INTRO: From this text we are given a chance to see what the people were expecting from Jesus. Early in chapter 6 Jesus had feed a multitude with only five loaves and two fishes, and after the multitude was filled they among themselves spoke of making Jesus there King to protect them and always fill them with those things there bodies desire. Just like when Moses prayed manna from Heaven and the people were always feed every day they were in the wilderness and all things were taking care of for them so that they had to do nothing. But from the text that I just read these that were following were doing so because they were lazy and wanted Him to do it all for them. He admonished them for hungering after the bread that fills there stomachs and not there spirit.
I. Now this causes me to ask you here tonight; WHY ARE YOU HERE?
A. From the text we see that the people only wanted those things that were worldly rather than Heavenly. The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. So again I ask WHY ARE YOU HERE?
1. Are you here because you wanted to see a show? Maybe to see the man of God and what he is going to do during this time of revival. Is he a preacher or an entertainer for you? I’m not here to entertain but just as Paul told the church of the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
2. Or are you here because you look to see what God is going to do through out the service and into the alter call. Maybe the only time you seem to be spiritual is when the fastest song is played and the preacher screams and spits on you. But in Matthew 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
3. Or maybe you’re here tonight just to make someone happy. The only reason you came is because of a spouse or relative or even to just see a friend and talk. But the word again addresses this in Galatians 1:10 ¶ For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
B. Maybe your not here for those things but…
1. You’re here because you come to be in the presents of the Lord. You want to see Him and hear from Him. In Acts 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
2. Maybe you’re here because you want to praise the Lord and magnify Him for all He has done for you. You are like what the psalmist David described in Psalms 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
3. Maybe you’re here because you want to please God. You love Him so much that it is an honor to be able to come into His house and praise Him. Seeking to do His will. In Psalms 18:2 The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower. God is your all in all He is your great IAM cause you know with God all things are possible. Just like Enoch in Hebrews 11:5 you want to have this testimony that you please God.
II. With these questions asked I must know ask, “What are you hungry for?”
A. Are hungering for the things of the world like the Jews in the text.
1. Is it the pride of life you want, the lust of the eye, lust of the flesh, what in this world are you wanting? These things are of the flesh and when Jesus would not give them those things they left Him. In Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
B. If not the world and the things in it then it must be the things of the spirit you are carving for. Galatians 5:16 [This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
1. In verse 68&69 of the text after the multitude left Jesus and he asked if they too were leaving Him. Peter spoke up and said “whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”
2. They wanted Jesus cause they knew that what he offered filled the Spirit and that they would hunger and thirst no more. What He had gold and silver could not buy.
C. These are the things they wanted and so should you…
1. They were willing to leave it all behind for Jesus. Luke 9:23 And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (24) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. (25) For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
2. The word of God is there guidance and instruction in living. Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed [are] they that hear the word of God, and keep it. For in Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
3. Prayer. It wasn’t a last effort for help for them. But a communication to there God for themselves and others. In Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. Proverbs 15:8 ¶ The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright [is] his delight. Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
4. Fasting. Through periods of fasting we draw closer to God. For some times you most sacrifice that which your body is in need of so that your spirit may be strengthened. Joel 2:12 ¶ Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye [even] to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:( Example: Daniel 9:3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:)
5. Sanctification or holiness. These two words we seem to find to be distant from the pulpit. But they are a key to you getting into Heaven as stated in Hebrews 12:14 that without holiness no man shall see the Lord.1 Thessalonians 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
6. With Sanctification and holiness must come separation. We must not entangle ourselves with the world we were called out to be a separate and holy people onto God not polluting ourselves with this world. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. In 1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.(16) For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
7. In all things we are to seek the face of God desiring His will for our lives allowing His ways to be our ways and His thoughts our thoughts. Psalms 27:8 [When thou saidst], Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
III. Now that you have been giving the menu I believe its time to EAT.
1. A. I believe when you follow the Lord, and seek Him in His word, and through periods of fasting and prayer you draw closer to God, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you and lead in Holiness, sanctification, and separation. You will go deeper into His presence. That you may be like (GIVE EXAMPLES OF MEN AND WOMEN OF THE FAITH). John 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
2. Psalms 63:1 ¶ <<A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.>> O God, thou [art] my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; Proverbs 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
3. Ezekiel 34:12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep [that are] scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.
4. Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it].
5. Matthew 5:6 Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Conclusion: Come all that desire the deep things of God that Hunger and thirst after God. I believe God will fill you up; you see in the Bible Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well that the waters He had she would thirst no more. For a while I questioned that if you would never thirst again why do so many turn away, and God showed me that He was the everlasting fountain and those that stood in that fountain with there mouth opened always were full, but to those that shut there mouths, they would walk away because they desired not to stay under His fountain but sought another would dry up. Through out this revival God has been pouring His Spirit out on you and if you desire to continue to be filled you must stay in His fountain the Revival may be over but that does not mean you stop breathing that Spiritual air you have been giving a second wind no go and do the work of the Lord.
