Description

The Bread of Life
John 6:1-71

Theological Proposition: Jesus provides eternal, spiritual satisfaction for those who trust Him.
Homiletical Proposition: Jesus satisfies.
Sermon Purpose: To help the women of WOW understand that only Jesus can satisfy their deepest desires and encourage them to keep trusting Him.

INTRODUCTION
1. Image: Every morning, I crave a cup of coffee.
2. Need: What do you crave?
3. Subject: Can our cravings teach us something about our Creator?
4. Text: John 6:1-71
5. Preview: 5 Scenes
BODY
I. The Sign (1-21)
A. Location: Sea of Galilee (v. 1)
B. Miracle: Jesus feeds 5,000 (only miracle recorded in all 4 gospels)

II. The Search (22-24)
A. The Crowd’s Searching - Image: Bread in Ancient Israel 
B. Our Searching

III. The Sermon (25-40)
A. Location: Synagogue at Capernaum
B. Characters: This hungry crowd, some Jewish leaders, 12 Disciples, and Jesus.
C. Jesus’s Sermon reveals 4 Truths about the Heart (25-35)

1. Jesus knows our motives (25-26)
2. Jesus challenges our priorities (27)
3. Jesus reveals our responsibility (28-29)
4. Jesus satisfies our desires (30-35)

Jesus Makes 4 Claims about Himself (35)
1) A Claim of Exclusivity – It’s been noted that “Our faith is centered on a Person, not a program or principles.” (paraphrase, D. Johnson)
2) A Claim of Deity – “I Am”

• I am the Bread of Life (6:35)
• I am the Light of the World (8:12)
• I am the Door (10:7)
• I am the Good Shepherd (10:11, 14)
• I am the Resurrection and the Life (11:25)
• I am the Way and the Truth and the Life (14:6)
• I am the Vine: (15:1, 5)
• Before Abraham was, I Am (8:58)

3) A Claim of Necessity – the Bread
4) A Claim of Eternity – of Life

Big Idea: Jesus satisfies. There’s an inherent restlessness that we all possess.

Quote: St. Augustine (a man full of desire) famously said, “You have made us for
yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”
Psalm 107:8-9 

D. Other Comments (36-40)

IV. The Starved (41-66) *Response of the Crowd & Jewish Leaders
A. They were unconvinced. (41)
B. They were puzzled. (52)
C. They were upset. (60)
D. They were done. (66)

II. The Satisfied (67-69) *Response of the 12 Disciples
A. They were committed. (67)

You may not fully understand everything about Jesus... you’re questions
might not be fully answered (this will take a lifetime) but at some point,
you have to take the bite ... take the leap, and trust God to catch you.
That’s why we call it faith.
Psalm 34:8 – Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!

CONCLUSION
2 Ways to Feast on the Bread of Life

1. Admission of Faith (one-time for salvation)
2. Expressions of Faith (ongoing for sanctification)

What are ways to express our faith in Jesus? Well, what did the 12 disciples do?

• They walked with Him.
• They talked with Him.
• They got to know Him.
• Thy meditated on Him.
• They observed His work and ways.
• They ate with Him (Lord’s Supper).
• They worshipped Him.

Feast...

• Feast on his timeless word.
• Feast on his fixed promises.
• Feast on his unconditional love.
• Feast on his unending mercy.
• Feast on his divine approval.
• Feast on his unmatched power.
• Feast on his wonderful presence.
• Feast on his perfect friendship.

What happens when we’re satisfied with the Bread of life? (Satisfaction is a
cousin of contentment.)

• We have freedom (from obsession with sin)
• We have peace (not anxious)
• We have energy (to fulfill God’s work/calling)
• We have joy (pleasant to be around)