John 6: 24 – 35 / Works of God
Intro: The young couple was out for a walk when the decided to sit on a part bench and rest. After a long pause, she asked, “Do you think my eyes are like stars?” “Yeah,” he replied. “And do you think my teeth are like pearls?” she continued. “Yeah,” he said. “And do you think my hair is like spun gold in the moonlight?” “Yeah,” he replied. “Oh Joe!” she exclaimed. “You say the most wonderful things!” --- There are 8 words that have become the mantra of today’s society, “Get me, buy me, give me, take me.” More is never enough.
I. This “earthbound point of view” is nothing new. VS. 26 – “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.” The people were hungry. There are 3 kinds of hunger:
A. Physical hunger – this is what the people wanted satisfied. “Feed me and I will believe.”
B. Spiritual hunger – a feeling of incompleteness of life, longing of love, haunting dissatisfaction.
C. Hunger for Truth – (ameth in Hebrew) Aleph – 1st letter of the Hebrew alphabet, Min is the middle letter, Tau is the last letter. By using this word in verse26, Jesus is talking about God who is the beginning, middle and end of life.
II. VS 28 – What must we do to do the works God requires?” The answer is in verse 29 “to believe in the one he (God) has sent.” What does that mean for us? The work of God = faith = relationship with God, to be friends with God, to have a new relationship with God that issues in certain kind of living.
A. God is a God of love and therefore our lives must have that same kind of love and service toward others.
B. God is a God of holiness and therefore our lives must be pure.
C. God is a God of wisdom and therefore we must live a life of perfect submission and trust in God.
III. VS. 30 “What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you?” SHOW ME! Ghost hunter program on SYFY TV channel. Give us a sign that you are here. Knock twice, more something. Speak to us.
A. The Jews at the time of Jesus believed the Messiah would give manna as Moses had done in the wilderness. They wanted him to produce bread to substantiate His claim.
B. Jesus reminded them it wasn’t Moses who gave the bread (manna) it was God.
C. God has given the true bread from heaven. As bread gives life, so, God gives life through Christ Jesus and still the people will not believe.
Conclu: A story is told of a 12-yr. old boy in the 1800s who lived far out in the country. He had never seen a circus. One day a poster went up at his school announcing that a traveling circus was coming to the nearby town. The lad got permission from his parents and a $1 for the admission. As he approached the town he saw people lining the streets and load n behold, it was the approaching spectacle of a circus parade! It was the grandest thing the lad had ever seen. Finally, after everything had passed where he was standing, a circus clown with floppy shoes, baggy pants and a brightly painted face brought up the rear. As the clown passed by, the boy reached into his pocket and took out the $1, handed it to the clown, turned around and went home. The boy thought he had seen the circus when he had only seen the parade.
Many people are like that boy when it comes to the Christian life. The come sit in a beautiful sanctuary, listen to uplifting music and a sermon and believe they have experienced the Christian life. But there is more --- so much more --- there is nothing like a personal relationship with Christ Jesus. It is a marvelous adventure, and exciting journey. Why settle for less when we can experience the entire work of God?
