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John Chapter Six
Two Kinds Of Food (6:27)
INTRODUCTION
1. Among the miracles of Jesus that attracted great attention was the feeding of 5000 with five loaves of bread and two fish - Jn 6:1-13 a. Many came to believe in Him as the Prophet to come - Jn 6:14; cf. Deu 18:15 b. Some wanted to take Him by force and make Him king - Jn 6:15 c. People sought to follow Him - Jn 6:22,24-25 2. Jesus, who knew the hearts of men (Jn 2:25), perceived their selfish motives... a. They were interested only in the food, not what the miracle indicated - Jn 6:26 b. Prompting Jesus to warn them about the food for which they labor - Jn 6:27 [The words of Jesus in our text (Jn 6:27) reveal there are "Two Kinds OfFood", one that perishes and another that endures. As we seek to apply
Jesus' admonition to our own lives, let's consider...] I. THE FOOD WHICH PERISHES
A. WHAT FOOD IS THIS...? 1. Literally, it is the food we eat a. It quickly perishes, even with the benefit of preservatives b. It fails to satisfy for long, soon we are hungry and thirsty again - cf. Jn 4:13 2. Figuratively, there are other "foods" which soon perish a. The food of human wisdom b. The food of folly c. The food of mirth and pleasure d. The food of great wealth and industrious labor -- Which Solomon found to provide no lasting fulfillment - cf. Ecc 1:17; 2:1-2,3-11 B. DO NOT LABOR FOR SUCH FOOD... 1. This does not mean we are to make no effort to supply our needs a. A Christian is to provide for his family - 1 Ti 5:8 b. If a man does not work, neither should he eat - 2 Th 3:10-12 2. But that we not do so to the neglect of food which endures a. The "food" which perishes should not be our priority in life - cf. Mt 6:33 b. A lesson that Martha needed to learn - Lk 10:38-42 [Sadly, many people expend much time, energy, and money for "food" whichsoon perishes. Jesus would have people direct their life's effortstoward...] II. THE FOOD WHICH ENDURES
A. WHAT FOOD IS THIS...? 1. In other texts, it is the Word of God a. By which man truly lives - cf. Mt 4:4 b. Which Job treasured more than necessary food - Job 23:12 c. Which David valued more than gold and fine food - Psa 19:10;119:72,103,11
d. Which Jeremiah found to be the rejoicing of his heart - Jer15:16
e. Which causes rebirth, and endures forever - 1 Pe 1:22-25 2. In our text, it is Jesus, the Word of God a. Jesus, the Logos (Word) of God - Jn 1:1,14,18 b. He is the true bread from the Father in heaven - Jn 6:31-35 c. He is the bread of life who offers everlasting life - Jn 6:47-51
B. LABOR FOR THIS FOOD... 1. Jesus must be the primary focus of our labors, in which we strive: a. To believe in Him, for therein is everlasting life - Jn 6:28-29,40
b. To follow Him, for He has the words of eternal life - Jn 6:66-69
c. To know Him, for that is eternal life - Jn 17:1-3 d. To obey Him, for to those who obey He is the author of eternal life - He 5:9 2. Are we laboring for the food which endures to everlasting life? a. Let Paul's attitude be our example - Ph 3:7-15 1) Seeking to know the Lord more and more 2) Never content with our current understanding, always pressing further b. Let Peter's exhortation to diligence in growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ set the standard - 2 Pe 1:5-8;3:18
1) Seeking to become like the Lord more and more 2) Always abounding, always growing in grace and knowledge CONCLUSION
1. Dear friends and brethren, for what "food" do you labor...? a. Is your focus in life on that which is temporary? b. Do you strive for that which cannot truly satisfy? -- If so, consider what Isaiah wrote 700 years before Christ came- Isa 55:1-4
2. Jesus is the true bread of life, the living water, who truly satisfies... a. He alone provides the hope of eternal life - Jn 6:40 b. He alone offers the abundant life even now - Jn 10:11 Though written by Isaiah, these words may serve as the invitation Jesusoffers to all... "Why do you spend money for [what is] not bread, And your wages for [what] does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat [what is] good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. And I will make an everlasting covenant with you - The sure merciesof David." (Isa 55:2-3)
To Whom Shall We Go? (6:67-69)
INTRODUCTION
1. When Jesus talked about being the Bread of Life, it troubled some people... a. He used figurative language, which sounded cannibalistic - cf. Jn6:51-59
b. Difficult to understand, some were offended (those lacking in faith) - cf. Jn 6:60-65 c. Many of His disciples left Him - cf. Jn 6:66 -- Prompting Jesus to ask the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?"- Jn 6:67
2. Peter's response serves as the text of our lesson... a. "To whom shall we go?" - Jn 6:68a b. He acknowledged that Jesus alone has the words of eternal life - Jn 6:68b c. He also confesses their faith in Him as the Christ, the Son of the living God - Jn 6:69 -- His question is one that we do well to ask today [For the answers to our true purpose and mission in life, to find thewords of eternal life, "To Whom Shall We Go?" There are many places wecould turn to, indeed many do turn to, but they are not the right ones.For example, consider...] I. TO WHOM WE COULD GO
A. THE OPINIONS OF THE MAJORITY...? 1. Many people look to whatever the majority believes a. E.g., what their peers thinks b. E.g., whatever the latest polls indicate 2. But consider the words of Jesus, in describing the end of the majority - Mt 7:13-14 3. If you followed the majority... a. In Noah's day, you would have perished in the flood b. In Joshua's day, you would have perished in the wilderness B. THE PRONOUNCEMENTS OF HUMAN WISDOM...? 1. Many feel that human wisdom can lead them to truth and life a. Especially that pronounced by educated professors b. Or that pronounced by "pop" psychologists on talk shows 2. But God's thoughts and ways are not always our own - cf. Isa55:8-9
3. In fact, God has chosen to save man in a manner specifically designed to confound those who depend solely upon human wisdom - cf. 1 Co 1:18-29 C. THE PROCLAMATIONS OF PREACHERS...? 1. It is common for people to trust their preacher, priest, or pastor 2. They reason that surely these "men of God" could not be wrong or lead them astray a. Yet Paul warned of how we can easily be misled - cf. 2 Co11:13-15
b. And Jesus warned about the "blind leading the blind" - Mt15:12-14
D. THE DICTATES OF OUR CONSCIENCE...? 1. "Let your conscience be your guide" is the motto of many 2. But our conscience cannot always be reliable a. Paul had served God with a good conscience throughout his life - Ac 23:1 b. Even at a time when he was persecuting Christians! - cf. Ac26:9-11
3. Our conscience is like a clock, which works properly only if set properly F. THE DIRECTION OF OUR FEELINGS...? 1. This is often where many people turn a. Who go by whatever "feels right" b. Who place stock in things "better felt than told" 2. Yet the Bible declares the danger of trusting in "feelings" a. "There is a way which seems right...but its end is the way of death." - Pro 14:12 b. "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool..." - Pro 28:26 c. "O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps." - Jer 10:23 [None of these should be the ultimate source to where we turn if we arelooking for the words of eternal life. As confessed by Peter, there isonly One...] II. TO WHOM WE SHOULD GO
A. JESUS CHRIST, SON OF THE LIVING GOD...! 1. As Peter confessed in our text - Jn 6:68-69 2. He is the one who provides "food which endures to everlasting life" - Jn 6:27,35,40 3. He is the way, the truth and the life - Jn 14:6 4. Upon this One has God "set His seal" - Jn 6:27 a. I.e., confirmed Him to be the source of eternal life b. Through the miracles, and ultimately His resurrection - Jn5:36; Ro 1:4
-- Yet how does one "go to Jesus" when He no longer walks on theearth? We must turn to...
B. THE APOSTLES OF CHRIST, INSPIRED OF THE SPIRIT...! 1. Jesus prepared and equipped His apostles to carry on and complete His work a. He told them of the Holy Spirit - Jn 16:7-11 b. Who would guide them into all the truth - Jn 16:12-13 2. To receive the apostles (apostolos, lit., one sent) is to receive Jesus - Jn 13:20 3. Thus the apostles were authoritative spokesmen for Christ - e.g., 1 Th 4:1-2,8; 1 Jn 4:6; Ju 17 4. They received all things pertaining to life and godliness - 2 Pe 1:3 5. They did not shun to proclaim the whole counsel of God - Ac 20:20-21,27
-- But how do we "go to the apostles" when they no longer live onthe earth? We must turn to...
C. THE NEW TESTAMENT, REPOSITORY OF THE WORD OF GOD...! 1. The apostles wrote that we might benefit from their understanding- e.g., Ep 3:3-5 2. We must view their words as the commandments of the Lord - e.g., 1 Co 14:37 3. Therefore we are to hold fast to what they taught - cf. 2 Th2:15; 3:15; Ju 3
4. As exemplified by the very first church in Jerusalem -- The words of the apostles preserved in their writings, can leadus to Him who alone has the words of eternal life!
CONCLUSION
1. To whom shall we go...? a. The answer must be "Jesus!" b. He is "...the Christ, the Son of the living God" c. He alone has "...the words of eternal life" 2. Where will you find Jesus...? a. Not in the words of modern theologians and filmmakers, who have sought to remake Jesus according to their own image b. But in the words of His apostles, eyewitnesses of His majesty and inspired by the Spirit to reveal all that we need to experience life and godliness Don't let the cacophony of modern voices lead you away from Jesus andHis words of eternal life. Make sure that it is His apostles' writings,the Word of God, that leads you to Him who is the way, the truth and thelife!
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