JOHN 6
11 Outlines
John 6:1-12
GETTING IT DONE
SUPPOSITION JESUS WANTS ME TO MEET THE NEED OTHERS
Vss. 1-7
SURVEY WHAT DO I HAVE AVAILABLE? Vss. 8-9
SURRENDER I GIVE WHAT I HAVE TO JESUS
SUPPLY GOD WILL MULTIPLY WHAT WE HAVE Vss. 10-11
SURPLUS THERE WILL EXTRA LEFT FOR FURTHER BLESSING
Vss. 12-13
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LITTLE IS MUCH WHEN GOD
IS IN IT!
John 6:1-13
A TESTED DISCIPLE Vss.
1-7
A TINY RESOURCE Vss.
8-10
A TREMENDOUS BLESSING
Vss. 11-13
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John 6:1-14
THERE IS A LAD HERE!
The main job of a child
is to learn.
A child learns to crawl,
stand, and walk.
A child learns to talk, learns
the alphabet and learns to read.
A child should learn to
obey, and then do things himself.
A child should learn to
think.
A child should learn
Spiritual truths. Proverbs 22:6, Psalm 92:13, Ephesians 6:4
A child is capable of
being saved and learning about prayer, Bible reading and memorization, Bible
stories, and giving. As children learn,
they start to teach us. While growing up, our son, David, taught us about
giving. Our son, Mark, taught us about
trusting. Our daughter, Donna, taught us
about witnessing.
In the Scriptures there
are those children and young people who learn lessons, and, consequently, teach
us.
Andrew states in John
6:9, "There is a lad here."
Often in the Bible there
is a lad or young lady who is present to learn, and through learning, instructs
us.
THERE IS A LAD HERE AND
HE IS LEARNING TO LISTEN TO FOR GOD - 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-4:1
THERE IS A LAD HERE AND
HE'S LEARNING TO
David's motive - the
glory of God - Vss. 26-27
David's memory - past
victories - Vss. 34-36
David's method - trust
God, Do what you know how to do, Go in the Lord's name. - Vss. 46-50
THERE IS A LAD HERE AND
HE'S LEARNING TO LOAN TO GOD - John 6:1-14
Proverbs 19:17
Matthew 6:19-21
Luke 21:1-4
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
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John 6:1-13
A GREAT MIRACLE
A GREAT CROWD - Vss. 1-4
A tremendous crowd (At
least 5,000.) followed Jesus.
A GREAT CHALLENGE - Vss.
57
They needed to be fed. Jesus
tested Philip but Jesus knew what He would do.
Sometimes the Lord
allows us to be challenged by problems, but he knows what He will do.
A GREAT CONTACT - Vss.
8-9
One little boy with a
lunch that would hardly begin to feed a multitude. However, Jesus didn't need much. The food only needed to be available. What little we have in the way of gifts and
talents might not seem much, but if it is available Jesus can use it.
GREAT CONDUCT - Vss.
10-13
Jesus multiplied the
food and fed the multitude.
Let Jesus multiply your
efforts and watch Him build His kingdom!
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John 6:15-21
RESCUE AT SEA
GREAT ASSIGNMENT - Vss.
15-16
Jesus had sent the
disciples across the
Even what appears to be
a small assignment is great when Jesus is the one doing the assigning.
GREAT ALARM - Vss. 17-19
GREAT ASSURANCE - Vs. 20
GREAT ASSISTANCE - Vs.
21
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John 6:15-21
AVOIDING WORRY
Perhaps more than you, I
have been victim one of the Christian's biggest problems, worry. I have been taught and have taught that worry
is sin. I have also taught and been
taught that sin breaks fellowship with God.
I have also taught and been taught that when I sin, I cannot be
effectively used of God. It is no wonder that Satan tempts you and I to worry! When we worry we cannot be effectively used of
God, because worry is sin!
In this message, based
on the account of Jesus walking on the water, let us see some things that will
help us avoid worry. There are three steps that if taken, will help us lick
worry in our lives.
REFUEL - Vs. 15
Jesus had just fed 5,000
men plus women and children.
Jesus knew that the
miracles of healing performed that day and the great miracle of feeding would
work on some to try to make Him a king. They wanted to be fed! They wanted
victory over the Roman government. But they were not looking for
salvation. It was not time for Jesus to
reign as king. He first had to go to go
Mark 6:45-46 gives us
some more information. Jesus was going to refuel! He was physically tired having healed,
taught, and fed the multitudes. He would
have been emotionally tired having dealt with so many people. Jesus needed the strength that only prayer
would give. It was his habit. Mark
If we are going to
"refuel" we also need to pray. Luke 18:1, Jeremiah 33:3, Philippians
4:5-7, 1 Peter 5:7, Isaiah 26:3
When Jesus went to the
mountain, not only would He talk to his Father, but the Father would have
talked to Him. If we are going to
refuel, we must let God speak to us through His Word. Jeremiah
REMEMBER - Vss. 16-20
The disciples were on
their way across the
A storm came up
suddenly, as they do upon
Vs. 19 - They had rowed
3-4 miles and saw Jesus drawing near. Not knowing who it was, they were scared.
Vs. 20 - Here is the
great truth to remember during our storms. Jesus comes to us. We need not be
afraid because He is with us. Hebrews
13:5, Romans 8:35-39
If we remember that
Jesus is with us, we can remain calm and not worry. Hebrews 4:14-16
RECEIVE - Vs. 21
Notice that the
disciples immediately received Jesus into the boat. This is exactly what we
should do. When Jesus was allowed entrance they were safe. If you do not know Christ as Savior, you need
to receive Him as Savior. John 1:12
If you do Christ as Savior,
we need to allow Him to have charge of the boat, to be captain of the
ship. As we do this, He will control our
worries.
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John 6:15-21
THE RESCUE
There are times in our
lives when we sense real danger. It
might be physical danger, emotional danger, situational danger (e.g. divorce,
loss of a loved one, etc.) or Spiritual danger.
As Christians, if we are alert, we will sense our Savior coming to the
rescue, as He did for these disciples.
DANGEROUS SITUATION -
Vss. 15-18
DEPENDABLE SAVIOR - Vs.
19-20
He came to them. He
encouraged them that it was their master coming. They were not to be afraid.
DELIGHTED SERVANTS -
Vss. 20-21
They gladly received Him
into the boat and were safe.
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John 6:35-40
A GREAT OFFER
If you watch television,
listen to the radio, visit commercial web sites or read the newspaper, you will
have seen what advertisers call "a great offer" or "an offer you
can't refuse". The trouble with
many of these offers for you to make a purchase is that the offers really
aren't that good. I've see many
"great deals" that weren't so great!
In our text today, the
Lord Jesus is making a great offer. It is an offer that you can refuse, but you
will be sorry if you do. Jesus is
talking to critics who want him to repeat his great miracle of feeding the five
thousand (John 6:1-13, 26-34). He makes a very clear and great offer to them.
RESOURCE - Vs. 35
Jesus offers Himself as
"the bread of life". Just as bread is a basic ingredient in most
diets around the world, Jesus is the basic ingredient for eternal life. Jesus
is the resource we need for eternal life (John 14:6). Those who truly believe
on Him will never be Spiritually hungry or thirsty.
REBUKE - Vs. 36
These people had seen
Jesus and the way He fed the five thousand. Although they had seen, they had
not truly believed on Him for eternal life.
REASON - Vs. 38
Jesus came down from
Heaven to do the Father's will. This included going to the cross to pay for our
sins, and to save all those that would believe on Him.
REASSURANCE - Vss. 37,
39-40
Jesus will not reject
any that sincerely come to Him by faith. Vs. 37
All those who truly believe
in Christ will be saved and resurrected. Vss. 39-40
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John 6:35, 47-51
CONTENTED?
I probably don't need to
tell you that there are many discontented people in this world. You meet them
everywhere.
Discontented people are
found in grocery stores when lines are too long or the product they want is not
available.
Discontented people are
found in homes when the husband is not making enough money to make ends meet or
his income is only adequate and does not allow for a new car or all the
"toys" that the children want. Sometimes the husband is not happy
because the wife or the children are not doing what he things they should do.
The children might be discontented because Mom or Dad are
perceived as too strict, or in some cases, too lenient.
Discontented people are
found on jobs where certain employees are not happy with the boss, the working
conditions or perhaps the pay. Or maybe
the boss is unhappy with his workers, his boss or the company he works for.
Discontented people are
found in schools where students think that the rules are too strict, or that
teachers are unreasonable, or too demanding or too lazy. There are also
discontented teachers unhappy with administration or the students.
Discontented people are
found in churches where church members are not happy with all that a pastor
does or doesn't do. They are sometimes
unhappy with the church's music, the church's doctrinal stand or the church's
programs. Pastors are sometimes
discontented with the size of their congregations, the lack of loyalty, or with
their church leaders.
The world is full of
discontented people! Have things changed since the days of our Lord Jesus? No they haven't! Luke 12:13-15, Mark
I want us to look at a
specific instance of discontentment this morning found in John 6. To begin with, Jesus works a very famous
miracle in this chapter. Using a little
boy's lunch He feeds 5,000 men plus women and children. That was quite an accomplishment.
Vs. 15 shows us one of
the responses of some of the crowd. They wanted to take him by force to make
Jesus a king.
Here was a man who could
heal people and provide food, why not make Him king? Of course, we know why. Jesus is King but the
time for establishing His kingdom on earth was not then.
Jesus came the first
time to save sinners by dying for them. The next time Jesus comes his Kingdom
will be established.
I feel that this
movement to make Jesus King shows discontentment. They were discontented with the Roman
government. And many followed Jesus as
Messiah thinking that He would establish His kingdom right away and overthrow
the Roman government.
Another reason for
discontentment was the very fact that they had to work for a living! They
wanted free food so they didn't have to work. If Jesus were king, they probably
thought, he could put the whole country on welfare!
Jesus dispersed the
crowd and went into a mountain to pray.
Later that evening He
met the disciples on the lake, walking on water. That was another miracle that showed His
power and deity.
Vss. 22-26 - Some of
these discontented people showed up the next day. Jesus revealed their selfishness and their
laziness. They were looking for Jesus because they ate and were satisfied.
Vs. 27 - Jesus warns
these people not to labor for food that is temporary, but for food that endures
for eternal life.
Jesus then proceeds to
point these people to Himself.
Using Vss. 35 and 47-51
of John 6, I would like to show you how to have true contentment. In the center
of our thoughts this morning is Jesus' statement saying "I am the Bread of
Life". This is one of seven "I
am" statements that Jesus makes in the Gospel of John.
The phrase "I
am" was definitely a reference to Jesus' dignity. God referred to Himself by that term when
talking to Moses. Exodus
Jesus, the Son of God
very clearly shows us that He is the answer for all discontent because He is
the Bread of Life.
As we look at Jesus as
the source of true contentment in a discontented world I want us to consider:
A PROMISE - Vs. 47
Humanly speaking, man's
biggest problem and the greatest source for his discontentment is his mortality. Psalm 90:10
Into this fear of death
comes another problem. Hebrews 9:27
The discontentment
caused by death is complicated by the fact that we must stand before God and
give an account. We are all sinners deserving of judgment and condemnation.
Romans 6:23, Ezekiel
18:4, Isaiah 64:6
Jesus answers this
discontent caused by death by making a promise. John 6:47
Jesus is saying,
"There is an alternative to eternal death.
There is an alternative to punishment. There is an alternative to
discontent caused by the fear of death."
Why is there an
alternative to eternal death?
Why is there an
alternative to the fear of dying?
It is because Jesus took
your place, dying for your sins on what has been called the "Old Rugged
Cross". (You may quote the hymn if you like. Words are found at
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/r/oruggedc.htm) Romans 5:6-8, 2 Corinthians
You see, Jesus died for
your sins on the cross.
Jesus died for you so
that you don't have to die eternally.
Jesus' promise is that
anyone who will simply believe on Him can have forgiveness of sins and eternal
life. John 6:47
Believing on Jesus for
eternal life means trusting Him instead of trusting yourself. When you trust Him, He provides eternal life in the future
and a new life now. That's His promise!
2 Corinthians 5:17
A PERSON - Vss. 35 and
48
Here is Jesus' first
"I Am". He is the bread of life.
I think that just about has
some sort of bread.
I think of bread as
basic food.
Bread gives nourishment.
Bread helps maintain
physical life.
Jesus is the
"bread", the basic for eternal life.
Without the "bread
of life", there is no eternal life.
The person who finds the
"bread of life" no longer has the gnawing pain and sorrow associated
with being separated from God. He comes
to Jesus no longer has to suffers from Spiritual hunger and thirst that leads
to eternal death.
Trusting Jesus, or eating the "bread of life" leads to no
more fear of what is beyond the grave.
John
There are no other
alternatives.
If you want life you
must come to Jesus, believing on Him.
It's that simple.
Christian, Jesus was
your answer to discontent concerning death.
But, Jesus is also your
answer for contentment in every other area of your life.
Hebrews 13:5-6
Christian, true
contentment is not found in your possessions.
True contentment is not
found in money.
True contentment is not
found in alcohol, sex, or drugs.
True contentment is not
found in being loved or popular.
True contentment is
found in your personal daily walk with Jesus. John 10:10, John 15:4-5, John
15:9-11
Christian, allow Jesus to
control your life now. As you do, you will experience true contentment daily.
The Apostle Paul did: Philippians 4:11-13
Contentment is found in
a person, the Lord Jesus Christ.
A PERSPECTIVE - Vss.
49-51
Jesus gives some
perspective to what He has just said. In Vs. 49, He reminds his listeners that
their ancestors had eaten manna, supernaturally provided bread.
They ate this manna when
they were with Moses in the wilderness, traveling between
As good as the manna was, it did not provide Spiritual life.
Vs. 50 - Jesus is that
bread that came from Heaven. If a person eats this bread, that is, believes on
Him, he will not die. Oh, he will probably die physically, but his spirit lives
on. Death is only a shadow.
Vs. 51 - Men and women
who trust Jesus will live forever because of His flesh given as a sacrifice for
the sins of the world.
When a person believes
on Jesus Christ, there is a whole new perspective on death.
Philippians 1:21
So what is the point of
this morning's message?
There is no reason for
anyone to fear what is the greatest source of discontentment of all - death!
Have you placed your
faith in Christ?
If not do so now!
Are you a Christian?
Find your contentment in
abiding in Him!
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JOHN 6:47-48
A GOOD OUTLOOK
If we approach life with a positive outlook, we are
far more likely to be happy than if we have a bad outlook. Unfortunately, there
are enough bad things that happen in our lives and in the lives of our friends
and loved ones, that can often dampen our spirits, and
cause us to develop a bad outlook.
The Lord Jesus, however, gives us good reasons to have
a good outlook on life. We find three of
these reasons for this good outlook as we look at our text.
WE HAVE THE SOURCE OF AUTHORITY
Verily, verily, I say unto you
The words "Verily, verily" are literally the
words "Amen, Amen" in the original language. I think of Jesus saying, "surely,
surely". Jesus is serious when he uses these words and He is pointing out
to his listeners that whatever He is saying is absolute truth.
Jesus' teaching style was different from those of his
day. At the end of His famous Sermon on The
Mount. Matthew 7:28-29
Indeed, during the Sermon on the Mount Jesus would
quote teachings of the past and then say, "but I
say unto you", and then give a clarification to the teaching.
An example of this is found in Matthew 5:27-28
Why could Jesus speak with such authority?
Jesus can speak with such authority because of who He
is.
Isaiah 9:6 - For
unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be
upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,
The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
·
Jesus is wonderful! -
By nature, He is God.
His miracles were wonderful.
His teachings were wonderful.
His death on the cross for our sins was
wonderful.
His resurrection was wonderful.
The work He does now as our intercessor before God is
wonderful.
·
Jesus is counselor!
Jesus is the counselor in that He comes to us as the
revealer of the Father's will.
A counselor is one who gives advice and direction.
A counselor is one who gives help when needed.
More than once a counselor has gotten someone out of
trouble.
As God, there is none that can give better counsel
than the Lord Jesus. No wonder He tells us to abide in Him in John 15:4-5.
·
Jesus is mighty God!
He created everything. Colossians 1:16
Jesus is mighty God! He knows everything.
Jesus is mighty God! He is all-powerful. There isn't
anything that Jesus can't do. Just think
of His mighty miracles, including the calming of storms and the resurrection of
Lazarus from the dead.
·
Jesus is everlasting father or "father of
eternity".
Jesus is eternal.
He said in John
Jesus is alive now and will be forevermore.
Because He is eternal, every promise He makes He is
capable of keeping.
·
JESUS IS PRINCE OF PEACE
Jesus is prince of peace because He secured peace with
God for us. Romans 5:1
Jesus is Prince of Peace because He promises His
followers peace. John 14:27
So there you have it. Jesus is
Wonderful, Counsellor, The
mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
You have no greater authority than the Lord Jesus!
So when He says something here in John 6:47-48,
you can believe it.
When He says something in the Sermon on the Mount, you
can believe it.
Anywhere you see the red letters in you Bible you can
believe the words, because they are the Words of Jesus.
Actually you can believe and accept, and trust in the
whole Bible, because the whole Bible is God's Word. It is authority! 2 Timothy 3:16-17
WE HAVE THE SIMPLICITY OF SALVATION
I have a computer sitting on my desk and it amazes me.
It can do two our three things at once, allow me to do word processing, store
everything in files and connect me to the internet. It can find just about
anything it has in store. It can play music and even video clips. I would say the computer is complex. And I only know how to use a computer, not
what makes it work or how to fix it.
We have just passed the deadline of April 15th
for filing our taxes. The tax code is
complex. I don't understand the tax
code, and as I result I rely on somebody who does to do my taxes.
Many people have made salvation leading to eternal
life complex.
They think that they have to do good deeds to get into
Heaven.
They think that they have to light candles, be
baptized, do penance, go to purgatory, pay money, take communion, keep the ten commandments, and/or be a totally nice person in order
to get into Heaven.
Jesus, our authority makes it much simpler.
John 6:47 - Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
Have you ever
stopped to think how simple salvation is?
The trouble is, too many people think that the message
of salvation is too simple. They think they must do something to earn
forgiveness and eternal life.
My friend, God simply didn't make it that hard.
Ephesians 2:8-9
·
You are a sinner, who isn't good enough to go to
Heaven.
·
God is a righteous God who demands payment for your
sin.
·
God in his love sent the Lord Jesus to die for your
sins.
·
Jesus paid for your sins on the cross and rose from
the dead.
·
Whoever believes, that is, trusts Jesus for
forgiveness and eternal life becomes saved.
·
At the point of true belief, the Holy Spirit comes
into your life and makes you a "new creature" in Christ. 2
Corinthians 5:17
If you have not availed yourself of God's simple plan
of salvation, I invite you to do so this morning. It will change your life.
If you have believed on Christ, may I encourage you
that this simple message of salvation that changed your life can change the
lives of your friends and loved ones?
You actually need to know very little in order to share your faith with
someone else.
Coupled along with telling someone how Christ changed
your life you can simply explain what I've just explained to you.
WE HAVE THE STAPLE OF LIFE
John
Staples are the basic groceries you need. You know,
bread, milk, flour, butter or margarine, salt, pepper, ice cream. J
Probably the most common staple throughout the world
is bread. In many places, even around
here, bread is very much a part of the diet.
I have heard a lot more people say "I don't eat meat, or much
meat." I can't recall anybody
saying, "I don't eat bread."
Bread helps to keep alive.
Jesus tells us in our text that he is "that bread
of life."
He's the staple. He's the basic. He's needed. John
Without the staple of Jesus Christ as Savior, you
don't have life.
And let me tell you something else, Christian,
unless you make Jesus a staple in your life daily, you're not going to have
much of a life right now.
Jesus didn't just come to give you eternal life, but
He came to give you abundant life, now!
John 10:10
Do you want to
know what kind of an abundant life you can have right now with the Lord
Jesus? As James Montgomery Boice pointed
out in his commentary on The Gospel of John, the 23rd Psalm is a
beautiful picture of abundant life in Christ.
Boice, James Montgomery, The
Gospel of John Volume 3, ©1985, 1999 by James Montgomery Boice, Baker Book
House,
READ AND COMMENT ON THE 23RD Psalm. Show
the abundant life we have when Jesus is our shepherd.
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John 6:47-51
FOOD FOR LIFE
Most of us like to eat. However, if we didn't eat we
wouldn't live.
For eternal life we also need "food".
Our Lord Jesus Christ is that "food" for
eternal life.
A PROMISE - Vs. 47 - He that believes on Jesus has
eternal life.
A PERSON - Vs. 48 - The bread of life is a person, the
Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.
A PERSPECTIVE - Vss. 49-51 - Those who ate manna
eventually died. Those who eat of the
bread of Heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ, will never die. Jesus gave his life so we might have life.
To believe on the Lord Jesus for salvation is to
"eat" the bread of life.