Finding True Satisfaction in the Bread of Life
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound statement of Jesus declaring Himself as the "Bread of Life" from John 6. This declaration is not just a metaphor but a deep spiritual truth that invites us to move from merely knowing about Jesus to truly knowing Him in a personal relationship. The crowd that followed Jesus after the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 was seeking physical sustenance, yet Jesus pointed them towards a deeper hunger—a spiritual hunger that only He can satisfy.
The analogy of the sourdough starter, named Alan, served as a vivid illustration of how something small and seemingly insignificant can grow and multiply, much like our faith when nurtured. Just as the sourdough starter can be shared and passed on, so can our faith and the message of Jesus as the Bread of Life.
Jesus challenges us to seek not the perishable bread of this world but the eternal sustenance that He offers. This eternal bread is not about physical satisfaction but about a relationship that fulfills our deepest spiritual needs. The crowd's focus on the bread in life, rather than the bread of life, mirrors our own tendencies to seek satisfaction in temporary things.
The call to believe in Jesus is simple yet profound. It is not about performing religious duties but about trusting in Him as the source of eternal life. This belief transforms our lives, offering a satisfaction that transcends our physical needs and desires.
As we partake in communion, we are reminded of Jesus' sacrifice—His body broken and His blood shed for us. This act of remembrance is a declaration of our belief in the Bread of Life, a belief that leads to eternal satisfaction and a relationship with God.
Key Takeaways:
- The Bread of Life vs. Bread in Life: Jesus invites us to seek the eternal sustenance He offers, rather than the temporary satisfaction of worldly desires. This distinction challenges us to evaluate where we seek fulfillment. [22:07]
- Belief as the Work of God: Jesus simplifies the path to eternal life by emphasizing belief in Him. This belief is not about religious rituals but about trusting in His identity and work. [24:37]
- The Gospel's Transformative Power: The story of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is the ultimate good news that restores our broken relationship with God, offering eternal satisfaction. [29:47]
- Personal Reflection on Satisfaction: We are encouraged to identify what we are placing our hope in for satisfaction. True fulfillment comes from belief in Jesus, not in temporary things. [33:40]
- Communion as a Reminder: Partaking in communion is a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and the eternal life He offers. It is a declaration of our belief in the Bread of Life. [45:54]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [16:48] - Introduction to the Bread of Life
- [22:07] - The Crowd's Pursuit of Physical Needs
- [24:37] - Jesus' Teaching on Eternal Bread
- [29:47] - The Gospel and Eternal Satisfaction
- [33:40] - Personal Reflection on Satisfaction
- [42:34] - Call to Believe
- [45:54] - Communion and Response
- [48:00] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 6:22-51
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the crowd's initial reason for following Jesus across the sea, and how did Jesus respond to their motivations? [22:07]
2. How does Jesus describe the difference between the "bread of life" and the "bread in life"? [24:37]
3. What Old Testament story does the crowd reference when questioning Jesus, and how does Jesus clarify their understanding? [29:47]
4. What does Jesus say is the "work of God" that the crowd should focus on? [24:37]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Jesus have used the metaphor of the "bread of life" to describe Himself, and what implications does this have for understanding His role in our spiritual lives? [24:37]
2. How does the story of manna in the wilderness relate to Jesus' teaching about the bread of life, and what does this reveal about God's provision? [29:47]
3. In what ways does the crowd's focus on physical needs mirror our own tendencies, and how does Jesus challenge this perspective? [22:07]
4. What does Jesus' statement about belief being the "work of God" suggest about the nature of faith and its role in our relationship with Him? [24:37]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are seeking "bread in life" rather than the "bread of life"? How can you shift your focus to seek eternal sustenance in Jesus? [22:07]
2. Jesus emphasizes belief as the key to eternal life. How can you deepen your trust in Jesus this week, especially in areas where you might be struggling with doubt? [24:37]
3. The sermon mentioned the sourdough starter as a metaphor for faith. What small step can you take this week to nurture and grow your faith, and how can you share it with others? [16:48]
4. Communion is a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice. How can you make this act of remembrance more meaningful in your life, and what does it mean for you to declare your belief in the Bread of Life? [45:54]
5. Identify a temporary thing you often rely on for satisfaction. What practical steps can you take to rely more on Jesus for fulfillment instead? [33:40]
6. Consider the story of manna in the wilderness. How can you recognize and appreciate God's daily provision in your life, even when it doesn't come in the form you expect? [29:47]
7. The sermon challenges us to evaluate where we seek fulfillment. What is one specific change you can make in your daily routine to prioritize your relationship with Jesus over worldly desires? [22:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Seeking Eternal Sustenance Over Temporary Satisfaction
In John 6, Jesus challenges us to seek the eternal sustenance He offers, rather than the temporary satisfaction of worldly desires. The crowd that followed Jesus after the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 was focused on their physical needs, yet Jesus pointed them towards a deeper hunger—a spiritual hunger that only He can satisfy. This distinction challenges us to evaluate where we seek fulfillment in our own lives. Are we pursuing temporary pleasures and material gains, or are we seeking the eternal nourishment that comes from a relationship with Jesus? [22:07]
John 4:13-14 (ESV): "Jesus said to her, 'Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are seeking temporary satisfaction? How can you begin to seek Jesus for eternal fulfillment in that area today?
Day 2: Belief as the True Work of God
Jesus simplifies the path to eternal life by emphasizing belief in Him. This belief is not about performing religious rituals but about trusting in His identity and work. In a world that often values actions and achievements, Jesus calls us to a simple yet profound act of faith. This belief transforms our lives, offering a satisfaction that transcends our physical needs and desires. It is a call to trust in Jesus as the source of eternal life, rather than relying on our own efforts. [24:37]
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV): "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Reflection: In what ways are you relying on your own efforts to please God? How can you shift your focus to trusting in Jesus and His work today?
Day 3: The Transformative Power of the Gospel
The story of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is the ultimate good news that restores our broken relationship with God, offering eternal satisfaction. This transformative power of the Gospel is not just a historical event but a present reality that changes lives. It invites us to experience a relationship with God that fulfills our deepest spiritual needs. As we embrace this good news, we are called to share it with others, much like the sourdough starter that grows and multiplies when nurtured. [29:47]
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."
Reflection: How has the Gospel transformed your life? Who is one person you can share this transformative power with this week?
Day 4: Identifying True Sources of Satisfaction
We are encouraged to identify what we are placing our hope in for satisfaction. True fulfillment comes from belief in Jesus, not in temporary things. This requires a personal reflection on our priorities and desires. Are we seeking satisfaction in material possessions, achievements, or relationships? Or are we finding our true fulfillment in a relationship with Jesus, the Bread of Life? This reflection challenges us to realign our focus and trust in Jesus for our deepest needs. [33:40]
Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Reflection: What is one thing you are currently placing your hope in for satisfaction? How can you begin to place your hope in Jesus instead?
Day 5: Communion as a Declaration of Belief
Partaking in communion is a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and the eternal life He offers. It is a declaration of our belief in the Bread of Life, a belief that leads to eternal satisfaction and a relationship with God. As we remember Jesus' body broken and His blood shed for us, we are invited to reflect on the significance of this act of remembrance. It is a call to renew our commitment to Jesus and to live out our faith in our daily lives. [45:54]
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."
Reflection: As you prepare to partake in communion, what does this act of remembrance mean to you personally? How can you live out your belief in the Bread of Life in your daily actions?
Quotes
Through this entire series, we want us to remember one thing. We want us to remember one thing, that when we move from knowing about Jesus to truly knowing Jesus, we begin to experience a personal relationship. This morning, our next I am statement is the one that Jesus says, for he is the bread of life. [00:17:27] (22 seconds)
Jesus answered them, truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Let me give you a little bit of context as to what has happened previously before this story. So, if you go back and you start at John chapter 6. [00:19:07] (19 seconds)
Think about this idea for a second. What was the crowd after? Well, the crowd was after what? Their physical needs. But let's be real. Every single person in this room falls into that same category too. Raise your hand if you plan to eat food at some point today. [00:22:43] (19 seconds)
What does Jesus have to say about the fact that he's the bread of life? Verse 27, do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him, God the Father has set his seal. See the two different kinds of categories there? [00:24:10] (20 seconds)
Jesus says the way you get this bread of life is simply just to believe. Okay? So let's see if the crowd has started to track and understand a little bit. Look at verse 30. So they said to him, what sign do you do that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? [00:25:53] (22 seconds)
For this is the will of my Father, that everyone, everyone say everyone, everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life. Everyone say eternal. Eternal. And I will raise him up on the last day. Isn't that amazing? What is that saying? [00:30:13] (23 seconds)
The ultimate realization is that when God created us in the Garden of Eden, he created us with a purpose, right? He created us with a purpose to live in communion with him. He created us for a purpose to have a relationship with him, and he gave two people named Adam and Eve literally one job. [00:31:21] (18 seconds)
That's not where the story ends because, yes, they killed him. Yes, they put him in the tomb. Yes, they put him in the ground. They buried him. But ladies and gentlemen, I'll build this up a little bit because it's like the best part of the story. Ladies and gentlemen, guess what? He got up. [00:33:40] (17 seconds)
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your father ate the manna in the wilderness and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that no one may eat of it and not die. [00:36:23] (18 seconds)
What is the thing that you are believing in more to satisfy you other than belief in Jesus? What is the thing that you're placing your hope in? Is it work? Is it your family? Is it your finances? That's a conversation for you and God to be having so that you can identify the things. [00:44:30] (21 seconds)
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