Finding True Satisfaction in the Bread of Life

Key Takeaways

- True satisfaction is only found in Jesus, not in the temporary pleasures or achievements of this world. Everything else—money, success, relationships, comfort—eventually fades or disappoints, but Jesus offers a fulfillment that endures forever. Our restless hearts are designed to find their rest in Him alone. [26:05]

- The feast Jesus offers is open and free to all, not something we can earn or deserve. Grace levels the playing field—no one is too far, too broken, or too unqualified to come. This means there is always enough for everyone, and no one is left out because of their past or their lack of resources. [29:30]

- We often settle for lesser things, allowing ourselves to be “far too easily pleased” with the mud pies of this world, as C.S. Lewis put it. God invites us to lift our eyes and desire something infinitely better: Himself. Settling for less not only leaves us empty, but blinds us to the greater joy and satisfaction that Jesus offers. [27:35]

- When we look to people or possessions to satisfy us, we place a weight on them they were never meant to bear. This not only leads to our own disappointment, but can damage our relationships and distort our use of God’s good gifts. Only when our souls are at rest in Jesus can we love others and enjoy things rightly, without demanding they fill the void only God can fill. [42:49]

- The path to satisfaction begins with honest confession—admitting our hunger, our wandering, and our inability to fill ourselves. God is not hiding; He is eager to meet us in our need. When we cry out to Him, He leads us to the true feast, rescues us from our restlessness, and fills us with good things in Christ. [41:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[17:11] - The Acai Bowl Disappointment and Our Longings
[18:52] - Jesus Feeds the 5,000: The Crowd’s Real Motives
[20:51] - What Do You Want from Jesus?
[23:28] - Two Kinds of Bread: Perishable vs. Eternal
[25:16] - Our Satisfaction Problem
[27:35] - Settling for Less: Mud Pies and Infinite Joy
[28:15] - Can We Earn the Feast?
[29:30] - The Open, Free Feast of Grace
[31:45] - Believing in the Real Jesus
[34:04] - The Bread of God Is a Person
[35:42] - The Restless Heart and the Bread of Life
[37:39] - Where Are You Looking for Satisfaction?
[41:14] - Confession and the Turning Point
[42:49] - The Weight of Expectation on Others
[44:19] - The Early Church and True Satisfaction
[45:25] - Are You Feasting on Jesus?
[46:32] - Prayer and Communion
[01:01:20] - Closing Prayer and Sending
[01:04:23] - Announcements and Prayer Seminar Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Satisfied in Jesus – John 6

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### Bible Reading

John 6:22-35 (ESV)
22 On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone.
23 Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.
24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.
25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”
26 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.
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 to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”
28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”
29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform?
31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”
32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
35 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.”

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### Observation Questions

1. What were the people really seeking when they came to Jesus after the miracle of feeding the 5,000? ([18:52])
2. According to Jesus, what is the difference between “food that perishes” and “food that endures to eternal life”? ([23:28])
3. How does Jesus say we receive the bread that satisfies forever? What is the “work” God wants from us? ([29:30])
4. In verse 35, what does Jesus mean when he calls himself “the bread of life”? ([34:04])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do people, both in the story and today, often look to Jesus mainly for physical or temporary needs instead of for deeper spiritual satisfaction? ([18:52])
2. What does it reveal about our hearts when we try to earn or qualify for God’s gifts, instead of simply receiving them by faith? ([28:15])
3. The sermon says we often “settle for lesser things” or “mud pies” instead of the feast Jesus offers. What are some examples of these “lesser things” in our lives, and why are we tempted to settle for them? ([27:35])
4. How can looking to people or possessions for ultimate satisfaction place an unfair burden on them, and what are the consequences of this? ([42:49])

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### Application Questions

1. Think about a time when you chased after something (a possession, achievement, relationship, or experience) hoping it would finally satisfy you, but it didn’t. What did you learn from that experience? ([17:11])
2. Are there any “mud pies” in your life right now—things you’re settling for that you know can’t truly satisfy? What would it look like to lift your eyes to Jesus instead? ([27:35])
3. The sermon says the feast Jesus offers is open and free, not something we can earn. Do you ever find yourself trying to “qualify” for God’s love or blessing? How does it change your approach to God to know that his invitation is by grace alone? ([29:30])
4. Where are you most tempted to look for satisfaction apart from Jesus—money, relationships, comfort, success, or something else? How can you bring that area honestly to God this week? ([37:39])
5. Have you ever placed unrealistic expectations on a person or thing to make you happy or fulfilled? How did that affect your relationship with them or your enjoyment of that thing? ([42:49])
6. The turning point in Psalm 107 is when people “cried out to the Lord in their trouble.” What would it look like for you to honestly confess your hunger or restlessness to God this week? ([41:14])
7. What is one practical way you can “feast on Jesus” this week—whether through prayer, reading Scripture, worship, or serving others? How can your group encourage each other in this? ([45:25])

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Closing Thought:
Jesus invites us to come hungry, come expectant, and be satisfied in him. Let’s encourage each other to seek our deepest satisfaction in the bread of life, not in the things that fade away.

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Is the Bread of Life—True Satisfaction Is Found in Him
Jesus reveals that He alone is the true bread from heaven, offering a satisfaction that nothing in this world can provide. The crowd sought physical bread, but Jesus pointed them to a deeper hunger—a longing of the soul that only He can fill. No matter how much we chase after possessions, achievements, or experiences, they always leave us wanting more. Jesus invites us to come to Him, promising that those who do will never hunger or thirst again. He is not just a giver of good things; He Himself is the gift, the feast, and the fulfillment of our deepest needs. [35:42]

John 6:32-35 (ESV)
Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 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 is one thing you’ve been chasing for satisfaction that you need to lay down today in order to seek Jesus as your true bread of life?


Day 2: The Feast Is Free—You Cannot Earn God’s Gift
The soul-satisfying feast Jesus offers is not something you can buy, earn, or qualify for by your own effort. The world teaches us to work for what we want, but Jesus turns this upside down, declaring that the only “work” is to believe in Him. This open invitation is for everyone, regardless of background, ability, or past failures. God’s grace levels the playing field, making the feast available to all who come empty-handed. There is no price to pay, no achievement to unlock—just a simple, humble faith in Jesus. [29:30]

John 6:28-29 (ESV)
Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

Reflection: Where in your life are you still trying to earn God’s approval or blessing instead of simply receiving His grace through faith in Jesus?


Day 3: Don’t Settle for Lesser Things—Only Jesus Truly Satisfies
We often allow ourselves to be satisfied with the “mud pies” of this world—money, comfort, relationships, or success—when God offers us a holiday at the sea. These things may bring fleeting pleasure, but they cannot fill the deep void in our souls. Jesus calls us to stop settling for what perishes and to hunger for what lasts forever. When we feast on Him, we are freed from the endless cycle of disappointment and empowered to enjoy the good things of this world rightly, without making them ultimate. [27:35]

Isaiah 55:1-2 (ESV)
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.”

Reflection: What “mud pie” have you been settling for lately, and how can you intentionally turn your heart toward the richer feast Jesus offers?


Day 4: Confession and Crying Out—The Pathway to Satisfaction
God is not hiding satisfaction from you; He wants you to find it in Him. The turning point comes when you admit your need and cry out to Him, confessing that you cannot find true fulfillment on your own. As long as you keep wandering in the wilderness of self-sufficiency or chasing after lesser things, you will remain unsatisfied. But when you turn to God in your trouble, He rescues, leads, and fills you with good things. Satisfaction begins with honest confession and a desperate cry for God’s help. [41:14]

Psalm 107:4-9 (ESV)
Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

Reflection: What is one area of emptiness or restlessness you need to confess to God today, asking Him to satisfy you with Himself?


Day 5: Feasting on Jesus Frees Us to Love Others Radically
When your soul is satisfied in Jesus, you are set free from using money, relationships, or comfort as ultimate sources of fulfillment. Instead, you can use these gifts to bless others and glorify God. The early church was marked by radical generosity, sacrificial love, and a willingness to give up comfort for the sake of others. As you feast on Jesus, you are empowered to live differently—to care for the needs of others, to welcome the outsider, and to pursue unity in diversity. True satisfaction in Christ overflows into a life of love and service. [45:25]

Luke 17:33 (ESV)
Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.

Reflection: How can you use your resources, time, or comfort this week to sacrificially love and serve someone in your church or community?

Quotes

So Jesus says there's these two kinds of bread that we could all go after and want in this world. Food that perishes and food that lasts forever. Food that perishes is the stuff of this world. Money, fame, possessions, success. All that stuff tastes really great, but Jesus says it perishes. It gets old. It gets damaged. It gets outdated. It breaks down. That's why none of us are still stoked about the gift that we got when we were six years old for Christmas, right? [00:23:45] (30 seconds)

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Maybe you've been letting the things of this world satisfy you. You've allowed yourself to become satisfied with money or with your possessions or vacations. or clothes, or success, or comfort, mud pies, compared to what Jesus is offering. And Jesus is telling this group that's come to him wanting more mud pies, he says, I don't want you to settle. I don't want you to settle for the physical stuff of this world. I want to blow your mind with something else, something you desperately need. [00:27:41] (34 seconds)

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They come to Jesus. They say, we want some physical bread. Jesus says, no, forget that. I've got something way better for you, something that will satisfy you forever. And they're like, great, we'll take it. How can we buy it? What can we do to earn it? They know that's how this world works, right? If you want to eat, you got to work. If you want something, you got to grind it out and you got to do what you need to do in order to get it. But Jesus answers them, this is the work of God that you believe in the one he has sent. Jesus tells them, you want to know what you can do to earn this eternal soul satisfying bread? Nothing. Nothing at all. There is no physical work you can do. You can't earn it. And actually, as long as you try to earn it or work for it, you'll never have it. [00:28:29] (50 seconds)

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If you want your soul to be deeply satisfied now and forever, you can't buy it and you can't earn it. And that is really good news. It's good news because of what Tim Keller says here. It says, a salvation earned by good works and moral effort would favor the more able, competent, accomplished, and privileged. But salvation by sheer grace favors the failed, the outsiders, the weak, because it goes only to those who know salvation must be by sheer grace. [00:30:25] (30 seconds)

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If it's free, then all of us are the same. If it's free, then it's open to everyone. And if it's free and open to everyone, track with this, that means it's not going to run out. There's never going to be someone that comes to God who is so needy, who is so hungry, so thirsty, and he's like, ah, just gave out the last dinner roll. Sorry. That's just never the case. It's open. It's an open feast. It's open because anyone can believe. [00:31:19] (36 seconds)

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They want a miracle of some physical blessing. And Jesus says, I'll give you a miracle. It's me. It's me. The bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven, who gives life to the world. The bread of God, the thing that God gives to us that will satisfy us forever is a person. That's the miracle. God became flesh. The feast has come for us. They asked for a miracle. Jesus says, here it is. It's me. [00:34:54] (33 seconds)

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It's a person that satisfies our souls. The person we were created to find our ultimate satisfaction in. And when we feast on him, feast on Jesus, we can be totally satisfied and content in this life and forever. [00:36:37] (16 seconds)

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If we are placing the expectation on our spouses, our friends, our kids, that they will give us what only Jesus can give us, it's going to crush them. And we're going to be unsatisfied. [00:43:08] (15 seconds)

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When the world looks at the church today, they don't need to see a group of people who are pursuing our own comfort in life. They need to see a group of people who are willing to welcome in foster kids and adopt children, even when our homes are already full. The world needs to see a group of people who are caring for each other in such radical, sacrificial ways that we're caring for each other, even with our finances, and that looks weird. strange. And in a world right now that is so fractured by the diversity that exists for the church to exist in such a way where diversity comes together with love around Jesus that's beautiful, man, that's compelling. That looks different. [00:44:30] (37 seconds)

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Finding True Satisfaction in the Bread of Life

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