Jesus: Our Sustenance, Peace, and Mission
Summary
In John 6, Jesus declares Himself the true bread from heaven, the one who gives life to the world. He invites us not just to know about Him, but to receive Him deeply—so deeply that He becomes our very sustenance. This is not a call to mere ritual or surface-level faith, but to a living, abiding relationship where Christ dwells within us. As we remember Him through communion, we recognize that His body and blood are the source of our healing, forgiveness, and spiritual nourishment. The bread and the cup are not just symbols; they are reminders that Jesus is the only one who can truly satisfy our deepest hunger and thirst.
Turning to Acts 1, we see Jesus’ ascension as a powerful confirmation of His divine identity. Just as He promised, He rose from the dead and then ascended to the Father, riding the clouds as only God can. This event is not just a historical footnote—it is a declaration that Jesus is who He says He is, and that He is now interceding for us at the right hand of the Father. The ascension also marks a transition: Jesus entrusts His mission to His followers, giving them the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.
Yet, before the disciples could fulfill this mission, they needed to wait. Jesus told them to remain in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit. This waiting was not passive, but a time of preparation for the peace and power they would need. The disciples, like many of us, were confused about God’s plan, expecting political victory rather than spiritual transformation. Jesus corrected their vision, reminding them that His kingdom is not of this world, and that the true battle is won through love, forgiveness, and the proclamation of the gospel.
Sin, Jesus teaches, is what robs us of peace. From the garden of Eden to our own lives, unconfessed sin leads to hiding and fear. But repentance—turning away from sin and toward God—restores peace and opens the way for the Spirit’s power. Forgiven people are compelled to share this good news, not out of obligation, but because they have tasted true peace and want others to experience it. When we speak God’s word, we activate His power; miracles and transformation follow the proclamation of the gospel. The name of Jesus carries authority, and when we are bold to speak it, even the hardest hearts can be softened and relationships restored.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus is the true bread from heaven, offering Himself as our deepest nourishment. To “eat His flesh and drink His blood” is to receive Him fully, allowing His life to become our life. This is not about ritual, but about a living, abiding relationship where Christ dwells within us and sustains us in every way. [34:36]
- The ascension of Jesus is a divine confirmation of His identity and authority. When Jesus ascended on the clouds, He fulfilled ancient prophecies and demonstrated that He is truly the Son of God. This event assures us that He is interceding for us now and will one day return in the same way, calling us to live in readiness and faith. [44:49]
- God’s mission requires both peace and power, which come from the Holy Spirit. The disciples were told to wait, not to rush ahead in their own strength. True effectiveness in God’s work comes when we receive His peace, are filled with His Spirit, and move forward in obedience rather than anxiety or self-reliance. [50:58]
- Sin steals our peace, but repentance restores it and sets us free. Like Adam and Eve, we hide when we sin, losing the intimacy and peace we were created for. Repentance is not just a one-time act, but a continual turning to God, allowing His forgiveness to renew us and His peace to fill us afresh. [54:06]
- Proclaiming the gospel releases God’s power and brings true peace to others. When we speak God’s word and the name of Jesus, we invite His presence and authority into every situation. The gospel is not just information—it is the power of God for salvation, and as we share it, lives are changed, relationships are restored, and the peace of Christ spreads. [01:03:31]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[34:36] - Communion: The Bread of Life
[37:16] - Succession and the Church’s Mission
[39:12] - The Ascension of Jesus
[40:14] - Promise of the Holy Spirit
[41:21] - The Great Commission
[42:16] - The Ascension Confirms Jesus’ Identity
[43:14] - Hard Teachings and True Belief
[44:49] - Jesus Rides the Clouds
[47:33] - The Disciples’ Confusion About the Kingdom
[49:12] - The Call to Lay Down the Sword
[50:05] - Waiting for Peace and Power
[50:58] - Jesus Breathes Peace and the Spirit
[52:34] - The Power of Forgiveness
[54:06] - Sin Steals Peace; Repentance Restores
[57:14] - Forgiven to Proclaim Peace
[59:47] - Standing in Grace
[01:00:43] - Preaching Activates God’s Power
[01:03:31] - The Power of Jesus’ Name
[01:06:47] - Invitation and Testimony
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
- John 6:32-40, 53-58 (Jesus as the Bread of Life)
- Acts 1:1-11 (The Ascension and Promise of the Holy Spirit)
- Luke 24:45-49 (Repentance and Forgiveness Proclaimed)
- Romans 5:1-2 (Peace with God through Jesus)
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### Observation Questions
1. In John 6, what does Jesus mean when He calls Himself the “bread of life”? What does He say about eating His flesh and drinking His blood?
2. According to Acts 1, what instructions did Jesus give His disciples before He ascended to heaven?
3. In Luke 24, what message did Jesus say should be preached to all nations?
4. In Romans 5:1-2, what is the result of being justified by faith?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus used such strong language about eating His flesh and drinking His blood? What was He trying to communicate about the kind of relationship He wants with us? [34:36]
2. The disciples were told to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit before starting their mission. What does this reveal about the source of power and peace for believers? [50:05]
3. Why do you think the disciples were confused about the kind of kingdom Jesus was bringing? How does this confusion show up in our own expectations of God? [47:33]
4. According to the sermon, how does unconfessed sin affect our peace and relationship with God? [54:06]
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### Application Questions
1. Jesus invites us to receive Him as our true nourishment, not just know about Him. What does it look like for you personally to “feed” on Jesus daily? Are there habits or routines you could start or change to make your relationship with Him more central? [34:36]
2. The ascension of Jesus is a confirmation of His identity and authority. How does knowing that Jesus is alive, ascended, and interceding for you right now affect the way you pray or face challenges? [44:49]
3. The disciples had to wait for the Holy Spirit before moving forward. Are there areas in your life where you tend to rush ahead instead of waiting for God’s peace and power? What would it look like to wait on God this week? [50:05]
4. The sermon said that sin steals our peace, but repentance restores it. Is there an area of your life where you need to confess and turn back to God? What’s holding you back from doing that? [54:06]
5. Forgiven people are compelled to share the good news. Can you think of someone in your life who needs to hear about the peace Jesus offers? What’s one step you could take to share your story or invite them to church? [57:14]
6. The name of Jesus carries authority and power. Have you ever experienced a situation where speaking the name of Jesus changed the atmosphere or brought peace? If not, is there a situation you’re facing now where you need to boldly speak His name? [01:03:31]
7. The sermon mentioned that proclaiming the gospel releases God’s power and brings transformation. What fears or hesitations do you have about sharing your faith? How can the group pray for you to be bold this week? [01:00:43]
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Devotional
Day 1: Jesus, the True Bread of Life
Jesus is the true bread from heaven, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him. He calls us not just to know about Him, but to receive Him deeply into our lives, nourishing us spiritually, mentally, and physically. As we partake in communion, we remember that His body was broken and His blood was shed so that we might be made whole, healed, and empowered to live free from sin. Jesus desires an intimate relationship with each of us, living within us and sustaining us daily. [34:36]
John 6:32-35, 53-58 (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. … Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to invite Jesus to nourish and sustain you today, trusting Him as your true source of life?
Day 2: The Ascension Confirms Jesus’ True Identity
The ascension of Jesus is a powerful confirmation that He is truly the Son of God, the one who came down from heaven and now reigns in majesty. Just as God is described as riding the clouds in the Old Testament, Jesus’ ascension on a cloud affirms His divine authority and identity. This event assures us that Jesus is interceding for us at the right hand of the Father and that He will one day return in the same way He left. Let this truth remove all doubt and fill you with hope and anticipation for His return. [44:49]
Acts 1:9-11 (ESV)
And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus ascended and will return shape your confidence and hope in Him today?
Day 3: Peace and Power Come Through the Holy Spirit
Before the disciples could fulfill the Great Commission, they needed to wait for the peace and power that only the Holy Spirit could provide. Jesus breathed on them, imparting peace and the Holy Spirit, transforming their fear into boldness and new life. In the same way, we are called to receive the Spirit, allowing Him to renew us, fill us with peace, and empower us to live out our calling. True peace is not found in the world’s solutions, but in the presence and power of Jesus through His Spirit. [51:40]
John 20:21-22 (ESV)
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Reflection: Where do you need to pause and wait for the peace and power of the Holy Spirit before stepping forward in obedience today?
Day 4: Repentance and Forgiveness Lead to True Peace
Carrying out the mission of Jesus requires us to preach and practice repentance and forgiveness. Sin steals our peace and separates us from God, but when we turn from sin and receive forgiveness, we are set free and made new. As forgiven people, we are called to extend forgiveness to others, breaking the chains of bitterness and opening the way for God’s peace to flood our lives and relationships. Repentance is not just a word for the past, but a daily turning toward God and away from anything that hinders our walk with Him. [54:06]
Luke 24:46-47 (ESV)
And [Jesus] said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”
Reflection: Is there a sin or an area of unforgiveness you need to bring to Jesus today so you can experience His peace and freedom?
Day 5: Proclaiming the Gospel Releases God’s Power
When we boldly proclaim the gospel and speak God’s Word, His power is released and lives are changed. The early disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord confirmed their message with signs and wonders. There is power in the name of Jesus and in the truth of His Word—when we are not afraid to speak it, even in unexpected places, God moves in hearts and situations. As we share the gospel, we become instruments of God’s peace and grace to a world longing for hope. [01:01:41]
Mark 16:19-20 (ESV)
So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.
Reflection: Who is one person you can boldly share the name and message of Jesus with this week, trusting God to work through your words?
Quotes
Then they gathered around him and asked him, Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel? And he said to them, It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. [00:40:21] (35 seconds)
He says, Does this offend you? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before? I'm here to tell you the scribes. and pharisees were gnashing their teeth at this point because that meant jesus truly is the son of god who came down from heaven and so when jesus ascended that confirms again the same as the resurrection he said he was going to die on the cross he said he was going to be raised up from the dead when he took off on a cloud they said this guy truly is who he says he is and and the whole point is get rid of the doubt because it confirms his identity let's go back to deuteronomy and let's look at our god all right deuteronomy chapter 33 all right in verse 26 there's no one like the god of jesheron who rides across the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty do you realize that your god rides the clouds that's just awesome [00:43:46] (70 seconds)
jesus rides on the clouds it says when he was ascended he went up and a cloud hit him he rode up on a cloud and then remember what the angel said they said i'm going to come back you're going to see him come back in the same way as sure as he rose from the dead as sure as he went up in the clouds and he's seated at the right hand of god the father right now he's praying for all of us he's making intercession for us but it says when he comes back he's coming back the same way he left he's coming back on a cloud [00:45:58] (33 seconds)
Your next point, the disciples needed to wait for peace and power before they could carry out the great commission. Isn't it interesting? You know, Jesus comes and he just says, now wait, let me ask a question. How many people in here are patient? Who likes to wait? You know, my goodness. You drive through the drive up and they say, would you pull up ahead and wait in slot number one, two, three, four, five. And you go, oh, I can't believe it. I thought this was fast food. And what does Jesus say? He said, okay, guys, you know, they have a risen savior. And he said, now you guys wait, wait in Jerusalem, you'll get peace and power, and then you can complete the mission. [00:49:36] (58 seconds)
As the father has sent me, I'm sending you. And with that, he breathed on them. Just stop for a minute what it would be like to have Jesus breathe on you. Think about Genesis when he formed Adam from the dirt. And then it says he breathed. He breathed into him and made him a living being. And the Bible says you have to be born again. And the spirit of God has to breathe on you. Receive the Holy Spirit and you become this brand new human being. Any man's in Christ. The old things have passed away and all things become new. [00:51:21] (38 seconds)
And he goes on. He says he breathed on them. He said, receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven. Listen to this church, the forgiveness. This doesn't mean go someplace and tell somebody your sins. It says confess one to the other in the scripture. But what this means is if you have unforgiveness for somebody, forgive them. It will set you free. And if you hold unforgiveness, you're held bound and they're held bound. And in the heavenlies, the devil's laughing. But the minute you forgive, it sets people free. [00:52:00] (43 seconds)
We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access into this grace in which we now stand. Do you realize you could be standing in grace today? It'll come right up to your eyeballs. And there are times when you just get peopled out and you don't have any grace. And I tell people, I'm going to the grace store. I start reading the word of God and I start praying. And I hang around with Jesus. And he fills you up. And then you're propelled to go out and proclaim. This is the only way you're going to find what you're looking for. [00:59:30] (43 seconds)
You know, Lord, we just would love to see miracles and see the power. Then do you speak the word of God? Number one, do you know the word of God? Have you read the word of God? Eat, drink, and sleep the word of God. And when you speak it, it won't return void. In the Gospel of Mark, all right? The Gospel of Mark, chapter 16. And look what it says, beginning in the 19th verse, okay? It says, after the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up. There's the ascension into heaven. And he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out, and they preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them. Now listen, he confirmed his word by signs that accompanied it. [01:00:50] (51 seconds)
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