March 5-6, 2005, John 6

JESUS UNCENSORED!
THE ULTIMATE HAPPY MEAL!

*** John 6:5-6 “When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.” [NIV]
*** John 6:7-13 “Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.” [New International Version]
*** John 6:14-15 “After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.” [NIV]
*** Mark 6:52 “for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.” [NIV]
*** John 6:27 “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you." [NIV]
*** John 6:33-35 “For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." "Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread." Then Jesus declared, "I AM the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” [NIV]
*** John 6:36 “But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.”
*** John 6:41-42 “At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, "I AM the bread that came down from heaven." 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'?" [NIV]
*** John 6:60, 66 “On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” [NIV]

LESSON ONE - IT’S POSSIBLE…
TO BE NEAR JESUS AND STILL MISS HIM!
*** 2 Tim. 3:5 “They will hold to the outward form of our religion, but reject its real power.” [Today’s English Version]
*** Matthew 15:8 “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” [NIV]
*** Rev. 3:1-2a “To the…church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up!” [NIV]

DOES JESUS HAVE ALL OF YOU?

LESSON TWO - IT’S POSSIBLE…
TO FOLLOW JESUS FOR THE WRONG REASONS!
*** Daniel 3:17-18 “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." [NIV]

“EVEN IF HE DOESN'T” FAITH!

*** Hebrews 11:32-35a “And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again.” [NIV]
*** Hebrews 11:35b-39 “Others were tortured and refused to be released…. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated… They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith….” [NIV]

AM I FOLLOWING JESUS BECAUSE OF WHAT I GET OR
BECAUSE OF WHO HE IS?

LESSON THREE - IT’S POSSIBLE…
TO WITNESS A MIRACLE AND NOT BE CONVINCED!

EVERY OPPORTUNITY FOR FAITH IS A BRAND NEW CHALLENGE!

IS MY FAITH SHIFTING OR STABLE?

HOW CAN WE NOT MISS WHO JESUS IS?
1. BY COMING TO JESUS!
*** John 6:35 “Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” [NIV]
2. BY COMMITTING TO JESUS!
*** John 6:35 “Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” [NIV]
3. BY CONSUMING JESUS!
*** John 6:56 “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.” [NIV]

“Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, "Are you going to leave, too?" Simon Peter replied, "Lord, to whom would we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life. We believe them, and we know you are the Holy One of God." John 6:67-69 [New Living Translation]