Eat, Drink, And Enjoy Eternity

EAT, DRINK, AND ENJOY ETERNITY (Outline)

August 10, 2008 --

PENTECOST 13 --

John 6:51-58

INTRO: Over and over and over again during his earthly ministry Jesus emphasized that man’s life does not consist in the abundance of things. The fact is Jesus often pointed out the very opposite. Jesus wanted believers to come to know, to understand, and finally wholeheartedly believe that their real treasure was in heaven. In heaven thieves cannot break in and steal, nor can moth destroy, nor does rust corrupt the believers’ treasure. It was often difficult for Jesus to focus the attention of people toward that which was truly valuable. It can be hard to put complete confidence in those things that one cannot see, feel, and/or touch. Isaiah expresses the Lord’s free invitation to enjoy eternity without cost. "Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare"(ISAIAH 55:2). Thus we have gathered together today to listen, to eat, and to delight in the richest of fare.

Our theme: EAT, DRINK, AND ENJOY ETERNITY.

I. Christ is our food and drink.

II. Christ is our eternal salvation.

I. CHRIST IS OUR FOOD AND DRINK

A. John chapter 6 opens with Jesus’ feeding the 5,000. People followed Jesus because of this miracle.

1. Now Jesus had to clearly, simply explain to the people he was more than a bread-King.

2. Verse 51a,c. Bread from heaven? His flesh for the life of the world? How could this be?

3. Verse 52. There was discussion and disagreement to what Jesus was really, truly saying.

B. Jesus preaches further, verse 55. Yes, they heard right. His flesh and blood = real food and drink.

1. Verse 56. Christ would live in those who would partake of Jesus. Verse 57a + the Father.

2. Certainly there were still questions. John chapter 1 = the Word became flesh and lived.

3. This is the real food every believer needs. This is the real drink every believer drinks.

C. Jesus wanted the people to focus on the spiritual not only the earthly. Jesus is God’s living Word!

D. The powerful word of God still changes the hearts of mankind today. Nothing more or nothing less. It makes no difference concerning the many words of preachers today. Our ideas to add to the power of God’s word do not matter. At times we become distracted. We are tempted to think we can make God’s word more powerful or more attractive to outsiders. God’s word alone is the most powerful weapon that you and I have to defeat every enemy that opposes God’s will. "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty"(JEREMIAH 15:16). Eat and drink and enjoy the saving power of God. God’s word is our food and drink, our joy and delight.

E. We seldom miss a meal for our daily living. Our physical well-being is something each one of us thinks about every day. Our spiritual nourishment is what we always need to remember. It is not always that easy. At times we skip our eating and drinking from the bread and water of life that is God’s word. Sin is alive and well and often distracts us. "The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord"(ROMANS 5:20,21). God’s undeserved love is his gift to us to overcome sin. Eat and drink this food that is Christ.

F. These verses remind us of the sacrament of Holy Communion. (They are not a direct reference because Jesus has not yet instituted the Lord’s Supper.) Communion reveals a union with. There is a union of Christ’s very body and blood with the earthly elements. There is a union of believers with their Savior. There is a union of the believers bound by faith with other believers who believe the exact same things. This was not a new union. Christ is the real food and drink for believers of all times. Paul speaks of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness. "They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ"(1 CORINTHIANS 10:3,4). We are modern-day Israelites wandering today. Eat and drink of the rock, Christ.

EAT, DRINK, AND ENJOY ETERNITY.

I. Christ is our food and drink.

II. CHRIST IS OUR ETERNAL SALVATION

A. Jesus wanted the people to focus on the spiritual – that living bread from heaven, verse 51.