Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

A reminder - Please: Turn off your cell phone or set to vibrate only Turn off sound to all electronic devices Use the nursery or cry room if your child is fussy Get up during the preaching only if absolutely necessary (please sit in back if you must leave early)

Responding to Difficult Doctrine John 6:41- 7:1 Hebrews warns against following the example of Israel in the wilderness in hardening your heart Philippians 2:14-16 - the children of God are not to be grumblers Jesus’ teaching is difficult when it is interpreted according to what one desires

The Setting John 6:1-40 Jesus had healed the sick and taught and miraculously fed the multitude The crowd thought Jesus was the prophet (Dt. 18) and would have made Him king, but He sent them away Jesus walked out to His disciples in the middle of the Sea in a wind storm, they then went to Gennersaret

The Setting John 6:1-40 The multitude could not find Jesus, so they traveled to Capernaum where they finally found Him Jesus rebuked them for seeking Him to get mere food, He then offered them spiritual food for eternal life

The Setting John 6:1-40 Their demand for another miracle prompted Jesus to teach them about the “bread of life” Belief in the Son brings eternal life, resurrection and security

Difficult Doctrine Part 1 John 6:41-51 Grumbling (gogguvzw / gonguzo) is speaking in complaining in low tones, murmuring - vs. 41-42 The Jews, those following the Pharisaical system, were complaining that Jesus said He was from Heaven

Difficult Doctrine Part 1 John 6:41-51 Jesus could have given them a stronger rebuke, but only told them to stop grumbling - vs 43 John 6:44 - divine intervention is necessary - though many do not like the doctrine of divine election

Difficult Doctrine Part 1 John 6:41-51 “Draw” is e”lcw / elcho) meaning to “pull or drag” - see John 21:6,11; Acts 16:19; 21:30 People are saved only by the actions of the Holy Spirit according to God’s own will (John 1:12-13)

Difficult Doctrine Part 1 John 6:41-51 John 6:45 - those who hear & learn from the Father come to Christ, but hard hearts prevent it (Mt. 13:14) John 6:46 - Only Jesus is from God and has seen the Father - Moses had not done this (Exodus 33:20-23)

Difficult Doctrine Part 1 John 6:41-51 John 6:47-51 - manna is a physical type of what Jesus would be spiritually who gives eternal life Verse 51 is future tense anticipating Jesus’ giving His flesh to bring eternal life to the world

Difficult Doctrine Part 2 John 6:52-59 John 6:52 - the Jews are confused and now argue openly with each other John 6:53-58 - Jesus explains again using figurative language

Difficult Doctrine Part 2 John 6:52-59 “True” = real, not imaginary and what is spiritual is real though not physically seen Eating physical flesh would be cannibalism and drinking blood would violate Lev. 17:11

Difficult Doctrine Part 2 John 6:52-59 Passages such as Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 speak of the Messiah dying as a sacrifice for sin Eternal life and abiding in Christ are both spiritual concepts and realities, not physical ones

The Response of the Unbelieving Disciples John 6:60-65 John 6:60 - the “disciples” refer to the nominal followers of Jesus, not the Jews or the Twelve Transubstantiation contradicts the clear teaching of the scriptures, but the RCC holds it for its mystical value John 6:61 - Their grumbling reveals hearts that are being entrapped by sin

The Response of the Unbelieving Disciples John 6:60-65 John 6:62 - essentially a question about what evidence would convince them Jesus was from God John 6:63 - Jesus makes it clear He is talking about spiritual things, not physical ones

The Response of the Unbelieving Disciples John 6:60-65 John 6:64-65 - the validity of a person’s claims is demonstrated by their actions: many did not believe Don’t trade the truth and reality of life in Christ for the short lived promises of the flesh

The Response of the Twelve John 6:66-71 Peter acts as the spokesman for all - notice his use of the plural pronoun, we John 6:70 - there was an imposter even among the twelve

Conclusions Your response to Jesus’ claims about Himself and what He offers will be demonstrated by your life Eternal life comes through Jesus’ words - John 6:63. See John 5:24. What is your response to them?

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ