by Senior Pastor, Denis Beausejour.
Series: Practicing the Presence of Jesus - Encounters that Renovate the Heart

Message: Feeding on the Bread of Life
Text: JOHN 6:25-34

Introduction: The crowds are annoyed at Jesus for leaving them behind. He does not respond to their question, or even boast of his method of arrival! Instead he begins an interactive teaching time in the synagogue in Capernaum (see verse 59), focusing on himself as the Bread of Life. We will spend the next two weeks unpacking this incredibly rich and very challenging text.
 
Today's Main Idea: Jesus wants us to feed on Him. He gives us three important prerequisites.
 
 
1. Eternal perspective. In verses 25-27, Jesus challenges the crowds to focus on things of eternity. He challenges their pursuit of food that spoils and admonishes them to seek food that endures. (See Luke 12:33). It is reminiscent of the interchange with the woman at the well and her preoccupation with normal water. It convicts us of our consuming interest in perishable stuff and our need to consider the unseen.
 
 
Application: What eternal issues are in your daily awareness? What are you praying for? What and who are you investing in? What eternal food do you enjoy most? Are you pursuing any food that spoils? Have you responded to the opportunity to invest in the Imagine Journey?

 
 
2. Obedient faith. In verses 28-31, the crowds want another sign. Jesus reminds them that miracles attest to the Father. It was not Moses who fed their ancestors, it was God (see Exodus 16:4-5). The works of God begin with a decision to believe the One He sent (Romans 3:21-28). To believe Jesus also means to obey Jesus (see John 8:31-32) if we want to truly experience freedom.

 
 
Application: Have you experienced the supernatural touch of God? Has this deepened your faith and obedience? In asking for more miracles, have you obeyed God in the things you already know?

 
 
3. Personal intimacy. In verses 32-34 we see that Jesus is the Bread of God, the one who came from heaven. (see also John 1:51,  3:13, and 3:31) The Giver is to be our focus, not his gifts. The access to the abundant provision of the Kingdom is through intimate relationship.

 
 
Application: How do you experience Jesus?Have you experienced the Imagine Journal? Are you experiencing his transforming presence? How does that affect the relationship you have with him? What do you most need in this relationship right now? Ask Jesus for that.

 
 
Communion - Practicing His Presence:

Pray and seek the Bread of Life today. As you take communion, ask Jesus to feed you and meet with you. Enjoy His presence and the fact that he is willing to meet with you. Note how he speaks to you and what he may be asking of you. Do what He shows you as a priority this week!