Being Satisfied with Jesus
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Open: Mission trip to Honduras. Worked on building a Church and did some BYBC stuff with the children. On the final day a mob of kids showed up to get free stuff from the Americans
Open: Mission trip to Honduras. Worked on building a Church and did some BYBC stuff with the children. On the final day a mob of kids showed up to get free stuff from the Americans
Transition: Those kids knew we were there the whole week, but they weren’t interested in learning about Jesus. They just wanted to get some candy and some new shirts
We can say, well, those are lost people and they are still children and they don’t understand how important Jesus is. And that is most definitely true. Unfortunately, we Church folks can be guilty of the same thing.
Let’s turn to the 6th chapter of Gospel of John and look at at passage that deals with this concept. Even though the entire chapter relates one continued story, we are only going to look at verses 48-58. I would encourage you to read the entire chapter sometime today to gain a fuller understanding of this message.
READ THE TEXT: John 6:48-58
Some people seek Jesus for the wrong reasons (John 6:26,34)
Some people seek Jesus for the wrong reasons (John 6:26,34)
Explanation: The setting of Jesus’ teaching is the Feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:1-15). Jesus performed a miracle and the people ate “as much as they wanted” (v. 11). After the miracle, Jesus went to the other side of the lake. When the people realized He was gone they followed Him. When they found Jesus they asked Him a meaningless question, but He knew their real heart motive. Jesus called them out when He told them they showed up for more bread (v. 26)
Illustrate: Trunk N Treat. 800 people will come to the Church for candy and a hot dog, but when we invite them to Church they aren’t interested.
Argument: Jesus is able to see through the ulterior motives. He is not fooled by words or outward expressions of “religiosity” He is the Incarnate Word of God and the Word “is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: BUT all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:12-13)
Application: If Jesus discerns the heart motives of lost people, He most assuredly knows the hearts of His own sheep. As we prepare to partake of the Table, you should ask yourself “why am I here this morning?” Is it to be seen by others, the check the attended Church box, or are you here just to worship the One who is worthy?
Jesus makes an important distinction between Himself and His benefits (John 6:48-51)
Jesus makes an important distinction between Himself and His benefits (John 6:48-51)
Explanation: Jesus explains to His listeners they are missing the main thing. He tells them that He, Jesus, is the One they should be seeking. He identifies Himself as the Bread of Life. This is the first of the seven great I AM declarations that Jesus makes about Himself in the Gospel of John. By using the language of I AM, His listeners, being familiar with the OT, would quickly make the link of God’s declaration to Moses at the burning bush. God revealed to Moses that He was the great I AM (Exodus 3:14). These listeners would have an understanding that Jesus is describing Himself in the same language that God used - Shorthand for Jesus IS God
Argument: Humans are created in the image of God. We are divinely designed to enter a worship relationship with our Creator. This is our ultimate goal, and the pursuit of God, not His stuff, is to be our focus.
Now of course God does give good things to His children because He loves us. But we must never forget the greatest gift He gives to us is Himself. In Christ, God is reconciling the world to Himself (2 Cor. 5:19)
Application: Are you satisfied and content with just your relationship with Jesus? Or perhaps you feel like you deserve more benefits because of your service. It may be that you are not really satisfied, that you feel disappointed in your life as a Christian. You may be thinking, “is this it? I thought it would be better than this!” If that’s you, I challenge you to check your heart motives.
When we are willing to totally Identify with Jesus for who He is, we will be satisfied (John 6:53-58)
Explanation: The Jews are still missing the point. Jesus has just told them that He is of the Father and that He is the True Bread that came down from Heaven, but they start discussing his earthly parentage. They are unwilling to see beyond the physical.
Jesus then makes use of figurative language to make His point. He begins to speak metaphorically about His flesh being true meat and His blood being true drink. This is not meant to be understood in a literal fashion. Jesus is not talking about cannibalism! He is speaking about the spiritual in these terms to move His listeners past the physical
Argument: Jesus is using the language of total identification. Many nominal church members find this language disturbing. It is the language of blood and sacrifice and death, and many are trouble by it. There are even those who are willing to remove the language of blood out of our hymnals and our services. We shouldn’t sing about blood or talk about it in our services so that we don’t offend anyone!
The Cross is an offense in and of itself! Turn with me to the first chapter of 1 Corinthians. I want to read a short passage about the message of the Cross as found in verses 18 - 24. (READ VERSES)
The Cross IS already a stumbling block, a rock of offense to unbelievers. The Cross points out the utter inability of prideful man to save himself. It is totally impossible for humans to save themselves. Talk about offending! Just tell a secular, 21st century American humanist there is something it is impossible for him to do on his own and you will see amazement from your arrogance. How dare you tell me that I can’t do it on my own! I can do anything I want and I don’t need anyone to help me!
Application: Pride is what keeps a lot of people out of heaven. They are too proud to admit they need help. The reality is that we all fall short (Rom 3:23) and all of us need a Savior. We need someone to pay our sin debt because our efforts will not satisfy the wrath of a Holy God in His settled anger against sin.
You want to be satisfied in your Christianity? Humble yourself and throw away your pride. Surrender and totally identify with the Crucified One - don’t shy away from the language of sacrifice and blood. You and I need to remember the Sacrifice of Jesus, you and I need to be reminded of the cost of our sin. You and I need to be reminded that the greatest gift Jesus gives to us is Himself. You can and will be satisfied with that truth
Transition to the Table
Transition to the Table
Before we move to observing the Lord’s Table, I want to have a time of response. This is a time for you to prepare your heart before you partake. The Apostle Paul told us to do this when he said, “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. (1 Co 11:27–29).
Time of Response:
Time of Response: