Introduction

Good morning, beloved. I am thrilled to share the Word of God with you today. As we gather in the house of our Lord, let's open our hearts and minds to the divine wisdom and guidance that the Holy Scripture has to offer.

Today, we are going to immerse ourselves in the teachings of John 6:28-34 (NKJV). Let me read it for you: 'Then they said to Him, 'What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?' Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.' Therefore they said to Him, 'What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’' Then Jesus said to them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.' Then they said to Him, 'Lord, give us this bread always.'

This passage, my dear friends, is a profound conversation between Jesus and the people. It is a conversation that points us toward the essence of our faith, the motives for seeking Jesus, the conflict between materialistic and spiritual desires, and the mindset we should have in seeking the Messiah.

In the words of the great Christian author, J.I. Packer, 'The healthy Christian is not necessarily the extrovert, ebullient Christian, but the Christian who has a sense of God's presence stamped deep on his soul, who trembles at God's word, who lets it dwell in him richly by constant meditation upon it, and who tests and reforms his life daily in response to it.' This quote, my friends, is a clear reminder of the mindset we should adopt in our pursuit of the Messiah.

The presence of God should be deeply rooted in our souls, guiding us in our daily lives. As we meditate on His Word, let us remember that our ultimate goal is not the pursuit of materialistic desires but the everlasting spiritual nourishment that only our Savior Jesus Christ can provide.

So, let us ask ourselves: What are our motives for meeting Jesus? Are our desires materialistic or spiritual? And, most importantly, what is our mindset in seeking the Messiah?

Let's bow our heads in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the opportunity to gather here today and study Your Word. As we meditate on the Scripture, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to Your divine wisdom and guidance. Help us to understand the true meaning of seeking You, not for materialistic desires but for spiritual nourishment. May we always remember that You are the true bread from heaven, the one who gives life to the world. We ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Motives for Meeting Jesus

In the passage we've read, we see people asking Jesus what they must do to perform the works of God. They were seeking a task, an action, a deed. Yet, Jesus' response was not about doing, but about believing. He was pointing them, and us, towards a relationship with Him, not a to-do list.

The first aspect we need to consider is the idea of belief. Belief is the cornerstone of our faith. It's not about ticking off a list of good deeds or following a set of rules. It's about trusting in Jesus, accepting Him as our Savior, and building a relationship with Him.

Yet, belief is not about sitting back and letting things happen. It's about actively seeking Jesus, striving to know Him better, and making Him the center of our lives. It's about letting our belief in Him shape our actions and our interactions with others.

The second aspect we need to consider is the idea of seeking. The people in the passage were seeking a sign, a proof of Jesus' divine nature. Yet, Jesus was pointing them toward something deeper, something more meaningful. He was telling them that the sign they were seeking was not a physical miracle, but a spiritual transformation.

Next is the idea of transformation. When we seek Jesus, when we believe in Him, we are transformed. We are no longer bound by our earthly desires and ambitions. Instead, we are free to pursue a life of spiritual growth and fulfillment. We are free to live a life that is pleasing to God, a life that is guided by His love and His wisdom.

Finally is the idea of fulfillment. When we seek Jesus, when we believe in Him, we find fulfillment. Not the fleeting satisfaction of earthly pleasures, but the deep, lasting fulfillment that comes from a relationship with our Savior. We find peace in His presence, joy in His love, and hope in His promises.

Materialistic versus Spiritual Desires

As we reflect on the conversation between Jesus and the people, we find them asking for a sign ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO