Don’t deny your needs. Find Who you need.
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We all long for peace, security, and fulfillment. Denying those needs is pointless. Trying to meet them in unhealthy ways is counterproductive. Languishing in frustration when they are not met is unnecessary.
God has a better plan:
- ”I am the bread of life” (John 6:35).
- “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).
- ”I am the gate” (John 10:7, 9).
- ”I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11).
- ”I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).
- ”I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).
- ”I am the true vine” (John 15:1).
Are you tired of the treadmill of human effort, running on the personal fulfillment track to nowhere? Are you burned out by people—tired of being let down again and again? Are you ready to give up searching for significance at the mall or on the car lot?
For everything you need, Jesus said, “I am.” And that’s more than enough.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
People today want more: - The average home has 189 TV channels.
- We can choose from over 50 brands of toothpaste; most of those brands offer multiple choices.
- The seven-ounce soft drink size of 1955 has been replaced with 42-ounce cups—and larger.
So many people in our society are convinced that more is always better, bigger is always best, and getting our way always equals prosperity and happiness. It’s easy to believe that if we race to the top, gain all the privileges, or have the most money—we will finally be satisfied.
Thankfully, Jesus taught a better way.
John 6:26-27
26Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
In 1928, Herbert Hoover ran for president with this campaign promise: “A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage.” He was elected. Voters were drawn to the candidate who promised prosperity.
Jesus never promised prosperity, but He did something for the people that led them to think prosperity was just around the corner. Earlier in John 6, Jesus multiplied five barley loaves and two fish into enough food to feed 5,000 men—with still have enough leftovers to fill 12 baskets (see vv. 12-13). This was an impressive miracle that convinced people Jesus was a prophet from God who should be their king.
There’s a problem with the kind of prosperity the people expected from Jesus: it doesn’t last. Sure, the miracle provided a great meal for one day, but the people were hungry again the next day.
In verses 26-27, Jesus confronted their misplaced priorities. The miracle of the loaves and fishes was supposed to draw people to God, not motivate them to trail after Jesus in search of a perpetual buffet. The people were pursuing “food that spoils,” but Jesus had come to offer “food that endures,” meaning eternal life, as a gift from God through the “Son of Man”—Jesus Himself.
People today often struggle with the same misplaced priorities. When we try to satisfy our deepest needs with bigger TVs, sportier cars, or fancier clothes, we waste our time and only become more frustrated. We think such material things will give us the security and significance that only comes through a relationship with Jesus.
We need to get off the “get more” treadmill and enjoy the eternal satisfaction only Jesus provides.
John 6:35
35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
The crowd had already seen extraordinary things, but apparently that wasn’t enough. They asked Jesus what sign He planned to offer so they might believe in Him. They mentioned God’s earlier provision of manna for their forefathers, as if to say Jesus’ recent culinary miracle was not all that special. They wanted Jesus to do a real miracle to establish His credibility.
We often exhibit the same self-centeredness. We ask God to prove Himself by meeting our needs or by intervening in our lives. We ignore all God has already accomplished—both through the work of Jesus and in our lives over the years—when we require God to act “in the moment” before we affirm faith in Him.
Jesus declared that God had given them “the true bread from heaven” and further clarified, “the bread of God is the bread who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (vv. 32-33).
In response, the people cried out, “Sir ... always give us this bread” (v. 34). They were still thinking about themselves, expressing their desire for perpetual meal service and not yet recognizing the spiritual significance of Jesus’ words.
Jesus then made His most direct statement: “I am the bread of life.” He also added thirst to the metaphor. By coupling hunger and thirst, combined with the previous food miracle that had started the entire sequence, Jesus underscored His ultimate goal even more strongly. Jesus promised, “Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (v. 35).
Jesus appealed to His hearers to rise above focusing on themselves and their temporal desires for immediate gratification. He promised eternal satisfaction to every person who believes in Him—an infinitely more significant gift than food and drink.
John 6:36-40
36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
After rebuking His followers’ selfishness, Jesus sought to teach them the truth by highlighting two key elements of God’s work in accomplishing salvation.
Thankfully, Jesus taught a better way.
John 6:26-27
26Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
In 1928, Herbert Hoover ran for president with this campaign promise: “A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage.” He was elected. Voters were drawn to the candidate who promised prosperity.
Jesus never promised prosperity, but He did something for the people that led them to think prosperity was just around the corner. Earlier in John 6, Jesus multiplied five barley loaves and two fish into enough food to feed 5,000 men—with still have enough leftovers to fill 12 baskets (see vv. 12-13). This was an impressive miracle that convinced people Jesus was a prophet from God who should be their king.
There’s a problem with the kind of prosperity the people expected from Jesus: it doesn’t last. Sure, the miracle provided a great meal for one day, but the people were hungry again the next day.
In verses 26-27, Jesus confronted their misplaced priorities. The miracle of the loaves and fishes was supposed to draw people to God, not motivate them to trail after Jesus in search of a perpetual buffet. The people were pursuing “food that spoils,” but Jesus had come to offer “food that endures,” meaning eternal life, as a gift from God through the “Son of Man”—Jesus Himself.
People today often struggle with the same misplaced priorities. When we try to satisfy our deepest needs with bigger TVs, sportier cars, or fancier clothes, we waste our time and only become more frustrated. We think such material things will give us the security and significance that only comes through a relationship with Jesus.
We need to get off the “get more” treadmill and enjoy the eternal satisfaction only Jesus provides.
John 6:35
35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
The crowd had already seen extraordinary things, but apparently that wasn’t enough. They asked Jesus what sign He planned to offer so they might believe in Him. They mentioned God’s earlier provision of manna for their forefathers, as if to say Jesus’ recent culinary miracle was not all that special. They wanted Jesus to do a real miracle to establish His credibility.
We often exhibit the same self-centeredness. We ask God to prove Himself by meeting our needs or by intervening in our lives. We ignore all God has already accomplished—both through the work of Jesus and in our lives over the years—when we require God to act “in the moment” before we affirm faith in Him.
Jesus declared that God had given them “the true bread from heaven” and further clarified, “the bread of God is the bread who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (vv. 32-33).
In response, the people cried out, “Sir ... always give us this bread” (v. 34). They were still thinking about themselves, expressing their desire for perpetual meal service and not yet recognizing the spiritual significance of Jesus’ words.
Jesus then made His most direct statement: “I am the bread of life.” He also added thirst to the metaphor. By coupling hunger and thirst, combined with the previous food miracle that had started the entire sequence, Jesus underscored His ultimate goal even more strongly. Jesus promised, “Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (v. 35).
Jesus appealed to His hearers to rise above focusing on themselves and their temporal desires for immediate gratification. He promised eternal satisfaction to every person who believes in Him—an infinitely more significant gift than food and drink.
John 6:36-40
36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
After rebuking His followers’ selfishness, Jesus sought to teach them the truth by highlighting two key elements of God’s work in accomplishing salvation.
Still, acknowledging God’s initiative doesn’t diminish our need to respond. God prompts, convicts, and draws people to Himself. Yet repentance and faith are also biblical essentials for salvation. God invites people into a relationship with Him, and that relationship is sealed through our repentance and faith.
Second, Jesus taught that our relationship with God is permanent: “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (v. 37).
“And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day” (v. 39).
Nothing at all can threaten your relationship with Jesus (see Rom. 8:38-39). We can finally find true contentment when we base our lifestyle choices on this profound truth. We are no longer hungry, thirsty people striving to satisfy eternal cravings with earthly possessions, achievements, or accomplishments. We are secure in God through our connection to Jesus Christ.
LIVE IT OUT
How will you respond to the Bread of life this week? Consider the following options for seeking out even greater contentment:
- Give it up. Identify something temporary you have been pursuing as a means of security—a possession, an achievement, an accomplishment, and so on. Stop your pursuit. Repent and ask God to grant you true contentment in Jesus.
- Give thanks. Commit to expressing gratitude this week when others serve or bless you. Thankfulness is a great way to avoid self-centeredness and promote satisfaction.
- Give it away. Volunteer with a ministry that serves others in need. While doing so, share the gospel with someone by using this Scripture passage to help them understand true satisfaction comes from Jesus Christ.
As a follower of Christ, you have access to more than you could ever hope for. Your security as a believer is eternal. You received it on the day you were saved, not on the day you die. Everything you need, and so much more, can be found in Jesus.
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Our Lesson Today:
Man in a Hurry
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NEED FOR CONTENTMENT
Do any of you remember a short story in high school English called “The Necklace”. It’s about a young French woman who yearns to be in high society. She and her husband get invited to a swanky party, and she buys a new dress for the occasion, but she feels she needs some fancy jewelry to complete it. She borrows an expensive diamond necklace from a well-to-do friend, but ends up losing it. Her husband finds one exactly like it and purchases it for $6,000. He has to borrow money to pay for it, and it takes them years to retire the debt. Sometime later, the lady encounters the woman from whom she borrowed the necklace, and decides to tell her the whole story. To her surprise, she finds out that the necklace she lost was only a fake, and it was worth no more than $85.
“That is a parable about our life today. We labor for food that perishes, for things that have no permanent value. And like the couple in the story we give the best years of our lives working for things that are worthless.”
In our lesson today, we see some people who had followed Jesus all the way across the Sea of Galilee in hopes that He would feed them again. He used this occasion to teach them about the meaning of true contentment.
Our lesson opens with a question: When have you recently had too much of a good thing? And the thought being that - People today can’t seem to be satisfied with what they have – they always want more:
- Look at how many TV channels in the average home - 189. Look at the TV size now in the average home – 60”.
- It not enough to have a car – we need a big car and a fancy one too.
- Look at your fast food meals - we have to “Biggie Size” it!
- People are convinced that more is always better, bigger is always best, and getting our way always equals prosperity and happiness. It’s easy to believe that if we race to the top, gain all the privileges, or have the most money—we will finally be satisfied.
Jesus opens this series this morning by addressing this need for satisfaction with our need for contentment. He says I AM the Bread of life who gives you true satisfaction!
I. Dissatisfied - John 6:26-27
26Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
During the presidential campaign of 1928, a circular published by the Republican Party claimed that if Herbert Hoover won there would be “a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage.” He won a landslide victory over Alfred Smith, but the Republican Party's promise of prosperity was derailed seven months after Hoover took the oath of office. The stock market crash of 1929 plunged the country into the Great Depression and people eventually lost confidence in Hoover.
- One of the lessons we talked about in our last series had to do with making promises!
- What promises are being made in this year’s election?
Why were the people looking for Jesus?
- Jesus had just recently fed thousands with five loaves and two fish, and many of that same crowd followed Him across the Sea of Galilee. They were surprised to find Him at Capernaum. They knew He was not with His disciples when they left in a boat, and no other boats had left the dock (v. 22). Jesus had crossed the sea on foot (vv. 18-21).
- Jesus never promised prosperity, but He did something for the people that led them to think prosperity was just around the corner. There’s a problem with the kind of prosperity the people expected from Jesus: it doesn’t last. Sure, the miracle provided a great meal for one day, but the people were hungry again the next day.
- The wonderful things Jesus does for us are signs of who He is as God’s revelation of Himself to us.
Why did Jesus reject the people that were looking for Him?
- Jesus knew they were seeking Him for the wrong reason. He had fed them the day before, and now they wanted breakfast. Physical food only satisfies for a short time. The fact that the people were hungry again proved His point. Jesus urged them to seek for spiritual food that truly satisfies. This kind of food comes only from Jesus.
- In verses 26-27, Jesus confronted their misplaced priorities. The miracle of the loaves and fishes was supposed to draw people to God, not motivate them to trail after Jesus in search of a perpetual buffet. The people were pursuing “food that spoils,” but Jesus had come to offer “food that endures,” meaning eternal life, as a gift from God through the “Son of Man”—Jesus Himself.
Why do people seek satisfaction in things that don’t last?
- People today often struggle with the same misplaced priorities. When we try to satisfy our deepest needs with bigger TVs, sportier cars, or fancier clothes, we waste our time and only become more frustrated. We think such material things will give us the security and significance that only comes through a relationship with Jesus.
- We need to get off the “get more” treadmill and enjoy the eternal satisfaction only Jesus provides.
- We act foolishly when we spend all our energy and effort to acquire things that do not last.
- For what true purpose should they have been seeking Jesus?
- We are admonished to focus our attention, our efforts, and our energy on that which Jesus gives to us – that is, everlasting life.
II. Complete Satisfaction - John 6:35
35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
How had the people continued to misunderstand what Jesus was saying?
- So the Jews ask Jesus for a sign that He was sent from God (as if the miraculous feeding and the walking across the water weren’t enough). The people misunderstood what Jesus meant. They asked Him for a sign. This was a foolish request, since they had just seen Him do a miracle the day before. They mentioned that Moses had provided manna for the Israelites.
- He accuses the crowd of ignoring His miraculous signs and only following Him for the “free meal.” He accuses the crowd of ignoring His miraculous signs and only following Him for the “free meal.”The crowd had already seen extraordinary things, but apparently that wasn’t enough. They asked Jesus what sign He planned to offer so they might believe in Him. They mentioned God’s earlier provision of manna for their forefathers, as if to say Jesus’ recent culinary miracle was not all that special. They wanted Jesus to do a real miracle to establish His credibility.
- We often exhibit the same self-centeredness. We ask God to prove Himself by meeting our needs or by intervening in our lives. We ignore all God has already accomplished—both through the work of Jesus and in our lives over the years—when we require God to act “in the moment” before we affirm faith in Him.
- In response, the people cried out, “Sir ... always give us this bread” (v. 34). They were still thinking about themselves, expressing their desire for perpetual meal service and not yet recognizing the spiritual significance of Jesus’ words. Jesus then made His most direct statement: “I am the bread of life.” He also added thirst to the metaphor. By coupling hunger and thirst, combined with the previous food miracle that had started the entire sequence, Jesus underscored His ultimate goal even more strongly. Jesus promised, “Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (v. 35).
How did Jesus use the conversation about bread to teach the people something about who He is?
- They were so enthralled with the food, they were missing out on the fact that their Messiah had come.
- Jesus clarified that God, not Moses, had given manna to the Israelites. However, that was nothing compared to the kind of “bread” Jesus had to offer. Jesus doesn’t just give everlasting food; He is the everlasting food (the word “I” is emphatic in the original Greek language). He satisfies our deepest needs. Our need for forgiveness. Our need for significance. Our need to be loved. Our need for hope beyond this life.
- Jesus appealed to His hearers to rise above focusing on themselves and their temporal desires for immediate gratification. He promised eternal satisfaction to every person who believes in Him—an infinitely more significant gift than food and drink.
Why was bread a fitting metaphor for Jesus to use to identify Himself in relationship to humankind?
- Jesus declared that God had given them “the true bread from heaven” and further clarified, “the bread of God is the bread who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (vv. 32-33).
- John 6:35 says, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” Bread is considered a staple food—i.e., a basic dietary item. A person can survive a long time on only bread and water. Bread is such a basic food item that it becomes synonymous for food in general. We even use the phrase “breaking bread together” to indicate the sharing of a meal with someone. Bread also plays an integral part of the Jewish Passover meal. The Jews were to eat unleavened bread during the Passover feast and then for seven days following as a celebration of the exodus from Egypt. Finally, when the Jews were wandering in the desert for 40 years, God rained down “bread from heaven” to sustain the nation (Exodus 16:4).
Even though everlasting life is a gift, what are we to do to obtain it?
- We receive the gift of life when we come to Jesus and believe fully on Him.
What words indicate that Jesus satisfies completely?
- Jesus is what we need and all we need to have eternal life. In Jesus, we find complete spiritual satisfaction.
III. True Contentment - John 6:36-40
36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
What was the critical issue with which Jesus confronted the people?
After rebuking His followers’ selfishness, Jesus sought to teach them the truth by highlighting two key elements of God’s work in accomplishing salvation.
1. Our salvation is based on God’s initiative. “All those the Father gives me will come to me” (v.37). While it is essential for people to repent (see Acts 2:38) and place their faith in Christ to experience salvation (see Eph. 2:8-9), God always takes the first step in the salvation process. He sent Jesus as our Savior, empowered His resurrection, and assured His ascension. God’s plan for salvation has been set in place since before He created the world (see Eph. 1:4-5).
Salvation becomes real for us when we respond to God’s initiative by believing in Christ. God prompts, convicts, and draws people to Himself. Yet repentance and faith are also biblical essentials for salvation. God invites people into a relationship with Him, and that relationship is sealed through our repentance and faith.
2. Jesus taught that our relationship with God is permanent. “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (v. 37). “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day” (v. 39). Remember that the permanence we enjoy in our relationship with God is guaranteed by His power, not our efforts. God draws people into salvation and then sustains their eternal relationship with Him.
Nothing at all can threaten your relationship with Jesus (see Rom. 8:38-39). We can finally find true contentment when we base our lifestyle choices on this profound truth. We are no longer hungry, thirsty people striving to satisfy eternal cravings with earthly possessions, achievements, or accomplishments. We are secure in God through our connection to Jesus Christ. In Christ, we are forever secure; nothing can take us away from Him. In Christ, we have the promise of the resurrection to eternal life.
Conclusion: Another presidential election year is upon us, and we’re already hearing all kinds of promises from the candidates. They promise to fix the economy and take care of terrorists and bring necessary reforms to the government. Certainly I believe Christians ought to do their civic duty and vote, but we need to keep things in the right perspective. Unfortunately, politicians have a long history of making grandiose promises and not keeping them. Will Rogers used to say politicians “go in on promises and come out on alibis.” He said if we got one-tenth of what they promised us, there would be no inducement to go to heaven! Besides, even when political leaders have the best of intentions, they’re only capable of doing so much. They may satisfy some people for the short term, but they can’t bring us true contentment.
I’m glad to know that our world is not ultimately in the hands of politicians. In Him we have everything we need. This world may be unfair, but we can rest in the assurance that He will win the final victory (John 16:33). In the meantime, we can trust Him to provide for our needs and give us the necessary strength to face the trials of this world. Through Jesus Christ, we can find true and lasting contentment.
Prayer of Commitment
Feed me, Lord, with the Bread of Life, for only then can I know satisfaction and contentment fully sufficient for eternity. Amen.
Hope to see everyone on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
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