Living Bread for the World
Notes
Transcript
Life and the after-life always has been a human attraction. The ancient Egyptians outfitted the pyramids with goods for use by their dead rulers when they transfer to the after-life. And today there is a fascination with “near-death” experiences of people who are declared clinically death, then come back to life with stories of happiness and joy even after physical death.
The message of Jesus — the very Bread of Life — is that we can enjoy happiness and joy after physical death, but only through a relationship of faith with the true “Bread of Life.” What’s more, this life can begin RIGHT NOW, continuing into eternity even after physical life ceases. This is a thoroughly Christian and thoroughly heartening truth, and I am honored to announce that
ETERNAL LIFE IS NOW!
There are a lot of ideas about Jesus these days, and some are quite odd, because a significant number of our fellow citizens think that Jesus can be anything we want him to be. This, of course, is completely contrary to what Holy Scripture teaches, but for some reason is still does not stop even professed Christians from doing the same. Well, my friends, Jesus is very pointed when He describes Himself.
The day after Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 men plus women and children with a couple fish and a few loaves of bread, the people wanted to make Jesus their Bread King. They wanted Him to ensure that they would never be hungry again. But,
Jesus Provides More than Physical Life
Jesus Provides More than Physical Life
Bread for the Body is Necessary
Jesus did not turn the crowd away when it was time to eat.
He provides everything we need and more to sustain our earthly existence.
Bread for the Body is Temporary
The wandering nation of Israel ate the provided manna, but still died (Jn. 6:49)
The crowd of 5,000 men plus women and children ate supper given, but were not permanently satisfied. They were hungry again the next day.
The world today also cannot endure “bread alone.”
Jesus Offers More than Future Hope
Jesus Offers More than Future Hope
Eternal Life is Not Simply a Future Hope
The Savior promises that those who trust in Him HAVE IT, not will have (Jn 6:47)
The Savior assures that those who share in His body live forever (Jn. 6:57)
Eternal Life Begins Right Now
Jesus Gives More . . . Everlasting Life
Jesus Gives More . . . Everlasting Life
His Way to Life Cannot Compare with any Human Way to Salvation
His Way to Life is the Only Way and More Abundant Way (Jn. 10:10).
His Way to Life does not Diminish, Deteriorate, or Fade Away.
His Way to Life Depends on His All-Atoning and Once-for-all-Death (Jn 6:51)
The world may carry a vague hope that life does not end with death. We have the sure conviction that not only do we have everlasting life in Christ, but we also have it right now. Nourished spiritually, by the Eternal Bread of Life, Jesus, we are filled now to this life and forever in the life to come.