The Book of John - 38

1 Corinthians 15:33 “33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”

The First & Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians (King James Version) D. Argument Four: The Religious Observances and Personal Sacrifice, 15:29–34

Our companions do influence us. If they do not believe in the resurrection of the dead, in the glorious life to come, then their beliefs, ideas, morals, speech, and behavior will …

• influence us

• loosen us

• weaken us

• pollute us

• mislead us

The First & Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians (King James Version) D. Argument Four: The Religious Observances and Personal Sacrifice, 15:29–34

The word “communications” does mean conversation, but it also means the communion among companions and associates.

I want you to think beyond just direct interpersonal communications. How does “evil communications” come into your life or the life of a Christian?

The phrase ‘good manners’—- does not mean etiquette as we would use the word today, but rather means our manner of life, our actions. The truth is that our what we believe and teach determines our behavior.

So then, if we follow what it is being stated here, the Corinthians manner of life was being affected, because their beliefs had been corrupted by the outside influences. In this case, there were some objecting to the truth of the resurrection of the dead.

“Such evil communications corrupt the mind, sap the principles, and taint the conduct. As to the reality of your danger from ungodly society. We soon perceive the perilous situation of a son, a daughter, or a friend; but we are apt to be very blind when the case becomes our own. There is no safety in the society of those who have not the fear of God before their eyes.

Joseph S. Exell, The Biblical Illustrator: I. Corinthians, vol. 2 (New York: Anson D. F. Randolph & Company, n.d.), 481.

Today, we run into folks that insist on believing in God ‘their way,’ irrespective of what the Word of God has to say. And the warning for you and for me, before we get into the lesson is this, be careful what you allow to come into your eyes and ears. Be careful of whom you listen to.

So then, lastly before we go any further. What is the opposite truth of what is being spoken here?

Namely, good communicates enforce or we might say influence good manners. Surround yourselves, my friends with that which is good. Surround yourselves with the Word of God. Enrich your time of sojourning on this earth with godly fellowship and godly communications.

Introduction - John chapter 6 begins with the most well-known miracles in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It further continues with one of the most important discourses in the book of John.

As we have already noted, the Lord demonstrates His power both in Miracles, but also His Message.

In both major sections of John 6, the Lord begins first publicly and then deals privately with His disciples.

There is a lesson for you and I that we must both publicly proclaim the gospel and privately proclaim the gospel as well.

In other words, our life following Christ is both public and private.

Following the miracle of the Lord walking on the water, we saw in the last lesson the people Seeking for Jesus.

When they approached the Lord, the dialogue ensues with the Savior’s advice.

The Savior’s advice can be summed up in verses 26 and 27.

The Bible says John 6:26–27 “26 Jesus answered them and said, 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. 27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.”

Verses 28 and 29 give the response to His advice.

John 6:28–29 “28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”

What is it that the Lord would have these to do? Believe on Him.

John: The Gospel of Belief The Discourse on the Bread of Life (6:22–71)

Acceptance of His person and claims is the method whereby the life eternal is to be found. Trust in a person rather than self-adjustment to a scheme of ordinances enables one to fulfill God’s program.

This in essence is the call of the Gospel.

From the time of Genesis 3 moving forward, all men that enter into this world must decide will they believe God, or will they not believe God.

Will they receive the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ or will they reject?

Let’s read verses 30 and 31.

John 6:30–31 “30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? 31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”

Let’s pray

We discover in verse 30, the sign requested.

The Sign Requested vs. 30-31

It is enlightening to realize what it is that these are asking.

They ask the Lord for a sign.

Can you see the irony in their request?

In effect, as Albert Barnes points out is his commentary on this verse, they state., “What miracle dost thou work to prove that thou art the Messiah?”

Not only is this incredible, but it is typical of man.

It is certainly typical of the Jews, but man as as a whole.

Man consistently cries show me more proof and then I will believe.

The nation of Israel at least could point to the miraculous and peculiar ways in which God dealt with the nation through their history.

In other words, they had a long history of seeing the miraculous works of the Lord.

In Matthew 12:38–39 we read, “38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 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:”

We read similarly in Mark 8:11 “11 And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.”

As we look at the text, we rightly ask the question, How could these that sought for Him ask a sign seeing that the Lord just performed a miracle?

But we see this same blindness all around us today.

What doctor could possibly look at the complexity of the human heart or the human brain and not come to the conclusion at the very least of intelligent design?

How could someone study the fine tuning of the cosmos and not believe hat Almighty God not only created the universe but sustains it as well?

How could man look at the miracle of the Word of God and not conclude that God exists and further that this is His Book?

You see around us today that the scoffers loudly pronounce—- show us proof—- and then we will believe. Show us a miracle—- as though there are not amazing proofs of God’s design all around us.

John: The Gospel of Belief The Discourse on the Bread of Life (6:22–71)

The multitude was a group of materialistic curiosity seekers who were self-satisfied in their tradition. Jesus’ approach was to jar them loose from their laxity by a series of statements contradictory to their current assumptions

The fact is, that God has provided enough in the way of signs— in the way of proof.

“It may seem inconsistent that they should ask for another when they already had received one that passed unrealized; but such is human nature.”

Merrill C. Tenney, John: The Gospel of Belief, The New International Commentary on the Old and New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1976), 117.

Their reasoning for this awkward demand is seen in verse 31. Notice what the Bible says.

John 6:31 “31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”

As you look at this statement, the comparison seems to be made, that Moses fed the nation for 40 years.

You have fed us one time.

Moses fed 600,000— you have fed above 5000.

Further based on what we discover in verse 32, it would seem that they gave the credit to Moses Himself as providing the bread.

Did Moses in fact provide the bread from heaven?

John 6:32 “32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.”

When you reference the text spoken about — “…as it is written…” we read these words:

Exodus 16:15 “15 And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.”

Psalm 78:24 “24 And had rained down manna upon them to eat, And had given them of the corn of heaven.”

There twofold complaint was in essence— (1) You haven’t fed us enough. (2) You did not give bread to us from heaven.

If this was you or I, we would certainly be offended with such a complaint.

And oftentimes we are—- the complaints of the carnal or the complaints of the lost. How often are we found in the way of ministry only to hear the complaints of those who are not walking with the Lord?

In addition, we see that man often complains about the blessings of God.

Does man have a right to dictate to the Lord how and in what manner He ought to bless us?

You will remember, looking back at the referenced account that children of Israel complained about the blessing of God.

God’s providing of manna was eventually looked at as not enough. (Numbers 11:4-33)

The mixed multitude among the people (Numbers 11:4), the Bible says fell a lusting.

And so the leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

God certainly provided for the nations physical necessities. He provided food, He provided water. He provided sandals that did not wear out. He provided direction. He provided them the law— a manner whereby to live. He provided leadership.

And the list could go on and on.

But as the Lord corrects in the next verses, the true bread that satisfies from God, is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

It is not the physical food, but the spiritual that they needed.

“The only answer to such taunts was to couch truth in symbolism, to force them to think beyond the material to the spiritual, beyond the temporal to the eternal.” (John Phillips)

And so we see:

The Satisfying Truth vs. 32-40

Notice the Lord’s reply in verse 32-33.

John 6:32–33 “32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.”

The Lord Jesus Christ is correcting their theology (their ideas concerning God) and their doctrine (what they believed and taught).

Doctrine is vitally important.

Theology is a facet of doctrine.

Out of our doctrine — what we believe and teach determines our behavior.

Every “christian” cult that exists comes from bad doctrine and theology.

If our theology and doctrine are incorrect, then we will interpret the Scriptures incorrectly.

If I do not want to believe in a place of torment—then I have to interpret the lake of fire as either a symbol of judgment or a place of annihilation.

Their theology was wrong in their attribution of the bread being from Moses which fed the children of Isreal.

If Moses were present, surely He would have corrected them as well.

Can you imagine Moses, or any man that God has used to do such marvelous things attempting to steal the glory from God?

Or further take credit for what God has done?

And yet, many today look out at the accomplishments of men and think nothing of the God who gave them life and the ability to even think and act.

The fact is that Moses did not give them anything, but rather God did…

Isaiah 42:8 “8 I am the Lord: that is my name: And my glory will I not give to another, Neither my praise to graven images.”

Isaiah 48:9–11 “9 For my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, And for my praise will I refrain for thee, That I cut thee not off. 10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. 11 For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: For how should my name be polluted? And I will not give my glory unto another.”

Further, He tells them of proper doctrine. The true bread from Heaven according to the Lord is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

Why is this? Did the children of Israel not eat manna? Why yes they did.

But the Lord tells us here in this passage that the “true bread from heaven” is the Lord Himself.

When you contrast the two breads mentioned, the physical sustenance provided to the children of Israel and the spiritual sustenance in Christ —- there is no competition.

The manna of the Old Testament -

- Was subject to decay.

- Was temporary in its effect.

- Was temporary in its provision.

- Was limited in its volume.

Whereas the true Bread, the Lord Jesus Christ:

- The True Bread from heaven is not subject to decay.

- The True Bread from heaven completely satisfies.

- The True Bread from heaven is everlasting.

- The True Bread from heaven is unlimited.

Which would you prefer?

Notice what is stated in verses 34 -36.

John 6:34–36 “34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.”

It appears that these folks still had not grasped the spiritual truth that the Lord was telling them.

This is evident by the Lord’s response.

In verse 34, they state, “evermore give us this bread...”

In similar fashion in John 4:15 the woman of Sychar stated, “…Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.”

To which the Lord responds—- I AM the bread of life.

The Lord reveals certain marvelous truth concerning receiving Himself.

He states, “…He that cometh to me shall never hunger…”

“…He that cometh to me shall never thirst.”

Everlasting satisfaction. That which is truly needed to satisfy the human soul.

“Man’s need is more than met; not only is his hunger satisfied, but his thirst is quenched. Every need of life, of nourishment, and of growth is met. Nothing is left out or lacking. When a person comes to Christ and believes (continuous action, meaning continuing to believe), every need of his life and growth is met.”

Leadership Ministries Worldwide, The Gospel according to John, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2004), 139.

Unfortunately — these are still found in disbelief.

And so it is today for many. On the surface— there is an understanding of what is being said, but in the end they are found in disbelief.

John: The Gospel of Belief The Discourse on the Bread of Life (6:22–71)

Jesus reaffirmed the promise of permanent satisfaction, but denied the validity of their response by saying, “Ye have seen me, and yet believe not” (36).

How many have seen the Lord and yet do not believe?

Such could be said of the Christian at times as well.

They have seen the Lord work in their lives.

They have seen answers to prayer.

They have seen the stedfast working of biblical truth—and yet at times are found in disbelief.

I just want us to be reminded this morning —-that what we need is the Lord.