Why Do You Seek Me?
the gospel of ST. JOHN • Sermon • Submitted
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· 237 viewsDo we seek God for the wrong reasons? Are we coming to Him because we love Him or because we want something from Him.
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On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone—however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks—when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?”
Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ”
Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.”
And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
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MESSAGE SUMMARY
Miracles bring awareness that God is real and near to us. But along with that awareness is the danger of seeking the Lord not for who He is, but for what He does. Some people only seek Him because they want what He can give them. In this study, we see that Jesus wanted people to know the true miracle: that they can be eternally saved simply by believing in Him.
Introduction
“In Science we have been reading only the notes to a poem; in Christianity we find the poem itself.”
― C.S. Lewis, Miracles
“In Science we have been reading only the notes to a poem; in Christianity we find the poem itself.”
― C.S. Lewis, Miracles
IntroductionA miracle is a suspension of natural lawIf you witness a miracle, it immediately changes youIt brings the awareness that God is real and near (see )Miracles can also change the way one relates and prays to God There is danger of seeking the Lord not for who He is, but for what He givesSome people follow God based on personal needJohn 6:22-34 People sought Jesus because of His miracles There are people who seek the Lord not because they love Him, but because of what He does for themThey seek the gifts, not the GiverThey do not hunger for righteousness, but rather for physical sustenanceWhy do we go to church? Pray? Read our Bibles? It should be so we can grow in our relationship with GodMany people come just because they think it's what they are supposed to do Jesus challenged people to aim for heaven rather than just the physical (see ; ) How do we get our needs met? (see ) By seeking the Lord, but not so we can get our needs metIt's all about HimWe do not get to heaven by doing works The Jews were programmed to believe in works-based righteousnessThey looked to be right with God by doing certain works (see )Justification by faith was unfamiliar to themWe only need to believe If you can get to heaven by being good, how good do you have to be?If we go by God's standard, we will never make it (see ; ; )John used the word believe about ninety-eight times in his gospel aloneThe people compared Jesus' miracle of feeding them with the loaves and fish to Moses and the manna from heaven Moses told the Israelites that God would send them another Prophet like him :15The Messiah was sometimes called the Prophet (see ; )By saying this, they marginalized the miracle Jesus performed
A miracle is a suspension of natural law
If you witness a miracle, it immediately changes youIt brings the awareness that God is real and near (see )
Miracles can also change the way one relates and prays to God
There is danger of seeking the Lord not for who He is, but for what He gives
Some people follow God based on personal need
On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone—however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks—when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?”
Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ”
Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.”
John 6:22-34
The NET Bible First Edition Notes Notes for 6:25
John 6:25–31. The previous miracle of the multiplication of the bread had taken place near the town of Tiberias (cf. John 6:23). Jesus’ disciples set sail for Capernaum (6:17) and were joined by the Lord in the middle of the sea. The next day boats from Tiberias picked up a few of those who had seen the multiplication (certainly not the whole 5,000) and brought them to Capernaum. It was to this group that Jesus spoke in 6:26–27. But there were also people from Capernaum who had gathered to see Jesus, who had not witnessed the multiplication, and it was this group that asked Jesus for a miraculous sign like the manna (6:30–31). This would have seemed superfluous if it were the same crowd that had already seen the multiplication of the bread. But some from Capernaum had heard about it and wanted to see a similar miracle repeated.
People sought Jesus because of His miracles
People sought Jesus because of His miracles
1. Why Do We Seek?
1. Why Do We Seek?
There are people who seek the Lord not because they love Him, but because of what He does for them
They seek the gifts, not the Giver
They do not hunger for righteousness, but rather for physical sustenance
How do we get our needs met? (see )
By seeking the Lord, but not so we can get our needs met
It's all about Him
We do not get to heaven by doing works
The Jews were programmed to believe in works-based righteousness
They looked to be right with God by doing certain works (see )
Justification by faith was unfamiliar to them
We only need to believe
2. What Do We Seek?
2. What Do We Seek?
Why do we go to church? Pray? Read our Bibles?
It should be so we can grow in our relationship with God
Many people come just because they think it's what they are supposed to do
Jesus challenged people to aim for heaven rather than just the physical (see
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
; )
Going back to the previous point… It is all about belief!
How do we get our needs met? (see )
By seeking the Lord, but not so we can get our needs met
It's all about Him
We do not get to heaven by doing works
The Jews were programmed to believe in works-based righteousness
If you can get to heaven by being good, how good do you have to be?
They looked to be right with God by doing certain works (see )
Justification by faith was unfamiliar to them
We only need to believe
If you can get to heaven by being good, how good do you have to be?
If you can get to heaven by being good, how good do you have to be?
If we go by God's standard, we will never make it
Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
; ; )
Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.
Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.
)
John used the word believe about ninety-eight times in his gospel alone
The people compared Jesus' miracle of feeding them with the loaves and fish to Moses and the manna from heaven
Moses told the Israelites that God would send them another Prophet like him
Deuteronomy 18:15The Messiah was sometimes called the Prophet (see ; )By saying this, they marginalized the miracle Jesus performedJohn 6:35-59"Most assuredly" (v. 32) = truly, aménJesus is the Bread of LifeHe corrected the JewsMoses did not give them the bread—God didThe manna was temporarySpiritual nutrition is a living being, not a loaf of breadJesus made seven "I am" statements in JohnHe said "I am"—Egó eimi—twenty-three times"I am the bread of life""I am the light of the world" (; )"I am the door of the sheep" ()"I am the good shepherd" (, )"I am the resurrection and the life" ()"I am the way, the truth, and the life" ()"I am the true vine" ()Claimed to be equal with GodJesus gave two perspectives of salvationThe divine perspectiveGod must choose youDivine election, predestinationGod invites you to eat the bread of lifeThe human perspectiveYou must choose GodHuman volitionYou must decide to eat the bread of lifeNot contradictory truthsTruth held in tensionCompatible truths
“The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear,
The Messiah was sometimes called the Prophet (see ; )
By saying this, they marginalized the miracle Jesus performed
John 6:35-59
"Most assuredly" (v. 32) = truly, amén
Jesus is the Bread of Life
He corrected the Jews
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Six: Jesus Loses His Crowd (John 6)
The rabbis taught that, when Messiah came, He would duplicate the miracle of the manna (see Ex. 16). If Jesus was truly sent by God (see John 6:29, 38, 57), then let Him prove it by causing manna to fall from heaven. They wanted to “see and believe.” But faith that is based on signs alone, and not on the truth of the Word, can lead a person astray; for even Satan is able to perform “lying wonders” (2 Thes. 2:8–10). note also John 2:18–25; 4:48.
Moses did not give them the bread—God did
The manna was temporary
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Six: Jesus Loses His Crowd (John 6)
Food only sustains life, but Jesus gives eternal life. The words of Isaiah come to mind: “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?” (Isa. 55:2, NASB)
Spiritual nutrition is a living being, not a loaf of bread
3I have no delight in the food of corruption or in the delights of this life. I desire the bread of God, which is the flesh of Christ who was of the seed of David; and for a draught I desire His blood, which is love incorruptible.
3. Who Do We Seek?
3. Who Do We Seek?
Jesus made seven "I am" statements in John
He said "I am"—Egó eimi—twenty-three times
"I am the bread of life"
"I am the light of the world" (; )
"I am the door of the sheep" ()
"I am the good shepherd" (, )
"I am the resurrection and the life" ()
"I am the way, the truth, and the life" ()
"I am the true vine" ()
Claimed to be equal with God
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Six: Jesus Loses His Crowd (John 6)
Seven times in this sermon, our Lord referred to His “coming down from heaven” (John 6:33, 38, 41–42, 50–51, 58), a statement that declared Him to be God. The Old Testament manna was but a type of the “true bread,” the Lord Jesus Christ.
“There comes a moment when people who have been dabbling in religion ('man's search for God'!) suddenly draw back. Supposing we really found Him? We never meant it to come to that! Worse still, supposing He had found us?”
― C.S. Lewis, Miracles
“There comes a moment when people who have been dabbling in religion ('man's search for God'!) suddenly draw back. Supposing we really found Him? We never meant it to come to that! Worse still, supposing He had found us?”
― C.S. Lewis, Miracles
“There comes a moment when people who have been dabbling in religion ('man's search for God'!) suddenly draw back. Supposing we really found Him? We never meant it to come to that! Worse still, supposing He had found us?”
― C.S. Lewis, Miracles
“There comes a moment when people who have been dabbling in religion ('man's search for God'!) suddenly draw back. Supposing we really found Him? We never meant it to come to that! Worse still, supposing He had found us?”
― C.S. Lewis, Miracles
Jesus gave two perspectives of salvation
The divine perspective
God must choose you
Divine election, predestination
God invites you to eat the bread of life
The human perspective
You must choose God
Human volition
You must decide to eat the bread of life
Not contradictory truths
Truth held in tension
Compatible truths
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