Words Of Life

Prelude

Jesus spoke words that are still spirit and life. Purpose: How can mere words be spirit and life? What does that mean? Plan: Let’s discuss why Jesus’ words are described as spirit and life in John 6:56-69.

Eat My Flesh

John 6:56 Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57 I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me.

Eating Jesus means munching, crunching or gnawing on Jesus, offensive to many. Those who gnaw on him remain in Him, and twelve disciples did. Theories, camaraderie and music are not the whole meal. They taste good for a while, but the real food is munching on Jesus.

Complaining

John 6:58 I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.” 59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. 60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?” 61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you?

Murmuring and grumbling are common. We have all done it. Yet, some are remarkably silent. What’s the secret to not grumbling? Perhaps they can’t talk with their mouths full, because they continually feast on Jesus and have no desire to complain.

We offend God (Leviticus 5:19). He forgives (Isaiah 44:22). Love God’s instructions; don’t be easily offended (Psalm 119:165). God hates discord (Proverbs 6:16-19) and revenge (Leviticus 19:18). Haters quarrel. Lovers pardon (Proverbs 10:12; 18:19). Offended friends are hard to regain (Proverbs 18:19). Friendly wounds are better than backbiters kisses (Proverbs 27:5-6). Do not judge a speck in someone’s eye with a log in your own (Matthew 7:1-5). Discuss offenses privately then with witnesses, before involving the church (Matthew 18:15-17). Rebuke and forgive (Luke 17:3-4). Preaching Christ offends and is ridiculed (1 Corinthians 1:23). If I quit preaching, nobody would be offended (Galatians 5:11). Tolerate faults. Be united in peace. God forgives, so forgive (Ephesians 4:2-3; Colossians 3:13). Be slow to anger (James 1:19).

Words that are Spirit & Life

John 6:62 Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? 63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) 65 Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”

What does it mean that words are spirit? Jesus’ words are spiritual. Words that are spirit can only be received in spirit. We can still receive His words today. It is not our physical traditions that bless us today, but the words of Jesus Christ which are spirit.

Deserting Jesus

John 6:66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. 67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”

Does Jesus offend us? Do the same words offend many today? Church life is a constant winnowing process. The chaff is driven away and the wheat stays. What about us? Will we leave because the words of life offend, or will we stay?

To Whom Would We Go?

John 6:68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”

The more we promote ourselves, our denominational "distinctives" and our man-made system, the less blessed we will be. The more we promote Jesus, the more He will bless us. When we promote Jesus Christ more than anything else, the blessings from heaven will be poured out in abundance. Words are powerful. Jesus' words speak to us today. They give us eternal life. When preachers teach the words of Jesus, they preach the words of eternal life.

Postlude

Jesus’ words are the lifeblood of Christianity. They still offend some people and others still call them nonsense, but the words of Jesus are also spirit and life.

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.