The glory of God is expressed in the miracles of God. Every Christian life needs to know the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. I trust you do. Jesus enters into Jerusalem and the heart of His hearers is revealed.
John 6: Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
1 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.
2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick.
3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples.
4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.
5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?"
6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.
7 Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little."
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him,
9 "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?"
10 Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number.
11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.
12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost."
13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.
14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, "This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!"
15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
Jesus Walks on Water
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.
I Am the Bread of Life
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 labour 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."
35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.
37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.
39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.
40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."
41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven."
42 They said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?"
43 Jesus answered them, "Do not grumble among yourselves.
44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
45 It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me---
46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father.
47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.
48 I am the bread of life.
49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.
50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.
51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."
52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
53 So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.
54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.
56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.
57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.
58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever."
59 Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.
The Words of Eternal Life
60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?"
61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, "Do you take offense at this?
62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
64 But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)
65 And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father."
66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.
67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?"
68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,
69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."
70 Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil."
71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray him.
Things to think about…
I love the story of the feeding of the five thousand with the initial start from a boy’s lunch Jn 6:1-15. What small beginnings has the Lord used with something in your life that has grown much spiritual fruit? This miracle was a sign that was used to bring an an understanding that Jesus was the Messiah, but the lesson was just beginning. Just because people see and experience a miracle confirming who the Christ is does not mean the heart will accept His words. Many followed Him because of the bread that filled their stomachs, but most fled as they rejected the bread that would fill their souls.
It is interesting that when Jesus stopped the storm after they had been rowing hard for so long we read that they were immediately at the other side, Jn 6:16-21. When Jesus is involved, our efforts are not needed or are of little use. When Christ is involved, the flesh and earthly strength is never a benefit. Jesus says His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Is this your experience at the moment?
John 6:22-71 is really an exchange between Jesus and the people on their true heart motivations for either accepting or rejecting who he is. Jesus says they only follow Him because they got fed, vs 26. They ask for a sign. He just gave them a sign the day before with the loaves and the fishes. How hard is the fallen human heart. How hypocritical we can be. When we ask the Lord for a sign what is the heart motivation behind the request?
Jesus says that their fathers ate manna in the wilderness, but now He says they have to eat His body and drink His blood, Jn 6:53-56. How ghastly! Imagine how this would have been heard by these 1st Century Jews. How do you think people hear this stuff today? Jesus is absolutely right. But what does He mean when He says these things. My question:- Are you having a good feast on Christ’s body and are you being renewed and restored by His blood? The reformers had to wrestle with this question. Luther struggled to find the full meaning, Calvin and Zwingli had the interpretation that we have today as Protestants – Christ’s body is to be eaten through our accepting of who He is as Saviour and not through the Roman Catholic understanding of the Mass in saying there is a literal body and blood of Christ that is to be taken. Accepting Jesus as your Saviour is your food and drink into eternal life. Hallelujah!
Many disciples turned away after hearing Christ’s words, Jn 6:60-71. Jesus asks if the others want to turn away. Look at Simon’s answer as he responds on behalf of the disciples, vss 68&69. He simply says “you have the words of eternal life…you are the Holy One of God”. Yet one was a devil. After so many stopped following Jesus from that day on, Jesus knew those who would follow Him and who would come later. We cannot serve a god of our imagination. If we only serve Him for the physical blessings He gives rather than the greater work of salvation from sin and glorifying Him through an obedient life then we are not true worshippers. Worship as Jesus said in John 4 must be done in spirit and in truth. Hard truths are still truths nonetheless. When we commit our lives to Christ we are called to renew our minds and conform to what He says rather than serving a god of our imagination.
Vision Point
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Questions for Cell groups
Sunday’s sermon, “The head and not the tail” came from Deut 28 by Ps Jay.
1. This chapter concerns many earthly blessings – houses, land, crops, family. In what ways has Israel experienced the promises of Dt 28:1-14?
2. As Christians we would say we have all the blessings and more than those listed in the reading. John 10:10 Jesus said He came to give us life and give it more abundantly. Have you experienced this to be the case? How?
3. Israel did not experience all the promises listed in Dt 28:1-14 due to disobedience. Do Christians fall into the same trap? In what ways should Christians be the head and not the tail?
4. Pray for your cell group and the church building and outreach that we achieve our Vision/Mission as a church.
Prayer Points
1.Pray for Queensland that we do not see any more Corona virus cases as restrictions are lifted. Pray for Victoria and NSW as borders close, but virus cases rise.
2.We return to church altogether this Sunday 12th July – one service at 9:30am
3.Pray for wisdom and clarity for other states managing the crises and new cases in Victoria.
4.Continue to pray for our government for wisdom and economic management.
5.Sunday’s fb live messages and for Kids church. The message this week – “God so loved the world” John 3 – Pr Jay.
6.Our online Chuwar Kids at church program – that our kids still feel connected to church and love worshipping Him.
7.This Sunday’s bbq/picnic. Pray for the blessing and celebration as we come back together.
8.Church finances to meet our expenses and to put a roof over our café.
9.Our City and Country – Pray for revival over our city and the leadership of our country even through these challenging times. Pray especially for people to be stable with respect to mental health.
Praise Points.
1.Jesse Baxter is gaining strength in his hands, praise the Lord.
2.Our church can meet together again this Sunday.
3.Restrictions being lifted – cell groups can now meet up.
4.Finances being maintained and donation to Café roof. Thankyou!
1.One service at 9:30am on the 12th July. This service will also be live streamed. No hand shakes or hugs are allowed. Hand sanitizer is to be used, tables will be wiped and chairs arranged for appropriate distancing. Families can of course sit together.
2.BBQ/Picnic this Sunday after the morning service. Bring your own meat, salad, sandwiches. Remember we still have some restrictions. If food is to be shared it must be individually wrapped so it is only touched by those who are consuming it.
3.Cell groups can meet up – Ask for details as to how and what is required.
4.New church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5.Kids Church now streamed live at 9:00am every Sunday morning via CBC’s fb page. Will be run in the house for the 10am service starting on the 12thJuly.
