John 6:35-59 "How do we come to Jesus?" (Feb 1st, 26)

A clear, direct call to receive Christ as life rather than merely admire his works. The text contrasts a love relationship with God—one that allows divine authority to reshape the heart—with a power relationship that picks and chooses what is acceptable. Using Jesus’ stark metaphors of bread, flesh, and blood, the teaching shows that seeing signs and enjoying fellowship or miracles is not the same as being sustained by Christ. To truly live, Jesus must be inwardly received: faith is not a ritual attendance or a momentary feeling but the ongoing spiritual ingestion of Christ’s person and work.

John 6’s two difficult sayings are unpacked: first, the necessity of “eating” and “drinking” Christ so that life is possessed, not merely observed; second, the paradox of human inability to come unless the Father first brings the heart. The Greek behind “draw” is examined to show divine initiative is decisive—God acts, shaping wills so that sinners will cry for mercy. Salvation is therefore both the gift of God’s covenant love and the visible outworking of Christ living in the believer.

Practical implications flow from the doctrine: church attendance, sacraments, preaching, and fellowship are good and useful, but they function as means only when they feed the hungry soul. True conversion produces humility, renewed desires, service, and urgency to share the bread with those still starving. Believers are urged to examine whether Christ is being regularly taken in—through Scripture, prayer, the sacraments—so that spiritual life grows and repentance deepens. Finally, gratitude for the cost of redemption should overflow into stewardship and evangelistic love, because receiving the Bread of Life compels a life given away.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Eat and drink Christ daily To follow Jesus is to be spiritually nourished by him, not merely to admire his deeds. The metaphor demands regular, interior appropriation—Scripture, prayer, and communion become vital means by which Christ becomes life within. When Christ is truly ingested, transformation happens: desires change, sin is exposed, and perseverance follows. [04:35]
• 2. God must act to save Divine initiative precedes human turning; the Father “draws” in a way that sovereignly changes the will. Salvation is not a cooperative sewing of equal parts but God’s gracious movement that enables a sinner to respond. This truth humbles boasting and magnifies God’s mercy in bringing the lost to the table. [19:10]
• 3. Attendance isn't saving faith Gathering, singing, and sacraments can coexist with spiritual starvation when Christ is not inwardly received. External participation may reveal appreciation for gifts without genuine reception of the Giver; such spectatorship leaves souls unchanged. The distinction presses the church to cultivate means that truly feed. [13:36]
• 4. Serve out of grateful obedience Receiving the Bread of Life results in gratitude that reorients time, treasure, and talent toward others. True thankfulness does not barter for salvation but responds to covenant grace with loving service and evangelistic urgency. The costliness of God’s gift frames a life of sacrificial giving. [30:45]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:21] - Love relationship or power relationship
• [04:35] - “Eat my flesh and drink my blood”
• [06:20] - Following for miracles versus faith
• [13:36] - Attendance versus saving faith
• [18:38] - The meaning of “draw” / dragged wills
• [24:55] - God sent Christ as covenant bread
• [27:11] - Flesh broken, blood poured for life
• [30:11] - How this should change the week
• [31:34] - A burden to share the gospel

Here is a Bible study guide based on the sermon summary:

Bible Reading

John 6:53-56 (ESV): "Jesus said to them, '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.'"

John 6:44 (ESV): "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day."

Observation questions

1. Jesus uses strong language, saying, "unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you." What is the immediate reaction of the crowd to this teaching? [02:27]
2. The sermon highlights that Jesus' followers were initially drawn to him because of the "signs he was doing on the sick" and the "food he gave them on the hillside." [05:49] How does Jesus contrast this with what it truly means to follow him?
3. The word translated as "draw" in "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him" is examined. What are other instances where this Greek word is used, and what does that suggest about its meaning in this context? [17:11]
4. The sermon states that "attendance isn't saving faith." [13:36] What are some external religious activities that can coexist with a lack of genuine inward reception of Christ?

Interpretation questions

1. Jesus likens coming to him and believing in him to "eating and drinking." [05:27] What does this metaphor suggest about the nature of our relationship with Christ and the necessity of regularly taking him in?
2. The sermon explains that the Greek word for "draw" (helkio) can also mean "drag." [18:11] How does understanding this word as "drag" impact our understanding of God's initiative in salvation and human responsibility?
3. The sermon points out that "seeing signs and enjoying fellowship or miracles is not the same as being sustained by Christ." [00:21] What is the difference between admiring Christ's works and being sustained by Christ himself?
4. The sermon emphasizes that "salvation is therefore both the gift of God’s covenant love and the visible outworking of Christ living in the believer." [24:55] How does God's sovereign action in drawing us to himself relate to our own response of faith and obedience?

Application questions

1. The sermon urges us to "eat and drink Christ daily." [04:35] What are some practical, tangible ways you can intentionally "take in" Christ through Scripture, prayer, or the sacraments this week?
2. We are reminded that "attendance isn't saving faith." [13:36] Reflect on your own reasons for coming to church. Are you coming to be fed by Christ, or are you primarily seeking fellowship, entertainment, or something else? How can you ensure your church attendance is about inwardly receiving Christ?
3. The truth that "God must act to save" [19:10] is meant to humble us and magnify God's mercy. How does this truth affect your perspective on your own salvation and your gratitude towards God?
4. The sermon challenges us to consider if we are "following Jesus for miracles versus faith." [06:20] In what areas of your life might you be tempted to follow Jesus for the benefits he provides, rather than for who he is?
5. Receiving the "Bread of Life" should lead to a life of "grateful obedience." [30:45] How can you practically express your gratitude for God's gift of Christ through your time, treasure, or talent this week?
6. The sermon asks, "who in your life needs to hear this?" [31:16] Who is one person you can intentionally share the good news of Jesus as the Bread of Life with this week, and how might you do that?