Finding True Nourishment in Christ: A Daily Commitment
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church! Today, we celebrated the 25th wedding anniversary of our youth leaders, Scott and Jamie, and watched a video for VBS. We then delved into 1 John 5, which speaks about the victory that overcomes the world through our faith in Jesus Christ. We were reminded to pray daily for those who do not yet know Jesus, as prayer has the power to change lives.
Continuing our Life of Christ series, we explored John 6:52-59, where Jesus speaks about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. This passage can be perplexing at first glance, but it carries profound spiritual truths. Jesus uses the metaphor of bread to explain that just as physical bread sustains our bodies, He is the spiritual bread that sustains our souls. The crowd following Jesus was initially drawn by His miracles and the physical food He provided, but Jesus wanted them to understand that He offers something far greater—eternal life and spiritual nourishment.
Many people today, like those in Jesus' time, seek Jesus for what they can get from Him rather than seeking to serve Him. They look for temporary fixes in the world—money, fame, relationships, material possessions—but these things can never truly satisfy. Jesus knows our hearts and patiently teaches us that He is the true source of lasting joy, peace, and purpose.
We are reminded that we are both physical and spiritual beings, and just as we need good food for our bodies, we need spiritual nourishment for our souls. The world offers an abundance of unhealthy spiritual "junk food" that leads to destruction, but Jesus offers the true spiritual food that leads to eternal life. When we fill our lives with Jesus, we find true satisfaction and purpose.
Jesus emphasizes that this is not a one-time event but a daily commitment. We are called to remain in Him, to seek Him daily, and to allow Him to transform our lives. As we prepare for communion, we are reminded to examine our hearts and turn over anything we are holding back from God. Communion is a sacred act of remembering the sacrifice Jesus made for us and renewing our commitment to Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Prayer: Prayer is a powerful tool that can change lives. We are encouraged to pray daily for those who do not know Jesus, lifting them up by name and trusting that God will work in their hearts. Consistent prayer can lead to transformation and bring people into a relationship with Jesus. [16:39]
2. True Spiritual Nourishment: Jesus is the true spiritual bread that sustains our souls. Just as we need good food for our bodies, we need Jesus to nourish our spirits. The world offers temporary fixes that cannot satisfy, but Jesus provides lasting joy, peace, and purpose. [44:20]
3. Daily Commitment to Jesus: Following Jesus is not a one-time event but a daily commitment. We are called to seek Him every day, allowing Him to transform our lives. This involves spending time in prayer, reading His Word, and being in fellowship with other believers. [01:02:21]
4. Rejecting Worldly Temptations: The world offers many temptations that promise happiness but ultimately lead to emptiness and destruction. We must choose to fill our lives with Jesus rather than the temporary pleasures of the world. Only Jesus can provide true and lasting satisfaction. [55:05]
5. Communion as a Sacred Act: Communion is a sacred act of remembering Jesus' sacrifice and renewing our commitment to Him. It is a time to examine our hearts, confess our sins, and turn over anything we are holding back from God. This act of remembrance helps us to refocus on Jesus and His purpose for our lives. [01:06:50]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[15:43] - 1 John 5: Conquering the World
[16:12] - The Power of Prayer
[35:13] - Communion Instructions
[36:43] - Prayer Before the Message
[37:28] - Reading John 6:52-59
[38:37] - Understanding Jesus' Metaphor
[39:13] - You Are What You Eat
[40:16] - The Crowd's Motives
[41:30] - Seeking Jesus for the Wrong Reasons
[43:12] - Everlasting Bread
[44:20] - Spiritual Nourishment
[49:26] - Physical vs. Spiritual Hunger
[55:05] - Rejecting Worldly Temptations
[01:02:21] - Daily Commitment to Jesus
[01:06:50] - Communion as a Sacred Act
[01:17:05] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- 1 John 5:4-5
- John 6:52-59
- 1 Corinthians 11:27-29
### Observation Questions
1. What does 1 John 5:4-5 say about the victory that overcomes the world? How is this victory achieved? [15:43]
2. In John 6:52-59, what metaphor does Jesus use to describe Himself, and what does He promise to those who partake in Him? [37:28]
3. According to the sermon, why did many people follow Jesus, and what were they hoping to receive from Him? [40:16]
4. What instructions does 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 give regarding the manner in which we should take communion? [01:06:50]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of Jesus as the "spiritual bread" in John 6:52-59 help us understand our need for daily spiritual nourishment? [44:20]
2. Why is it important to pray daily for those who do not know Jesus, and how can consistent prayer lead to transformation? [16:39]
3. What does it mean to have a daily commitment to Jesus, and how can this commitment transform our lives? [01:02:21]
4. How can we discern between the temporary fixes the world offers and the lasting satisfaction that comes from Jesus? [55:05]
### Application Questions
1. Think of three people in your life who do not know Jesus. How can you commit to praying for them daily this week? [16:39]
2. Reflect on your daily routine. What specific steps can you take to ensure you are seeking spiritual nourishment from Jesus each day? [44:20]
3. Identify one area in your life where you have been seeking temporary satisfaction from the world. How can you replace this with seeking Jesus? [55:05]
4. How can you make a daily commitment to Jesus more tangible in your life? Consider specific actions like prayer, Bible reading, or fellowship with other believers. [01:02:21]
5. Before taking communion, what steps can you take to examine your heart and turn over anything you are holding back from God? [01:06:50]
6. How can you encourage others in your small group to reject worldly temptations and seek lasting satisfaction in Jesus? [55:05]
7. Reflect on a time when you experienced true joy, peace, or purpose from Jesus. How can you share this experience with someone who is seeking temporary fixes in the world? [44:20]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Prayer
Prayer is a powerful tool that can change lives. We are encouraged to pray daily for those who do not know Jesus, lifting them up by name and trusting that God will work in their hearts. Consistent prayer can lead to transformation and bring people into a relationship with Jesus. Prayer is not just a ritual but a dynamic conversation with God that has the power to alter circumstances and soften hearts. When we pray for others, we are participating in God's redemptive work in the world.
In 1 John 5, we are reminded of the victory that overcomes the world through our faith in Jesus Christ. This victory is not just for us but for those we lift up in prayer. By praying for others, we are extending the reach of God's love and grace. We are called to be persistent in our prayers, trusting that God hears us and will act according to His will. [16:39]
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV): "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who does not know Jesus. Can you commit to praying for them by name every day this week, asking God to work in their heart and draw them closer to Him?
Day 2: True Spiritual Nourishment
Jesus is the true spiritual bread that sustains our souls. Just as we need good food for our bodies, we need Jesus to nourish our spirits. The world offers temporary fixes that cannot satisfy, but Jesus provides lasting joy, peace, and purpose. In John 6:52-59, Jesus uses the metaphor of bread to explain that He is the spiritual sustenance we need. The crowd following Jesus was initially drawn by His miracles and the physical food He provided, but Jesus wanted them to understand that He offers something far greater—eternal life and spiritual nourishment.
Many people today, like those in Jesus' time, seek Jesus for what they can get from Him rather than seeking to serve Him. They look for temporary fixes in the world—money, fame, relationships, material possessions—but these things can never truly satisfy. Jesus knows our hearts and patiently teaches us that He is the true source of lasting joy, peace, and purpose. [44:20]
John 6:35 (ESV): "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.'"
Reflection: What are some "temporary fixes" you have been seeking in your life? How can you turn to Jesus for true spiritual nourishment instead?
Day 3: Daily Commitment to Jesus
Following Jesus is not a one-time event but a daily commitment. We are called to seek Him every day, allowing Him to transform our lives. This involves spending time in prayer, reading His Word, and being in fellowship with other believers. Jesus emphasizes that this is not a one-time event but a daily commitment. We are called to remain in Him, to seek Him daily, and to allow Him to transform our lives.
As we prepare for communion, we are reminded to examine our hearts and turn over anything we are holding back from God. Communion is a sacred act of remembering the sacrifice Jesus made for us and renewing our commitment to Him. This daily commitment to Jesus is essential for our spiritual growth and transformation. [01:02:21]
Luke 9:23 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 4: Rejecting Worldly Temptations
The world offers many temptations that promise happiness but ultimately lead to emptiness and destruction. We must choose to fill our lives with Jesus rather than the temporary pleasures of the world. Only Jesus can provide true and lasting satisfaction. The world offers an abundance of unhealthy spiritual "junk food" that leads to destruction, but Jesus offers the true spiritual food that leads to eternal life.
When we fill our lives with Jesus, we find true satisfaction and purpose. Jesus knows our hearts and patiently teaches us that He is the true source of lasting joy, peace, and purpose. We are reminded that we are both physical and spiritual beings, and just as we need good food for our bodies, we need spiritual nourishment for our souls. [55:05]
1 John 2:15-17 (ESV): "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
Reflection: What are some worldly temptations you struggle with? How can you actively choose to fill your life with Jesus instead?
Day 5: Communion as a Sacred Act
Communion is a sacred act of remembering Jesus' sacrifice and renewing our commitment to Him. It is a time to examine our hearts, confess our sins, and turn over anything we are holding back from God. This act of remembrance helps us to refocus on Jesus and His purpose for our lives. As we prepare for communion, we are reminded to examine our hearts and turn over anything we are holding back from God.
Communion is not just a ritual but a profound spiritual practice that helps us to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us and to renew our commitment to Him. It is a time to reflect on our relationship with Jesus and to make any necessary changes in our lives to align more closely with His will. [01:06:50]
1 Corinthians 11:28-29 (ESV): "Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself."
Reflection: As you prepare for communion, what is one thing you need to confess and turn over to God? How can this act of remembrance help you to refocus on Jesus and His purpose for your life?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "We all know there's many people that are looking to conquer the world, to overcome their obstacles they face in life, and looking for that joy and peace that only Jesus can bring. And it's our job to introduce them to Jesus, to share Jesus. Sometimes we do that with our words, sometimes with our action. Most importantly, we take them to the Lord. We lift them up and pray each and every day." [16:12] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You know, people often like the idea of Jesus at that time. They like this idea of who he was and what he could offer them. It's no different than today. There's many people who come seeking Jesus to see what they can get from him. Trying to figure out what can they get from Jesus. The idea that for some of them is they like this idea what he may do for them." [41:30] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When we look to the world, we will never have everlasting joy, peace, happiness, none of those things. Because the world can't provide what Jesus can. We search for these things, but it never happens. Because none of it addresses the underlying issue." [54:31] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You are what you put into your life. And if we put the things of this world into our lives, we become like the world. But if we put Jesus into our lives, we can count on the fact that we, we will always be satisfied. We will always find peace, joy, and happiness in our lives. We will always find purpose for our lives when we go to Jesus." [59:06] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "As you go out this week, may you seek Jesus in all that you do. May you make that a daily thing and not a one-time thing. Remembering that Jesus is already made a way. He has a plan and a purpose for your life. And we simply need to seek Him." [01:17:05] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "It's this idea that we become what we take into our lives. And that's the point that Jesus was trying to make inside of this passage. It's something that we're called to take to heart. It's something that Jesus was trying to convey to the people around them, around him, in Capernaum at that time. It's a message that he's trying to convey to us." [39:13] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus knew the motives and the heart of the people that were standing there with him. Jesus understood the hearts of the people as he was teaching them and the questions that they were asking him. Just as he knows our hearts and he knows the hearts of the people around us. But Jesus will stay patient with them. As he stays patient with us." [42:39] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You know, physical hunger is a very powerful motivator in our lives. It's one of the reasons that we get up and we go to work. Each and every day, isn't it? Right? We want to make sure that we've got food to put on the table. But you know the old saying, you are what you eat. You know, if you eat too much of the wrong food, if you don't fuel your body the way it needs, it becomes destructive." [49:26] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You know, another way we can look at this, unless you believe in Jesus and accept that free gift of salvation that he gave us through the cross, you will never truly live. You will never truly have peace, joy, or happiness. What Jesus is talking about is that if we don't fill our lives with him, we have no real life." [59:06] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus is emphasizing inside of this moment that we remain in him after we first believed. That it isn't just about a one time saying a prayer and continuing to search the world for all the other stuff. He's talking about allowing him to come in and transform your life and walk with you each and every day." [01:02:21] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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