Jesus: The Bread of Life and Assurance of Salvation

Devotional

Day 1: Spiritual Nourishment in Christ Alone

Jesus' declaration as the "bread of life" in John 6:35-40 emphasizes the spiritual nourishment and fulfillment found in Him alone. This metaphor addresses the deep emptiness of the human soul, inviting individuals to seek satisfaction in Christ, who alone can quench spiritual hunger and thirst. The passage highlights that those who come to Jesus will never hunger or thirst, pointing to the completeness and sufficiency of the spiritual life He offers. This invitation is not just about physical sustenance but about a deeper, eternal satisfaction that only Jesus can provide. [00:47]

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: In what areas of your life are you seeking fulfillment outside of Christ, and how can you turn to Him today to satisfy your spiritual hunger?

Day 2: The Challenge of Faith and Unbelief

Despite witnessing Jesus' miracles, many did not believe, highlighting the mystery of faith and the human heart's resistance to divine truth. This challenges individuals to examine their own hearts and the barriers that prevent them from fully trusting in Christ. The passage illustrates that even when confronted with divine truth, belief is not automatic, and the human heart can be resistant. This calls for introspection and a willingness to confront doubts and disbelief, seeking God's help to overcome them. [10:30]

Mark 9:24 (ESV): "Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'"

Reflection: What doubts or barriers are preventing you from fully trusting in Christ, and how can you seek God's help to overcome them today?

Day 3: Divine Election and Human Responsibility

The doctrine of divine election assures that those given to Christ by the Father will come to Him, emphasizing God's sovereignty in salvation. Yet, this does not negate human responsibility, as individuals are called to respond in faith. This duality presents a mysterious yet harmonious tension between divine sovereignty and human action. While God draws individuals to Christ, there is also a call for personal response and faith, highlighting the balance between God's initiative and human responsibility. [14:34]

Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."

Reflection: How do you perceive the balance between God's sovereignty and your responsibility in your faith journey, and how can you actively respond to His call today?

Day 4: Assurance of Salvation in Christ

Jesus promises that He will not cast out those who come to Him, providing believers with the assurance of eternal security. This assurance is grounded in God's will, not in human efforts or merits, offering comfort and confidence in salvation. The passage underscores the security and permanence of salvation in Christ, reassuring believers that their salvation is not dependent on their own strength but on God's unchanging promise. This provides profound comfort, knowing that salvation is secure regardless of past or present struggles. [25:18]

John 10:28-29 (ESV): "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."

Reflection: In what ways can you find comfort and confidence in the assurance of your salvation in Christ, especially in times of doubt or struggle?

Day 5: The Universal Call to Believe

The invitation to look to the Son and believe is extended to everyone, underscoring the universal call of the Gospel. This call invites individuals to respond in faith, trusting in Christ for eternal life and experiencing the joy and security found in Him. The passage emphasizes that while salvation is a divine initiative, it is also a personal invitation to all, encouraging a response of faith and trust in Jesus. This universal call highlights the inclusivity of the Gospel and the opportunity for all to experience the fullness of life in Christ. [29:53]

Isaiah 45:22 (ESV): "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other."

Reflection: How can you respond to the universal call of the Gospel today, and in what ways can you share this invitation with others in your life?

Sermon Summary

In John 6:35-40, Jesus declares, "I am the bread of life," emphasizing that whoever comes to Him will never hunger or thirst. This metaphor highlights the spiritual fulfillment found in Christ alone, addressing the core emptiness of the human soul. Despite witnessing Jesus' miracles and hearing His teachings, many in the crowd did not believe, illustrating the challenge of faith even when confronted with divine truth. This disbelief, however, does not thwart God's eternal plan. Jesus assures that all whom the Father gives to Him will come to Him, and He will never cast them out. This underscores the doctrine of divine election, where God, from eternity, has chosen a people for Himself, given to Christ, who secures their salvation.

The sermon further explores the mystery of faith and divine sovereignty. While human hearts are naturally at enmity with God, it is through the Father's drawing that individuals come to Christ. This divine necessity ensures that those given to Christ will indeed come to Him, not by their own decision but by God's sovereign will. The assurance of salvation is grounded not in human will but in the will of God, who promises to raise believers on the last day. This provides profound comfort, knowing that our salvation is secure in Christ, regardless of our past or present struggles.

The message concludes with an invitation to respond to God's call, emphasizing that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life. This call to faith is both a divine invitation and a human responsibility, existing in a mysterious yet harmonious tension. The assurance of salvation in Christ alone is a source of joy and security for believers, as they rest in the promises of God.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus as the Bread of Life: Jesus' declaration as the "bread of life" signifies the spiritual nourishment and fulfillment found in Him alone, addressing the deep emptiness of the human soul. This metaphor invites us to seek satisfaction in Christ, who alone can quench our spiritual hunger and thirst. [00:47]
2. The Mystery of Faith and Unbelief: Despite witnessing Jesus' miracles, many did not believe, highlighting the mystery of faith and the human heart's resistance to divine truth. This challenges us to examine our own hearts and the barriers that prevent us from fully trusting in Christ. [10:30]
3. Divine Election and Human Responsibility: The doctrine of divine election assures that those given to Christ by the Father will come to Him, emphasizing God's sovereignty in salvation. Yet, this does not negate human responsibility, as individuals are called to respond in faith. [14:34]
4. Assurance of Salvation: Jesus promises that He will not cast out those who come to Him, providing believers with the assurance of eternal security. This assurance is grounded in God's will, not in our own efforts or merits, offering comfort and confidence in our salvation. [25:18]
5. The Call to Believe: The invitation to look to the Son and believe is extended to everyone, underscoring the universal call of the Gospel. This call invites us to respond in faith, trusting in Christ for eternal life and experiencing the joy and security found in Him. [29:53]
** [29:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to John 6:35-40
[00:47] - Jesus as the Bread of Life
[02:01] - Context of Jesus' Teachings
[03:12] - Understanding Metaphorical Language
[04:23] - The Two-fold "Whoever"
[06:24] - Spiritual Fulfillment in Christ
[09:09] - The Tragedy of Unbelief
[10:12] - The Reality of Saving Faith
[13:16] - Jesus' Confidence in the Father's Will
[14:52] - The Doctrine of Divine Election
[17:21] - The Mystery of Coming to Christ
[21:23] - The Impossibility of Coming Without God
[25:18] - Assurance of Salvation in Christ
[29:53] - The Universal Call to Believe

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 6:35-40

Observation Questions:

What does Jesus mean when He refers to Himself as the "bread of life" in John 6:35? How does this metaphor relate to spiritual fulfillment? [00:47]
In John 6:37, Jesus mentions that all the Father gives Him will come to Him. What does this imply about the relationship between divine sovereignty and human response? [13:36]
According to John 6:40, what is promised to those who look to the Son and believe in Him? How does this promise relate to the concept of eternal life? [29:53]

Interpretation Questions:

How does the metaphor of Jesus as the "bread of life" challenge the way individuals seek fulfillment in their lives? What does this suggest about the nature of spiritual hunger? [06:24]
The sermon discusses the mystery of faith and unbelief. How does the crowd's reaction to Jesus' miracles and teachings illustrate this mystery? [10:30]
How does the doctrine of divine election, as discussed in the sermon, provide assurance of salvation for believers? What role does human responsibility play in this context? [14:34]

Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you sought fulfillment outside of Christ. How did that experience compare to the spiritual nourishment Jesus offers as the "bread of life"? [06:24]
Consider the barriers that might prevent you from fully trusting in Christ. What steps can you take to overcome these barriers and deepen your faith? [10:30]
How does understanding the doctrine of divine election affect your view of God's sovereignty and your personal responsibility in responding to His call? [14:34]
In what ways can the assurance of salvation in Christ provide comfort and confidence in your daily life, especially during times of struggle? [25:18]
The sermon emphasizes the universal call to believe in Christ. How can you actively respond to this call and encourage others to do the same? [29:53]
Identify a specific area in your life where you need to rely more on God's will rather than your own efforts. How can you practice surrendering this area to Him this week? [25:18]
Think of someone in your life who may be struggling with unbelief. How can you share the message of Jesus as the "bread of life" with them in a meaningful way? [06:24]

Sermon Clips

"Jesus is addressing the crowd and he said to them I am the bread of life whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever believes in me shall never thirst but I said to you that you have seen me and yet you do not believe all that the father gives me will come to me and whoever comes to me I will never cast out for I have come down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me and this is the will of him who sent me that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me but raise it up on the last day for this is the will of my father that everyone who looks on the son and believes in Him should have eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day." [00:37:43]

"Now the reason that we are working our way through the entire chapter is in order that when we come to that verse we might understand it in the context in which it's said in the context not only of chapter 6 but of the Gospel of John where the purpose of God uh John he says is to have recorded these signs in order that uh you might believe that Jesus is the Christ and that by believing you might have life in his name and so when we read through John's gospel we're being confronted by Jesus we're being confronted by the identity of Jesus." [03:00:00]

"Now with that said let's be very clear that what Jesus is saying in this statement in verse 35 is that the core empty iness of the human soul is answered in him the essential vacuum in the life of an individual spiritually is answered in Christ alone and as I've been pondering this throughout the week I've been reminding myself of the privilege that it was uh to sing as I've told you before in the Bible class in Scotland and we would be arranged in uh age groups from the small ones to the big ones I think I was nine when I started so I was on the front row wearing a kilt although you don't need that picture in your minds I I I apologize but there I was with the rest of the 9year olds and as it went back if you were 17 or 18 then you would be on the back row." [06:22:00]

"Now Jesus is going on to speak about the vast reality and wonder of saving faith and despite the clarity of his signs despite the impact of his words look at verse 36 but I said to you that you have seen me and yet you do not believe back in chapter 5 he had said to them as well you search the scriptures which is good because you think that in them you have eternal life and it is they that bear witness about me yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life and we've seen this haven't we that what Jesus has done in this amazing sign most recently while in chapter 5 the healing of the the man at the pool of Bethesda and then here in six the amazing provision of food for these thousands of people but what has it done for these folks has merely aroused their curiosity it stirred their political Ambitions uh they immediately said well this would be a good person to have as our King maybe he will overthrow the Romans maybe he will be the one to Champion us and help us on our way so they became curious they became if you like stirred but there was no evidence of Faith at all." [10:04:00]

"So the confidence of Jesus in his if you like evangelism is not gauged by the response of the crowd that's not the determining factor for him what is the determining factor is the will of his father that's what he's saying I am operating he says from all of eternity on the basis that the father has a company that he gives to me it's as if Jesus is saying you know your unbelief doesn't really move me it doesn't really surprise me it can't prevent the purposes of my father from taking effect now what this is affirming is the fact that God from all of eternity has chosen to have a people that are his very own and this company is then given to Jesus the son the son saves them completely so as to present them blameless before the glory of the father One Day in heaven." [13:46:00]

"Men and women do not come to Christ because it seems to them like a good idea if you check with friends who perhaps have come to know Jesus along the Journey of Life maybe later in life and you ask them about how it was from their understanding that they ever came to trust in Jesus they'll tell you all kinds of things perhaps I was in a study with some friends or I read surprised by Joy by CS Lewis or I had a mishap in my life that confronted me with my human Frailty and so on but the one thing that you're not going to hear them say if they have truly come to Christ is well I just thought it was a good idea I mean there are a lot of options out there and I thought I would I would try the the Jesus thing well it's never happened and it never will happen because the fact of the matter is and what the Bible makes perfectly clear and you have this in Romans chapter 8 which I'm quoting the heart of man the human heart is at enmity with God the human heart is at enmity with God the human heart does not please God nor can the human heart please God." [17:11:00]

"You see we have complete freedom of choice but our Wills are held in bondage by sin they're held in bondage by sin we make our decisions yeah but by Nature we just don't say well I think it' be a good idea uh to become a Christian all that the father gives me will come to me see what's being said here the father gives the person to Christ but it is the person thems who comes all that the father gives me will come to me this is actually a Divine necessity you see there are a number of impossible ities that are contained in these verses one is first of all the impossibility are by Nature simply laying Hold On Christ then when we do lay hold on Christ it is as a result of a Divine necessity it doesn't say all look at the verse again all that the father gives me may come to me it doesn't say all that the father gives me has the opportunity to come to to me it doesn't say all that the father gives me is able to come to me but all that the father gives me will come to me." [21:33:00]

"Now how then would it be because people then say well how do I know if I said how how would we know that we were part of the company that the father gives to the son by our coming to Christ by our coming to Christ because by Nature we don't come to Christ now we come to Christ I hear the voice of Jesus say we learned it last Sunday night I hear the voice of Jesus say come unto me and rest lay down oh weary one lay down your head upon my breast I came to Jesus as I was weary worn sad I found in him a resting place and he has made me glad uh an old commentator says faith in Christ is a certain testimony of our election cleaving to Christ by faith Thou Art sure of thy predestination." [24:02:00]

"All the father gives me will come to me and whoever comes to me I will never cast out it's impossible it's impossible to be United to Christ that the father has given you to his son who has died for you you have come to him it is an impossibility that the Lord Jesus would Cast Away any person given to him by the father now this should be a great comfort because our past lives may have been very bad our present faith we may not regard as particularly strong our repentance and our prayers may not quite be up to par even from our own perspective our knowledge of Christian doctrine may be not that of the person that we would like it to be but we have come to Christ we have come to Christ CH and he will not cast us away." [25:15:00]

"Salvation is grounded in the will of God given by the father father Redeemed by the son and kept by him raised up on the last day this is the promise this is the ground of Christian security not depending on our human Wills Not For a Moment why why I love when we sing mine mine mine thou are the sinner's friend so I thy friendship claim let it right there the people say well I'm not a sinner well I I know you keep saying that but I just don't accept it well pray God that he will come and you hear his voice rather than mine and the key is turned and the Heart Is opened and the life is changed." [28:48:00]

"Everyone this is the will of my father that everyone does that mean everyone it means everyone everyone without exception yeah but what did you just say apparently you just said that the father has a company that he has given to his son how can the father have a company that he's given to his son and then it says everyone well truths that look contradictory to us are not contradictory in the light of Heaven the answer to the Paradox is to live with a paradox what do you need to know you need to know this that everyone who looks and believes Bishop riyle says Comm ing on that here is a comfort for fearful doubting Sinners the answer in the message of the Gospel a full and free salvation for everyone who looks and believes." [30:38:00]

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Jesus: The Bread of Life and Assurance of Salvation

Devotional

Day 1: Spiritual Nourishment in Christ Alone

Day 2: The Challenge of Faith and Unbelief

Day 3: Divine Election and Human Responsibility

Day 4: Assurance of Salvation in Christ

Day 5: The Universal Call to Believe

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Jesus: The Bread of Life and Assurance of Salvation

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