, not only to get to where Jesus was and be where Jesus was, but they planned for him to stay a little while. You understand, they had to displace themselves to get to where Jesus was. These parents purposed for their child to stay as long as Jesus was there. or how many Christian parents will bring their children to church, where Jesus said that he'd meet with his people, but they've already purposed that they will limit how much exposure their child is going to get. These parents here, they packed him a meal so that he could stay where Jesus was. He didn't have to worry about where his meal was coming from. All he had to do was just get to where Jesus was. They had no plan to limit their child's exposure to Jesus and his words. Boy, how many Christians today, they limit their child's exposure to Jesus. Hey, can I just remind you we have church three times a week. We got it on Sunday morning, Sunday afternoon, Wednesday. Every time we have special meeting, special revival. We got vacation Bible school all this week where the doors are open. But yet, yet parents will limit their child's exposure. I mean, they purpose to do that. Jesus wants to meet with his children every time the doors are open. Every service, his word is open and the Holy Spirit wants to do a work in everyone's heart. But how many times has he come to any given service looking for a mom, a dad, a grandparent, an individual, a child, but they failed to make the appointment? Someone didn't purpose to be there. Jesus is there. The Holy Spirit's here. Worship takes place. The Word of God is preached, but where are his children? You see, this family purposed for their child to stay close to Jesus. They planned for him to be able to get in on everything that Jesus was doing. Can I remind you, they were on a mountain. They were in a desert place. Had these parents put anything else before getting themselves and their child to Jesus, this story would not be here. I wonder how many stories are gonna be left out of the records of heaven because Christian parents failed to purpose to get their children all the access they could to Jesus. This little lad would have never had the opportunity to be used of Jesus had he been home or had he went home early. Now look, we look at this story and it's obviously mealtime. It obviously, you know, we're getting close to midday or something. I mean, boy, I tell you what, Jesus was hungry. He mentioned food, like every Baptist preacher right around 12 o'clock on a Sunday morning. I mean, it had obviously already been a long day, but this unnamed couple purposed to keep their child close to Jesus and for him to hear his words. He had to be close, you understand, in order to hear what Jesus said to Philip. Hey, let's feed them. It's time to eat. He had to be close enough to hear that. He had to be close enough to be able to approach Andrew and tell him, hey, look, this is what I have. Hey, this is what I brought. Oh, he had to be so close. I think about two weeks ago when a grandfather on vacation brought his grandson to church, and his grandson doesn't have opportunity to go to church much, but while they were on vacation, he made sure, he purposed, and he planned to bring his grandson to church. And there his grandson called on the Lord and asked God to save him. That would have never happened unless somebody purposed and planned for that child to be there. These parents' purpose for their child to get close to Jesus and for him to get in on all that Jesus was doing. Oh my, could you imagine that little walk home that night? Could you imagine what they had to talk about? I doubt very seriously they complained about anything. Oh, they had so much to talk about. Can you just see dad and mom walking and mom and dad holding hands there and maybe the little lad holding mama's hand or maybe daddy had his arm around the little boy's shoulder? Can you just hear that little boy? He said, I can't believe it. Jesus called for me. All them people being healed and all them people being taught, but Jesus called for me. Oh, hey, hey, Jesus wanted my lunch. He wanted to use me. Oh, Jesus blessed what I made available to him. And look, he gave me more than what I brought today. He said, it's the best meal I ever had. Oh, can you just imagine that couple going home? Number two, not only did they purpose and plan for their son to be where Jesus was so that Jesus could use him. Number two, these unnamed parents provided their son with something that Jesus could use. I wonder, what have we provided our children so they could use for Jesus? Well, the parents of this little maid that we talked about back in 2 Kings chapter 5, they invested their time in that little girl. They exposed her to the truth of God's word. They exposed her to the power and presence of God. They exposed her to Elisha. Elisha representing the very presence and power of God. And only in eternity, think about this, only in eternity would that mom and dad learn of what their little girl did. Oh, what they gave that little girl. change Naaman's family forever. Well, here in John 6, what these unnamed parents provided their little lad would forever be recorded in the eternal word of God. And it made a difference for 5,000 men plus women and children. Oh my, all because somebody got up early that morning and purpose for that little boy to get to Jesus. And they planned for him to be there, and they made a way for him to get there, and they provided him with something that Jesus could use. You know, I want you to think about that little boy didn't pay for it. He most likely didn't fix his own lunch or pack it, but there was a set of parents who were glad that they invested and their little boy, and their resources were used for Jesus. What do you think brought that little family more pride and eternal satisfaction? The fact that their boy was there, because there was a bunch of other children there, or the fact that he was used of the Lord? I hear people, well, at least they in church, well, at least they, yeah, but are they being used of the Lord? Have they made themselves available to the Lord? Because I promise you, you'll have more to talk about. You'll have more to be proud of if your children are being used of the Lord and not just showing up at church and not doing anything, not being involved in what God is doing. Because I'm telling you, there were others there, but there was only one little lad whose parents purposed for him to be there. They planned for him to stay and to get all of what Jesus was doing. They did not limit his exposure to the Lord. They provided for him so that he could give of himself and what he had to Jesus. I'm not just preaching to parents today. God wants all of us to purpose to be close to him and be near him. He wants to use all of us. But here's the problem. We're not all available. we choose what access we give to Jesus. These proud parents went home with the satisfaction that they were in Jesus's presence and they saw his power and they provided Jesus something to use. They never got over what Jesus did that day. Now others went home just like they did and they may have even talked about what they saw and what Jesus did and how great the food was. But I truly believe that this little family went home with a different tune. I believe they started singing, all to Jesus I surrender. All to him. You think that nobody else really could sing that. They're the only ones that could go home singing all to Jesus. I surrender all to him I freely give. I will ever love and trust him in his presence daily live. I surrender all, I surrender all, all to thee my blessed savior. I surrender all. Boy, I think when they'd get done singing that one, I believe they could break out in the singing in the harvest field now ripen. There's a work for all to do. Heart, the master's voice is calling to the harvest, calling you. Little is much when God is in it. Labor not for wealth or fame. There's a crown and you can win it if you'll go in Jesus' name. Can I ask you, do you want to be a proud parent in the eyes of the Lord? You want to be able to say, man, look at my boy here serving God, living for God. Well, that's going to take some providing on your part. That's going to take some purposing on your part if you want to see that happen. Boy, think about how proud Zacharias and Elizabeth were of John the Baptist. Oh my, looking back, you think God had been silent for 400 years and then God shows up there in the temple to Zacharias, and he says, you're gonna have a boy. And oh my, could you see them, could you see them there? Could you see them on the sidelines saying, when John said, behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Oh my, you talking about being proud. I'm sure they were proud. I'm gonna tell you, are you investing in your children? Are you purposing? to get them to Jesus and to get them all the exposure they can get. Because as a parent, we can limit our child's exposure. We can limit the Holy One of Israel to being able to use our children in a greater way. And we're doing harm to the work of God. Oh, may the Lord help us. Let's do all we can to get our children to Jesus. Let's do all we can to get our children to be used of the Lord.