Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro: We are taking a look at some of the great sermons of the New Testament for our special five Sunday series.

We started early, by looking at two sermons of Jesus the past two Sundays.

We continue today with a sermon found in John’s gospel immediately following the one from chapter five, but probably several weeks or months later.

This sermon could also be labelled the worst sermon ever, since the result was most of His audience walking away – 6:66.

I) World seeks perishable bread – vs.24-26

A) Jews followed Jesus because He fed them, yet He was not pleased with them because of their materiality

B) The world seeks material satisfaction, yet they are never satisfied – – our culture is fed by greed, which is a building with no foundation

C) There is no end to the pursuit, because nothing is permanent – – even with temporary success

II) God gives true bread – vs.27-33

A) We strive for the “perfect” nutrition in our food (Tang, vitamins, etc)

B) Manna of the wilderness was perfect nutrition for Israel – ,

C) God also has the perfect spiritual bread – – for all our needs

D) This bread gives life to the (spiritually) dead

III) Jesus is that bread – vs.34-50

A) Our message must be centered on Christ – – but also our lives must be centered on Christ –

B) We will never hunger again – – but like Israel complaining in the wilderness, man tends to not be satisfied with perfection

C) Jesus came to save according to God’s will (purpose) – – so this bread cannot fail

D) But we must be willing to listen and learn from God –

IV) We must be willing to eat His flesh – vs.51-65

A) This speaks of the total and unique commitment involved in being a disciple of Christ (I was a Boy Scout, but did not advance because I was not committed)

B) More than study, it is living for Jesus; there is much study how to bake the bread, slice the bread, and present the bread, but too little eating the bread –

C) We must live each day as if Jesus is alive within us –

D) This is a difficult requirement in discipleship (“If was easy, everyone would do it.”);

but there is no other salvation –

Concl: The sad result of Jesus’ words is that many would no longer seek Him – v.66 – but true disciples are not put off by such a commitment, they are heartened – vs.67-69 – what will be your reaction to the commitment required to be one of His servants?