Sermon notes - John 6:22-40 - Littleby Baptist Church - February 26, 2023

1.     So far in chapter 6 of John we have seen 2 miracles that are signs that Jesus is God.

a.      Jesus fed over 5,000 people with 5 loves and 2 fish.

b.     He provided more than enough for them to eat.

c.      Just like He has provided more than enough grace to cover all of our sins and then some.

d.     The 5^th Sign is Jesus walking on water.

                                                    i.     But as we look at the Gospel accounts there were several miracles that took place that morning.

                                                  ii.     Jesus walked on the water.

                                                iii.     Peter walked on the water.

                                                iv.     The storm was calmed.

                                                  v.     The boat instantly arrived at its destination.

e.      Several miracles that all point to Jesus being more than a man.

f.      Miracles that point out that He Is God.

g.     Miracles that helped His disciples see that Jesus truly is the Son of God.

2.     As we continue in chapter 6, we come to the conversation after the Signs.  

3.     John 6:22-25

a.      The crowd who had been fed realized Jesus was gone.

b.     They knew He did not get in the boat with the others.

c.      They must have figured out that He followed His disciples somehow.

d.     They got in the boats and went looking for Jesus.

e.      They had witnessed Jesus feed the many.

f.      They may have seen Him touch other people in miraculous ways.

g.     So, they started off in the right direction.

h.     They looked for Jesus.

i.       They started on the right path… I wish more people would look for Jesus.

j.       I wish more would seek Him.

k.     Sadly, many were looking for the wrong reasons.

4.     John 6:26

a.      Jesus being God, knew their hearts.

b.     He knew what motivated them.

c.      They were focused on what they could get in the hear and now.

d.     They were not looking towards the future in Paradise, but how their life could be easier today.

e.      They were not hearing what Jesus has been teaching about.

f.      They hoped that He could provide for their physical needs.

5.     John 6:27

a.      Matthew 4:4 ‘Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

b.     While we need to eat to survive, that is not to be our motivation.

c.      If our focus is on our Jesus, then everything we do is in service to Him.

d.     While a full belly at the end of the day is nice, that is not meant to be our reward.

e.      When we follow Jesus, when we trust in Him, when we submit to Him, our reward is forever with the Father.

f.      If our focus is on Jesus as we walk this life, if we believe that He has paid the price to set us free from sin and give us life eternal?

g.     Then we will receive the food that lasts for eternity, that comes from our Lord.

h.     The gift that saves us.

6.     John 6:28

a.      The people were asking a question that we might ask.

b.     If we are to work for food that lasts for eternal life.

c.      How is it that we work for it?

d.     What must we do?

e.      What are the works of God?

7.     John 6:29

a.      They were likely expecting a long list of things to do, a list of sacrifices.

b.     Might have been wanting to read the fine print to see what the ‘catch’ was.

c.      But Jesus said it is not hard.

d.     There is only one thing to do.

e.      Only one thing that the Father requires.

f.      Re-read the verse.

g.     Pretty simple in the scheme of things.

h.     Might question, how do have faith that strong?

i.       How do we get from not believing to faith that saves.

j.       Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith.

k.     When we turn to Him, He will give us the faith we need.

l.       We don’t have to have our lives straightened out.

m.   Our faith does not have to be perfect.

n.     We simply need to believe.

o.     Romans 5:8 states that Jesus died for us when we were still sinners.

p.     Meaning He loves us and reaches out to us when we are our messiest.

q.     Believe in the one that the Father has sent, and Jesus will help us grow into followers of Christ.

8.     John 6:30

a.      You have heard the saying about, ‘what have you done for me lately?’

b.     This is the ‘what are you going to do for me next crowd.’

c.      Eating the bread was not enough.

d.     Seeing any other miracles that Jesus had done, was not enough.

e.      They wanted more.

f.      With where their hearts were, it was never going to be enough.

9.     John 6:31

a.      They were comparing Jesus to Moses.

b.     Jesus filled their bellies once.

c.      Moses, by the power of God, filled bellies for 40 years.

d.     Let’s look at how Jesus responds.  

10.  John 6:32

a.      Moses did not provide the manna, that was gift from the Father.

b.     A gift that has been replaced with the ‘true bread from heaven.’

c.      The gift given in the wilderness, while it was good for the body, pales in comparison to the gift that is currently being given.

d.     The gift of Jesus is God’s way of providing for our ultimate needs.

e.      A gift that goes beyond the hear and now and lasts for all eternity.

11.  John 6:33

a.      Jesus is God’s full provision.

b.     He is the one who came down from heaven.

c.      He is the one who has the power over Life.

d.     Believe in the one the father sent, and life eternal is given.

12.  John 6:34

a.      They could not get past the here and now.

b.     They wanted the bread.

c.      They wanted it today, tomorrow, and for the rest of their lives.

d.     Yet, they did not understand.

e.      They are going down the same line of thought as the woman at the well.

f.      She thought Jesus could give her water so that she would never thirst again.

g.     These people think Jesus can give them bread to take away any hunger.

h.     They were looking for provision, not salvation.

13.  John 6:35

a.      Jesus is trying to correct their thought process.

b.     He is saying that through Him a person will not be focused on the here and now.

c.      They will be focused on the things of God.

d.     Doesn’t mean that they won’t need to eat or drink.

e.      What Jesus is saying is that fulfilment will come by doing the work of God.

f.      Believe in the one the Father sent.

14.  John 6:36

a.      They have seen Jesus perform signs and miracles.

b.     They have heard Him speak.

c.      He has told them the Truth.

d.     Yet, they did not listen.

e.      They do not love God.

f.      So, they do not see Jesus for who He is.

15.  John 6:37

a.      The Father is at work in everyone’s lives.

b.     Those that listen.

c.      Those that follow the leading of God.

d.     Will see Jesus for who He is.

e.      They will turn to Jesus.

f.      And here is the wonderful part.

g.     All who turn to Jesus are saved.

h.     A Salvation that is secure.

i.       One that we can trust in.

j.       Once we belong to Jesus, we are His.

k.     He will not cast us away.

16.  John 6:38

a.      Similar to the statements Jesus made to the crowds who did not like Him healing a man on the Sabbath.

b.     In saying that He came done from heaven, He is claiming to be the same as God the Father.

c.      In stating that He is there to do the will of the one who sent Him, Jesus once again is saying that He is in communion with the Father.

d.     That He is aware of the Father’s will.

17.  John 6:39

a.      The will of the Father is fulfilled through Jesus.

b.     Through His death and resurrection.

c.      Through our faith in Him.

d.     Once we are His, we are always His.

e.      Once we are His, we will join Him in Glory.

f.      We will not fall away.

g.     We cannot make a mistake and loose our Salvation.

h.     Once we turn to Jesus our Hope in an eternity with the Father is secure.

18.  John 6:40

a.      Jesus emphasizes His previous statements.

b.     Those that see the Son for who He is.

c.      Who do the work of God in believing in the one the Father sent.

d.     Will be saved.

e.      Will have eternal life.

f.      Will spend an eternity with the Father.

19.  In these verses Jesus does not tell us how we will have eternal life, might hint at it but it was not clear to them and would not be clear to us.

a.      Even though we don’t have all the pieces, Jesus is ensuring us that we will have eternal life through Him. We will be raised on that last day.

b.     Believe in Jesus, the one the Father sent.

20.  If your faith is in Christ, your eternity is set.

a.      Commit to carrying the message of our Lord to others.

21.  If it is not, please do not wait.

22.  We do not know how much time we have left.

23.  Our sin condemns us, but Jesus can and will wipe away that sin.

24.  His death makes us righteous and Holy.

25.  His resurrection gives us new life.

26.  Choose to believe in the one the Father has sent before it is too late.

27.  If you do not know Jesus I would love to talk with you.