John Bible Study - Lesson 20

John Bible Study - Lesson 20

Read the passage below using the 2 different Bible translations:

John 7:1-13 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Goes to the Festival of Tabernacles

After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. ² But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, ³ Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. ⁴ No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” ⁵ For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

⁶ Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. ⁷ The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. ⁸ You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” ⁹ After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee.

¹⁰ However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. ¹¹ Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?”

¹² Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.”

Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” ¹³ But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.

John 7:1-13 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus and His Brothers

7 After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. ² But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, ³ and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! ⁴ You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” ⁵ For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.

⁶ Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. ⁷ The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. ⁸ You go on. I’m not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come.” ⁹ After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee.

Jesus Teaches Openly at the Temple

¹⁰ But after his brothers left for the festival, Jesus also went, though secretly, staying out of public view. ¹¹ The Jewish leaders tried to find him at the festival and kept asking if anyone had seen him. ¹² There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, “He’s a good man,” but others said, “He’s nothing but a fraud who deceives the people.” ¹³ But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.

Note:

Here are the 3 questions for you to answer. I have given some basic answers below the questions to help you understand the passage. Answer the questions first yourself before you look at my answers. Take a moment before you begin and ask God to help you understand what you are reading.

3 questions to answer:

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

2.    Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

3.    Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

Answers to the questions above and some background:

Content: What is this passage about?

·        Jesus stayed away from Judea where the Jewish leaders were plotting His death

·        The Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near and His brothers wanted Jesus to go to Judea so Jesus’ followers could witness His miracles

·        Jesus’ brothers wanted Jesus to make a name for Himself

·        Jesus’ own brothers did not believe He was the Messiah

·        Jesus told His brothers that the time was not right for Him to go

·        Jesus tells His brothers that they could go anytime but Jesus had to wait for the right time in accordance with God’s plan

·        Jesus states the world hates Him because He accuses it of doing evil

·        Jesus remains in Galilee

·        After Jesus’ brothers left for the festival, Jesus went secretly, and stayed out of public view

·        The Jewish leaders were looking for Jesus at the festival asking people if they knew where He was

·        The crowds at the festival had different opinions about Jesus. Some said He was a good man while others accused Him of being a fraud

·        No one had the courage to speak favorably about Jesus in public due to their fear of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders

Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

·       Jesus was not looking for fame or to wow people with His ability to perform miracles.

·        Instead of looking for fame, we should be looking to glorify God in everything we do.

·       Jesus was trying to reveal Himself as the one God sent to bring hope to those who were bound up in sin, lost and separated from God.

·        Jesus understood that in order to fulfill God’s pre-determined plan of salvation, He had to wait on God’s timing.

·        We also need to wait on God's timiming for guidance on the decisions we make and answer to prayer.  Remember: God’s timing is perfect.

·        Jesus glorified God by being obedient to His will and purpose

·        The Jewish leaders wanted to kill Jesus because of their unbelief and fear that a great number people would begin to follow Jesus which would remove their power over the people

·        People had different ideas about who Jesus was. Some said Jesus was a good man while others said He deceives the people.

·        Most people feared the Jewish leaders and would not speak favorably of Jesus.  

·        Fear of rejection and persecution hampers people living fully for God.

·        Many people hide their faith due to fear.

·        God wants us to not be ashamed of our identity in Jesus nor the Gospel He preached. 

As believers in Christ our identity in Him should be clear to others

Here we learn about our identity in Christ and we are how to share our faith:

Romans 1:16 New International Version (NIV)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

  

1 Peter 2:9 New International Version (NIV)

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

2 Corinthians 5:20 Living Bible (TLB)

We are Christ’s ambassadors. God is using us to speak to you: we beg you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, receive the love he offers you—be reconciled to God.

1 Peter 3:15 New International Version (NIV)

 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

·        Don’t fear your identity in Christ: remember, you are always in the presence of God, His Holy Spirit indwells in you,  and you are intricate part of His plan. God has good plans for His people

Jeremiah 29:11 New International Version (NIV)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Romans 8:28 New International Version (NIV)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

·         God wants His people to be strong and courageous:

Joshua 1:9 New International Version (NIV)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

·      Don't fear! Live for God and His purpose. Remember God will never leave us nor forsake us:

Hebrews 13:5-6 New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.”

⁶ So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?”

Don’t forget:

John’s main purpose in writing this Gospel:

·        To tell the world that Jesus is the Messiah for the Jews and Gentiles

·        The events were recorded so that we might believe and have eternal life

John 20:30-31 New International Version (NIV)

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Questions to ponder:

·        What do I fear most about being a follower of Jesus?

·        Who do I fear rejection from most?

·        What is my motivation for helping others?

·        What is most important to me in this life?

·        Will you ask God to strengthen you and your identity in Christ?

Have a great week…………….Dave

The offsetting reality of intergalactic weirdness Part 13

The offsetting reality of intergalactic weirdness

Part 13

Super Bowl 51 – Trumps wins again!

If the polls are always wrong why do we take them?

Most over used word – “Huge” or “Uge”

People are eating more nuts and are now acting like them

The Hypocrite Society is full and no longer taking new members

People used to hold up peace signs with their fingers but now everyone is saying read between the lines

There are new apps that can tell a person’s ideology by the way they drive  

If before and after are the same, and now is different, what happened?  

Headline: 

people are pleased to welcome refugees who stay in other people’s towns

Headline from the Future: 

Everybody has a job but nobody is working anymore

Headline: 

Republicans stop drinking coffee roasted in Democratic states

Headline: 

Democrats decide to turn up the “heat” on global warming, but “cool off” during the coldest winter in 50 years

Headline from the Future: 

People decide to start getting along.  News Business takes a big hit

Have a great day..............Dave

John Bible Study - Lesson 19

John Bible Study - Lesson 19

Read the passage below using the 2 different Bible translations:

John 6:60-71 New International Version (NIV)

Many Disciples Desert Jesus

⁶⁰ On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

⁶¹ Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? ⁶² Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! ⁶³ The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. ⁶⁴ Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. ⁶⁵ He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”

⁶⁶ From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

⁶⁷ “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.

⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. ⁶⁹ We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

⁷⁰ Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” ⁷¹ (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)

John 6:60-71 New Living Translation (NLT)

Many Disciples Desert Jesus

⁶⁰ Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”

⁶¹ Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? ⁶² Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? ⁶³ The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. ⁶⁴ But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) ⁶⁵ Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”

⁶⁶ At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.⁶⁷ Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”

⁶⁸ Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. ⁶⁹ We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”

⁷⁰ Then Jesus said, “I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil.” ⁷¹ He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.

Note:

Here are the 3 questions for you to answer. I have given some basic answers below the questions to help you understand the passage. Answer the questions first yourself before you look at my answers. Take a moment before you begin and ask God to help you understand what you are reading.

3 questions to answer:

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

2.    Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

3.    Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

Answers to the questions above and some background:

Content: What is this passage about?

·        The disciples complained that Jesus’ teaching was very hard to understand

·        Jesus talks about the time He will return to heaven

·        Jesus explains that no one can earn their way into heaven

·        Jesus’ tells us His words bring life

·        Jesus points out that not all His disciples were true believers and that one in particular would betray Him

·        Jesus points out that God the Father enables people to come to faith in Him

·        Jesus challenges His disciples on whether or not they will continue to follow Him

·        Many disciples desert Jesus

·        Simon Peter declares Jesus to be the Holy One of God

·        Jesus points out that out of the 12 He chose to be His disciples, one of them was being influenced by the devil and would soon betray Him

·        He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.

Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

·        Jesus’ teaching is hard to understand without supernatural revelation from the Holy Spirit. That is why the Bible says:

1 Corinthians 1:18 New International Version (NIV)

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

·        Once someone is saved, they have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to help them understand what the Bible is teaching, and in this case what Jesus is teaching.

John 14:26 New International Version (NIV)

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you

·        When Jesus is telling us the Spirit gives life, He is reminding us that the one identifying trait of a true believer is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13 New Living Translation (NLT)

And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 New Living Translation (NLT)

 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.

·        Many disciples abandoned Jesus 

·        Only God brings people to faith

Romans 1:17 New Living Translation (NLT)

This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

·        Faith is a free gift from God

Ephesians 2:8 New International Version (NIV)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

·        Jesus challenges His disciples to choose what path they will take

·        The disciples closest to Jesus reaffirm their faith through the words of  Simon Peter who said,  “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”

·        Jesus tells His disciples that one of them would betray Him

·        Jesus knew in advance that Judas would betray Him.

Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

·        Pray that the Holy Spirit  will counsel you in how to live set apart to God as well as help you understand  God’s Word

·        Desire to be challenged on whether or not your life reflects being a follower of Jesus

·        Prepare yourself for what the Bible says will happen (ex. Jesus’ second coming)

Don’t forget:

John’s main purpose in writing this Gospel:

·        To tell the world that Jesus is the Messiah for the Jews and Gentiles

·        The events were recorded so that we might believe and have eternal life

John 20:30-31 New International Version (NIV)

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Questions to ponder:

·        Are you offended by Jesus’ teaching?

·        Do you fully understand what Jesus is teaching?

·        Are you spending quality time in prayer and studying the Bible?

·        Will you abandon Jesus when you are persecuted for your faith in Him?

Have a great week…………….Dave

The offsetting reality of intergalactic weirdness Part 12 – Trump Edition

The offsetting reality of intergalactic weirdness

Part 12 – Trump Edition

To all those who want to create their personal Utopia: You’re fired

Dems view of Steve Bannon: get it “Ban” n on

Republicans: Executive Order

Democrats: Executive Disorder

Breaking News: Trump tweeted something

NIS: News Infatuation Syndrome = Trump

Interesting how people want their country back from the people who wanted their country back

Facebook Defriending App now available

Headline: Celebrities go insane, no more movies being made

Headline: Everybody is out protesting, all businesses losing money except the ones selling paper and colored markers

Democrats leaning too far left need Chiropractor for adjustment

Starbucks Political Ban: no longer serving Coffee to Republicans or anyone else that doesn’t drink their Frappuccino Kool-Aide first

Some in 4 years will actually be 8 years older

Have a great day.................Dave

John Bible Study - Lesson 18

John Bible Study - Lesson 18

Read the passage below using the 2 different Bible translations:

John 6:25-59 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus the Bread of Life

²⁵ When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

²⁶ Jesus 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.”

²⁸ Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

²⁹ Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

³⁰ So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? ³¹ Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

³² Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³ For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

³⁴ “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

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.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.”

⁴¹ At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” ⁴² They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”

⁴³ “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. ⁴⁴ “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. ⁴⁵ It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. ⁴⁶ No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. ⁴⁷ Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. ⁴⁸ I am the bread of life. ⁴⁹ Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. ⁵⁰ But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. ⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

⁵² Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

⁵³ Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. ⁵⁴ Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. ⁵⁵ For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.⁵⁶ Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. ⁵⁷ Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. ⁵⁸ This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” ⁵⁹ He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

John 6:25-59 New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁵ They found him on the other side of the lake and asked, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

²⁶ Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. ²⁷ But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”

²⁸ They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”

²⁹ Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

³⁰ They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? ³¹ After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

³² Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. ³³ The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

³⁴ “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.”

³⁵ Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. ³⁶ But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me. ³⁷ However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. ³⁸ For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. ³⁹ And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. ⁴⁰ For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”

⁴¹ Then the people began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” ⁴² They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”

⁴³ But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said. ⁴⁴ For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. ⁴⁵ As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. ⁴⁶ (Not that anyone has ever seen the Father; only I, who was sent from God, have seen him.)

⁴⁷ “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. ⁴⁸ Yes, I am the bread of life! ⁴⁹ Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. ⁵⁰ Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. ⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”

⁵² Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked.

⁵³ So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. ⁵⁴ But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. ⁵⁵ For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. ⁵⁶ Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. ⁵⁷ I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. ⁵⁸ I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”

⁵⁹ He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

Note:

Here are the 3 questions for you to answer. I have given some basic answers below the questions to help you understand the passage. Answer the questions first yourself before you look at my answers. Take a moment before you begin and ask God to help you understand what you are reading.

3 questions to answer:

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

2.    Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

3.    Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

Answers to the questions above and some background:

Content: What is this passage about?

·        The people find Jesus when they get to the other side of the lake

·        The people ask Jesus about when He got there

·        Jesus tells the people the real reason why they came to see Him and then offers them some spiritual truth

·        The people ask Jesus about how they can do the things He was doing

·        Jesus tells them to believe in Him

·        Jesus goes on to explain more spiritual truth

·        Jesus said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum

Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

·        They people referred to Jesus as Rabbi/teacher

·        Jesus sheds light on why the people came to see Him. They were looking for food to eat more so than spiritual truth.

·        The people did not understand Jesus’ miraculous signs

·        Jesus tells them to focus on gaining eternal life rather than perishable food

·        Jesus explains that God had given Him His seal of approval, with the authority and purpose to offer eternal life

Matthew 17:1-5 New International Version (NIV)

The Transfiguration

17 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.² There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. ³ Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

⁴ Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

⁵ While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

·        It is God’s desire for His people to listen to Jesus and obey His commands.

·        When the people asked about how they can do works for God, Jesus explained the importance of first believing in Him

·        Jesus tells the people that Moses didn’t give them bread from heaven but His  Father did. Jesus was referring to God providing manna to the Israelites in the desert after they fled Egypt.

Exodus 16:3-5 New International Version (NIV)

³ The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”

⁴ Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. ⁵ On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”

·        Jesus refers to Himself as the Bread from Heaven who gives life to the world.

Jesus is the Bread of Life:

·        Jesus is essential for eternal life

·        Jesus is fully human and fully divine. In His sinless human nature He can be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. In His divine nature He can pay the price for our sin. Jesus is the one true Redeemer; He delivers us from the consequences of sin and spiritual death.

·        Jesus invites people to believe in Him

·        Believing and receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior  will satisfy our hunger and thirst as well as be made righteous in the sight of God

·        We can’t earn our way into heaven

·        Only Jesus can offer us eternal life

John 14:6 New International Version (NIV)

⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Truth: No one can snatch believers away from Jesus

John 10:28-30 New International Version (NIV)

²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.

Truth: Jesus will return. Jesus will raise all His followers up when He does.

What the Bible says about Jesus second coming:

No one knows when the Lord will return.
His return will be a surprise to all, even the faithful.
When Jesus does come, it will be universal! Even the doubters and unbelievers will know of it.

When Jesus returns, God will raise the dead in Christ.
Those still living shall join the dead in meeting Jesus.
Believers will be with the Lord forever

Those who reject The Lord will be separated from Him for all eternity

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:22 (Jesus’ second coming/The Day of The Lord)

·        Anyone who believes in Jesus and receives Him as Lord and Savior will be given eternal life

·        The people had a hard time believing Jesus’ teaching and accepting His divine nature due to the fact that they could not get past His human nature.

·        People today still struggle with believing that Jesus was fully human and fully divine. They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”

Truth: no one can come to Jesus unless God the Father draws them to Him

When Jesus says that no man can come without God’s drawing him, He is making a statement about the total depravity of the sinner and the universality of that condition. So darkened is the unsaved person’s heart that he doesn’t even realize it:

Jeremiah 17:9 New International Version (NIV)

⁹ The heart is deceitful above all things
   and beyond cure.  Who can understand it? 

Therefore, it is only by the merciful and gracious drawing of God that we are saved. In the conversion of the sinner, God enlightens the mind:

Ephesians 1:18 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁸ I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

God inclines the will toward Himself, and influences the soul, without which influence the soul remains darkened and rebellious against God. All of this is involved in the drawing process. Only those who have been drawn through special revelation—by the power of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God—will come to Christ. (excerpts from GotQuestions.org)

·        The people were confused by Jesus’ teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. Unless the Holy Spirit supernaturally opens our eyes and heart to Jesus’ teaching we will not understand it. That is why we need to ask God regularly to teach us the meaning of the scripture we read.

·        The reference Jesus made to eating his flesh and drinking his blood is the metaphorical way of describing the person who draws on, claims, or lays hold of the reality of his atoning sacrifice by putting personal faith in him

The flesh and the blood are words which point to Jesus' death as a sacrifice

          (excerpt from J. I. Packer)

Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

·        Pray for clear understanding of Jesus’ teaching

·        Seek to be spiritually fed

·        Embrace Jesus as Lord & Savior

·        Put Jesus first in your life

·        Submit yourself to being obedient and following His teaching

Don’t forget:

John’s main purpose in writing this Gospel:

·        To tell the world that Jesus is the Messiah for the Jews and Gentiles

·        The events were recorded so that we might believe and have eternal life

John 20:30-31 New International Version (NIV)

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Questions to ponder:

·        Are you seeking Jesus’ material provision more so than His spiritual?

·        Does the fact that Jesus was fully human cause you to doubt His divine nature?

·        Will you ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand the harder teachings of Jesus?

Have a great week…………….Dave