The Word of God

John 6:47–68 KJV 1900

47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. 48 I am that bread of life. 49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. 52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 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. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. 59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. 60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? 61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? 62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Throughout history God has preserved Scripture.

It has survived idol worshiping kings, exile and critics.

But the most incredible thing about the Word of God is not how it was preserved, rather how it has preserved us!

Answers to life’s problems…

Encouragement

Hope

Healing

Correction

In our text, the week had started well.

Jesus had been doing miracles, fed thousands in the wilderness, it would seem that they would follow Jesus anywhere.

Yes in a moment, looks changed form enraptured trust to confusion and even indignation.

John 6:49–51 KJV 1900

49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

Jesus is talking about eating his flesh and drinking his blood… no wonder they were confused!

Discussion questions:

What did Jesus mean about the manna the fathers ate?

Why did Jesus compare Himself to the bread that gave eternal life?

Verse 60 - this is a hard saying, who can do it?

Jesus would respond by asking his disciples if they would leave him as well?

John 6:68 KJV 1900

68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

The Word of God is a hard teacher BUT they are the words of eternal life!

Society is rejecting the Word of God because it is to hard...

THE ORIGIN OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

The Bible is the Word of God, and it reveals God’s plan. The Old Testament contains the story of God’s creation of the world and relationship with His people, pointing to the coming Savior.

John 5:39 KJV 1900

39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

John 5:46–47 KJV 1900

46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

a. Who does the Scripture testify of? v 39

b. Who did Moses write about? v 46

c. How does the scripture testify of Jesus?

The OT begins with creation and tells the story of the beginning of man, then the beginning of God’s people.

Brings them into covenant and teaches them how to live in covenant.

The OT builds the foundation for Jesus to live upon.

2. THE ORIGIN OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

God spoke to holy men, and they preserved His words for future generations. The New Testament contains the story of how Jesus redeemed us and established the church. Its letters give direction to God’s people on how to live in covenant with him.

2 Peter 1:19–21 KJV 1900

19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

a. How is the word of prophecy described? v 19

b. No prophecy of the scripture is of what? v 20

c. How did holy men of God speak? v 21

NT begins with the story of Jesus, the birth of the church, a new covenant and instructions on living in the new covenant.

3. TRUSTING THE WORD OF GOD

All scripture comes from God and is the basis for our spiritual growth and maturity. We can trust that the bible is the Word of God, powerful and alive to direct us today.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 KJV 1900

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

a. What are some of the purposes of Scripture? v 16

b. How does Scripture complete us? v 17

c. How does this passage give you confidence in the validity of the Bible?

4. APPLYING THE WORD OF GOD

We not only believe in the validity of the Word of God, but we daily seek to apply it to our lives. It provides direction, correction and strength for facing every day.

Psalm 119:11–16 KJV 1900

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: Teach me thy statutes. 13 With my lips have I declared All the judgments of thy mouth. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, As much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate in thy precepts, And have respect unto thy ways. 16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Psalm 119:105 KJV 1900

105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.

a. Why did the psalmist hide God’s Word in his heart? v11

b. What does the psalmist compare God’s Word to for giving him direction? v105

c. In what similar ways does God’s Word give us help with temptation and direction today?

d. What are practicals ways you can hide God’s Word in your heart?

CLOSTING DISCUSION

Why don’t you read the bible more?

How are you going to correct this this week?