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A Thanksgiving Miracle

Bishop Terry L. Hill, Jr.Sunday, November 23, 20251130am
📖 Matthew 14:13-21
We gathered around Matthew 14:13-21 to see how Jesus meets real needs with compassion and supernatural provision. Even when we have much to thank God for, we can still carry situations that require a miracle—and this passage shows that Jesus does not send us away empty when a need arises. From the feeding of the 5,000, we were called to initiate a “thanksgiving miracle” by following Jesus’ pattern: acknowledge God by looking up, appreciate what we already have by giving thanks even when it fee…
Key Points
1.
Jesus’ compassion means he doesn’t send us away when needs arise; he is able to provide what we lack.
2.
Miracles begin when we acknowledge God by lifting our focus above the problem and insufficiency.
3.
Thanksgiving includes appreciating what we already have—giving thanks before the miracle arrives.
4.
Provision multiplies through release: the miracle is activated by giving and distribution, often piece by piece.
📖 Matthew 14:13-21
[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. [14] And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. [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. [16] But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. [17] And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. [18] He said, Bring them hither to me. [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. [20] And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. [21] And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
Sermon Summary

We gathered around Matthew 14:13-21 to see how Jesus meets real needs with compassion and supernatural provision. Even when we have much to thank God for, we can still carry situations that require a miracle—and this passage shows that Jesus does not send us away empty when a need arises.

From the feeding of the 5,000, we were called to initiate a “thanksgiving miracle” by following Jesus’ pattern: acknowledge God by looking up, appreciate what we already have by giving thanks even when it feels insufficient, and activate the miracle through giving. True thanksgiving isn’t only words or a seasonal celebration; it becomes a lived practice as we offer gratitude and then release what’s in our hands—time, mercy, forgiveness, generosity—trusting God to multiply it piece by piece for our lives and for others.

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