The Importance of Spiritual food
John 6:25-35
Introduction
- The gospel of John screams of the faith that we should have in Christ
-- It is the clearest example of living life FOR the one who redeemed you and I
- Let’s dive right in tonight and examine the importance of spiritual food
- Read John 6:25-33 / Pray
∆ Point 1 – Looking for Jesus
- What it interesting to see is the way that these people have come to Jesus (v25)
-- They were not seeking Jesus because of who He is, yet they call him Rabbi
-- Their question is: “when did you get here” – like it’s a casual occurrence
- But Jesus, is far ahead of this play and cuts through the veil of their thought
-- Re: He did the same with Nicodemus when asked about eternal life (rebirth)
-- Jesus always answers the question they aren’t audibly asking (heart question)
- What they are searching for is the material goods of the world (v26)
-- No different than what we see today – everyone wants the next new thing
-- Even these people have admittedly followed because they want the next item
- So Jesus gets right to the heart of that matter (v27)
-- His instruction is that they should not seek after the temporary things
- APP: Using the term “food that spoils” invokes for us that temporary feeling
-- Are we searching for things that will eventually pass away?
-- Consider: Everything you own will be sold and eventually in a landfill
- These men are following Jesus for what material things He could give
-- They were not following Him because of the eternal life that He brings
-- APP: Why? See this more later: But He brings change to methods/habits
-- Since we (and they) like their sin and stuff, change is not welcomed
- Jesus confirms for them that what He is doing has been sealed by God
-- But more than sealed, it has been approved and ordained by God
-- This instruction brings them face to face with a choice about who Jesus is
- IMP: Today, many attempt to substitute spiritual things for physical things
-- EX: They try to impose their will to create a church that suits their needs
-- What John does is point us to the cross and the One who died on there
-- (v27b) “… on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval”
- Now, let’s ensure we are on the same page here with this conversation
-- It is not that they’ve come to Jesus because they are hungry or have a need
-- What they wanted Jesus for was to fill their own agendas/plans for tomorrow
- It’s like the perversion of Phil 4:13 into thinking it every wish is totally possible
-- APP: But in context, Paul’s instruction gives us so much more to consider
-- Phil 4:10-13: “10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
- TRANS: Jesus addresses their intention, and then the importance of salvation
∆ Point 2 – Believing in Jesus
- The crowd asks a definite spiritual question, which requires some explanation
-- If you notice, they wanted to know what to do to gain God’s favor (acceptance)
-- EX: Is there a checklist of things we should do so God will like us? (v28)
- Much like today, we see this very same thing played out over and over
• “How many times do I have to go to church?”
• “How much money should I give so that God will approve?”
• “When does God’s grace end and what’s the line I cannot cross?”
- Jesus gives them the only thing they need to know (v29)
-- All you have to do is this: believe on the One that God has sent
-- Consider the challenge this is to their structure and known way of worship
-- Do this, and this, and this, and this, and this … but now, it’s only this
- You would almost think that this would be a welcome change
-- APP: It is a departure from the religious rules … but as we know they deny it
-- While some may receive, most will turn away for their own preferences
- The only spiritual work that is required is: to believe in Christ, and,
-- Allow the Holy Spirit to work within you to be God’s servant in this life
- However, to them, this is foreign and almost assuredly not welcomed in
-- Consider: All the rules they have to follow simplified … and they deny it
- APP: It’s a great indication of how we get stuck on tradition for grace
∆ Change Slide: Church Traditions
Church traditions (from Thom Rainer):
1. Worship and music style.
2. Order of worship service.
3. Times of worship service(s).
4. Role of the pastor. The pastor is to be omnipresent and omniscient. Many church members have clear expectations of what “their” pastor should do.
5. Committee structure. Many congregations continue committee structures long after their usefulness has waned.
6. Specific ministries and programs. The healthy church constantly evaluates the effectiveness of its ministries and programs. That’s good stewardship. Other churches continue their ministries and programs because that’s the way they’ve always done it.
7. Location of church facility.
8. Use of specific rooms.
9. Business meetings. Traditions include the frequency of business meetings, the scope of authority of business meetings, and the items covered in business meetings.
10. Staff ministry descriptions.
- TRANS: Still, their question back to Jesus is: What sign will you give us? (v30)
-- What Jesus asks them to do is, without a doubt, what we’ve been asked as well
-- He asks them to have: FAITH!
∆ Point 3 – Bread of Life comes from God
- Most assuredly, seeing is believing and vice versa … but …
-- Can’t we believe without seeing and know what the truth really is?
- Re: These same people ate the bread that Jesus provided for them
-- Yet, they use a bible verse to quote an event to prove their own point
-- Interestingly enough, they quote a Bible verse to Jesus to pressure … Him
- Let’s just pause at the silliness of that statement for a moment …
-- Hey God, this happened before, so what about us? What about now?
- APP: What Jesus does is what more people need done today as well
-- When we study the Bible, when we know what it says, we know the truth
-- We are then able to break down silly doctrines and speak life into others
- Jesus’s response to them is two-fold (v32-33)
- First: Moses didn’t give them anything … the manna came from God
-- They conveniently forgot that it was God who sent them from captivity
-- Moses was used by God to mobilize them, but God did the work
-- Re: Parting of the Red Sea (for example) … Moses didn’t do that
-- APP: People love Moses; but their faith was in Him (not in God)
- Second: Physical bread is not the issue (it’s not the needed item)
-- They are focused on the flat bread (our equivalent of a bagel)
-- Their focus is on the immediate need (I’m hungry, feed me)
-- However, they totally miss what Jesus has come to bring them
- The word of God is the bread that comes down from Heaven
-- The truth, the principles, the guidance, the authority is what they (we) need
- Read John 6:34-35
∆ Big Idea
- Jesus says, “I am the bread of the life” … I am what you are needing!
-- Manna will perish, things we desire will perish, but God is eternal/forever
-- This bread must be taken in spiritually; it must be desired by us (from God)
- The challenge for us is: Do we know how to give other people what is needed?
-- People need Jesus; they need what He offers … will we share it freely?
- Pray
