John 6:30-40
The Proof is in the "Putting"
I. They Demanded Proof - v. 30-31
First, let’s establish that skeptical inquiry is not a bad thing...in fact, it can be quite beneficial. Scientific discoveries are based on this approach.
Definition---a skeptic is one who is willing to question any claim to truth, asking for clarity in definition, consistency in logic, and adequacy
of evidence. The use of skepticism is thus an essential part of objective
scientific inquiry and the search for reliable knowledge.
I welcome honest questions about Christianity! The key word is honest. We should never fear questions about what we believe--and why we believe it. A faith that can’t be tested can’t be trusted!
What we need to avoid is the type of skepticism that closes its mind to honest inquiry, common sense, and legitimate factual evidence.
Examples of dogmatic skepticism:
• Lord Kelvin said, ""Radio has no future," "Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible," and "X-rays will prove to be a hoax."
• Astronomer William Henry Pickering said that air travel would be too expensive to be practical, and "proved" that because of wind resistance, airplanes could not possibly travel faster than express trains.
• A British Parliamentary Commission was formed to study the practicality of electric lighting when they learned that Thomas Edison was working on it, and decided that it was "unworthy of the attention of practical or
scientific men."
A. They wanted a sign from God - v. 30
"Show us, and we’ll believe you!" "Believe Me, and I’ll show you!"
Quote: Woody Allen said, "Faith would be easier if God would show Himself by depositing a million dollars in a Swiss bank account in our name."
Jesus said in Matt. 16:4 - A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign -- why do you suppose He said that? Because they wanted proof! They didn’t believe His words!
Because honest people will trust what you say!
Dishonest people don’t trust anyone!......"You can’t con a con"
Illustration: Wendy’s chili "finger" incident - San Jose - lady lied about it; would you trust anything she said?
Illustration: "Oprah" show about pathological liars
Matt. 5:33-37 - Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
B. They were tempting Him - v. 32
Note the phrasing of their request - "...as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
These are the same words Satan used to tempt the Lord in the wilderness, remember?
Matt. 4:5-6 - Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Moses’ manna was not truly from heaven; it was physical food
C. They had all the ’signs’ they needed!
Think of it--they had heard of His healing miracles, seen Him feed 5000, heard about Him walking on water---that’s all they needed
They had most likely asked His disciples how He got there, and the disciples probably told them about Him walking on water
II. They Wanted Provision - v. 32-34
A. They wanted a handout - v. 34
"Give a man a fish and he’ll eat a meal; teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime"
Instead, seek to obtain permanent, eternal food
C. The provision they needed is Jesus Christ - v. 35
The physical needs we have (hunger, thirst, sleep) exist to teach us that we are not self-sufficient --- we need physical sustenance
They are outward signs of our inner need --- spiritual sustenance
What are you looking for from Jesus Christ?
Quote: All Christians know what Christ did for them in the past.
They believe what He’s going to do for them in the future.
But many believers don’t believe He can do anything for them now.
No wonder, they think He represents only future security, and their interest is in now benefits. - Zig Ziglar
III. They Needed "Putting" - v. 35-40
A. People need to "put on" the Lord
Rom. 13:14 - But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Gal. 3:27 - For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Illustration: Police officers wear bulletproof vests. Firemen wear fire-resistant clothing---even fireproof full-body suits to protect from flames
But if you never work around fires....
B. Why would a person want to "put on" Christ?
1. Investigate (the claims)
We’re not looking for quick, shallow, emotional decisions; it’s important that you make a well-informed decision!
2. Prove (the truth)
You are not expected to make a decision without having the facts at hand.
3. Realize (the need)
You can’t (and won’t) come to Christ until you realize that you need Him
C. The results of "putting" on Christ - v. 37-40
1. Forgiveness of past sins
Isaiah 38:17 - Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
Micah 7:19 - He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
Ps. 103:11-12 - For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
2. Provision for current needs
Ps. 37:23-25 - The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Eternal security - v. 37
Illustration: "Prairie Fire"
Many years ago, a father and his daughter were walking through the grass on the Canadian prairie. In the distance, they saw a prairie fire; they realized it eventually would engulf them. The father knew there was only one way of escape: they would quickly begin a fire right where they were and burn a large patch of grass.
When the huge fire drew near, they then would stand on the section that had already burned. When the fire approached them, the girl was terrified by the raging flames. But her father assured her, "The flames can’t get to us. We are standing where the fire has already been!"
Are you afraid of God’s judgment? If you have trusted Christ as Savior, you can never come under His wrath. When you depend on Him, you are secure; you are where the wrath of God already has been.
Those whom the Father has given to Christ will come to Him--v. 37
Those who come to Him He will accept - v. 40
Those whom He accepts He will never cast out - v. 37
a. But what if you sin after you’re saved?
"The Lord is my shepherd..." - that makes me a sheep!
Can a sheep take on a bear? Or outrun a coyote? Or outfight a lion? You and I cannot beat sin -- we must be protected!
b. But what about those who lose faith and never repent?
Quite possibly, they were never saved to begin with!
I John 2:19 - They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
What about you? Are you with us?
