New Life Bible Fellowship Church
10-27-24
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      • Psalm 111:1–3NKJV

  • Meekness And Majesty
  • The Church's One Foundation

      • Psalm 110NKJV

  • Introduction:

    If you were with us last week, you will remember that Jesus, having completed his rebuttal against the religious leaders in Jerusalem, was now once again in Galilee, and particularly, on the east side of the sea of Galilee. There, He was met by a large crowd who followed him because of the healing he was doing and Jesus used this event to test his disciples once again on the limitations of humanity with regard to human need. In so doing, he provided for those human needs from the storehouse of his eternal resources, as we saw him feed 5,000 men plus women and children.
    However, there was more to this sign-miracle then meets the eye. While the people focused humanly on the physical need being met, and as a result, declared him a prophet and wanted to take him by force and make him king, Jesus withdrew himself from them to the mountain to pray (Matt 14:23). Why would he do that? It’s because this sign-miracle like all the ones that John provides us in this gospel, has a much deeper significance then what appeared on the surface, thus in the passage for this morning and the one for next week, we will look at Jesus’ Divine Explanation of this sign-miracle from John 6:16-34.

    Text: John 6:16-34

    John 6:16–34 ESV
    16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. 22 On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

    Main Idea: Since Jesus is God in the flesh, everything he does in and for the flesh, has a greater eternal significance that goes beyond the flesh.

    We begin this morning with a significant revelation by Jesus to his disciples. This revelation is essential in their discipleship training and moves them closer to a greater understanding of who Jesus is.

    I. Jesus Walks On Water (16-21)

    Note: This miracle is recorded in both Matt. 14:22–33 and in Mark 6:47–51, and should not be confused with the calming of the storm that arose as Jesus lay sleeping in the boat (Matt. 8:23–27; Mark 4:36–41; Luke 8:22–25).

    A. Human Dilemma (16-19)

    (16) When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, (17) got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
    Note: Matthew 14:22, gives us further insights:
    Matthew 14:22 ESV
    22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.
    so this was an act of obedience on the disciples part.
    (18) The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.
    It is not uncommon for storms to pop up on the sea of Galilee because of the deep and narrow valleys or gorges between the hills to the west that cause strong blasts of wind to come rushing down, and suddenly strike the lake whose surface lies 682 ft. below the level of the Mediterranean. These storms can be quite intense.
    (19) When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened.
    They had rowed about three or four miles. If the feeding of the multitude took place at the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, the shortest distance to Capernaum would be 5–6 miles (8–10 km).
    they saw Jesus walking on the sea is not something Jesus did just to amaze the disciples, but rather it is a powerful, visible revelation of Jesus’ sovereignty over the world that he created (Heb. 1:3, 10). In the OT, God alone rules over the seas (Ps. 29:10–11)
    Psalm 29:10–11 ESV
    10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever. 11 May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!
    This may also have been given to remind the disciples how God, who is sovereign over the seas, parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to pass in Exodus 14.

    B. Divine Declaration (20-21)

    (20) But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
    Jesus’ words, “It is I,” represent the Greek phrase egō eimi, which in other contexts can be translated “I am.” Here it may allude to God’s self-identification as “I AM WHO I AM” (Ex. 3:14) and thus is an indication of Jesus’ divinity. This connection becomes more clear when the phrase is repeated in later verses in connection with physical symbols which we will begin to see next week.
    do not be afraid - it is because Jesus is the I am, they the disciples should not be afraid, even in the midst of the storm.
    (21) Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
    Immediately the boat was at the land is a miraculous instance of what is taught in Ps. 107:23–32: God alone stills the storm, and he is the one who brings those who travel the sea safely to their destination.
    Psalm 107:23–32 ESV
    23 Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; 24 they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. 25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. 26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; 27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end. 28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. 31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

    II. Human Confusion (22-24)

    Note: when humanity encounters divinity, there will always be confusion. Man’s ability to reason is fenced in by time and space, by what is rational and logical, and by what can be proven by the scientific method. Man cannot understand nor will they believe what is transcendent.
    (22) On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. (23) Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. (24) So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.
    So the people began to search for Jesus, thinking that he was still in the neighborhood of Bethsaida This is implied in 6:24 a. They discovered, however, that Jesus, too, had disappeared, however mysteriously. They drew the correct conclusion that he had gone back to the western (Capernaum) region; though, of course, with no other boat in sight to take him back, they could not figure out how he got back. Did he walk around the sea? But in that case would they not have seen him? They never thought for a moment that he might have walked across!
    they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. - Why were they seeking Jesus is the question, Jesus of course answers this question for us…

    III. Divine Sufficiency (25-34)

    Note: that over and over again, Jesus has been showing and declaring the insufficiency of the human remedies, and the essential need for the divine solution.
    We see in this section three errors of the Jews, the first being that they had the wrong desire…they focused on the natural and not the spiritual.

    A. Insufficiency of Earthly Work (25-27)

    (25) When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” - to the crowd, this was not normal or logical, they sought a logical explanation which Jesus responds to with a probing answer…
    (26) Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.
    not because you saw signs. Although they saw the miracle of the loaves and fishes, they did not recognize it as a sign identifying Jesus as the kind of Messiah that the Father had sent Him to be. It was merely as an opportunity for a meal to them. Their immediate reaction, acclaiming Him as the promised prophet and eager to embrace Him as a political-military king (vv. 14, 15), was short-lived, as Jesus knew it would be (2:23–25).
    Jesus therefore continues with truth that refocuses there attention beyond the immediate physical need…
    (27) Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”
    Do not work for the food that perishes,
    this command by Jesus does not mean we are not to work for our food,
    2 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV
    10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
    It’s emphasis is rather on the focus of our lives. If all our effort is solely for the perishable things of life, we will be left empty. This of course is reminiscent of what the prophet Isaiah said:
    Isaiah 55:2 ESV
    2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
    but for the food that endures to eternal life - Jesus points to the spiritual, eternal meaning of the miracle, a meaning to comes from just one source…
    which the Son of Man will give to you. - there is one source and only one of this food that endures to eternal life, it is Jesus, the Son of Man.
    For on him God the Father has set his seal - For, explains Jesus, God the Father has set his seal of approval, his seal of authenticity, his seal of ownership on His ministry and has identified Him as the Son of Man, the promised Messiah, and His death will be the Father’s provision of eternally life-giving bread from heaven (which we shall look at next week from vv. 48–51).

    B. True Work of God (28-29)

    The Jews next error was that they sought salvation by their own works, not by faith…and so they respond…
    (28) Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” - in response to Jesus command to not work for the food that perishes, they ask this question.
    What must we do, to be doing the works of God? - note here that the people were focused on a work that they would do, not on the fact that it is indeed a work of God.
    (29) Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
    This is the work of God - you want to know God’s work, well here it is…
    that you believe in him whom he has sent. - Doing the works represents the same word that is translated “work” in v. 27 (Gk. ergazomai). where Jesus tells them to work “for the food that endures to eternal life” (v. 27), but the people misunderstand Jesus’ statement and ask about the works required by God. Jesus replies that the work God requires is that people believe in the Messiah.
    In other words, there is no work they can do, they are to trust in what God the Father has provided for them, Jesus, the Messiah.

    C. True Manna From God (30-34)

    The Jews final error was that they sought a sign before they would believe, though many such signs had been given them.
    (30) So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? - blinded by their own desire to justify themselves before God, they seek a sign to validate all that Jesus had just said, and give an example of what they were looking for…
    (31) Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” - it’s as if they are saying, “This is what God the Father did through our fathers in the wilderness journey for 40 years, he fed them with bread from heaven, can you top that?”
    They expected that the coming of the Messiah would be marked by a miracle as great as or greater than the giving of the manna in the desert, so they dismiss the multiplication of loaves and fish that filled their stomachs the day before. Their reference to manna as “bread from heaven” come from Ps. 78:24, and gives Jesus the opening to speak of Himself as the real and lasting nourishment sent down from heaven by the Father…which he says next…
    (32) Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
    Truly, truly, I say to you - Amen, amen, wake up and listen
    it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, - Moses was only the human agent, not the actual provider…the actual provider was…
    my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. The word “true” has a special meaning. Jesus refers to what is everlasting, as opposed to something merely provisional and representative. The bread God provided through Moses (Ex. 16; Num. 11) was only material and temporary, and not what was true which is both spiritual and eternal. Jesus goes on to explain further…
    (33) For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
    For the bread of God, explains Jesus, is…
    he who comes down from heaven. This is Jesus Christ, whose incarnation is described as “coming down”. So what was the purpose of this bread?…
    gives life to the world. Christ provides eternal life to those who are dead in trespasses and sins (5:24–26; Eph. 2:1). They are chosen not only from the Jews but from the whole world (4:42; cf. 11:51, 52). Jesus does not here teach that all human beings will be saved, but rather the universal relevance and appeal of His saving work, which benefits those from every nationality whom the Father has given to Him.
    (34) They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
    give us this bread always. They misinterpret Jesus’ statement by taking it on a purely physical level, as Nicodemus (3:4) and the Samaritan woman (4:15) did earlier.

    So What?

    Do we understand that as we obey God’s commands, we will be met with trials and challenges which will be used to defy human understanding and exalt the glory of God?
    Do we find ourselves enamored with the pursuits of this life to which we neglect the pursuits of that which has eternal rewards?
    Have you truly believed in, put your trust in the bread of God, which is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world?

      • John 6:16–34ESV

      • John 6:16–17ESV

      • John 6:16–17ESV

      • Matthew 14:22ESV

      • John 6:18–19ESV

      • John 6:18–19ESV

      • Psalm 29:10–11ESV

      • John 6:20–21ESV

      • Psalm 107:23–32ESV

      • John 6:22–24ESV

      • John 6:25–27ESV

      • 2 Thessalonians 3:10ESV

      • Isaiah 55:2ESV

      • John 6:28–29ESV

      • John 6:30–34ESV

  • Praise The Savior
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