Embracing Spiritual Truths: The Bread of Life
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Kingsford Church of Christ. Today, we conclude our journey through John chapter 6, a chapter rich with profound teachings and challenging truths. We began by reading John 6:60-71, where many of Jesus' disciples found His teachings hard to accept and chose to desert Him. Jesus, aware of their complaints, emphasized that the Spirit alone gives eternal life and that human effort accomplishes nothing. This chapter reminds us of Jesus' miracles, His power over nature, and His teachings on eternal life, urging us to prioritize the spiritual over the material.
We revisited the idea of the "drama of doctrine," where we, as followers of Christ, enact God's kingdom on earth. Scripture serves as our script, the Holy Spirit as our director, and Jesus as the hero. The Jews struggled to accept Jesus as the Messiah because He did not fit their expectations. Jesus' teachings about being the bread of life and the necessity of eating His flesh and drinking His blood were particularly hard for them to accept, leading many to turn away.
Jesus' call to abide in Him and focus on spiritual matters is a recurring theme. He used physical miracles, like feeding the 5,000, to illustrate spiritual truths. The challenge for us is to see beyond our human understanding and embrace the spiritual perspective. Jesus' words are spirit and life, and He calls us to shift our paradigm to see things from a spiritual viewpoint.
Our role at Kingsford Church of Christ is to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit. We aim to create environments that foster spiritual growth and surround you with people passionate about Jesus and His kingdom. We want you to know Christ and make Him known, living a life transformed by the Holy Spirit.
As we face challenges and seasons of testing, we are encouraged to hold fast to Jesus, just as Peter did when he declared, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life." Jesus knows us, loves us, and will never let us go. Let us continue to trust in Him, grow in our faith, and boldly proclaim Him as the Holy One of God.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Spirit Gives Life: Jesus emphasizes that the Spirit alone gives eternal life, and human effort accomplishes nothing. This calls us to rely on the Holy Spirit for our spiritual growth and understanding, rather than our own efforts. We must seek spiritual nourishment and prioritize eternal matters over the material. [07:48]
2. Abiding in Christ: Jesus invites us to abide in Him, promising that He will abide in us. This relationship is central to our spiritual journey, requiring us to partake in the life of Christ and focus on spiritual truths. Abiding in Christ transforms us and aligns our lives with His will. [07:04]
3. The Challenge of Spiritual Perspective: We often struggle to see beyond our human understanding and embrace a spiritual perspective. Jesus calls us to shift our paradigm and view life through a spiritual lens, recognizing that God's ways are higher than our ways. This shift requires the illumination and discernment of the Holy Spirit. [09:13]
4. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is our counselor, encourager, and empowerer, helping us to understand and live out Jesus' teachings. Our spiritual growth and transformation are the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, guiding us to become more like Jesus. [12:29]
5. Commitment in Adversity: Like Peter, we are called to hold fast to Jesus and declare our commitment to Him, even when His teachings are difficult. Our faithfulness and commitment are tested in the face of adversity, but we are encouraged to trust in Jesus, who knows us, loves us, and will never let us go. [22:50]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:13] - Reading John 6:60-71
[02:48] - Miracles and Teachings of Jesus
[04:03] - The Bread of Life
[05:37] - Spiritual vs. Material Focus
[07:04] - Abiding in Christ
[09:13] - Shifting to a Spiritual Perspective
[12:29] - Role of the Holy Spirit
[14:20] - The Yoke of Jesus
[16:04] - Jesus Questions the Twelve
[18:40] - Commitment and Loyalty
[20:47] - Encouragement for Different Stages of Faith
[22:50] - Challenges of Faithfulness
[24:05] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 6:60-71
2. Matthew 11:28-30
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the reaction of many of Jesus' disciples to His teachings in John 6:60-71? ([01:52])
2. How does Jesus describe the source of eternal life in John 6:63? ([07:48])
3. What does Peter declare about Jesus in John 6:68-69? ([01:52])
4. According to Matthew 11:28-30, what does Jesus offer to those who are weary and burdened? ([14:20])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why did many disciples find Jesus' teachings hard to accept and choose to desert Him? ([04:53])
2. What does it mean to "abide in Christ" as mentioned in the sermon? How does this concept relate to spiritual growth? ([07:04])
3. How does the Holy Spirit play a role in helping believers understand and live out Jesus' teachings? ([12:29])
4. What does Peter's declaration in John 6:68-69 reveal about his understanding of Jesus' identity and mission? ([01:52])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you found Jesus' teachings difficult to accept. How did you respond, and what helped you to continue following Him? ([04:53])
2. In what ways can you prioritize spiritual nourishment over material concerns in your daily life? ([08:34])
3. How can you create space in your life for the Holy Spirit to guide and transform you? What practical steps can you take this week? ([12:29])
4. Think about a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you shift your perspective to see it through a spiritual lens rather than a human one? ([09:13])
5. Peter declared, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life." How can you cultivate a deeper commitment to Jesus, especially during times of adversity? ([01:52])
6. Jesus invites us to take His yoke upon us and find rest for our souls. What burdens are you currently carrying, and how can you exchange them for Jesus' yoke? ([14:20])
7. How can you support and encourage others in your small group or church community who may be struggling with their faith or facing difficult teachings of Jesus? ([22:11])
Devotional
Day 1: The Spirit Gives Life
Description: Jesus emphasizes that the Spirit alone gives eternal life, and human effort accomplishes nothing. This calls us to rely on the Holy Spirit for our spiritual growth and understanding, rather than our own efforts. We must seek spiritual nourishment and prioritize eternal matters over the material. Jesus' words are spirit and life, and He calls us to shift our paradigm to see things from a spiritual viewpoint. This shift requires the illumination and discernment of the Holy Spirit. [07:48]
John 6:63 (ESV): "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own efforts rather than the Holy Spirit? How can you begin to seek spiritual nourishment today?
Day 2: Abiding in Christ
Description: Jesus invites us to abide in Him, promising that He will abide in us. This relationship is central to our spiritual journey, requiring us to partake in the life of Christ and focus on spiritual truths. Abiding in Christ transforms us and aligns our lives with His will. This abiding relationship is not passive but active, involving daily communion with Jesus through prayer, reading Scripture, and living out His teachings. [07:04]
John 15:4 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me."
Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to deepen your abiding relationship with Christ? How can you ensure that this becomes a daily habit?
Day 3: The Challenge of Spiritual Perspective
Description: We often struggle to see beyond our human understanding and embrace a spiritual perspective. Jesus calls us to shift our paradigm and view life through a spiritual lens, recognizing that God's ways are higher than our ways. This shift requires the illumination and discernment of the Holy Spirit. By focusing on spiritual truths, we can better understand God's purposes and align our lives with His will. [09:13]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to shift your perspective to see things spiritually? How can you ask the Holy Spirit to help you make this shift today?
Day 4: The Role of the Holy Spirit
Description: The Holy Spirit is our counselor, encourager, and empowerer, helping us to understand and live out Jesus' teachings. Our spiritual growth and transformation are the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, guiding us to become more like Jesus. The Holy Spirit provides the strength and wisdom we need to navigate life's challenges and to live in a way that honors God. [12:29]
John 14:26 (ESV): "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
Reflection: How have you experienced the guidance and encouragement of the Holy Spirit in your life? What is one way you can be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's leading today?
Day 5: Commitment in Adversity
Description: Like Peter, we are called to hold fast to Jesus and declare our commitment to Him, even when His teachings are difficult. Our faithfulness and commitment are tested in the face of adversity, but we are encouraged to trust in Jesus, who knows us, loves us, and will never let us go. This commitment requires a steadfast faith and a willingness to follow Jesus, no matter the cost. [22:50]
John 6:68-69 (ESV): "Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.'"
Reflection: What challenges are you currently facing that test your commitment to Jesus? How can you reaffirm your trust in Him and hold fast to your faith today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Jesus said, the spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I've spoken to you are spirit and life. And if you were to ask what would be the theme of this whole chapter, this would be it. This would be the theme of the whole passage, that Jesus was continually calling those followers to think about the spiritual, not the material. And so it is with us. Jesus is constantly calling us to think about the spiritual matters more than the material." (35 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We want you to know Christ and make him known through your words and through actions powered by the Holy Spirit. And so, for example, our disciple-making pathway, I've got it on the screen here, it's intentionally put together this way because we want you to focus on Jesus and his kingdom. That's central to all that we do here." (24 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus reminds us again that he chose the 12 disciples, that Jesus handpicked them. And in this room, and for those who are joining online, trust in Jesus, the giver of eternal life. You're all... You're all here at different stages in your spiritual walk with Jesus. Some of you are still young in the faith, learning to trust God, learning about the promises that he made and how he kept them. My encouragement to you is to learn from those who are mature in the faith." (38 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We want to see you become the person God created you to be. And we will come alongside you and we'll walk with you in your spiritual journey. Our desire is to see you whole, to receive forgiveness and to forgive others. We want to see the burdens that have weighed you down be lifted and replaced with the yoke of Jesus." (22 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus loves you. And the promise that Jesus makes is that he will never drive you away. And so as an apprentice of Jesus, we will go through seasons of testing, seasons of pressure. We will face challenges daily, be it our health, our comfort, or the challenges of just daily life. We are called to confront the challenges of faithfulness and commitment in the face of adversity." (29 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "For many, it was just too hard to follow Jesus. They left, not because they didn't understand. And here's the key, right? It's not that they didn't understand. They left because they actually understood what Jesus said, but couldn't accept it. They couldn't accept that Jesus was talking about having them focus on spiritual things, things that don't perish. They could not accept that Jesus, the Messiah, lived among them instead of descending from the heavens. And they could not accept that Jesus said that he will ascend back to heaven." (37 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And so as we conclude this time together, Jesus reminds us again that he chose the 12 disciples, that Jesus handpicked them. And in this room, and for those who are joining online, trust in Jesus, the giver of eternal life. You're all... You're all here at different stages in your spiritual walk with Jesus. Some of you are still young in the faith, learning to trust God, learning about the promises that he made and how he kept them. My encouragement to you is to learn from those who are mature in the faith. Some of you here have had a long abiding relationship with Jesus. You've gone through the fires of life, the uncertainties and the challenges, and you've actually come to know Jesus. You've come out stronger, more patient, more loving, more mature. You've probably failed many times, and yet you see God's mighty hand pick you up and you have seen the community of faith around you pray for you, support you, and love you back into a trusting relationship with God." (38 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And Simon Peter, the spokesman of the group, he says this, Lord, to whom would we go? We have the words that, give eternal life. We believe and we know you are the Holy One of God. And so this is the declaration of loyalty to Jesus. His words are actually significant and it's a wonderful statement of faith. And I just want to highlight it for you on the next slide. Peter recognized that Jesus was Lord. He recognized that Jesus was actually the preferred alternative despite the difficulties of what Jesus was teaching and what he was said had said but they had followed and they understood or they had seen enough of what Jesus was doing to to stick around." (58 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And so as we continue with this passage, Jesus, he actually then turns to the 12 and he asks, are you also going to leave? According to biblical scholars, the mood of the question was not about despair or rejection because many who had followed Jesus were leaving, right? It sounds like, are you leaving also? No, no. This question was about Jesus actually searching the motives of the 12. The 12 disciples that were left. According to the original language, the answer to the question, are you going to leave? The assumption is that the answer would be no. I suppose if you were to ask it another way, you would be asking, like, you don't want to go away too, do you? That's the sort of the mood of the question." (54 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And I've had a lot of time to think about this process. And for me, it feels messy and it feels chaotic because I don't have, I suppose, control over every single step. But we've intentionally designed it this way because we want to make space for God and to allow us to play in the space of trusting God in this process. And it's my belief that as much as I want you to grow and mature and point others to this life-changing knowing of Jesus, it is actually the work of the Holy Spirit, God's Holy Spirit in your life that will actually cause you to grow, that will cause you to be transformed, to live in such a way that causes you to have Jesus central to your life." (58 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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