The Seekers

One thing is for sure, WHATEVER WE DO, WE DO FOR A REASON. Also, EVERYWHERE WE GO, WE GO FOR A REASON!

For example, have you ever seen a football stadium full of people and wondered what motivated those people to be there? Of course you know there are probably many reasons; such as...

- They have a DATE.

- They ENJOY WATCHING a bunch of grown men act like young boys wearing funny uniforms.

- They are BORED and want to do something different.

However, some go to football games because they are football fanatics.

Illus: These remind us of the man who was an absolute fanatic about football. He could tell you...

-What team every NFL player played on.

-What position every NFL player played.

-How much every NFL player made.

He studied football the way a dedicated Christian studies his Bible.

A man was praising him for his great memory one day, and said, “DO YOU EVER FORGET YOUR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY?” He replied, “NEVER, I WAS MARRIED THE DAY JOE NAMATH THREW THE TOUCH DOWN ON OCTOBER 8, 1969, IN THE LAST MINUTE OF THE GAME. THEY BEAT THE RED SKINS 13-7.”

However, the next time you see thousands of spectators fill a football stadium, do not be deceived into believing every last person who is there loves the game. Some go for other reasons.

We all have different motives for the many different things we do, and for going where we go.

As a pastor, I know it would be great if everyone had come to church today out of a hunger to hear God’s Word preached, but I realize that any pastor who looks across any congregation and thinks that is naive.

Some of you came...

- Because you were BORED sitting home.

- Because you did not want to watch TELEVISION REPEATS.

- Because of the SOCIAL standing it might put you in.

- Because you can make BUSINESS CONTACTS.

- Because someone in your family is GETTING MARRIED and you need a church and a minister.

- Because you know one day you are going to DIE and you know it would be a shame not to have a pastor, and a congregation for your funeral.

- Because YOUR PARENTS told you that you had to come.

And then there are those of you who are here BECAUSE YOU LOVE THE LORD and YOU WISH TO WORSHIP HIM!

So we see, people go to church for many reasons. It is true now, and it was true back when Christ walked this earth.

For example, the group mentioned in our text went to the Lord and He wanted them to know that He knew why they followed Him. Some were...

I THE BREAD SEEKERS.

Jesus was the greatest Teacher and Preacher of God’s Word Who has ever walked on this earth! However, He knew that not everyone who flocked out to see Him came to hear HIM preach the Word of God.

Jesus knew exactly why they came!

Look at verse 26. We read, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.”

Jesus had been trying to get something across and they were not getting it.

A. First, he had a reason for performing miracles. He performed them because the miracles would confirm He was who He said He was. In many cases it accomplished that purpose. For example...

- In John 2:11, we read, “This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and HIS DISCIPLES BELIEVED ON HIM.”

- In John 2:23, we read, “Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, MANY BELIEVED IN HIS NAME, when they saw the miracles which he did.”

The fact is, the miracles Jesus did caused many to believe on Him. He said He was the Son of God and the miracles He did were very convincing evidence.

Look at what Nicodemus said, John 3:2. We read, “The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art A TEACHER COME FROM GOD: FOR no man can do these MIRACLES that thou doest, except God be with him.”

Scripture tells us why Jesus did the miracles He did. THE MIRACLES PROVED HE WAS WHO HE SAID HE WAS!

B. Secondly, verse 26 tells us why those people were following Him. We can not look across a congregation and make any judgment as to why any of the people are present.

HOWEVER, JESUS LOOKED ACROSS THAT “CONGREGATION” AND TOLD THEM EXACTLY WHY THEY HAD COME!

Look at verse 26 again. He said, “...Ye seek me...BECAUSE YE DID EAT of the loaves, and were filled.”