Bread of Life Sermon

13. THE BREAD OF LIFE

John 6:1–36

In the affluent society of modern America, fourteen million children live in poverty. Twelve million of them suffer from constant hunger, and in parts of the country more than one-fourth of all children never get enough nourishment. A study from the Center on Hunger, Poverty, and Nutrition Policy at Tufts University estimates that 20 percent of American children under age eighteen experience hunger every year. On any given night in the USA, one hundred thousand homeless children live on the streets. People below eighteen are the fastest-growing age group among the homeless.

And with electronics consuming every aspect of society, Former Senator Daniel Moynihan stated that “We may be the first society in history where it can be said that the children are actually worse off than their parents.

Today, we are going to look at verses 1-36 of chapter 6 of the Gospel of John.

Water, food, and bread are all metaphors that show how necessary Jesus is for not only our physical life but our spiritual life for which is necessary for salvation.

Let us pray.

I. THE PEOPLE—vv. 1–4 start with the People

After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.

A. Christ—v. 1. They crossed Sea of Galilee. Also called Tiberias.

B. Concerned—v. 2. Many followed Christ, since He healed so many of their diseases, and helped them in so many different ways.

C. Celebration—vv. 3–4. Jesus went up into a mountain to pray. The Jewish Passover was near.

Application – do we seek after Jesus because –

He’s the son of God

What He does

What He can do

We have needs?

Jesus spoke and taught about the spiritual but they wanted showmanship

He was guiding them towards love they wanted lunch

The People – seeking Jesus not because he was the Messiah – but what He could give them caused a problem

II. THE PROBLEM—vv. 5–7

5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.”

A. Trouble—v. 5. How would they feed all the people who had followed Christ into this lonely place?

How can this be done?

Human eyes vs God’s Eyes

Our Way vs His Way

B. Testing—vv. 6–7. “(He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.) Philip replied, “It would take a fortune to begin to do it”—LB. God will meet all our needs—Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

We got People – we got a problem – we have a great hallmark movie in the making

III. THE PROVISION—vv. 8–13 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.

A. Smallness—vv. 8–9.

Remember that this was Passover time

Five loaves (like pancakes) and two fish. God often works through small things, revealing His power.

When God decides to work – human resources are irrelevant

Moses – staff

Samson – donkey jawbone

David – sling

Elijah – one cup of flour and a few drops of oil

B. Sitting—v. 10. All told to sit. There were 5,000 men. Counting the women and children, there were perhaps 10 – 20,000.

C. Savior—v. 11. Jesus gave thanks for the food.

The word for give thanks is eucharisteō where we get the word Eucharist –

Gratitude and Grace before a meal.

the disciples distributed it and up to 15-20,000 people were fed! GOD IS A MIRACLE-WORKING GOD!

This is the ample provision of the Lord who declares, ‘My people will be filled with my bounty’ (Je. 31:14)

D. Saving—vv. 12–13. Christ didn’t want anything wasted. He instructed the disciples to gather the leftovers up, and they had 12 baskets full.

Why is this relevant –

Don’t waste God’s Blessings

God’s Blessings Exceed our own imagination

Can more than take care of disciples

12 tribes of Israel

Of us

SUPPORTING IDEA: Jesus meets basic physical needs to show he can also meet basic spiritual needs.

IV. THE POWER—vv. 14–29

A. Prophet—v. 14. “When the people realized what a great miracle had happened, they exclaimed, ‘Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting’ ”—LB.

Deuteronomy 18:15–19

15 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen— 16 just as you desired of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ 17 And the Lord said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. 19 And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him

Moses provided manna in the desert

Jesus provided Bread

B. Privation—v. 15. Jesus didn’t want to be made King yet, He went to the mountains alone to pray.

Jesus knew that balance was required for a physical and spiritually healthy life

What do you do for time alone with God

How do you recharge spiritually besides Sunday mornings

C. Problem—vv. 16–18. Jesus had left. The disciples were seeking Him.

D. Peace—vv. 19–20. Jesus walks on the water. The disciples were fearful. Jesus says, “It is I, be not afraid.”

How easily did they forget they were with Jesus

When we don’t see him – feel His presence – do we

Allow fear in

Keep Peace in

E. People—vv. 21–24. The people constantly sought Jesus. Some for personal gain, OTHERS WERE HUNGRY FOR HIM.

F. Pleasure—vv. 25–27. Some were seeking self-enjoyment.

Application – what do you seek Jesus for -

Personal Gain and blessing

Self-indulgement

His presence and guidance?

G. Power—vv. 28–29. God’s work is believing on Christ.

Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.

V. THE PICTURE—vv. 30–36

30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.

Wait – didn’t you just eat with over 9999 people yesterday and you want another sign – didn’t yesterday you say – Is this the promised prophet in Deuteronomy?

When God does a work in our life – are we thankful?

Grateful?

Ready for another?

B. Savior—vv. 35–36. Note: (1) Symbol—“I am the Bread of Life.”

(2) Satisfaction—“Shall never hunger or thirst.”

C. Shame—v. 36. Though many saw Christ, still they didn’t believe.

Why are you here this morning?

Duty?

Tradition?

Prayer Request?

Worship - thankfulness?

Which has more power in our lives - fear or peace

want or thankfulness

10% of the world’s babies never make 1 yr

25% of the world suffer from hunger

Are we good stewards of what God has given us - or are we wasteful?

Spiritual hunger and malnutrition are more serious than this though

How is your spiritual health?

Starving?

Malnourished? (explain)

Satisfied?

Let us Pray